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Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) rooted in humanity Program Guide
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Nurse leadership rooted in humanity.
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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.
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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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Curriculum
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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.
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MSN to DNP COURSES
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MSN to DNP
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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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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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Admission Requirements
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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 nurse practitioner license
- Prerequisite or transfer of equivalent coursework in statistics is required
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
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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 MSN to DNP to DNP program.