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Doctor of Nursing Practice (Online + Hybrid Options)

Improve health care outcomes in your community. Become a leader in your field.

Loyola University New Orleans offers the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program to prepare nurses to take on the highest-level roles in their field. Students in the DNP program benefit from Loyola’s world-class faculty and resources while also taking advantage of our convenient online and hybrid learning formats. Students can choose from specialized DNP programs that align with their career goals and build on their previous experience, including BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP degree paths. 

Degree Paths

Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice

Loyola offers the following specialized BSN-DNP programs: 

Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice

The MSN-DNP online degree path is designed for master’s-level nurses looking to earn a terminal doctor of nursing practice degree. The MSN to DNP program prepares students to work with interdisciplinary teams, make ethical and informed decisions, and implement evidence-based solutions to complex healthcare challenges. 

 

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Specialized Programs

Loyola’s DNP degree has career-focused tracks that are tailored to your professional goals, giving you a competitive edge in the job market and the expertise needed to become a leader in any healthcare setting.

Please note: Loyola's Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Any questions regarding accreditation status  can be directed to COA:

COA
10275 West Higgins Road Ste. 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603

Phone: 224-275-9138
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Website: https://www.coacrna.org/

BSN-DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

78 Credits

Online 

Apply Now

BSN-DNP – Nurse Anesthesia

87 Credits

Hybrid

Apply Now on NursingCAS

BSN-DNP – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

48 Credits

Hybrid

Apply Now on Nursingcas

BSN-DNP – Dual Nurse Anesthesia + Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

96 Credits

Hybrid

Apply Now on NursingCAS

MSN-DNP

39+ Credits

Online

Apply Now

Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum

The doctor of nursing practice program at Loyola University New Orleans is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Loyola’s DNP degree program equips students with the tools needed to effectively lead teams, organizations, and individuals within the complex healthcare industry.

Nursing students in the BSN to DNP – family nurse practitioner program will be immersed in both the theory and practice of primary care through a curriculum that combines advanced nursing practice, informatics, and healthcare leadership coursework. The FNP doctor of nursing program can be completed in just 36 months. Upon graduation, students will be qualified to sit for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Family Nurse Practitioner exam or the American Nurses Credentialing Center exam for Family Nurse Practitioner.

BSN-DNP – FNP (78 credits total)

DNP Core Courses (42 credits)

  • Theoretical Foundations & Role (3 credits)
  • Advanced Research Methods (3 credits)
  • Philosophy of Science (3 credits)
  • Ethics and Social Justice (3 credits)
  • Epidemiology (3 credits)
  • Evidence-Based Practice, Research Translation & Implementation Science (3 credits)
  • Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • Program Planning, Evaluation, & Quality Management (3 credits)
  • DNP Advanced Practicum I (3 credits)
  • Leadership of Systems Change & Innovation (3 credits)
  • Health Policy & Economics (3 credits)
  • DNP Advanced Practicum II (3 credits)
  • Informatics & Finance (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project (3 credits)

Advanced Practice Courses (9 credits)

  • Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
  • Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)

FNP Specialty Didactic Courses (15 credits)

  • Primary Care of Pediatrics (3 credits)
  • Primary Care of Adults (3 credits)
  • Primary Care of Adults & Women’s Health (3 credits)
  • Gerontology in Primary Care (3 credits)
  • Integrating Behavioral Health in Primary Care (3 credits)

FNP Specialty Clinical Courses (9 credits)

  • Primary Care of Pediatrics Practicum (3 credits)
  • Primary Care of Adults Practicum (3 credits)
  • Primary Care of Adults & Women’s Health Practicum (3 credits)

View a sample BSN-DNP FNP progression plan to get an idea of the typical plan of study. Your actual plan of study may vary slightly depending on current course offerings and enrollment capacity.

Apply Now

The BSN to DNP – nurse anesthesia program consists of 87 credit hours and can be completed in just 36 months. This program is designed for experienced critical care registered nurses who are interested in becoming a nurse anesthetist. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the full scope of nurse anesthesia practice.

Please note:

Loyola's Nurse Anesthesia program is currently in capability review with the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Students will be accepted conditionally until COA approval is obtained. Any questions regarding accreditation status  can be directed to COA:

COA
10275 West Higgins Road Ste. 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603

Phone: 224-275-9138
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Website: https://www.coacrna.org/

**Nurse Anesthesia Program Performance Data For Most Recent Graduating Class:

  • Attrition rate: 
  • Employment rate of graduates (within six months of graduation): 
  • NBCRNA NCE (national certification examination) pass rate for first time takers:

**Data will be published upon graduation first cohort

BSN-DNP – Nurse Anesthesia (87 credits total) 

DNP Core Courses (30 credits)

  • Population Health, Epidemiology & Statistical Methods (3 credits)
  • Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • Scientific Inquiry and Translational Research (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Planning and Proposal (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Implementation  (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Evaluation  (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • Leadership and Evolving Health Systems (3 credits)
  • Quality Care and Health Outcomes (3 credits)
  • Healthy Policy, Economics & Social Justice (3 credits)
  • Transition to APRN Role (3 credits)

Advanced Practice Courses (9 credits)

  • Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
  • Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)

Anesthesia Specialty Didactic Courses (36 credits)

  • Advanced Physiology (3 credits)
  • Pharmacology of Anesthetics (3 credits)
  • Physics /Technology/Equipment in Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Introduction to Anesthetic Management (2 credits)
  • Anesthesia & Co-­Existing Disease (3 credits)
  • Pharmacology of Accessory Drugs (3 credits)
  • Regional Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Cardiovascular/Thoracic Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Pediatric Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Obstetrical Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Neurosurgical Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Anesthetic Management for Common Procedures I (2 credits)
  • Anesthetic Management for Common Procedures II (2 credits)
  • Acute & Chronic Pain Management (2 credits)
  • Quality, Safety, and Access to Anesthesia Care (2 credits)
  • High Acuity /Complex Anesthetic Management (2 credits)

Anesthesia Specialty Clinical Courses (12 credits, minimum of 2,400 hours)

  • Anesthesia Practicum I (min 200 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum II (min 200 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum III (min 600 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum IV (min 600 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum V (min 600 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum VI (min 200 h)

Apply Now Through NursingCAS

Students in the BSN to DNP – adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) program will prepare nursing students to provide care for adult patients at all stages of the lifespan with chronic, complex, or critical health conditions. Students in this specialized DNP program can graduate in as little as 36 months. 

We are now accepting applications for the hybrid BSN to DNP adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program through NursingCAS. Students can start the program in the Fall 2023 semester. 

BSN-DNP – AGACNP (48 credits total) 

DNP Core Courses (30 credits)

  • Population Health, Epidemiology & Statistical Methods (3 credits)
  • Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • Scientific Inquiry and Translational Research (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Planning and Proposal (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Implementation (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Evaluation (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • Leadership and Evolving Health Systems (3 credits)
  • Quality Care and Health Outcomes (includes informatics) (3 credits)
  • Healthy Policy, Economics & Social Justice (3 credits)
  • Transition to APRN Role (3 credits)

Advanced Practice Courses (9 credits)

  • Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
  • Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Specialty Didactic Courses (9 credits)

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice I (3 credits)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice II (3 credits)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice III (3 credits)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Courses (3 credits, minimum of 750 hours)

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (1 credit)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum II (1 credit)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (1 credit)

Apply Now Through NursingCAS

For students who are interested in both the nurse anesthesia and adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specializations, Loyola offers a dual program that can be completed in 36 months. Students in the dual program will complete all requirements for the nurse anesthesia program, combined with the required AGACNP didactic courses and the AGACNP clinical practicum courses. 

Please note:

Loyola's Nurse Anesthesia program is currently in capability review with the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Students will be accepted conditionally until COA approval is obtained. Any questions regarding accreditation status  can be directed to COA:

COA
10275 West Higgins Road Ste. 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
Phone: 224-275-9138
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Website: https://www.coacrna.org/

**Nurse Anesthesia Program Performance Data For Most Recent Graduating Class:

  • Attrition rate: 
  • Employment rate of graduates (within six months of graduation): 
  • NBCRNA NCE (national certification examination) pass rate for first time takers:

**Data will be published upon graduation first cohort

BSN-DNP – Nurse Anesthesia + AGACNP (96 credits total)

DNP Core Courses (30 credits)

  • Population Health, Epidemiology & Statistical Methods (3 credits)
  • Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • Scientific Inquiry and Translational Research (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Planning and Proposal (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Implementation (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project Evaluation (180 PRACTICUM) (3 credits)
  • Leadership and Evolving Health Systems (3 credits)
  • Quality Care and Health Outcomes (includes informatics) (3 credits)
  • Healthy Policy, Economics & Social Justice (3 credits)
  • Transition to APRN Role (3 credits)

Advanced Practice Courses (9 credits)

  • Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
  • Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)

Anesthesia Specialty Didactic Courses (36 credits)

  • Advanced Physiology (3 credits)
  • Pharmacology of Anesthetics (3 credits)
  • Physics /Technology/Equipment in Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Introduction to Anesthetic Management (2 credits)
  • Anesthesia & Co-­Existing Disease (3 credits)
  • Pharmacology of Accessory Drugs (3 credits)
  • Regional Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Cardiovascular/Thoracic Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Pediatric Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Obstetrical Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Neurosurgical Anesthesia (2 credits)
  • Anesthetic Management for Common Procedures I (2 credits)
  • Anesthetic Management for Common Procedures II (2 credits)
  • Acute & Chronic Pain Management (2 credits)
  • Quality, Safety, and Access to Anesthesia Care (2 credits)
  • High Acuity /Complex Anesthetic Management (2 credits)

Anesthesia Specialty Clinical Courses (12 credits, minimum of 2,400 hours)

  • Anesthesia Practicum I (min 200 h) 
  • Anesthesia Practicum II (min 200 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum III (min 600 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum IV (min 600 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum V (min 600 h)
  • Anesthesia Practicum VI (min 200 h)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Specialty Didactic Courses (9 credits)

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice I (3 credits)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice II (3 credits)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice III (3 credits)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Courses (3 credits, minimum of 750 hours)

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (1 credit)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum II (1 credit)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (1 credit)

Apply Now Through NursingCAS

The MSN to DNP program equips master’s-level nurses to assume the clinical leadership role. Students may transfer up to 500 practicum hours from prior graduate coursework to the MSN to DNP program.

To enroll in the MSN to DNP online students must hold a master’s degree in nursing. The program consists of 39 credits and a minimum of 540 scholarly project practicum hours.

MSN-DNP (39+ credits total) 

DNP Core Courses

  • Philosophy of Science (3 credits)
  • Ethics and Social Justice (3 credits)
  • Epidemiology (3 credits)
  • Evidence-Based Practice, Research Translation & Implementation Science (3 credits)
  • Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • Program Planning, Evaluation, & Quality Management (3 credits)
  • DNP Advanced Practicum I (3 credits)
  • Leadership of Systems Change & Innovation (3 credits)
  • Health Policy & Economics (3 credits)
  • DNP Advanced Practicum II (3 credits)
  • Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
  • Informatics & Finance (3 credits)
  • DNP Scholarly Project (3 credits)

View a sample MSN to DNP progression plan to get an idea of the typical plan of study. Your actual plan of study may vary slightly depending on current course offerings and enrollment capacity.

Apply Now

What can you do with a DNP degree?

Take your skills to the next level with a DNP degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Develop advanced leadership skills to help improve health outcomes and create more effective healthcare systems. Graduates with a DNP are equipped with specialized knowledge and skills to provide advanced patient care in any healthcare setting. DNP graduates may also choose to work as independent healthcare providers or to find fulfilling roles in academic settings. 

Accreditation and National Recognitions

Meet our Faculty

At Loyola, you’ll join a community dedicated to your success and gain professional connections to support your career beyond graduation. 


School of Nursing Faculty

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