BSN to DNP: Nurse Educator and Transformational Leadership

• Online courses (5-, 10-, and 15-week formats)
• 36 months (3 years)/63 credits
• 1,000 clinical hours (in geographic area of residence)
• One-day online orientation
• Biblical principles are the foundation of the curriculum
• Summer start

The Nurse Educator and Transformational Leadership track in CCU's College of Graduate Studies includes the following clinical hours:

• Year 1: 160
• Year 2: 160
• Year 3: 680 (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 three 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.

Graduates are prepared for high-impact roles, such as nursing faculty in classrooms, labs, and clinical settings; hospital clinical educators; and staff or professional development specialists. Beyond education, you will be equipped for leadership positions, including clinical manager, nurse executive, and quality improvement leader. This pathway doesn't just prepare you for a job; it positions you for a career of purpose, leadership, and lasting impact.

Upon completion, you are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator Novice (CNEn) national certification examination through the National League for Nursing.

Coursework in the Nurse Educator and Transformational Leadership track also provides preparation for future certifications as a nurse educator or nurse executive leader. However, please note that these certifications (Certified Nurse Educator [CNE], Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC], Nurse Executive [NE-BC], Nurse Executive Advanced [NEA-BC], or Certified in Executive Nursing Practice [CENP]) require additional role-specific practice hours after graduation to meet eligibility requirements.

Yes. If you hold a master's degree in nursing, you can enter the BSN-DNP pathway, though MSN graduates 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 nursing education and nursing practice requirements you have already completed and what coursework remains for the DNP nurse educator track.

A maximum of 6 credits can be transferred based on course equivalency. In rare cases, registered nurses who already hold an MSN but still desire to enter the BSN-DNP pathway may be eligible to transfer up to 12 credits. This applies if you have successfully completed the "3 P courses" (Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology) within the last three years.

These concentration courses provide the clinical practice foundation essential for advanced nursing roles and prepare nurses to integrate evidence-based practice into curriculum development and nursing education.

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 8 hours) per week in clinical settings such as academic institutions, hospitals, or healthcare organizations. In year three, expect two days per week (approximately 12.5 to 14.5 hours). The only exception is the final semester, which requires just 2 to 4 hours per week.

These in-person clinical hours allow you to develop advanced skills in curriculum development, teaching strategies, and outcome assessment while gaining hands-on experience in nursing education environments. You will complete a total of 1,000 clinical hours, with 480 hours focused on the nurse educator role (including 80 hours of direct patient care) and 520 hours in transformational leadership

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 curriculum that eliminates redundant coursework.

This pathway gives you the highest doctoral degree in nursing practice and prepares you to lead at every level of nursing education. As a DNP nurse educator, you gain the credentials to pursue nurse faculty positions in academic settings, develop curriculum for nursing programs, and shape the next generation of nursing professionals. The DNP degree also qualifies you for leadership roles such as program director, clinical educator, staff development specialist, and nurse executive.

By earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice with a nurse educator focus, you position yourself for career opportunities in a field with critical demand and help address the nationwide nursing faculty shortage that limits how many nursing students programs can accept.

Theory courses are fully online, giving you the freedom to engage with doctoral-level nursing education content 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 supportive faculty and peers nationwide. Interactive synchronous discussions, digital library resources, and 24/7 tech support ensure a comprehensive doctoral experience without geographic limitations.

Clinical hours are completed in your local community through placements in academic institutions, hospitals, and other clinical settings where nursing education takes place.

CCU's clinical team partners with you to secure practicum sites aligned with your career goals as a nurse educator or nurse faculty member. This online 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.

The DNP program curriculum prepares nurses for diverse settings, including universities, community colleges, hospitals, and health care organizations that need qualified professionals to teach clinical nursing practice and develop knowledge in the nursing field.

Yes. CCU's Doctor of Nursing Practice program holds full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), meeting the highest national standards for nursing education accreditation. This accreditation ensures employer recognition, eligibility for clinical practice and leadership positions, and qualifies you for advanced certifications through organizations like the National League for Nursing and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Upon completing the DNP nurse educator track, you are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator Novice (CNEn) national certification examination through the National League for Nursing. With additional post-graduation experience, you can pursue certifications such as Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC), or Nurse Executive credentials.

The DNP degree is the practice doctorate in nursing, preparing nurse educators for advanced nursing roles that combine clinical expertise with curriculum design, teaching methods, and evaluation methods. Whether you pursue nurse faculty positions in academia or professional development roles in health care settings, your doctoral preparation demonstrates commitment to academic excellence and positions you to prepare nurses who will deliver quality health care and improve patient care across the entire health system.

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.