BSN to DNP: Family 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 Family Nurse Practitioner and Transformational Leadership track in CCU's College of 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.

Nurse Practitioner was ranked the #1 job of 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, with employment projected to grow 46% over the next decade. CCU's Family Nurse Practitioner and Transformational Leadership track prepares you to deliver comprehensive care to both pediatric and adult patients, giving you the flexibility to serve patients across multiple primary care, specialty, or community health settings. Your dual preparation as both a clinician and a leader also opens doors to roles such as clinical manager, nurse executive, quality improvement leader, and nursing faculty member. With this versatile credential, you will have the flexibility to shape your career path and make a lasting impact wherever you're called to serve.

Upon completion, you are eligible to:

• Apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure in your state
• Sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) national certification examination 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 an MSN degree, you will need to undergo a transcript review for gap analysis, and this will be handled on a case-by-case basis. This process helps determine which nursing practice program requirements you have already completed and what coursework remains for the DNP nurse practitioner track.

A maximum of 6 credits can be transferred based on course equivalency. In rare cases, registered nurses who already hold an MSN degree in a non-NP specialty (such as Clinical Nurse Specialist) but still desire to enter the BSN-DNP pathway through the Family Nurse Practitioner track may be eligible to transfer up to 12 credits. This applies if you have successfully completed the "3 P courses" (Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physical Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology) within the last three years.

While you have flexibility in scheduling, completing in-person clinical hours consistently each week is recommended. During years one and two, plan for one full day (about eight hours) per week of direct patient care experience. In year three, you should be prepared to commit two days (approximately 12.5 to 14.5 hours) per week. These clinical hours prepare you to provide patient care, prescribe medications, and diagnose conditions as a DNP nurse practitioner.

The CCU BSN to DNP degree pathway opens doors that 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 nursing practice program that eliminates redundant coursework.

This pathway gives registered nurses the highest level of education in nursing practice and prepares you to lead at every level. As a DNP nurse practitioner, you can provide direct patient care, prescribe medications, and diagnose conditions while also qualifying for leadership roles such as chief nursing officer, program director, or nursing faculty. The DNP degree opens doors to advanced clinical practice, executive leadership, and diverse healthcare settings.

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

Clinical hours are completed in your local community through clinical placements, eliminating travel costs while providing hands-on clinical practice experience. CCU's clinical team partners with you to secure practicum sites aligned with your nursing career goals. This hybrid program approach maximizes learning efficiency and minimizes disruption to work and family life, creating a sustainable, faith-integrated path to earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Yes. CCU's Doctor of Nursing Practice program holds full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring your degree meets the highest national standards for nursing education. This accreditation ensures employer recognition, eligibility for clinical practice and leadership positions, and qualifies you for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure.

Upon program completion, you are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. The DNP degree is the terminal degree in nursing practice, preparing advanced practice nurses to improve patient outcomes, influence health care systems, and lead healthcare system improvement initiatives. Whether you pursue direct patient care or leadership roles, your DNP credential demonstrates clinical expertise and academic excellence.

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.