Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Benefits of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice Academic Programs
Applying to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Admission Criteria | DNP Application
Tuition
Courses
DNP Project Information
DNP Program Outcomes
Contact Information
Accreditation
Handbook
Benefits of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
This program prepares nurses to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Nurses graduating with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Fort Hays State University are educated to provide high quality, efficient patient-centered nursing care that emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based practices. DNP graduates assume key leadership roles and participate in executive decision making processes for best patient care outcomes.
NOTE: The MSN-DNP Pathway does not prepare you as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Students seeking education as a Family Nurse Practitioner should apply for the BSN-DNP Pathway.
*FHSU DNP Programs had a 100% Pass Rate for the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 National Certification Exam as reported by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners!*
Doctor of Nursing Academic Programs
**Please note: Now accepting applications for Summer 2026 cohort!**
We do have the option for you to apply as a Nursing Graduate Non-degree student and take classes prior to officially beginning in Summer 2026. This option would allow you to take up to six credit hours prior to admission to the DNP program. The courses students may take are limited to NURS 808 Advanced Statistics and NURS 872 Informatics in Healthcare Systems. Registration in these courses is based on seat availability. See additional information below under ‘Optional Courses Prior to Admission.’ Completion of the courses as a non-degree student does not guarantee acceptance into the DNP program.
Please contact Dr. Michelle Van Der Wege (mlvanderwege@fhsu.edu) for questions prior to beginning your application.
For students who have graduated from an accredited school with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree. This program prepares students for a Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. A Family Nurse Practitioner provides primary care across the life span. Accepting applications from Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
For students who have graduated from an accredited school with a Master's of Science in Nursing degree in an Advanced Practice role as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, and Nurse Midwife. The MSN to DNP Pathway provides advanced education for students who have already obtained a MSN degree with an APRN license. Applicants from 46 states are accepted.
Fort Hays State University Department of Nursing does not accept applications for the nursing program from the following states: Tennessee, Utah, Alabama, Washington
Applying to the Doctor of Nursing Program
Admitted cohorts for both the BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP begin in the summer semester each year. If you wish to take courses prior to the summer, we do have the option for you to apply as a Nursing Graduate Non-degree student and then apply for the next summer cohort. This option would allow you to take up to six credit hours prior to admission to the DNP program. The courses students may take are limited to NURS 808 Advanced Statistics and NURS 872 Informatics in Healthcare Systems. Registration in these courses is based on seat availability. See additional information below under 'Optional Courses Prior to Admission.' Completion of the courses does not guarantee acceptance into the DNP program. Please contact Dr. Michelle Van Der Wege (mlvanderwege@fhsu.edu) for questions prior to beginning your application.
Admission Criteria
BSN and MSN
- Complete a Fort Hays State University Graduate Student Application
- Submit all official transcripts
- Completed a BSN or MSN from an accredited program, either CCNE or NLNAC
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.25 is required based on MSN degree and minimum GPA of 3.0 is required based on BSN degree
- Submit 2 letters of reference in the areas of: academic ability, current professional competency, or personal character
- Resume
- Personal Statement: This is a brief statement (no more than 500 words) that addresses your motivation for pursuing your DNP. The statement will be evaluated for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Confirmation of License (APRN or RN), Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statement, and Resume may be emailed directly to the Graduate School (GradSchool@fhsu.edu). Please put applicant name in the subject line
- Letters of recommendation must be submitted on letterhead and contain the signature of the author or be emailed directly from the author.
- DNP Clinical Acknowledgement Form
- A personal interview may be required.
BSN Only
- RN license in Kansas, Nebraska, or Oklahoma is required
MSN Only
- APRN licensure in any of the accepted 46 states is required
- Proof of National Board Certification is required
All nursing courses/transcripts from outside the United States, require additional evaluation by the Commission of Graduates Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A course by course evaluation is required to confirm degree, course credit and grades including grade point average.
Tuition
Tuition may be found at the following link- Tuition and Fees
Clinical Clearance Requirements
The BSN-DNP Program at FHSU requires preceptor led clinicals in courses NURS 924, NURS 960, NURS 934, and NURS 961. In addition, BSN-DNP students will complete a DNP project that require clinical clearance. Please note that clinical clearance requirements include obtaining student liability insurance, a background check, drug testing and immunization records. A full list of requirements is available by emailing mlvanderwege@fhsu.edu. Any cost associated with achieving clinical clearance is at the student’s expense. Failure to achieve and maintain clinical clearance requirements may result in delaying or prohibiting advancement in the program.
The MSN-DNP Program at FHSU requires DNP project completion throughout courses NURS 957, NURS 958 and NURS 959, which may require clinical clearance. Please note that clinical clearance requirements include obtaining student liability insurance, a background check, drug testing and immunization records. A full list of requirements is available by emailing mlvanderwege@fhsu.edu. Any cost associated with achieving clinical clearance is at the student’s expense. Failure to achieve and maintain clinical clearance requirements may result in delaying or prohibiting advancement in the program
Optional Courses Prior To Admission
The following list of courses are optional for students who are interested in completing credits prior to formal acceptance in the DNP program by the Department of Nursing. The list below is a list of courses which students may take up to 6 hours prior to admission. Completion of any of the courses below does not guarantee acceptance into either DNP program. Registration in these courses is based on seat availability. See recommended semester below
NURS 808: Advanced Statistics
NURS 872: Informatics in Health Care Systems (Fall only) or Spring pending space availability and prior written approval by Dr. Manry
DNP Project Information
The DNP project is about transcribing research into practice. First and foremost, it needs to address an identified problem in the clinical setting. Secondly, it should be something the student is passionate about and can spend the required hours on—a minimum of 600. Finally, all DNP projects are evidence-based. Many choose to do their DNP project within a clinic, but it is also acceptable to do a project in the community. It’s best to ask stakeholders within your community or organization something they’d like to accomplish to improve healthcare outcomes. By choosing something others are interested in accomplishing, you are ensuring you have a support network throughout planning and implementation. You do not have to have a project confirmed before starting the DNP Program—you will work to refine this throughout the initial project courses. The project goes into full swing the last three semesters (DNP I, II, and III on the plan of study). The student to faculty ratio per class for project courses is 4:1, allowing for individualized support throughout the project.
DNP Scholar's Website: HERE
DNP Program Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Professionalism -Graduates will use interprofessional collaboration with ethical competency to improve patient and population health outcomes.
2. Theory-Graduates will analyze and integrate knowledge from research and theory to develop and implement evidence based practice.
3. Evidenced Based Practice - Graduates will utilize the process of systematic inquiry to translate, implement, and evaluate evidence based practice to improve patient outcomes.
4. Leadership- Graduates will apply leadership skills to lead health care systems to improve the health outcomes of individuals, communities, and populations through interdisciplinary collaboration and implementation of high-quality and cost-effective care.
5. Advanced Practice Role-Graduates will utilize the advanced practice role to improve health outcomes, evaluate and improve business practices, actively participate in health care policy, evaluate information systems, and promote health and disease prevention for individuals, communities, and populations.
6. Informatics-Graduates will analyze, utilize, and evaluate information technology to provide leadership and improve patient care.
7. Health Care system -Graduates will advocate, influence, and evaluate policy making and implementation.
8. Holistic View - Graduates will provide comprehensive health care to populations while exhibiting sensitivity to cultural diversity.
Contact information
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Dr. Michelle VanDerWege
mlvanderwege@fhsu.edu
785-628-4209
Accreditation
Fort Hays State University has received approval by the Kansas State Board of Nursing, the Kansas Board of Regents, and the Higher Learning Commission to offer the DNP program.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
The DNP programs are all online. These programs do not meet the requirements for International students who require on campus courses.