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Practice Experiences

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused degree that integrates practice immersion experiences within a healthcare practice setting to advance your scholarship as a doctorate-prepared student. All students will have the opportunity to complete their required practice hours with experienced mentors to enhance their learning experience.

A total of 1000 practice hours are required for program completion that meet with the AACN expectations. Previous clinical and practice experiences at the post-graduate level are considered within your degree plan.

Our students complete their practice improvement projects within a variety of community and healthcare settings working closely with their faculty advisor-team leader and practice partner. Students onboard their practice immersion hours following completion of their affiliation agreements and can begin working in these settings as early as the fall semester.

College of Graduate Nursing MSN-E incoming students try on and receive their white coats during WesternU Welcome

Impacting The Future Of Nursing Practice

Nursing as a practice profession requires both practice experts and nurse scientists to expand the scientific basis for patient care. Doctoral education in nursing is designed to prepare nurses for the highest level of leadership in practice and scientific inquiry.

Being prepared at the doctoral level, you will develop a blend of clinical, organizational, economic and leadership skills, that will enable you to significantly affect healthcare outcomes and advance your career.