The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed as an interdisciplinary, indirect care, systems leadership, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP program which prepares graduates to function in an independent leadership role in the development of community based, interprofessional, and collaborative solutions to the problems facing under served and vulnerable populations locally, nationally, and globally, as well as meet the need for more doctorally prepared nurses.

The DNP is preparing for the expanding role functions and needs of future advanced nursing practice and the national guidelines for entry level for advanced practice to be at the doctoral level. Transforming health care delivery recognizes the critical need for clinicians to design, evaluate, and continuously improve the context within which care is delivered. Nurses prepared at the doctoral level with a blend of clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills will be able to significantly impact health care outcomes.

The Systems Leadership DNP is a non-direct patient care doctorate concentrating on administrative, health care policy, informatics, and population-based specialties focus with practice on aggregates: populations, systems, organizations, and state or national policies.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Requirements

Admission standards for graduate studies at California Baptist University can be found in the Admissions section of the University Catalog. Additional application requirements for the doctoral program in Nursing are:

1. Grade Point Average

• A minimum 3.3 GPA for unconditional admission and a minimum 3.0 GPA for conditional admission

2. Prerequisites: All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher

• Microsoft Office Competency
• Statistics
• Research

3. Completion of a Master’s Degree

• A master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution or evaluated equivalency of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required.
• Applicants with a master’s degree in another discipline may be evaluated for admission on an individual basis.

4. Current California Registered Nursing (RN) license
5. Clearances

• CPR Certification
• Background Check Clearance
• Health Clearance
• Drug Testing
• Proof of Health Insurance
• Proof of Motor Vehicle Insurance

6. Three Recommendations completed on forms provided

• Must be from sources who can personally attest to the candidate’s potential for scholarly and professional success: one personal, one academic, one employer. Family members and friends may not complete recommendations.

7. Written essay of no more than 1000 words about a potential project that includes the following:

• Identify a problem that requires a system change relevant to emerging healthcare issues and need for this change
• Reason for interest in this topic as a potential project
• How problem is applicable to the DNP-prepared health care provider
• How having a doctoral education will be integrated into your personal professional goals
• Reasons for choosing California Baptist University

8. Current professional resume

• Must include work experience, professional activities, and scholarly activities

9. Successful Demonstration of Writing

• Examples of writing competence include publications or master’s degree research paper

10. Successful Interview with College of Nursing