Career Focused: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The standards of nursing practice are changing. Factors such as the increasing complexity of patient care, national concerns about the quality of patient care, and a shortage of nursing personnel are increasing the demand for nurse leaders who can design and assess care. As a result, the AACN Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing (AACN, 2004) recommended that advanced nursing practice education be moved to the doctoral level.
Baylor University has raised the standards for their nursing programs as a direct response to the need for qualified visionaries in healthcare, offering in-demand doctoral degree programs for clinically focused and executive focused nurses. Baylor aims to meet the needs of the healthcare industry by producing highly skilled and knowledgeable nurse leaders who can excel in their respective roles.
Baylor University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP online) is the optimal pathway for registered nurses with a BSN or MSN who are seeking preparation at the highest level of nursing practice. Graduates of the online DNP program are prepared as exemplary nursing leaders and visionary nurses who can actively shape and improve patient outcomes, policy, process and the future of nursing.
The DNP-ENL is a focused, specialized online degree that helps students demonstrate their full potential as a nurse executive. As aspiring nurse leaders gain experience and education, they develop key competencies that prepare them for their next career steps.
Baylor’s clinical online DNP program provide six specialty tracks, all of which proactively prepare nurses for these evolving standards and for autonomous advanced practice nursing and executive leadership opportunities. Upon graduating from the program, Baylor DNP nurses are equipped to critically appraise complex delivery, guide change management, and shape the future of nursing by leading innovative initiatives.
Professional Associations for DNP Graduates
The following professional associations and nonprofit organizations may provide useful career resources and continuing educational opportunities for online DNP students/graduates.
Baylor University nursing graduates can take advantage of the same career services offered to our on-campus students. Learn more about Baylor University’s Office of Career & Professional Development.
Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice is both a personal and professional investment. Viewed as the terminal nursing degree, the DNP surpasses the curricular content taught in traditional master's-level programs. As a result, online DNP graduates often see a return on investment in terms of salary and professional opportunities.
- Chief nursing officer annual median salary - $126,402 (Payscale.com)
- Certified nurse midwife annual median salary - $90,000 (Payscale.com)
- Family nurse practitioner annual median salary - $92,000 (Payscale.com)
- Neonatal nurse practitioner annual median salary - $96,000 (Payscale.com)
- Pediatric nurse practitioner annual median salary - $90,000 (Payscale.com)
Career Focused: Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
The accelerated post-baccalaureate BSN program is an intensive full-time program with a combination of teaching methodologies including on-line courses, clinical and lab experiences, and hybrid interactive learning courses.
- Gain clinical experience working with underserved communities
- Benefit from strong academics and a well-earned reputation
- Learn nursing through a Christian worldview
- Change your life and the lives of others
Prepare for a rewarding career in nursing in under one year. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Elements of Professional Nursing—understand concepts of professional nursing and the role of the nurse as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
- The Human Needs Framework—master key elements of nursing practice as it pertains to care of patients and families with a diverse range of needs.
- Clinical Competencies—plan and deliver nursing care for individuals and families at different stages of life – including babies, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly – with health issues of varying complexity.
- Healthcare Issues and Policy—understand the current issues and factors shaping healthcare on a national and global level and how they impact diverse cultures and communities.
