Skip to Content Skip to Footer
a group of medical personnel examine a dummy.
WesternU / College of Graduate Nursing / Doctor of Nursing Practice Leadership Program (DNP-Leadership)

Doctor of Nursing Practice Leadership Program (DNP-Leadership)

Designed for nurses with a MSN degree to advance to a Doctor of Nursing Practice with emphasis in system leadership (DNP-Leadership).

College of Graduate Nursing:

  • Culture of Humanism and Health Equity
  • First online MSN-FNP program in the nation (1997)
  • First entry level Masters of Nursing in California (2004)
CGN Student examine patient

Doctor of Nursing Practice

There is a critical need for clinicians to design, evaluate, and continuously improve the context within which care is delivered. Nurses prepared at the doctorate level are transformational leaders integrating evidence-based practice, organizational, economic, and leadership skills contributing to the science of improvement. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP-Leadership) degree prepares students to apply and evaluate clinical evidence, designing systems of care delivery that are locally acceptable, economically feasible, and have significant impact on determinants of health and outcomes.
  • Flexible Hybrid/Online Learning Program

    As the first college to develop a hybrid/online learning nursing program, we are experienced in providing the support you need to succeed with distance learning. To provide flexibility and eliminate the need to commute daily to campus, we offer:

    • Hybrid/online learning curriculum and self-directed learning.
    • DNP seminar intensives at the Pomona, CA, campus consist of two face-to-face sessions that occur at the beginning and end of the DNP program, with a virtual midpoint session. For a complete listing of dates please refer to the academic calendar. academic calendar.
    • The DNP practice hours (1,000) and culminating scholarly project can be completed in your own community.
  • a group of nursing students standing next to each other.

    Will This Program Meet My Needs?

    WesternU’s flexible hybrid/online learning program leading to a DNP will meet your needs if you are:

    A post-graduate prepared nurse wishing to advance your terminal degree in nursing and professional career.

    An advanced practice nurse wanting to earn a doctorate in nursing practice while working and keeping your family commitments.

    A post-graduate prepared nurse who wants to develop expertise in population health in the care of vulnerable communities.

    A post-graduate prepared nurse who desires the convenience of a flexible hybrid/online learning program.

    We prepare our graduates to assume practice leadership roles in nursing and healthcare as doctorally prepared clinicians, systems leaders of clinical programs, policy, and practice, and faculty, among other roles.

    Nurse Faculty LOAN PROGRAM

    Faculty shortages at nursing schools across the country are limiting student capacity at a time when the need for professional registered nurses continues to grow. The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) forgives loan debt up to 85% of the cost of tuition and fees when earning the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

    Upcoming Events

    • WesternU Preview Day & Open House | California Campus

      Saturday, November 16 at 8:30 AM Pacific Standard Time

      Get to know WesternU, our programs, and our community. Choose your program of interest and join us on our Pomona, California campus to: – Hear directly from our president and faculty members about program curriculum and highlights – Explore our classrooms, labs, hands-on learning spaces, and more – Connect with current students and learn about their experiences – Participate in hands-on, interactive workshops – Learn about navigating the admissions process and preparing to meet our application requirements – Gain insights into setting yourself up for admissions success