BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Transformational Leadership

• Online courses (5, 10, and 15 week formats)
• 36 months (3 years)/67 credits
• 1,160 clinical hours (in geographic area of residence)
• One-day online orientation
• One weekend on-campus intensive required
• Biblical principles are the foundation of the curriculum
• Summer and spring start options

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Transformational Leadership track in CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies includes the following clinical hours:

• Year 1: 160
• Year 2: 160
• Year 3: 840 (288 DNP project hours may be completed virtually)

All in-person clinical hours are completed in your geographical area of residence. You will work closely with CCU's Clinical Program Manager to identify qualified preceptors near you. Each clinical experience includes one-on-one supervision by your preceptor and oversight from your course faculty.

Virtual clinical hours occur in Year 3 during the three DNP Project courses. These hours are completed under the supervision of your course faculty and DNP mentor, and in collaboration with your clinical preceptor, ensuring continuity and support throughout your doctoral journey.

During NUR792, you will be required to attend a mandatory on-campus intensive over the weekend (Saturday/Sunday).

This immersive experience fosters hands-on learning and community, setting you up for success in advanced procedures and clinical practice. Travel expenses are not included in tuition and fees.

With CCU's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Transformational Leadership track, you will be equipped to provide expert care in diverse settings such as primary care clinics, specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. Your dual preparation as a clinician and leader will also prepare you for roles such as clinical manager, nurse executive, quality improvement leader, and nursing faculty. This pathway doesn't just prepare you for a job; it positions you for a career of influence, versatility, and purpose.

Upon completion, you are eligible to:

• Apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure in your state
• Sit for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner national certification through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Coursework in the Transformational Leadership track provides strong preparation for nurse executive leadership and future certification. However, please note that these certifications (Nurse Executive [NE-BC], Nurse Executive Advanced [NEA-BC], or Certified in Executive Nursing Practice [CENP]) require additional leadership practice hours after graduation to meet eligibility requirements.

Yes. However, if you hold a master's degree in nursing, you will need to undergo a transcript review for gap analysis, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis. This process helps determine which clinical courses and practicum hours you may have already completed and what remains for the adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner track.

A maximum of 6 credits can be transferred based on course equivalency. In rare cases, if you already hold a master's degree in a non-NP specialty (such as Clinical Nurse Specialist) but still desire to enter the BSN-DNP pathway through the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track, you may be eligible to transfer up to 12 credits. This applies if you have completed the "3 P courses" (Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physical Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology) within the last three years. These courses provide a strong foundation in the advanced health assessment and clinical management skills essential for primary care nurse practitioners.

While you have flexibility in scheduling your clinical experiences, completing in-person practicum hours consistently each week is recommended. During Years 1 and 2, plan for one full day (about 8 hours) per week in your clinical setting. In Year 3, you should be prepared to commit two days (approximately 12.5 to 14.5 hours) per week. These clinical placements allow you to develop diagnostic reasoning skills and provide primary care to adult patients and older adults across diverse practice settings, including hospitals, primary care clinics, and long-term care facilities.

The CCU BSN to DNP degree pathway opens doors others cannot. The traditional BSN-to-MSN-to-DNP route takes 4 to 5 years, or longer if you pause between degrees. At CCU, you will earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice in just three years, saving time and money with a streamlined DNP curriculum that eliminates redundant coursework.

This pathway gives you the highest credential in nursing practice and prepares you to work as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Graduates are eligible to provide primary care to adults across the lifespan, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, and the clinical management of both chronic conditions and common acute illnesses. The DNP degree also opens doors to advanced clinical roles, executive leadership positions, quality improvement roles, and opportunities in nursing faculty.

Theory courses are fully online, giving you the freedom to engage with doctoral-level content anywhere you have internet access. The innovative structure fits your professional schedule through asynchronous learning, recorded lectures, virtual simulations, and online collaboration tools that connect you with faculty and peers nationwide.

Clinical experiences are completed in your local community, eliminating travel costs and time away from home while providing hands-on practice in primary care settings. You will complete 1,160 practicum hours, developing advanced practice skills in evidence-based practice, diagnostic reasoning, hospital and community-based leadership, and the clinical management of adult and older adult patients.

CCU's clinical team partners with you to secure clinical placements aligned with your career goals as a gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. This hybrid approach maximizes learning efficiency while creating a sustainable, faith-integrated path to earning your doctoral degree.

Yes. CCU's DNP program holds full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring your degree meets the highest national standards for doctoral nursing education. This accreditation ensures employer recognition, eligibility for clinical practice and leadership positions, and qualifies you for advanced certifications through organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Upon completing the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track, you are eligible to apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure in your state and sit for national certification. The DNP curriculum prepares advanced practice nurses for the evolving demands of health care while maintaining the rigorous academic standards expected of terminal degrees in nursing practice.

If you have additional questions, please complete the form on this page to connect with a CCU Enrollment Counselor.

No. There is not currently a stop-out option that will provide you with an MSN degree. All graduates of the BSN to DNP program will graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree only.