Links
Title (title extra extra large)

Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) rooted in humanity Program Guide

Column
Ref:column (content1)
Column
Ref:column (content2)
Title (title large)

Nurse leadership rooted in humanity.

Content

Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)rooted in humanity.

  • Nurse leadership

At Hawai‘i Pacific University, we believe that when our DNP graduates take their place in the world, they should do so with leadership expertise infused with our most cherished island values. Balancing our Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum with cultural awareness, morality, responsibility, and unity helps you lead holistically and in the true spirit of aloha— A POSITIVE AND RESPECTFUL LIFE.

Student advocacy is the focus of our educational process. You will experience patient advocacy modeling at the student, cultural, and community levels. You are in good hands. You will study under passionate medical practitioners and dedicated doctoral-level educators.

The HPU online Doctor of Nursing program is a student-centric blend of professional knowledge, compassionate care, and community awareness. You will experience an education rich in humanity beyond oneself. We prepare you to be an advanced practitioner — ready to serve every person and community.

Title (title large)

Start your journey

Content

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

Button (primary)
Apply Now
Button Label
Apply Now
Title (title large)

At a Glance

Title
30 total credits
Title
$33,510 total tuition
Title
100% online coursework with mobile-friendly delivery
Title
Small classes with accessible faculty who care about your success and well-being
Title
Earn your MSN to DNP in as few as 20 months
Title
Transfer up to 12 credits
Title (title large)

Curriculum

Content
Students in Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online MSN to DNP program are required to complete eight courses along with a doctoral project. Coursework includes independent learning, groupwork, and collaboration with practice leaders and organizations during your DNP project. The DNP project will require you to ideate, develop, and implement an innovative product or service relevant to your area of practice.
Title (title medium)

MSN to DNP COURSES

Content
MSN to DNP
Summary
NUR 8000 Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 8010 Leadership and Systems Management / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 8020 Informatics and Technology for Advanced Practice / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 8030 Optimizing Quality in Health Care Systems / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 8040 Business and Finance Essentials for the DNP / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 8050 Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 8080 Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 9010 Doctoral Project I: Development / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 9020 Doctoral Project II: Implementation / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Summary
NUR 9030 Doctoral Project III: Data Analysis and Dissemination / 3 Credits
Main Content
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.
Title (title large)

Admission Requirements

Content

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited university and national certification in an NP field of study (with at least 500 APRN practicum hours to meet minimum program requirement of 1,000 hours)
  • 3.0 GPA from graduate degree
  • U.S. unencumbered state RN license and APRN license
  • Before or during the program, applicants must also demonstrate completion of a Statistics and Research (Evidence-Based Nursing) course. This may be listed on transcripts as Statistics, Research Methods, or Evidence-Based Practice

Applicants must hold:

In addition, the following courses are also prerequisites:

  • Advanced Practice Nursing Roles (NUR 6000)
  • Advanced Pathophysiology (NUR 6010)
  • Advanced Nursing Research (NUR 6020)
  • Pharmacology (NUR 6025)
  • Physical Assessment (NUR 6030)
  • Development & Implementation of Health Care Policy (NUR 8050)

As part of the application process, Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) will conduct a Gap Analysis to evaluate your current Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. This analysis will assess whether the core competency courses required for Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification have been completed. Upon completion of the review, you will be provided with the results of the analysis, including any identified gaps in coursework or clinical preparation. These requirements must be fulfilled prior to beginning clinical placements, ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria to sit for national board certification upon completion of the program. Please prepare to gather semester-specific syllabi to complete the GAP analysis if requested by the graduate college.

You must also include the following with your completed application:

  • Application fee
  • Transcripts
  • 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).
  • CV or resume
  • Statement of purpose
Title (title large)

Accreditations

Icon
Content
Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Icon
Content
Member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
Icon
Content
Accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC/WSCUC)
Icon
Content
Participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to offer distance education in member states
Icon
Content
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).
Title (title large)

Ready to get started?

Content
Call 866-525-2280 or schedule an appointment with an advisor to learn more about Hawai‘i Pacific University’s MSN to DNP to DNP program.