Online DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
Provide Care for Patients of All Ages
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner Track (DNP FNP) is the optimal pathway for those seeking preparation to provide the highest level of nursing practice to patients across the lifespan.
100% National Certification Pass Rate for FNP Graduates
CCNE Accredited
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)Family Nurse Practitioner Track
[em]Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[/em]Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Provide Exemplary Care for Patients of All Ages as a DNP FNP
Baylor University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP FNP online) track prepares actively practicing RNs to lead the delivery of primary care to patients across the lifespan. Graduates are prepared as exemplary leaders and transformative DNPs who can innovate, provide care to underserved populations, implement new treatment methods and improve patient outcomes for individuals, families and entire communities.
Clinical Placement Support
At Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing, we strongly believe in setting our students up for success. That's why we collaborate with our students to identify clinical sites and preceptors for all clinical rotations. Additionally, clinical placement sites may be potential locations for future employment opportunities upon graduation. If you already have a placement site or preceptor in mind, we encourage you to refer them to our placement team to secure. Get your DNP-FNP guide for more information.
The requirements to apply for the online DNP FNP program are:
BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing
3.0 cumulative GPA
One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse by the first day of class
Current unencumbered RN license
Complete an acceptable written personal statement
Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD prepared nurse
CCNE-accredited** and U.S. News & World Report ranked program
Main coursework is online with on-campus immersions throughout the program
Practicum requirement total: 1,125 hours for BSN pathway and 1,000 hours minimum for MSN pathway
Courses are 15 weeks, with three terms per year
Students learn from nationally recognized faculty
Clinical placement support
Total credits: 75 for BSN pathway and 38-75 for MSN pathway
Accreditation & Rankings
Baylor University is distinguished in healthcare and business, preparing students with the skills and knowledge to stand out in the industry.
The Louise Herrington School of Nursing is nationally recognized and:
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Recognized as one of the top educational institutions in the nation, ranking at #76 in National Universities on U.S. News & World Report 2021 list
Ranked by Best-Nursing-Colleges.com as the #10 Best Nursing College in Texas.
Am I Eligible for Baylor's Online DNP-FNP program?
Visit our FAQs Page for answers to questions regarding program eligibility.
Visit our State Authorization page for a list of states in which we accept applicants for the online BSN to DNP-FNP program.
Baylor Nursing By The Numbers
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90% of clinical placement sites provided to DNP students were within 125 miles of their home.
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100% certification pass rate for Family Nurse Practitioners graduates.
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Baylor University is ranked higher than 94% of Best Colleges in the Nation in 2021 - U.S. News and World Report .
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Baylor’s DNP program is ranked higher than 88% of the Best DNP Programs in Texas in 2021 - dnpprograms.com.
DNP FNP Curriculum At-A-Glance
The online DNP-FNP program track focuses on developing nurses as holistic caregivers through an advanced curriculum that includes an in-depth study of pathophysiology, assessment, informatics, pharmacology, healthcare policy and business, ethics, epidemiology and servant leadership. View sample courses below:
Important Dates
Now Accepting Applications. Seating is limited.
Next Start Date: January 9th, 2023
NUR 5211: Servant Leadership
Graduate-level standing. Application of nursing leadership theories and models in the delivery of advanced practice nursing care to culturally diverse clients (individuals, families, organizations, and global society).
NURS 5316: Transforming Health Care Organizations and Changing Outcomes
This course examines key factors used to assess complex health care organizations. Identification of optimal outcomes and development and implementation strategies that improve patient care quality and safety will be examined.
NUR 5356: Family Healthcare Management II
Prepares the Family Nurse Practitioner to assume continued responsibility for evaluation and management of acute common and increasingly complex problems in primary care. A systematic approach to current evidence-based assessment, diagnostic testing, diagnosis, and management options is taught from a primary care perspective. Indications for collaboration, consultation, and/or referral to other health care providers are emphasized as an integral part of the nurse practitioner’s role.
Earning a DNP degree now puts you ahead of the curve. Steps are currently being taken to transition to the DNP degree as the standard for entry-level advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). While the profession is not quite there yet, the DNP is a terminal degree that prepares nurses for leadership, given the constantly changing demands of a complex U.S. healthcare system.
According to AANC, nurses desiring an APRN education with a choice between a DNP or a master's level preparation would find it far more cost effective to spend the additional time for the DNP and be prepared for future practice. And according to a 2019 Medscape survey, DNP-prepared APRNs make an average of 5% more than MSN-prepared APRNs. Additionally, "Job opportunities are far greater, and it provides you with the knowledge and expertise to have a seat at the board table," according to Angela Renee Stewart, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP, TTS, Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor University, Louise Herrington School of Nursing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to complete the online DNP program?
Students typically complete the DNP program in the following timeframe. Please note that actual length to program completion will vary depending on the student's background and selected track.
BSN holders typically complete our DNP program in three (3) years and four (4) months, skipping the Master’s degree program entirely
MSN holders typically complete our DNP program in 18 to 24 months
Which practitioner degree disciplines may be eligible to transfer to the online DNP program?
The following practitioner degree disciplines may be eligible to transfer to the online DNP programs:
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Do I qualify for the online DNP program as a Post-Graduate Candidate?
You must have completed your MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification. Additional documents or experience may be required - download your course guide to learn more.
Does my non-practitioner MSN make me eligible for Baylor’s Post-Graduate DNP program?
If your MSN degree is in any of the following disciplines, you may not be qualified to apply as a Post-Graduate DNP candidate and may need to participate in our full program. Our full program consists of most/all of the 75-credit-hr, 10-Semester, 40-month BSN to DNP program.
MSN-Nurse Educator
MSN-Clinical Leadership
MSN-Informatics
MSN-Leadership
MSN-Administration
Why Get a DNP Instead of an MSN?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice is the optimal pathway for registered nurses who are seeking preparation at the highest level of nursing practice. As a terminal degree, a DNP degree is the highest level of education in the field and represents the most advanced nursing degree available. There is no further opportunity for educational advancement within this profession. Graduates of Baylor’s online DNP program are prepared as exemplary nursing leaders and visionary nurses who can actively shape and improve patient outcomes, policy, process,es and the future of nursing.
DNPs earn a higher average salary than an MSN (on average) and have more overall options for career goals. Many DNP graduates enter into positions with more responsibility to care for both individual and population health needs as nursing team leads and other expanded roles. The career outlook for DNPs is anticipated to be very strong as the AACN is advocating to require a DNP for all APRN roles by the year 2025.
The Baylor University Online Experience
Find out why Baylor University’s Online DNP degree program is the best choice for registered nurses seeking preparation at the highest level of nursing practice:
We think you will find our school unlike any other in that we truly do consider ourselves as called to prepare nurses through the integration of faith and excellent academics.
Be Bold. Be Decisive. Be Exceptional. Become a Baylor Nurse.
**The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at Baylor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The DNP program of study conforms to the educational guidelines for the state of Texas and the National Task Force Criteria for Nurse Practitioner Programs.
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Baylor Enrollment Advisor
Whether you have a simple question or need advice to determine which program is best for you, our friendly advisors are here to help. They can chat with you on your schedule and guide you through the entire admissions process so you can feel confident in moving forward with Baylor University.
