Last Updated on January 28, 2024 by Michael Tijani
If you’re a registered nurse looking to advance your career in California, pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree can be a great way to achieve your goals. However, with so many BSN to DNP programs available in California, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the best fit for you. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best BSN to DNP programs in California.
In this article, we’ll examine the top programs in the state, considering factors such as accreditation, program structure, curriculum, clinical opportunities, and more. Whether you’re looking for a program that offers flexible scheduling, specialized areas of focus, or strong faculty support, we’ve got you covered. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best BSN to DNP programs in California and start charting your path to an advanced nursing career.
What is a DNP?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, often abbreviated as DNP, is a degree in nursing available to individuals who wish to gain specified practice-based training in nursing in the nursing profession.
The program is designed to train and produce nurses with nursing expertise to handle advanced clinical practice roles, as well as for educational, administrative, and research positions across the healthcare delivery system worldwide.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice acquires in-depth clinical knowledge to influence healthcare outcomes through healthcare policy implementation, administrative leadership, and direct patient care.
Best BSN to DNP Programs in California
Below is a detailed list of some of the institutions that offer the best BSN to DNP programs in California.
1. California State University Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton offers one of the best BSN to DNP programs in California with a specified concentration in Nurse Anesthesia. The three-year program is offered in partnership with the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia. Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia (KPSA) has been a pioneer of graduate-level nurse anesthesia education for baccalaureate nurses since its inception in 1972.
Students are often required to complete a total of 110 units of full-time coursework in other to graduate from BSN to a DNP Nurse Anesthesia program.
If you are looking at enrolling in an institution that is widely known for academic excellence and quality patient-care training, then you may want to consider the BSN to DNP program of California State University, Fullerton.
To be considered for the California State University, Fullerton BSN to DNP program, applicants must acquire a Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
Click Here to Apply to CSU DNP Program
2. Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing BSN to DNP program
If you are passionate about educating and guiding individuals and families through complex health and situational transitions, then the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing BSN to DNP program is what you need to make this dream a reality. Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with full concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
The program is designed to prepare nurses to achieve a doctoral degree with an FNP concentration in a compact and comprehensive three-year program. Applicants must acquire a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered for this program.
3. University of Massachusetts Global
The University of Massachusetts Global BSN to DNP prepares you with a DNP degree in two specialties – psychiatric mental health or family health, with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner.
You are required to complete 73 credits in graduate science core, DNP core, advanced core, and specialty-specific courses before graduation.
The program covers common, acute, complex, and chronic problems across the lifespan using advanced principles of assessment. Students in this BSN to DNP online program will participate in clinical rotations near their homes or workplaces.
To qualify for this program, applicants must have acquired the necessary degree in a nationally accredited college and a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale
4. Loma Linda University School of Nursing
With concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner(Adult/Gerontology (AGNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Psych NP) ) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Loma Linda University School of Nursing offer one of the best BSN to DNP programs in California.
The institution’s BSN to DNP curriculum prepares registered nurses to become independent advanced practice (APRN) primary care providers, to improve patient and population healthcare delivery.
Upon successful completion, students will be able to exercise advanced levels of clinical implementation, systems thinking, and expanded responsibility, as well as become accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based strategies.
Interested applicants must acquire an undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing, courses to be considered for this program.
5. University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco offers one of the best BSN to DNP programs in California
The goal of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at the University of San Francisco is to prepare registered nurses (RNs) to take on greater leadership and clinical roles.
With a major concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
The program curriculum combines nursing, business, informatics, and healthcare administration coursework with advanced practice in clinical settings. Graduates join the workforce with the skills to improve models of healthcare delivery, evaluate clinical outcomes, identify and manage the healthcare needs of diverse populations, and use technology and information to transform the field.
Interested applicants must acquire a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to be considered for admission into the DNP program.
The DNP program can take between 2 to 4.5 years to complete depending on both your program track and your current degree level.
6. University of San Diego
The BSN to DNP program at the University of San Diego is designed for nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing who seek preparation as nurse practitioners, nursing informaticists, and health system leaders with clinical practice leadership expertise at the doctorate level. The curriculum ranges from 70 – 83 units depending upon the focus of study and prior preparation.
The University of San Diego School of Nursing has concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care, Dual Adult-Gerontology/Family Nurse Practitioner, Dual Pediatric/Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Leadership, and Nursing Informatics & Data Science. Download the school’s BSN to DNP guide Here
Education Requirements
- BSN or MSN degree from an approved, accredited college or university
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of a basic statistics course
7. Samuel Merritt University, Oakland
If you are looking for a BSN to DNP program that will fit into your part-time or full-time work schedule, then Samuel Merritt University’s online BSN to DNP program is your best bet. With a Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner(FNP), the 65 credits BSN to DNP program which is designed for registered nurses (RNs) provides its students with a strong foundation in evidence-based clinical practices and patient-centric healthcare delivery.
Students practice in primary care and other settings, blending clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions across the lifespan with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management.
Additionally, prior to graduation, students are required to complete 525 FNP practice hours and 475 DNP hours of clinical practice.
While most of the courses are offered online, the program also requires its students to attend a number of on-campus clinical sessions.
While there are no minimum GPAs required for admission, it is strongly recommended that applicants have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 or higher on prerequisite courses.
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Conclusion
In this article, we provided a list of some of the best BSN to DNP programs in California to aid you to make an informed decision in your career.
Furthermore, we have put in all our best in making sure that we provided the most accurate information, but do note that admission statistics and data are dynamic. Therefore, we always encourage you to verify these details from the official school admissions office.
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