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Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Guide
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A doctoral education rich in humanity and responsibility beyond oneself — we call it kuleana.
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Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Guide
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online BSN to DNP is an educational experience unlike any other. Our online DNP program is a unique blend of comprehensive academics, rich culture, and traditional island values designed to provide more than a nursing education. We’ll teach you kàkou, the language of working together, of inclusiveness, and the idea that WE ARE ONE.
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Start your journey
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Start Dates:
3 starts per year (fall, spring, and summer)
Application Deadline:
Fall
July 28, 2025
Upcoming Start Date:
Fall
August 25, 2025
Call: 866-525-2280
Schedule an appointment with an advisor
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APPLY NOW
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At a Glance
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*Full-time students take 34 months and part-time students take 44 months to complete the program. Upon completion of our BSN to DNP program, the DNP degree will be awarded. This program does not lead to the MSN degree.
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Choose from three in-demand concentrations:
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Family Nurse Practitioner
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Designed for nurses interested in providing advanced care and a wide range of mental health services to patients of all ages.
72 credits | 504 clinical hours | $80,424 total tuition
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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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Designed for nurses seeking an advanced practice role caring for adult/elderly patients with acute, chronic illness.
75 credits | 630 clinical hours | $83,775 total tuition
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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
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Designed for nurses who want to provide primary care services to patients across the lifespan.
73 credits | 630 clinical hours | $81,541 total tuition
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Curriculum
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Students in Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online BSN to DNP program can tailor their degrees by selecting a practice area that appeals to their interests and career goals: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP).
Each concentration takes a holistic approach to creating patient-centered change. Students start the program by completing six core courses before taking a series of specialized electives specific to their chosen concentration.
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DNP COURSES
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Courses in the HPU BSN to DNP program are built around the nationally recognized Essentials set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
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NUR 8000 Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing / 3 Credits
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This course provides learners with the theoretical and practical foundation for evidence-based practice with an emphasis on evidence-based conceptual models, refining skills in searching and critiquing the literature for application to practice change, and synthesizing a body of literature to design interventions pertinent to a practice problem.
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NUR 8020 Informatics and Technology for Advanced Practice / 3 Credits
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In this course the doctoral student will acquire competencies in using technology systems that capture data on variables for the evaluation of health care, integrating appropriate technologies to translate evolving technical and scientific information. The student will demonstrate information literacy skills in complex decision-making and ability to contribute to the design of clinical information systems that promote safe, quality, and cost-effective care.
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NUR 8040 Business and Finance Essentials for the DNP / 3 Credits
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The student will develop knowledge and skills toward the DNP essentials regarding organizational leadership and systems thinking. The topics of health care economics and the business of practice will be examined. Economic concepts and tools will be used to examine issues, costs, and solve problems pertaining to health care delivery.
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NUR 8070 Clinical Scholarship and Scholarly Writing / 3 Credits
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This course is designed to introduce students to scholarly writing and dissemination for clinicians. The four areas of scholarly writing covered will be argument, evidence, paragraphs, and academic voice. The course provides students with practical information, exercises, and resources for successful clinical manuscript preparation, journal article abstract preparation, and clinical conference poster and oral presentation. This course prepares graduate students for a lifelong approach to integrating scholarship into clinical practice.
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NUR 9010 Doctoral Project I: Development / 3 Credits
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In this course the DNP student will refine and prepare for implementation of the project proposal at a practice site in their state of licensure. The final project proposal will be submitted to the HPU IRB and the research review process of the project site.
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NUR 9030 Doctoral Project III: Data Analysis and Dissemination / 3 Credits
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Under the guidance of their academic and external advisors, the doctoral student will analyze the results of their selected project by analyzing data, evaluating project outcomes, and disseminating results within the organization, the university, and the professional community. Findings will be disseminated in the form of a publishable scholarly paper and an oral community presentation.
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NUR 8010 Leadership and Systems Management / 3 Credits
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In this course the doctoral student will prepare to assume complex and advanced leadership roles to guide change as a practitioner, clinical executive, educator, clinical scientist, and clinical scholar, among others.
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NUR 8030 Optimizing Quality in Health Care Systems / 3 Credits
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In this course the doctoral student will acquire competencies to continuously improve the quality of systems practices focusing on day-to-day responsibilities and realities of guiding change. The student will evaluate the impact of access, cost, quality, and safety of proposed change. The interaction of organizational structure, care processes, financing, marketing and policy decisions, and regulatory pressures will be examined in relation to quality improvement decisions.
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NUR 8050 Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy / 3 Credits
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In this course the DNP student will develop knowledge, skills, and tools toward the DNP terminal competencies related to policy, policy development, and change to maintain high-quality care while remaining accessible and using scarce resources wisely.
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NUR 8080 Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice / 3 Credits
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This course is designed to provide the foundation for applying and implementing research by exploring the nature of inquiry and evaluating designs, methods, and measurements of evidence. Topics of validity, reliability, generalizability, rigor, and trustworthiness will be addressed in this course. Appropriate statistical analysis used to predict and analyze health care outcomes will be presented. Evaluating and using output from statistical computing software are also addressed.
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NUR 9020 Doctoral Project II: Implementation / 3 Credits
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In this course, the DNP student will refine and prepare for implementation of the project proposal at the practice site in their state of licensure. The final project proposal will be submitted to the HPU IRB and the research review process of the project site.
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Admission Requirements
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Here’s what you’ll need to apply:
- A completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited college or university
- 3.0 GPA or higher preferred
- U.S. unencumbered state RN license
- Undergraduate statistics and/or research course is required
- Application fee
- Official transcripts Curriculum vitae or resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation must be submitted by individuals who can speak to your ability to perform graduate-level work (e.g., former professors, academic counselors, employers, business colleagues)
- Statement of purpose: Why do you want to attend Hawai‘i Pacific University to earn your DNP? Describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss how your unique background would contribute to the diversity of HPU’s graduate program.
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Accreditations
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Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
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Member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
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Accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC/WSCUC)
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Participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to offer distance education in member states
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The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Hawai‘i Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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Ready to get started?
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Call 866-525-2280 or schedule an appointment with an advisor to learn more about Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online BSN to DNP program.