How to Write an Excellent NP School Personal Statement

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“Try not to rush this statement. We recommend taking some time to reflect on your nursing career accomplishments, as well as situations that perhaps were learning situations that did not end favorably. Use these to reflect on your motivation and priorities and how they apply to the topic that the school has provided.”

Dr. Doreen Rogers, DNS, RN, CCRN, CNE, Assistant Professor of Nursing & Graduate Nursing Program Director at Utica University

Anyone who’s ever applied to a nurse practitioner program knows two things: careers in nursing are in high demand and graduate school admissions are competitive. Nurse practitioner careers are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States; in fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) predicts that 118,600 new NP jobs will be added to the economy between 2022 and 2032—a 45 percent increase.

So why are nurse practitioner admissions so competitive? A shortage of qualified nursing teaching faculty and an increasing number of retiring nurses are some possible reasons, according to CNN . 

Despite these admissions barriers, a nationwide shortage of doctors is poised to restrict patients’ access to care. To address this problem, states are beginning to expand the scope of practice laws for nurse practitioners. The U.S. News & World Report shows that 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the Veterans Health Administration removed practice authority limitations for NPs, which resulted in expanded healthcare and decreased costs. 

One thing is sure: applicants for nursing practitioner programs must put together flawless applications to rank high with an admissions committee. In addition, an aspiring nurse practitioner who wants to stand out and make a solid first impression needs to write an excellent nurse practitioner (NP) school personal statement.  

To help out hard-working nurses who spend more time seeing patients than practicing academic writing skills, here are some tips for writing an excellent nurse practitioner (NP) school personal statement.

Follow the Five-Paragraph Essay Format

Drexel University has a video featuring several tips for writing a personal essay for admissions committees. The video recommends applicants organize their statements in a five-paragraph essay format and write no more than 500 words. 

  • First paragraph: Make an immediate impact in your introduction
  • Second paragraph: Explain what attracted you to the program and field
  • Third paragraph: Compare your short- and long-term goals with the program goals
  • Fourth paragraph: Share your skills, experiences, and characteristics
  • Fifth paragraph: Conclude by summarizing your five-paragraph essay

Drexel University also offers a downloadable infographic to illustrate what admissions committees are looking for in an applicant’s essay.

Write an Impactful Introduction

Pretty Nurse Ashley , a registered nurse who documented her experience getting into Vanderbilt University’s top-ranked nurse practitioner program, emphasizes the importance of an impactful introduction in a personal statement in her YouTube video:

That first sentence needs to be something spectacular, something that’s going to pull them in, so it needs to be very creative and something that’s going to get their attention. With your personal statement, you want to stand out from the other applicants. You want to create a story, create a vivid picture of who you are.

At a time when nursing schools are sending thousands of rejection letters to qualified applicants, Pretty Nurse Ashley’s advice to make a strong introduction is solid advice to help an applicant open their statement with what makes them unique.

Do Your Homework: Advice From an NP Career Coach

Renee Dahring is a nurse practitioner career coach , past president of the Minnesota chapter of the APRN Coalition, and a nursing university instructor with extensive experience in recruitment and admissions for nurse practitioner programs. When applying to NP schools, Ms. Dahring recommends that nurse practitioner applicants do their homework in three areas.

Show Your Commitment to Finish

Dahring said, “Every university wants its students to finish, especially in a nurse practitioner program. If you drop out, your spot in the NP cohort is empty. Mostly we like to know: ‘Have people thought this decision through?’” 

In other words, when an NP program admission committee decides to admit a student, they are investing in that person to finish the program. Therefore, if it seems like a risky investment, they will not want to admit that individual.

Connect Your Career Goals to the NP Program’s Mission

“Understand what the program’s goals and missions are and align your personal statement with them. . .Also, consider the mission of the educational institution; most have a dedication to the underserved, but that will vary from place to place,” Dahring advised.

Addressing a program’s or an institution’s mission statement directly in a personal essay can catch the attention of an admission committee. They want to ensure that a person is a strong fit for their specific program. It’s also a benefit for applicants to be familiar with a school’s objectives and guiding philosophy, as it can help ensure that a program is the right fit for them.

Demonstrate Your Understanding of NP Scope of Practice Laws 

Dahring also stated, “The other important thing is to have a really good understanding of the NP Scope of Practice Laws. . .You should have a clear idea of what you are allowed and not allowed to do in the states where you apply for NP school and intend to work as a nurse practitioner.” 

NPs can practice more independently in some states than others—and a solid understanding of these regional nuances can inform one’s essay.

Take Time to Communicate Clearly

Above all, take the time to write and edit well. Admissions committees read through hundreds of personal statements, so communicating concisely and clearly can increase an applicant’s chances of admission to an NP program.

Dr. Doreen Rogers is an assistant professor of nursing and the graduate nursing program director at Utica University in New York. She advises applicants to use their best writing skills:

Remember, your personal statement is an opportunity for you to convey what motivates you and discuss your priorities as a healthcare professional while extending them to your future career as a nurse practitioner. Some aspects that are exceptionally important are the use of appropriate grammar, spelling, word selection, and sentence structure (including an introductory paragraph, transition sentences in between paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together).

Dr. Rogers also recommended taking the time to communicate clearly: “Try not to rush this statement. Instead, we recommend taking some time to reflect on your nursing career accomplishments, as well as situations that perhaps were learning situations that did not end favorably. Use these to reflect on your motivation and priorities and how they apply to the topic that the school has provided.”

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Rachel Drummond, MEd

On NPschools.com, Rachel Drummond has leveraged her extensive background in education and mindfulness to provide valuable insights to nursing professionals since 2020. She explores how mindfulness and movement can be incorporated into the demanding routines of nurses, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical well-being for increased resilience and effectiveness in the challenging field of nursing.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog , inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

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On the Road to DNP, Admission Essay Example

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Working as a nurse practitioner has changed my life forever in ways that cannot even be quantified, and I am confident that the DNP will amplify my professional goals un both tangible and intangible ways. I am very happy in my career thus far as a professional nurse, which is why I am seeking the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice, in order to expand my fundamental knowledge base so tat I can practice at a much more elevated level. Obtaining the final degree in my profession would enable me to do so. Three poignant experiences in my nursing education as well as in my burgeoning professional career have fully prepared me for doctoral study.

After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, I continued working at the two primary hospitals in the Bay Area in California and felt satisfied with my position and the salary I was compensated with. One day, however, I felt ill and was forced to go to urgent care and encountered advance practice nursing. I was impressed at how she conducted my visit, wrote my prescription, instructed me of what to expect, and detailed the possible side effects of the medication. She told to come back if any of my symptoms worsened or if nothing improved.  On my way home, I thought, to myself that I want to be just like her and be able to help patients recover from their illness, prevent diseases, and help them stay healthy. I am fond of the idea of being able to order a medication so they can recover and feel better. I revel in having control over the life and health of another persona and help nurse them back to recover. I remember searching for Nurse Practitioner openings in many schools, but at that time, the profession was neither well-accepted nor utilized. For the next several months, I went to work every day, and I almost forgot the incident when one of the cardiologists brought in a Nurse Practitioner who he introduced as his “extension”.  As soon as she completed her orientation, I began to ask her questions about her educational experience.  Only a year later, I enrolled at a University and completed my degree as a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner.  The grueling nature of the work in graduate school made me reality that I needed a DNP so tha I would be armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to comprehend and appreciate research. Thus, it would facilitate the process of applying evidence into practice to attain the macro goal of achieving patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction.

My first job as a Nurse Practitioner brought me to Hawaii, I took a position at a privately owned Internal Medicine clinic.  I had my own panel of patient managing acute and chronic diseases. I learned and became more comfortable with performing minor procedures, including joint injections, Incision and Drainage, interpreting x rays, referring out to specialty care. I particularly enjoyed seeing patients who were sent back to me from specialty care because the patient had no medical problems. One particular instance that stands out in my memory was when a patient came to me with a complaint of a headache after being evaluated by an ENT as well as a Neurologist.  The ENT prescribed him a nasal spray and Claritin, while the Neurologist prescribed him anti-migraine medication, but the patient experienced no relief from either prescription.  When I saw the patient, he told me that he felt dizzy, nauseated, with a headache that involved his entire head, and he experienced heightened sensitivity to light. My assessment included sinusitis, Otitis media with a differential diagnosis of a migraine. I gave him my usual combination cocktail for headache and made him wait for 30 minutes inside the exam room.  When I went back, he reported that his pain has now become level 3 from a level 10.  My visit with the patient would also include telling them about the pathophysiology of their ailments, the effect and side effects of the medications.  I believe that if the patient  is cognizant of his or her condition and their treatment, they are more likely to be compliant with their care and be able to manage their ailments and prevent them from exacerbating.

In my current practice, I make sure that patients are informed about their health so they can make the right choices for themselves and their families.  While I have since relocated to California, I still make sure that my patients are informed of their care. Sixty percent of my patient are diabetics with and without co morbid conditions. In my practice, I also like to treat my patient from a holistic approach. What I mean by that is when a patient comes in for example with a high blood pressure. Usually, I like to find out if there is another cause for his or her blood pressure. Integrating the evaluation of the patient family, work, social life, diet, exercise, helps in finding the root cause of the problem.  Of course, I will treat the blood pressure while I attempt to resolve the other potential causes.

Through a Masters program, I plan to further explore the medical health issues that I am so much fascinated with and hope that it will add to the corpus of extant knowledge in preventing kidney failure. In my practice, I vast quantities of patient with kidney disease in different stages. I have observed their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) improve after instructing them to exercise. I follow these patients every three months after they have been prescribed renal protection medication with the persuasive recommendation to exercise.  Kidney Disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States (Gould et al., 2014). I have followed patients that I have referred to several different Nephrologists who will monitor the patients and during their dialysis appointments. My experiences as a nurse practitioner have shaped my desire to pursue a DNP on how ascertaining the economic affects of CKD  are grafted into the overall healthcare system.  My primary interests in this project pertains to patients exercising and pursuing athletic prowess while suffering from chronic kidney disease deal with it. Gould et al. (2014) show how exercise retains the capacity to enhance beneficial treatment of chronic diseases. Such epistemological promise drives and inspires me on a quotidian basis.

Gould, D.W. Graham-Brown,, M.P.M., Watson, E.L., Viona,, J.L., & Smith, A.C. (2014). Physiological benefits of exercise in pre dialysis chronic kidney disease. Nephrology ,  19 (9), 519-527.

Heiwe, S.1., & Jacobson, S.H. (2011) Exercise training for adults with chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database System Review, 15.

Howden, E.J., Coombes, J.S., Strand, H., Douglas, B., Campbell, K.L., & Isbel, N.M. (2015). Exercise training in CKD: efficacy, adherence, and safety. American Journal of Kidney Disorders, 65 (4), 583-591.

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7 Tips for Writing the Perfect Family Nurse Practitioner Essay

NurseJournal Staff

If you are pursuing a career as a family nurse practitioner, you will likely be required to submit a personal essay. Your nurse practitioner personal statement explains why you want to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and is an important step in the graduate nursing program application process.

What you say in your nurse practitioner essay should tell the admissions committee who you are as a person and why you will make an effective and ethical nurse practitioner.

When answering the section on “why I want to be a nurse practitioner,” your response may come easily. Others might struggle with putting their reasons into words in an original and clear way. This guide will show you how to convey who you are and why you make an excellent candidate.

1. Be Specific

When you receive your essay questions, you will notice that they are reasonably generic. What the university is looking for, however, is how you turn that into something specific.

Don’t just outline your overall feelings about a full topic. Instead, go into detail and use specific examples from your personal experience that truly demonstrate your capabilities. Not only is this a better way of answering the question, but it also means your essay will be far more interesting. It will properly showcase your personality, which is a very important part of nursing.

2. Be Concise

Always remember that you are writing an essay and not the next great saga. Oftentimes, there will be a word count limit. However, if there isn’t, you shouldn’t write every little detail you come up with. What matters is that the information is complete and doesn’t go off-topic. Stick to the guidelines provided, as they have been given for a good reason (one of them is to test you on how well you can follow instructions). You must be concrete in your answers.

Admissions committees must get through dozens or hundreds of applications. If your nurse practitioner essay is too long, they’ll likely lose focus. In addition, nursing requires concise communication in daily work. If you come across as taking a long time to get to the point, this may leave an unprofessional impression.

3. Demonstrate Your Passion and Commitment

When you describe why you want to be a nurse practitioner, your passion and commitment should leap off the page and make the admissions committee excited to offer you a place. They should see you as the kind of student and colleague that they want to represent their school. You can do this by making sure that your nurse practitioner essay:

  • Shows how your experience and education motivate you
  • Describes specific motivators, such as mentors, experiences with nurses, or even experiences as a patient
  • Shows that you are committed to all aspects of nursing, including patient care, collaboration, cultural competence , and continual learning and improvement
  • Clearly summarizes these elements to match your background and passion to the school’s culture, as well as to nursing

Avoid clichés or general statements about why nursing is important. They already know that. What they don’t know — what you have to tell them — is why your passion will make you an excellent FNP.

4. Tell a Story

Storytelling is the most powerful and memorable form of communication. The stories we’ve lived shape who we are. Leverage the power of storytelling in your nurse practitioner essay.

  • Choose the right story and apply it to nursing. It doesn’t have to be about nursing specifically, but it needs to apply to nursing. Talk about instances where you’ve demonstrated teamwork, perseverance, crisis response skills, or communication successes.
  • Start with a vivid hook that makes the reader want to know what happens next.
  • Use clear language that helps the reader understand and identify with the choices you made.
  • Make stories about more than just yourself. Nursing is a team practice, and if you write as though you’re the only important character in the story, it can seem arrogant or self-involved.
  • Show empathy. Empathy doesn’t mean having a lot of feelings or dwelling on them. It means understanding others and meeting them where they are.
  • Customize your nurse practitioner essay to the program. What values does the school hold? How does the school site describe learning, teachers, and current students? Make these values and priorities stand out in your writing.

5. Highlight Your Strengths

Your essay is an opportunity for you to show what you are made of. Highlight all the things that are good about you, such as your education, your career, your background, and other experiences. Perhaps you have done volunteer work, or you have already been employed in the medical field. It is always a good idea to give some examples of the experiences you have had to demonstrate why you are good at what you do and why you want to become an FNP.

When highlighting these strengths, it is best to be specific and include examples. For instance, saying you are hardworking may sound like a good trait to focus on, but it could be more impactful to provide a specific example of how you have worked hard during your career. This will add credibility to your essay and reinforce your claims.

6. Keep it Professional

You want your nurse practitioner personal statement to be memorable, but only in the right way. Keep your tone professional and individual. Think of your essay as though you were a stranger reading it. Would you want the person who wrote this essay to be in charge of your or a loved one’s care?

Never make a colleague or patient look bad in your nurse practitioner essay. This is a surefire way to get rejected, as it comes across as unprofessional, unfair, and potentially unethical. While a sense of humor is invaluable for a nurse practitioner, humor is very difficult to convey to an audience you don’t know.

Avoid exaggerating, even for dramatic effect. While exaggerating might improve the story, obvious exaggeration will cast doubt on your professional judgment.

Lastly, don’t use foul language in your nurse practitioner essay. Just like humor, while many nurses use it as a coping method, they are careful about their intended audience.

7. Edit Again and Again

Finally, once you have completed your essay, proofread it. After that, give it to someone else to proofread and then edit it once more yourself. Spelling errors, typos, and layout problems are certain to have your application denied because they show a lack of attention to detail. Share your essay with as many people as possible and ask for their suggestions and edits before you finally submit it.

Remember that the faculty members of the FNP program you are applying for also look at how well you can write. Clear communication will be an important skill for successful FNPs. Hence, you must make sure that your essay is well-reviewed and well-written. This is also why you should start developing your essay as early as possible, as this is not a job that can be rushed.

Putting Pen to Paper

Think of your nurse practitioner essay as a way to show who you are, to reflect what is most important to you, and why you will be an excellent FNP.

If you’re not sure where to start, try having a conversation with a friend who is a good listener and have them ask you questions about why you want to be a nurse practitioner. Ask them to probe into what you say and tell you when something comes across as especially meaningful or significant.

Begin by writing anything at all about “why I want to be a nurse practitioner.” Turn your inner editor off. For this first step, the goal is quantity, not quality. Either as you keep writing or when you review it later, you’ll usually find something valuable you can use.

A few final tips:

  • Start early. Even if you’re not sure when you’ll want to earn your MSN, you can start keeping notes now. Once you know when you want to apply, outlining your nurse practitioner essay months ahead will pay off.
  • Ask a variety of people to review your writing. Different people bring different perspectives.
  • Think of it not just as an essay but as a chance for reflection. This is another reason to start early, since this kind of reflection can bring new insights that you’ll want to use.
  • Remember that the better your nurse practitioner personal statement reflects you, the better the decision the committee can make. Be your best self, but be yourself.

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Note that the applicant must submit all materials directly, not through an agent or third-party vendor, with the following exceptions: submission by the U.S. Department of State's Fulbright program; submission by Danish-American Fulbright (DAF); and submission by Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD).

The applicant will be required to attest to the accuracy and authenticity of all information and documents submitted to Columbia. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] .

  • Failure to submit complete, accurate, and authentic application documents consistent with these instructions may result in denial or revocation of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, expulsion, or eventual revocation of degree. Applicants may be required to assist admissions staff and faculty involved in the admission reviews in verification of all documents and statements made in documents submitted by the student as part of the application review process.
  • All application materials will be verified by the Office of Admissions or a third-party vendor for enrolling applicants. Detailed information regarding this process will be distributed upon publication of admission decisions.

Guidelines on Writing Personal Statement (DNP Programs)

Applicants must submit a personal statement that discusses the following:.

  • How graduate education will promote professional growth and help in transitioning into the role of advanced practice and discuss why you are pursuing the DNP degree.
  • Preparation for graduate work. How has your background and experience influenced and shaped your goals for the future and prepared you for graduate study?
  • Academic strengths and weaknesses that may affect program success.
  • Unique qualities you possess and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
  • DNP Project idea-a problem, specific population, or practice/system change to be considered for a DNP Project proposal
  • Goal statement to include what kind of work or position you will seek after graduation

Tips for writing the personal statement:

  • It is absolutely imperative that you follow these guidelines and that you cover each topic area. Be clear, concise, and cogent.
  • The personal statement is limited to not more than three double spaced pages, using a legible 12 font. Grammar, punctuation, organization, and creativity will be evaluated in the scoring. Include and introduction and conclusion.
  • Make certain that the statement is grammatically and technically correct. There should be no spelling errors.
  • Do not rush. Write drafts, edit, and have someone else read the statement prior to finalizing.
  • School of Nursing >
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  • Personal Statement - DNP

Personal Statement: DNP and Advanced Certificate Programs

Graduates will assume leadership positions in academic, clinical and other health care roles. The purpose of this statement is for you to provide information about yourself and to demonstrate your ability to express ideas clearly and logically.

The personal statement should be no more than 1,000 words, double-spaced and typewritten and should be free of grammatical and mechanical errors. Citations are not required. Please include your name and program you are applying for. 

  • Please articulate your reasons (including career goals) for gaining an advance practice degree in your chosen specialty (Adult/Gerontology, Family, Nurse Anesthetist or Psychiatric/Mental Health).
  • Describe at least two qualities you possess that make you a good formal or informal leader. Use an example of how this quality contributed to your leadership in an area of your life.
  • Discuss an experience in collaborative teamwork using examples from any aspect of your life and what you learned from it.
  • As a school, our vision includes respect for and inclusion of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Provide an example of how you have worked with diverse populations locally, nationally or globally. How do you believe your graduate education will help you to further your skills in working with people from diverse backgrounds?
  • Optional additional comments: please provide any additional comments that you feel the committee should be aware of. 

Tanner Gelatt.

Tanner Gelatt Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment 202 Beck Hall 716-829-3765 [email protected] Schedule a meeting with Tanner.

Frontier Nursing University

Distance Education from the Birthplace of Nurse-Midwifery and Family Nursing in America

Post-Master’s DNP Application Steps

Steps to apply.

sample essay for dnp application

Review Admissions Criteria

sample essay for dnp application

Collect the Required Items below

sample essay for dnp application

Complete the  New Student Application Form

Required Items

  • Essay #1: Goal Statement Essay: Prepare a well-crafted essay (300-500 words) that communicates to the Admissions Committee your goals as a DNP prepared nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner. Use one or more of the AACN Domains for Nursing at the Advanced-level to help articulate your goals:  https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Publications/Essentials-2021.pdf
  • Essay #2: Graduate education is rigorous. From the experience of Frontier doctoral students, full-time study requires a commitment of 25-30 hours a week. This will require adjustments to your current work and family life. It is important that you take time to consider how you will integrate graduate school into your current situation. Please write a well-crafted statement (200-300 words) about how you plan to fit the rigors and time commitment of graduate education into your life situation of work and family.
  • Resume: Please prepare a resume that follows the example found here: Example Resume

Two (2) Health Professional References

Arrange for two health professional references who can speak on your ability/potential to serve as an advanced practice nurse (NP or CNM). You will submit an electronic request to your references as part of the application. Please send a copy of this PDF form to your two references and have them return the form to [email protected] . The required Reference Form cannot be substituted with a letter of recommendation. For the two references, one must be a supervisory reference. Some examples of supervisory are nursing supervisors, faculty from the applicant’s nursing school, an MD, CNM, NP, or PA who work with the applicant. One can be a professional peer.

Transcripts

Frontier Nursing University requires final and official transcripts (letters of program completion are not acceptable in lieu of final and official transcripts)  from all previous attempted/completed nursing courses and nursing degrees. Transcripts from unrelated degrees and/or courses are not required.

For a more rapid receipt of your transcript, we encourage official transcripts to be submitted electronically from the degree/course granting institution to [email protected]  or through Parchment or  the National Student Clearinghouse.

If submitting transcripts electronically is not an option, transcripts should be mailed to the address listed below. In the event the transcripts are mailed to you, they should be forwarded to the FNU Admission Office. PLEASE do not open the envelopes—doing so will result in your transcripts becoming unofficial which will delay your application process.

NOTE: Official transcripts must reflect the following and be received in Admissions by the published deadline date:

  • Degree name
  • Degree conferral/awarded date
  • GPA of ≥ 3.0

Frontier Nursing University ATTN: Admissions Office 2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383

* All online applications and required packet materials must be received in the admission office by the close of business, 5:00 PM (EST), on the published deadline date. * Frontier does not acknowledge application materials by the postmark date.    

License and Certification

Copies of a current RN License (with no encumbrances) , a current state ARNP Licensure  (with no encumbrances), and Certification.  NOTE:   Some states, like Utah, considers the APRN to supersede the RN license. If you no longer hold an RN you must reinstate your RN to be an eligible applicant.

Helpful Hint:  Always use your legal name as it appears on your Social Security Card to align with federal guidelines and verify that your legal name appears on each document submitted (resume, references, etc.).

Click the arrows below to view each section.

We know our applicants are busy and that’s why an Admissions Counselor will, *when permitted, request all applicable transcripts on your behalf. This saves you money, time, and stress. The only thing you need to do is provide us with the institutional names and sign a transcript release form. *Please note, there are circumstances that prevent FNU from ordering transcripts on your behalf (e.g., an institution may not accept third-party requests).

Frontier Nursing University requires final and official transcripts (letters of program completion are not acceptable in lieu of final and official transcripts) from all previous attempted/completed nursing courses and nursing degrees. Transcripts for non-nursing degrees or courses are not required with the exception of applicants applying via the portfolio option. An applicant applying via the portfolio option must also provide an official baccalaureate transcript.

  • Portfolio Instructions for Non-BSNs If your baccalaureate degree is in a discipline other than nursing you must submit a portfolio detailing your employment and academic experiences.  Click here to download the portfolio instructions. MSN Completion If you’re a graduate of FNU’s Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program (CNEP) and completed your studies prior to 2004 before FNU became a master’s-granting institution,  click here for the Online MSN Completion Application .

Please pay close attention to the following:

  • You must be a registered nurse with a current, active license in the United States with no encumbrances.
  • Use the name as it appears on your Social Security Card on ALL correspondence. This requirement aligns with federal regulations.

background check is the final step in completing your admission criteria to FNU. [/su_spoiler]--->

FNU Information

Request Information

Frontier Nursing University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

sample essay for dnp application

Privacy Statement

2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383 (859) 251-4700

For education verification requests: • Web: degreeverify.org • Mail: National Student Clearinghouse, 2300 Dulles Station Boulevard, Suite 220, Herndon, VA 20171

For program inquiries: [email protected] or 859-279-0890

Accreditation

Learn more about FNU's Accreditation

View FNU Policies & Procedures

Tobacco Free Campus

Wendy Post is a seasoned nursing professional and a passionate advocate for maternal health with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and is currently pursuing a PhD at George Washington University School of Nursing. Her extensive career in nursing has been dedicated to addressing maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in underserved communities impacted by maternal health deserts and maternal morbidity and mortality.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Wendy has taken on the role of a forensic nurse examiner in Maryland, enhancing her ability to support populations impacted by trauma. She is the founder of “The Birth Mark,” an organization committed to improving maternal health outcomes globally. Her organization has a specific branch dedicated to supporting women affected by maternal mortality, reflecting her deep commitment to advocacy and support for bereaved families.

Wendy’s current research involves a pilot study that explores the experiences of eyewitnesses and medical examiners involved in maternal deaths. This study employs verbal and social autopsy frameworks to gather comprehensive insights into the factors leading to maternal mortality. By interviewing bereaved family members and medical examiners, she aims to identify critical areas for improvement in maternal healthcare practices and inform policy changes that can reduce maternal deaths and address disparities in healthcare.

Her dedication to maternal health extends beyond research as she actively engages in community outreach, education, and advocacy. Wendy has begun to present her work at various national and international conferences. Her contributions to the field of maternal health are driven by a profound commitment to closing the gaps in healthcare disparities and improving outcomes for all women.

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Dr. Nikia Grayson, DNP, MSN, MPH, MA, CNM, FNP-C, FACNM (she/her) is a trailblazing force in reproductive justice, blending her expertise as a public health activist, anthropologist, and family nurse-midwife to champion the rights and health of underserved communities. Graduating with distinction from Howard University, Nikia holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in public health. Her academic journey also led her to the University of Memphis, where she earned a master’s in medical anthropology, and the University of Tennessee, where she achieved both a master’s in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice. Complementing her extensive education, she completed a post-master’s certificate in midwifery at Frontier Nursing University.

With over 15 years of experience in public health and nursing, Nikia has dedicated herself to advancing reproductive rights and justice, birth justice, and midwifery. Her passion for midwifery shines through in her commitment to diversifying the workforce of midwives and birth workers, especially in the southern United States. As a fervent disruptor of the current healthcare system, Nikia is pioneering new models of care that prioritize midwifery and center the needs of Black and brown communities. Every day, she works Tirelessly to ensure that all individuals have the agency and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

At CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health, Nikia serves as the Chief Clinical Officer, spearheading interfaces that have led to the establishment of the first nonprofit comprehensive reproductive health care center, the first Black midwifery fellowship program and the city’s inaugural birth center. Beyond her clinical leadership, Nikia sits on the Board of Directors for both the American College of Nurse Midwives and SisterReach, Tennessee’s foremost Reproductive Justice organization.

Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Nikia Grayson is transforming the landscape of reproductive healthcare, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those she serves and the communities she uplifts.

sample essay for dnp application

Dr. Robert White is the recipient of a Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) for his project titled “Health Disparities in Obstetrical Care and Delivery Outcomes Before and After Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol.”

Obstetrical healthcare disparities have been extensively reported, with Black women experiencing disproportionate mortality and severe maternal morbidity, explained Dr. White. The two-year, $250,000 grant will support Dr. White’s research into the effect of implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols on delivery outcomes, and the development of a data-driven dashboard for clinicians. The support will further Dr. White’s research into interventions that promote patient equality and equity. Dr. Kane Pryor is the primary faculty mentor.

In the first phase of the project, Dr. White and researchers from the Center for Perioperative Outcomes will investigate obstetrical healthcare disparities on a national scale using databases from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). In the second phase, they will study the impact of the evidence-based ERAS protocols.

“We’re looking at pre- and post-implementation of ERAS protocols in terms of outcomes for white, Black, Hispanic and Asian patients to see if these new care processes attenuate or eliminate disparities that exist,” said Dr. White.

Dr. White’s goal is to apply the research from the first two research questions to the development of a data-driven dashboard for clinicians that will help provide patient care recommendations and data visualizations.

“Maternal mortality and morbidity is a major crisis afflicting our nation,” said Dr. White. “It’s exciting that healthcare disparities projects are getting an increased level of funding and that solutions to these national crises are being investigated.”

Dr. Robert White is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and was a Van Poznak Research Scholar in the Department of Anesthesiology. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, his medical degree and a master’s in clinical research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed his anesthesia residency and obstetric anesthesia fellowship training at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He has authored numerous manuscripts exploring healthcare disparities in perioperative outcomes and quality of care.

The FAER MRTG grant provides support for early-career training of anesthesiologist-scientists to achieve independence as scientific investigators.

sample essay for dnp application

Karlie Porter Masaga is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Womens Health Nurse Practitioner providing care to women across their lifespan. Karlie started her career as a Midwife and Nurse Practitioner in Utah County. She has since joined the Birthcare Healthcare team and is enjoying her time caring for women in the Salt Lake and surrounding areas. Karlie is passionate about providing evidence-based care to women. She strives to ensure all her patients feel heard, understood, and receive best practice at each stage of their life from teenage years, through childbearing, labor, birth, and menopause.

Karlie is an adjunct faculty for University of Utah College of Nursing teaching new midwifery and women’s health providers. She has a strong passion for helping those who come from different backgrounds and cultures. Prior to going into the medical field, Karlie worked for the State of Utah Juvenile Justice system where her love for teens from diverse backgrounds flourished. During her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree at University of Utah Karlie took part in the research of sexually transmitted infections in Fiji with the University of California San Francisco. Karlie has continued to stay connected with Pacific Islanders through her church, community and family. She is currently working on outreach to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women who are seeking healthcare by providing services at South Main Clinic. During her time off you will find her paddle boarding, biking, playing sports, and enjoying a lot of laughter with her husband and family.

sample essay for dnp application

Jeelan Fall is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner providing full scope services including routine gynecologic care throughout the lifespan, contraception, pre-conception counseling, pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care. Jeelan is a first-generation graduate with a life-long calling to the world of childbirth and women’s health. She believes in the philosophy of shared decision-making between patients and their care providers. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Utah.

Dr Fall has a particular passion for maternal health disparities and how they tie into increased rates of morbidity and mortality among mothers and neonates who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). In her free time, she enjoys traveling to any place in the world with a beach and spending time with her family.

sample essay for dnp application

Eugene Declercq, Ph.D., M.B.A., is a professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health and professor on the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine. His current research focuses primarily on maternal mortality and morbidity. He is part of the team that has produced six reports on women’s experiences in childbirth, Listening to Mothers. He is a current member of the Massachusetts Maternal Mortality Review Committee and on the board of March for Moms. He was principal investigator on two NIH funded collaborative projects examining child and maternal outcomes associated with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (MOSART project) and is one of the founders of the Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal (PELL) data system that has linked vital statistics, hospital, and administrative data on more than 1,200,000 births in Massachusetts since 1998. He has also been active in a variety of public health projects in his hometown of Lawrence, Massachusetts. 

He is the founder of the website www.birthbythenumbers.org, where additional data on maternal mortality and other maternal and infant health outcomes can be found. He is also a recipient of the Martha May Eliot Award from the American Public Health Association for service to maternal and child health and the Greg Alexander Award for research in maternal and child health epidemiology.

He has Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Florida State University and a M.BA. from University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

sample essay for dnp application

Holly Powell Kennedy, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN was the inaugural Helen Varney Professor of Midwifery (now emeritus) at the Yale University School of Nursing. She has served as the President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and received the 2016 Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, their highest honor. Her program of research is focused on a greater understanding of the effectiveness and outcomes of specific models of care during the childbearing year, especially is support of childbearing physiology. She was a Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship at King’s College London in 2008 and is currently a Fulbright Specialist. She is a retired Colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps Reserve.

sample essay for dnp application

Michelle Debbink, MD/PhD FACOG is an Assistant Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She grew up in the Air Force and enjoyed moving frequently around the US and abroad. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Policy Studies from Rice University, and her MD and PhD in Health Services Organization and Policy (social epidemiology focus) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at University of Michigan as well, and then moved to the University of Utah for her Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship. She is a current Reproductive Scientist Development Program scholar, and is funded to conduct research on the community and geographic drivers of racial and ethnic inequities in severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality. In particular, her research focuses on a population health-community engaged translational continuum to amplify resilience and build interventions to close gaps in perinatal care in partnership with American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women and birthing people. She also serves as the Departmental Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the ObGyn Department at the University of Utah, and the Assistant Program Director for the Women’s Health Equity Fellowship at the University of Utah.

sample essay for dnp application

Dr. Yvonne Thompson Maddox was named Acting Deputy Director, NIH in January 2000 and continued to serve in that role until May 20, 2002. In this position, she guided the organizations and programs within the Office of the Director, NIH and was a chief advisor to the Acting Director, NIH. In addition, Dr. Maddox is the Deputy Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a position she has held since 1995.

Dr. Maddox received her B.S. in biology from Virginia Union University, Richmond and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Georgetown University. Following completion of the Ph.D., she served as a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Post Doctoral Fellow and as an Assistant Professor of Physiology in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown. She studied as a Visiting Scientist at the French Atomic Energy Commission, Saclay, France, and is a graduate of the Senior Managers in Government Program of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Dr. Maddox came to NIH in November 1985 as a health scientist administrator in the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), where she managed the Congressionally mandated clinical and basic research grants program in trauma and burn injury. Following her initial appointment, she served NIGMS in various capacities: Acting Director, Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program; Chief, Pharmacology and Physiological Sciences Section; and Deputy Director, Biophysics and Physiological Sciences Program.

In January 1995, Dr. Maddox joined NICHD as its Deputy Director. At the NICHD, Dr. Maddox manages the institute’s diverse extramural program that supports research on population issues, reproductive biology, contraception, pregnancy, child development, nutrition, developmental biology, AIDS, mental retardation, and medical rehabilitation.

During her career at NIH, Dr. Maddox has received numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award, the Public Health Service Special Recognition Award and the NIH Director’s Award. She is a member of the American Physiological Society and serves on several public service and academic boards, including the Center for Development and Population Activities Advisory Board and the Robert Woods Johnson Health Policy Fellowship Advisory Board.

Dr. Maddox is author or coauthor of a number of scientific articles, book chapters and conference proceedings, including the often-cited paper on a method she developed to extract peritoneal macrophages from peritoneal dialysate, “A routine clinical source of peritoneal macrophages and their release of prostaglandins in vitro ,” which was published in 1984. She has delivered more than 100 lectures.

sample essay for dnp application

Robert M. (Bob) Silver, MD has been in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center for over 30 years. He holds the John A. Dixon Presidential Endowed Chair and is Professor and Chairman of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Silver’s clinical and research interests include recurrent pregnancy loss and stillbirth, cesarean delivery, placenta accreta spectrum, preeclampsia, vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, immunologic diseases in pregnancy, and medical disorders in pregnancy.

sample essay for dnp application

Amy Holt has served as the Disability Services Coordinator at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) for six years. In this role, she collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are met across all academic areas. Amy serves as an advocate with or on behalf of the students, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support.

Prior to her current role at FNU, Amy worked with the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in various capacities for nearly eight years. As an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter for the D/deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing populations, she adeptly navigated linguistic and cultural variations while thoughtfully applying ethical decision-making skills and best practices. Amy also provided collaborative support for independent living and life skills, advocating tirelessly for individuals’ rights to access within the workplace and beyond. Her efforts aimed at removing barriers and fostering successful outcomes for individuals seeking to gain or maintain competitive integrated employment.

With experience spanning vocational sectors and regions across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Amy’s expertise in disability services, advocacy, and the success and social justice of individuals with disabilities drives her motivation. As an honored recipient of Frontier Nursing University’s Culture of Caring Award, she remains dedicated to championing inclusivity, access, and empowerment for all.

sample essay for dnp application

Dr. Jamal-Eddine’s goal is to create transformative change within healthcare education praxis by developing engaging pedagogic strategies to educate healthcare students about ableism and intersectional identity-based oppression. Her long-term goal is to found an interdisciplinary, applied public-humanities community-engaged healthcare equity center in a university that confronts healthcare inequity, violence, and oppression and promotes intersectional, cross-identity liberation, humanization, and belongingness for all patients, students, and practitioners.

sample essay for dnp application

She is an artist, poet, and historian. She uses her art and poetry to bring awareness to maternal health. She provides women’s health care at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. She currently hosts web discussions Overdue Reckoning on Racism in Nursing. She founded Lucinda’s House, a Black Maternal Health Collective, to promote maternal health equity through community collaboration and programs that provide support and education. Dr. Canty has received funding for her research from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

She has published in various journals, including AJN, American Journal of Nursing, Nursing Inquiry, Journal of Advanced Nursing, Birth, and Nursing Philosophy. Dr. Canty is a contributing editor for the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health’s Ask the Midwife Column. Additionally, she is a sought-after nurse scholar in addressing both maternal health equity and anti-racism initiatives. She is a frequent featured speaker virtually and in person at local, regional, national, and international conferences focused on the challenges of reducing disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality.

She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Nurse Midwives. She is the 2023 Yale School of Nursing Alumni Association (YSNAA) Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient and the recipient of the 2023 Florence S. Wald Award from the Connecticut Nurses’ Association. She is the 2024 Columbia University School of Nursing 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Practice.

sample essay for dnp application

In addition to developing impactful programs, Dr. Meeks plays a pivotal role in advancing equity through her collaborations with health professions associations. Through these collaborations she spearheads efforts to ensure that health science trainees and program leadership receive the support and resources they need to thrive in their respective specialties.

Dr. Meeks is a prolific scholar and widely recognized as a leading expert in this field. Her research findings have been published in leading journals, including the NEJM, Lancet, JAMA, and Academic Medicine, underscoring the significance of her work. Her contributions extend beyond research to the realm of education and advocacy, where she has co-created impactful social media campaigns and podcasts, working tirelessly to promote disabled clinicians and scholars and reduce harmful disability stereotypes in health professions training and STEM.

Within the wide range of accomplishments she holds, Dr. Meeks most valuable role to date is becoming a grandmother. She cites her time with her grandson Charlie as the most rewarding and “bucket filling” moments in her life.

sample essay for dnp application

With over 15 years of experience in public health and nursing, Nikia has dedicated herself to advancing reproductive rights and justice, birth justice, and midwifery. Her passion for midwifery shines through in her commitment to diversifying the workforce of midwives and birth workers, especially in the southern United States. As a fervent disruptor of the current healthcare system, Nikia is pioneering new models of care that prioritize midwifery and center
the needs of Black and brown communities. Every day, she works Tirelessly to ensure that all individuals have the agency and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

At CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health, Nikia serves as the Chief Clinical Officer, spearheading initiatives that have led to the establishment of the first nonprofit comprehensive reproductive health care center, the first Black midwifery fellowship program and the city’s inaugural birth center. Beyond her clinical leadership, Nikia sits on the Board of Directors for both the American College of Nurse Midwives and SisterReach, Tennessee’s foremost Reproductive Justice organization.

All new alumni are automatically welcomed into the FNU Alumni Association. We appreciate the commitment and dedication of our alumni who play an integral role carrying out the FNU mission in everyday practice.  Visit our Alumni Association page .

View information including eligibility criteria and ceremony preparation and sign up to participate. August 18, 2023 is the last day to RSVP via the self-registration dashboard (MarchingOrder).

Coming Soon!

New FNU graduates and their guests are invited to join us for a celebration event on the FNU campus following the commencement ceremony, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST. (will include sign-up Google form link when ready so we can tailor appropriate follow-up)

Local Attractions

Rupp Arena, part of The Lexington Center, is located in a very walkable area of downtown Lexington, KY. The Center is conveniently situated within 10 miles from both I-64 and I-75, and just under 6 miles from Blue Grass Airport. There are numerous hotels and restaurants within easy reach. Below are some links to help you plan your trip:

  • Rupp Arena   (our event venue)
  • VisitLex.com
  • KentuckyTourism.com
  • Blue Grass Airport

Area Lodging

The following hotels offer special pricing and courtesy holds for FNU commencement guests:

Best Western Parkside Inn – Frankfort

80 Chenault Road, Frankfort, KY 40601 (23.7 miles from the venue, via I-64 E) – 20 rooms per day held for the following 2023 dates: 9/22 & 9/23. Room type(s): Double Queen. Rate: $102 + tax. A credit card is required for a security guarantee. Book by phone: 502.695.6111.  You must mention “Frontier Nursing University” to book with this offer . The offer ends on 7/22/2022 or when rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

Holiday Inn Express – Versailles

365 Commerce Drive, Versailles, KY 40383 (12.4 miles from the venue, via US 60) – 10 rooms per day held for the following 2023 dates: 9/22 – 9/23. Room type(s): 5 Single King ($164 + tax) or 5 Double Queen ($174 + tax). A credit card is required for a security guarantee. Refunds are available if requested within the cancellation window.  CLICK HERE  to book online or call 859-873-5501.  When calling, you must mention “Frontier Nursing University” to book with this offer . The offer ends on 8/22/2022 or when rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

Candlewood Suites – Lexington

603 Adcolor Drive, Lexington, KY 40511 (2.0 miles from the venue, via Newtown Pike) – 10 rooms per day held for the following 2023 dates: 9/22 – 9/23. Room type(s): Single Queen Studios Rate: $159 + tax. A credit card is required for a security guarantee. Refunds are available if requested within the cancellation window.  CLICK HERE  to book online or call 859-967-1940.  When calling, you must mention “Frontier Nursing University” to book with this offer . The offer ends on 8/31/2022 or when rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

Homewood Suites by Hilton – Lexington/Hamburg

2033 Bryant Road, Lexington, KY 40509 (6.9 miles from the venue, via Sir Barton Way & Winchester Rd) – 10 rooms per day held for the following 2023 dates: 9/22 & 9/23. Room type(s): King one-bedroom Suite Rate: $175 + tax. A credit card is required for a security guarantee. Refunds are available if requested within the cancellation window.  CLICK HERE  to book online or call 859-543-0464.  When calling, you must mention “Frontier Nursing University” to book with this offer . The offer ends on 8/31/2023 or when rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

Holiday Inn – Lexington/Hamburg

1976 Justice Drive, Lexington, KY 40509 (6.7 miles from the venue, via Sir Barton Way & Winchester Rd) – Rooms held for the following 2023 dates: 9/22 & 9/23. Room type(s): 10 single King/ 10 double Queen; Rate: $149 + tax. A credit card is required for a security guarantee. Refunds are available if requested within the cancellation window. Group Code: FRN  CLICK HERE  to book online or call 1-888-HOLIDAY.  When calling, you must mention “FRN” to book with this offer . The offer ends on 9/8/2023 or when rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

Commencement Ceremony Timeline – Saturday, September 23, 2023:

  • 9:00 a.m. EST – doors open at Rupp Arena (ceremony venue)
  • 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. EST – Graduate Check-In 
  • 10:40 – 10:50 a.m. – Lineup for Processional
  • 11:00 a.m. EST – Ceremony Processional
  • Approx. 1:30 p.m. EST – Ceremony Recessional
  • 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST – FNU campus celebration event for all new graduates & their guests

sample essay for dnp application

The first dancer to be named People Magazine “Women Changing the World,” and named InStyle Magazine Badass 50, Adidas “women reimagining sport,” CBS News “People Making a Difference”, and featured on Good Morning America and NBC Today, Marisa is an award-winning Transformational Movement Artist, Speaker, and Changemaker dedicated to creating a more inclusive just world where we can each feel alive, not just survive.

Marisa’s lived experiences of her body repeatedly not being accepted as a dancer, her Japanese American identity not fitting the box in many spaces, and surviving a stroke that initially paralyzed her from the neck down, eventually led her to create Infinite Flow, an award-winning nonprofit dance company that employs disabled and nondisabled artists with diverse, intersectional identities with a mission to use dance as a catalyst to dismantle biases and promote inclusion.

During the last year, Marisa was diagnosed with two invisible disabilities: PTSD and Autism. The diagnoses brought much clarity to the challenges she’s coped with throughout her life.

Marisa is passionate about transforming forward-thinking businesses through keynotes, performances, and content that inspire inclusivity and move hearts, bodies, and minds, so that their teams become more connected, purpose-driven, and alive. She has brought unique unforgettable keynote presentations and performances to some of the biggest enterprises in the world, including Meta, Apple, Red Bull, NBCUniversal, Deloitte, PayPal, International Monetary Fund, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, Porsche, McKinsey & Co, Clifford Chance, amongst other brands. Marisa made history along with wheelchair dancer Piotr Iwanicki by becoming the first dancer to perform at Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater, sharing the stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Since 2015, Marisa has led Infinite Flow to perform at over 160 events, from large global events to local school assemblies & community festivals. Heading the creative & artistic direction, Infinite Flow’s videos have tracked over 100 million views on Facebook alone. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marisa spearheaded Infinite Flow to turn its in-person elementary school assembly program into a virtual program, launching Scoops of Inclusion, a 47-minute short film celebrating diversity and empowering kids to take an active role in creating a more inclusive world where we each feel we belong.

Marisa is bilingual and bicultural. She completed her BA & MA from Keio University, Tokyo. She is an Honorary Member (Distinguished Artist) of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. She is a speaker, thought leader, performing artist, and multi-dimensional creator on the rise, seeking to creatively inspire inclusion, innovation, and transformation through movement, dance, and storytelling.

More on Marisa at MarisaHamamoto.com.

sample essay for dnp application

Lucero, Robert J. PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Professor of Nursing, and Audrienne H. Moseley Endowed Chair in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing

My research program focuses on improving health outcomes of vulnerable populations using innovative health systems and informatics approaches. Two prominent themes of my work are: enhancing the quality of care for hospitalized older adults and improving self-management of chronic health conditions among Hispanic, African-American, and LGBTQ+ populations. My research is distinguished by interdisciplinary team science, which bridges nursing, medicine, psychology, computer science, and engineering, health systems, communities, and other academic institutions. 

My research is leading the way to inform infrastructure development for data-driven knowledge generation that serves as a model for organizations across the United States (US) to improve the quality of care for hospitalized older adults. I am leveraging electronic patient, clinical, and administrative data and data science methods to identify valid, modifiable factors that predict hospital-acquired falls (HAF), which affect annually approximately one million US hospitalized patients. Studies I have published show that, in 168 US hospitals, poor nursing care quality was associated with more adverse patient events, including HAF. Using artificial intelligence approaches with electronic health record (EHR) data, I have discovered a set of six new clinical and organizational factors that can predict HAF. These findings were among the most downloaded in 2019, and have widespread implications since hospital patient falls continue to be a significant clinical concern internationally in healthcare systems. My lab also explores the use of registered nurses’ (RNs’) progress notes, or text data on patient observations, to predict HAF. We were the first to publish that RNs’ notes contain information about clinical, environmental, and organizational factors that can predict fall risk. I am Principal Investigator (PI) of a 5-year $2.57 million award from the National Institute on Aging. This cutting-edge health systems project is exploiting the use of text and structured EHR data to validate predictors of HAF and hospital-induced delirium. This study will expand the University of Florida Health EHR research infrastructure for data-driven knowledge generation. 

The other cornerstone of my research program is developing health information technology (HIT) to promote chronic disease self-management. I pioneered and published a HIT design approach, known as Consumer-centered Participatory Design (C2 PD). Unlike other design approaches, C2 PD provides public health and community-based organizations, academic researchers, and commercial designers with a theoretically informed approach that engages consumers throughout the development and evaluation of HIT. C2 PD builds on the strengths and resources within a community, promotes a collaborative learning and empowering process, facilitates collaborative partnerships, and incorporates four components of HIT design, namely; user preferences, functions, tasks, and representational requirements, to develop highly usable systems. We introduced this innovative approach and presented our findings to informaticians at the International Medical Informatics Association Nursing Informatics Congress in 2012. We demonstrated that using the C2 PD approach resulted in a highly useful and usable fall prevention self-management system for English- and Spanish-speaking older adults. Since then, multiple investigators of HIT development and systematic review articles have referenced the use of the C2 PD approach. The C2 PD approach has been the basis of my other funded studies, including a $2.8 million National Institute of Nursing Research and $1.0 million Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality award. I have disseminated further wide-ranging use of the C2 PD method, including creating a mobile Health (mHealth) application (app) interface for Hispanic caregivers of persons with dementia to self-manage chronic stress and burden and an mHealth app to support African American caregivers of children with chronic asthma and obesity. The lessons I learned developing the C2 PD approach are represented in a paper I co-authored that focuses on using HIT to engage communities to improve health and reduce health disparities in populations. This is significant to the work I am conducting among people living with HIV. A study I published showed that a large proportion (85.5%) of people living with HIV are interested in using a mHealth app that supports HIV self-management, including functions to identify health services, provide health tips and medication reminders, communicate with healthcare providers, track their mood and emotions, and engage in social networking. My lab is expanding this research with funding from the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) and the Florida Department of Public Health to inform creating and testing a technology-enabled self-management intervention. 

I have developed an independent and externally funded health services and informatics research program of over $8.85 million as PI. I publish in high impact journals and researchers and scholars in nursing, health services, and informatics cite my research regularly according to citation analytics (>1024, h-index:14, i10-index:18). Additionally, federal government agencies have recognized my research. I was a standing member of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality HIT Research review panel from 2016-2020, and served on multiple NIH Special Emphasis Review Panels. My peers have recognized the impact of my research nationally, and I am disseminating my research program internationally. I am a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the New York Academy of Medicine. In 2019, I received a 3-year UF Term Professorship that acknowledged my academic accomplishments in shaping the UF College of Nursing and the nursing discipline. I am currently the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professor of Nursing (with tenure); and, the Adrienne H. Mosely Endowed Chair in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing.

sample essay for dnp application

Born in Orange, California and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon, Rebekka Eshler has had an adventurous life. Being raised by her wonderful grandmother, she learned valuable life lessons earlier than her peers. After graduating high school and a few confusing years in college, Rebekka decided it was time to make a change and decided to join the United States Army and becoming a Fire Support Specialist Paratrooper. Rebekka was stationed all the way up in the last frontier state of Alaska. Even before transitioning, she was embraced by the LGBTQIA’s community.

After leaving the service, Rebekka delayed her transition as she started her professional piloting career at University of Alaska Anchorage. After many nights of deep thought and struggle, Rebekka decided that she loved helping people and redirected her efforts towards a Political Science Degree. She also took biology and chemistry classes because she fell in love with medicine after becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. While at UAA Rebekka’s passion for helping others and leadership got even stronger. She was participated in many different student leadership organization and even became the Student Veterans of America Chapter President at UAA. Rebekka also began working as a volunteer for the Non Governmental Organization Mobile Medics International, that provides medical response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.

After coming out as a proud trans woman in 2018, Rebekka began reconnecting with her local LGBTQIA community in Anchorage. She began being a major voice for the LGBTQIA Community in her final year of college. From being the first openly transgender SVA UAA Chapter President, to working at the homeless shelter as an EMT, Rebekka wasn’t afraid to speak up and make sure that everyone was receiving equal treatment. After Graduating in 2020, during the pandemic, Rebekka decided it was time to be more active and joined the board of Transgender American Veteran Association as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations. In this role she built relationships with other Veteran organizations and LGBTQIA organizations.

Rebekka represented her state as Miss Trans Alaska 2022 and won Miss Congeniality at the national Miss Trans USA 2022 pageant. She is currently serving as the National President of The Transgender American Veteran Association.

sample essay for dnp application

Shea Rose has held a variety of titles throughout her career, including singer-songwriter, yogi, style icon, and music curator, to name a few. Her music, influenced by soul, hip-hop, rock, and folk, addresses identity, self-acceptance, and spiritual transformation. Former Boston Globe music critic Steve Morse described her as “that rare artist who can bridge diverse styles such as soul, funk, rock, rap, and jazz — and bring her unique stamp to each.”

Rose is a featured songwriter and vocalist on two Grammy Award-winning jazz albums by legendary drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, The Mosaic Project, and Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue. She has received numerous accolades for her musical abilities, including multiple Boston Music Awards, a SESAC National Performance Activity Award, the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Abe Olman Scholarship, and, most recently, the Andrea C. Silbert Rising Star Award from the Center for Women & Enterprise for her Embodied Voice & Yoga business.

Rose has independently released three full-length solo projects: Little Warrior Mixtape, Rock’ n Rose EP, and D.T.M.A. (Dance This Mess Around) EP. In 2020, Rose recorded a cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s “Black Boys on Mopeds,” a powerful commentary on police brutality in black communities. The music video was published and promoted by TEDxTalks. Rose has performed in Barbados, Cuba, Jamaica, Italy, Greece, and Romania, as well as at Symphony Hall in Boston, the Blue Note Jazz Club, and SXSW.

Rose is an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music. When she’s not on the stage offers Embodied Voice & Yoga coaching and consulting to individuals and organizations. Embodied Voice & Yoga Coaching by Shea Rose is a certified Women and Minority Owned Business whose mission is to empower brown and black women and girls to communicate their highest goals with courage, compassion, and clarity. 

For more on Shea Rose visit: 

www.shearose.com

www.instagram.com/shearose

sample essay for dnp application

Patricia K. Bradley PHD, RN, FAAN is an Associate Professor and the Inaugural Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence at the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) at Villanova University. 

Dr. Bradley’s current work focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion and fostering cultural humility in students, faculty, staff, and healthcare providers. Her research and service activities represent her commitment and contribution to ensuring a “voice for the voiceless” and to developing a culture of trust with vulnerable populations who lack access to address their concerns.

Dr. Bradley is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She is the immediate past Chair of the Academy’s Health Equity Expert Panel and a mentor for the Academy’s Jonas Policy Scholars Program’s National Policy Mentoring Council (NPMC). 

A graduate of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) 2022 Diversity Leadership Institute, Dr. Bradley is the chair elect for AACN’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN) and a contributor to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Tool Kit. 

At Villanova Dr. Bradley serves as faculty co-advisor for the newly formed Multicultural Student Nurses Organization (MSNO), a service organization developed by students and dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for historically underrepresented nursing students. Dr. Bradley is also chair of a parallel program, the FCN’s steering committee for Healthy Work Environment Initiatives working with faculty and staff to foster an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, and students are respected, accepted, and valued.

sample essay for dnp application

Dr. Vicki Hines-Martin is a Professor and the Associate Dean, Office of Community Engagement and Diversity Inclusion in the University of Louisville School of Nursing. In addition, she holds a joint appointment as the Director of Community Outreach in the UofL Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion which serves the schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, and public health. Dr. Hines-Martin is an associate director in the NIEHS funded UofL Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences and a Commonwealth Scholar in the Kentucky Commonwealth Institute. She has been a psych-mental health clinical nurse specialist for 36 years. Her area of scholarship includes mental health disparities, culture, social justice/equity, and community engagement.  

Dr. Hines-Martin has numerous presentations and publications which include the Routledge Handbook of Global Mental Health Nursing: Evidence, Practice and Empowerment . New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group (Yearwood, E. & Hines-Martin [Eds], 2017).  Dr. Hines-Martin has received many awards and recognitions for her work from organizations such as The Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice. Dr. Hines-Martin served as the President of the International Society for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

sample essay for dnp application

Michelle DeCoux Hampton, RN, PhD, MS is the Director of Academic Nursing and Patient Care Research in the Office of Research Patient Care Services at Stanford Health Care. Dr. Hampton formerly served in a variety of academic roles at Samuel Merritt University (2005-2018) including Professor and Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and at San Jose State University (2018-2022) as Professor and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Coordinator in the Valley Foundation School of Nursing, as well as Assessment Facilitator and Special Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Health and Human Sciences. 

Her expertise and experience includes psychiatric mental health nursing and research methods for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students with knowledge of student engagement in various modalities including face-to-face, hybrid, online, and simulation. Her research and service interests are focused on promoting health equity for underserved populations, in part by increasing access to health professional education for members of underrepresented communities, and by educating current students and practicing professionals regarding health equity. As an Advisory Council Member for the Salvation Army, Garden Street Center in Oakland, she spearheaded an initiative to create a certified nursing assistant program within the vocational education program as an entry point to the nursing profession for shelter residents and others in the local community. She also serves as a holistic admissions review consultant for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing providing training for faculty and administrators in US nursing programs. Workshops educate participants in methods to increase diversity within nursing programs that are considering or have already implemented holistic admissions review and/or evaluation.

sample essay for dnp application

Kendra M. Barrier. PhD, MSN, RN, CNE

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans School of Nursing (LSUHSC-NO SON)

Dr. Barrier is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, serving as the Inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2021 to present) and the former Assistant Dean for Student Services (2015-2021) at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans School of Nursing (LSUHSC-NO). She is also an Associate Faculty for the School of Graduate Studies at LSUHSC-NO, a National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator, an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Diversity Leadership Institute Fellow, and an AACN Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing (ELAN) Fellow. She a mentor for the third cohort of AACN Diversity Leadership Institute. She provides a strategic vision and leadership by engaging in quality improvement and programmatic development by promoting a culture of inclusive excellence. She is currently piloting the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Elements Tool (DEIET), threading DEI through the SON curricula. She is a mentor and coach, and is passionate about the academic success of underrepresentative minority students. 

Externally, Dr. Barrier is the President for New Orleans District Nurses Association (2020 to present). An active member several committees and taskforce for the Louisiana State Nurses Association; the Chair of the AACN DEI Leadership Network; and a member of the AACN Organizational Leadership Network (OLN) Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the Communications Committee; a member of the National League for Nursing Education Awards Committee; a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), a member of the Epsilon Nu Chapter-at-Large of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), and a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) DEI Collaboration. Dr. Barrier also serves as the Presidential Consultant for the Louisiana Association of Student Nurses. Lastly, she is a member of the New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated.

Dr. Barrier has presented diversity, equity, and inclusion content, diversity leadership vision, and where DEI fits into Academic Nursing Education locally, regionally, and nationally. She has also been a member of several DEI panel presentations. 

She earned her BSN (2000) and MSN (2009), in Nursing Education, from LSUHSC, and received a PhD (2016), in Nursing Education and Administration, from William Carey University.

sample essay for dnp application

Jean Edward , PhD, RN, CHPE, is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the College of Nursing, and Nurse Scientist for UK HealthCare’s Markey Cancer Center.

Dr. Edward’s program of research is focused on promoting equity in healthcare access, affordability, and health outcomes for underserved communities by intervening on the social determinants of health. She utilizes mixed methods and implementation science approaches to design and implement sustainable multi-level interventions that promote equity in access to and affordability of care. She has implemented several nationally funded oncology financial navigation programs to address financial toxicity of cancer experienced by pediatric and adult patients, survivors and caregivers. Dr. Edward has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Cancer Society, Kentucky Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, and the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Trust Fund. Her work has been published in over 40 peer-reviewed publications and presented at over 70 national, regional, and local conferences. She is the Associate Editor of Clinical Nursing Research and a fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Diversity Leadership Institute.

sample essay for dnp application

Heidi Loomis, DM, CRNP, CNM  enjoys supporting clinical midwifery and women’s health nurse practitioner students and their preceptors in her role as Regional Clinical Faculty at Frontier Nursing University. She recently completed a Doctorate of Midwifery degree at The Midwifery Institute at Jefferson. Her doctoral research focused on biases that midwifery students across the U.S. experience in their clinical settings – the types and prevalence of bias as well as its impact on midwifery students’ commitment to the completion of their academic programs and to the profession of midwifery. Part of her research also included the emotional responses and behavioral coping mechanisms employed by students in response to bias, whether midwifery students witnessed anyone intervening, and whether or not students reported experiences of bias. For this work, Heidi received the American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation’s 2022 W. Newton Long Award for the Advancement of Midwifery. Heidi has been interested in culturally respectful care and the growth of midwifery for decades. She has presented to academic, government, non-governmental, and private institutions on topics including anti-racism, privilege, and midwifery. Heidi also enjoyed clinical practice as a family nurse practitioner and certified nurse-midwife for over 30 years in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. She is a graduate of Juniata College, Yale School of Nursing, Frontier Nursing University, and The Midwifery Institute at Jefferson, College of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

sample essay for dnp application

FSU | College of Nursing

College of Nursing

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

How to Apply (DNP)

Review application criteria for respective program., complete the florida state university graduate application and upload all required admissions documents and video interview to the application.

Florida State University Graduate Application

Program Application Criteria

Adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.

Track Coordinator: Leeann Barfield   Email:   [email protected]

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. BSN degree from a nationally accredited program with an upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher or MSN degree from a nationally accredited program with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.

3. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).*

4. Unencumbered and unrestricted RN license.

5. Three (3) letters of recommendation.

6. Current CV or resume.

7. Essay (Writing Sample) answering the following questions: a) Tell us about your professional work experience as a nurse and other relevant professional experiences. Include leadership activities such as serving on committees, leading projects and involvement in professional associations. b) What are your career goals and how will a DNP degree help you with your goals?

8. Record a video answering the questions below. The video should not be more than 5 minutes long answering all the questions. 

Tell us about your previous clinical or volunteer experiences? When have you had a direct impact on a patient’s life?  Please include activities such as patient advocacy, involvement in professional associations or an instance you were a change agent to improve quality care delivery. 

What patient population are you most passionate about? Why? What are your thoughts about any health disparities affecting that group? As an DNP prepared nurse practitioner, how might you contribute in finding solutions to these issues? 

What is your research interest for your Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence based practice project?

Admission Application Deadline

Executive health systems leadership.

Track Coordinator: Marsha Hartline  Email:   [email protected]

1. MSN degree from a nationally accredited program with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher; or a BSN with a master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum grade point average of 3.2. Master’s degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis for relevancy and accreditation.

7.Essay (Writing Sample) answering the following questions:

a) Tell us about your professional work experience as a nurse and other relevant professional experiences, including progressive leadership experience that should reflect a minimum of two years of healthcare leadership. Include all leadership activities such as serving on committees, leading projects, and involvement in professional associations.

b) What are your career goals and how will a DNP degree help you with your goals?

8. Record a video answering the questions below. The video should not be more than 5 minutes long answering all the questions. Please make sure to address all parts of each question.

a) Tell us about your previous clinical experiences. When have you had a direct impact on a patient’s life? Please include activities such as patient advocacy, involvement in professional associations or an instance you were a change agent to improve quality care delivery.

b) Tell us about your leadership experiences. Please include specific examples of projects you have completed, or were involved in, that helped to improve patient care, nurse engagement, morale, financial fitness, staff retention, and/or outcomes in a healthcare facility. How have you addressed health disparities and improved diversity, equity, and inclusion in your leadership roles?

c) What is your research interest for your Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence-based practice project?

Family Nurse Practitioner

Track Coordinator: Tara Hayes  Email:   [email protected]

Tell us about your previous clinical or volunteer experiences? When have you had a direct impact on a patient’s life? Please include activities such as patient advocacy, involvement in professional associations or an instance you were a change agent to improve quality care delivery.

What patient population are you most passionate about? Why? What are your thoughts about any health disparities affecting that group? As a  DNP prepared nurse practitioner, how might you contribute in finding solutions to these issues? 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Track Coordinator: Theresa Winton  Email:    [email protected]

1. Hold an MSN in a Nurse Practitioner track and be a nationally certified APRN with a graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

4. Unencumbered and unrestricted APRN license.

5. Psychiatric Mental Health Certification

6. Three (3) letters of recommendation.

7. Current CV or resume.

8. Essay (Writing Sample) answering the following questions: a) Tell us about your professional work experience as a nurse and other relevant professional experiences. Include leadership activities such as serving on committees, leading projects and involvement in professional associations. b) What are your career goals and how will a DNP degree help you with your goals?

9. Record a video answering the questions below. The video should not be more than 5 minutes long answering all the questions. 

Lifestyle Medicine

Track Coordinator: Alicia (Ali) Craig-Rodriguez  Email:   [email protected]

1. MSN degree from a nationally accredited program with an upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

2. Current APRN Certification (ANCC or AANP)

3. Official Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended

4. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).*

7. Essay (Writing Sample) answering the following questions: a) Tell us about your professional work experience as a nurse and other relevant professional experiences. Include leadership activities such as serving on committees, leading projects and involvement in professional associations. b) What are your career goals in Lifestyle Medicine and how will a DNP degree help you with your goals?

See list here for states from which we can and cannot accept students

* GRE/MAT Waiver Criteria

The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following criteria:

-A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution.

-A completed BSN (60 hours of nursing or RN to BSN courses) with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution.

GRE/MAT waiver request form

Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied.  

Applicants with a competitive GRE or MAT score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to these additional criteria.

For those accredited institutions that are competency-based (no GPA assigned) the applicant must submit a GRE/MAT score.

For more information on Graduate application process, contact Carlos Urrutia   [email protected]

For information regarding Tuition and Fees, visit   https://studentbusiness.fsu.edu/tuition-fees

College of Nursing Vivian M. Duxbury Hall 98 Varsity Way Tallahassee, FL 32306-4310   Map

  (850) 644-3296 Undergraduate:  [email protected]  

Graduate: [email protected]  

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DNP Admission Essay

ABSTRACT The expansion of the nurse’s role to effectively impact healthcare delivery presents multiple opportunities for research based nursing professionals. This Admissions essay will address my rationale behind application into the DNP program. Questions answered include: (1) Statement of goals and expectations for better serving my community, and (2) Type of clinical project I hope to undertake in the DNP program.

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INTRODUCTION I believe that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is not only ideal, with respect to my own personal goals, but that this program will give me all the tools required to yield a positive impact in this world. The current state of the U.S. Healthcare system indicates that there are many areas in our system, which may be optimized. Patients, professionals, and laypersons, will claim that our Healthcare System is the best in the world. Regardless of this claim, enhancements are required. The focus of a DNP program is to promote health and disease prevention, to help reduce the overall cost of healthcare delivery in the U.S.

My primary focus is to initially utilize all training and knowledge, obtained during the program to impact the local Miami-date community in a positive manner. The diverse population of individuals in the Miami-Dade area presents multiple different; age groups, ethnicities, and income levels. My overall goal would be to help underinsured and under privileged patients in this area, who may not currently benefit from the established system, using the knowledge gained during the DNP program.

GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS While studying in the DNP program, my overall academic goal would be to learn as much as possible, pertaining to the application of research-based knowledge. An advanced practice nurse should be able to; Design, Conduct, and Analyze research data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Information obtained during research can be used to better understand where weak points lie within our system. I expect to undergo a rigorous curriculum that will allow me to think “outside of the box” to essentially innovate our system. It appears that much controversy is associated with healthcare delivery, however application of science does not consider a person or a groups ulterior motive. I expect to be challenged by the program to design sound research plans, that would be used to cast light into the areas of healthcare that require improvement.

With respect to my overall goal for becoming an effective clinical research based nurse, I hope to gain knowledge that will allow me to develop effective strategies that enhance the safety and quality of patients receiving care. I would also like to learn methods that the nurse practitioner may use to create more cost-effective initiatives, for translational application to new delivery processes. It is important to note that the affordable care act appears to incentivize cost-effective delivery. This indicates that the ballooning cost for healthcare is being addressed and subsequently the law presents the necessary framework for motivating professionals to enhance delivery, while ensuring patient safety and a high quality of care. My goal is to be a leader in the respective areas of; Research Design and Cost Analysis.

CLINICAL PROJECT / CONCLUSION The clinical project that I hope to initiate is health promotion and disease prevention in the Miami-Dade Area. I believe that by applying knowledge pertaining to research design, and translational application of analytical data, will allow me to identify the critical areas where healthcare delivery falls short in Miami-Dade. As the role of the nurse expands into an area where he/she may now conduct research by applying hands-on knowledge gained in the field, the potential of the nurse appears to be limitless. Additional needs to create a more sound Healthcare system will also include creating more cost-effective care. The hope is that strengthening weak areas while simultaneously lowering the overall cost will help to create the ever elusive, perfect healthcare system.

Nursing is a fast growing profession. The development of my interest was motivated by the recognition of the developments in the profession. Nurses are highly involved in attending to patients…

I have always desired to make a huge impact in the business world and help businesses and states better prepare to handle foreseen and unforeseen risk likely to disrupt economic…

I believe I can affirm with complete honesty that initiative is a quality I possess in great measure, and one that goes very much to my succeeding in the MBA…

Graduate education is necessary for career specialty and credentialing, and involves an extension of skills, knowledge and experience. Towards these purposes, graduate education builds on prior academic knowledge and work…

Being a half-Saudi and half-Persian, I became conscious of cross-cultural issues at an early age. At the same, I also developed a fascination with world cultures because my own life…

It is interesting to work with computers. Computer technology has resulted in significant developments in areas such as medicine, education, agriculture, communications, photography, and economics through software designed to address…

I have always yearned to achieve a degree. Fortunately, I have had an opportunity of working in the most reputable companies such as Sony Pictures, Scholastic, Disney, WebMD, and Hulu.…

Since I was a little kid, I’ve always been awed by chemistry and medicine. I loved my science classes where we always mixed different chemicals and to create new substances.…

I was born and brought up in a small in a family of two children living in India. Since I am the first born, my family has great expectation from…

ABSTRACT The expansion of the nurse’s role to effectively impact healthcare delivery presents multiple opportunities for research based nursing professionals. This Admissions essay will address my rationale behind application into the DNP program. Questions answered include: (1) Statement of goals and expectations for better serving my community, and (2) Type...

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DNP Application Essay Writing

Doctor of Nursing Practice is a degree that allows a nurse to become a nurse practitioner after getting the right credentials. Nurses with a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) are the ones who qualify for DNP programs. The institutions offering DNP programs require students with the appropriate qualifications and will use an application essay to determine the best. An application essay shows the university admissions committee why you deserve admission to their DNP program and life experiences that make you ready to overcome challenges.

Tips to write a DNP application essay writing

Follow directions.

All application essays are not the same as each nursing school provides its writing guidelines. Some schools will offer explicit information about the format, length, and content of the personal statement. Sticking to guidelines is essential because admissions committees continue will consider the writing skills and ability to follow instructions. Others nursing school allow open-ended writing.

Before you start to write, you should review the writing all the guidelines. Despite the prompts, your writing should reflect your understanding of a nurse's role in advanced practice. You should also express your interest in DNP such as working in healthcare leadership position, practicing nursing informatics or serving a specific patient population.

Write a role leaning application essay

Take time to evaluate the information about your chosen specialty because it helps in clarity when you discuss your career goals and how they fit with the special. It is essential that you demonstrate your understanding of the role of a nurse practitioner. Your knowledge of nurses with DNP degree is one of the essential things that the program faculty wants to establish. The other reason is about your suitability for the Ensure that you present accurate information in your response. Provide concrete reasons showing how you fit the role even if you are not sure about your future position in the career. Write like you are sure about your career path by using words that show confidence in attaining your goals such "I will" instead of less powerful "might or hope."

Make a strong case

An application statement is your chance to convince the admissions committee to accept you by showing the unique reasons why they should accept your application, reasons why you will succeed at graduate school and as a nurse practitioner. You make your case stronger by customizing your answers to match the chosen specialty. For example, if your interest is to be an emergency nurse practitioner, present the characteristics that will contribute to your success such as being calm under pressure, compassionate to everyone and being quick on the feet.

An application essay is about your personality as this is when admissions team can remember most about you. You can share qualifications, but a personal story cannot be the same.

You stand out because of personal experiences you regard to be ordinary such as volunteering, career experience in other roles or a conversation with a mentor. Write a compelling story that describes how you decided to become an NP or an illustration of personal values. A challenging experience that changes your perception of the nursing practitioner is also appropriate in providing a clear introduction to your personality and reasons that will make you an excellent performer at school.

End with a strong conclusion

You should make your DNP application essay to be memorable by ending by writing more than a summary of your arguments. Emphasize the moral of your story or stating the lessons you learned from the experience. A good summary should end with something that provides the reader with something to ponder after they finish reading. You can achieve it by completing with a quote, a rhetorical question or an argument. The end should be positive to avoid making the readers feel that your discussion was not conclusive in ending the argument. A powerful end links to the thesis statement in the introduction, short and concludes the thoughts without new ideas.

Proofread your DNP application essay and make the necessary corrections before you send it to the admissions committee.

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Qualified Nursing Admission Essay Help for Your DNP Application

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At our nursing admission essay service, each order is absolutely private. Your communication with experts remains incognito, too. Upon request, we can delete the completed paper from our database.

In case the delivered application essay requires amendments, we provide them at no cost. However, if the issue can’t be solved this way, you are guaranteed to get a refund. No questions asked!

To ensure the highest quality of each admission essay for nursing school, our skilled editors double-check the completed paper before delivering it to you. Editing is also available as an independent type of work.

The absolute originality of your essay is our obligation. Skillful writers with advanced nursing degrees handle all orders, doing authentic research in complete accordance with the provided instructions.

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Writing Essays for Nursing School Admission – Top Points to Know

Writing essays for nursing school admission can be a daunting, nerve-wracking process, but luckily for you, our qualified experts in application writing are here to help! In this 3-minute read, we will cover everything you need to know about this type of DNP essay — from qualities to the breakdown of components to helpful tips, so dive right in!

The committee reviews hundreds of thousands of application essays daily. So, if you want to be selected, your essay for admission to nursing school must be the best it can be. Here are the essential qualities that your essay for a nursing application should possess:

  • Relevance to the DNP program.
  • Clear purpose and focus.
  • Conciseness and logical structure.
  • Appropriate language and a professional tone.

What’s more, your DNP essay should be carefully edited for mistakes and revised before submission, as it will serve as a reflection of your attention to detail and overall professionalism and signal to the committee that you value precision and take your application seriously.

Components of a Good Essay for Admission to Nursing School

If the institution you are applying to does not require you to follow a specific format or answer a specific question, here is a list of what nursing essays for admission usually include:

  • An introduction that focuses on what brought you to this point.

In this paragraph of your college application essay , the main goal is to talk about yourself and provide background on your passion for the nursing field. Perhaps a family member inspired you to become a nurse, or you’ve struggled with health problems yourself — all of these are excellent examples of origin stories for your DNP nursing admission essay.

  • Body paragraphs that explain how your experiences helped you develop skills for the field.

These components of your nursing school admission essay should include the majority of information you wish to share with the committee. However, be careful with accomplishments and add only those that help describe how you will contribute to the program.

  • A conclusion that ends on a positive note.

Your essay’s conclusion has to state what you hope to achieve with your nursing degree in the future, emphasize your enthusiasm for the program, and explain why you’ll make an excellent addition to the chosen institution.

9 Tips on Writing an Application Essay for Nursing School Admission

Let’s go over a few tips from our DNP capstone project writers that will make your copy stand out while still remaining genuine and authentic:

  • Create a timeline of events.
  • Stick to your brief, keeping the proper word count & structure.
  • Do preliminary research. Use your previous application docs.
  • Speak from the heart, be honest and positive.
  • Include personal experiences.
  • Use vivid examples and relevant anecdotes.
  • Include reflections on your personal and professional growth.
  • Address gaps in academic history or low grades honestly.
  • Adjust every essay to suit a target program.

Finally, when writing a college admission essay, always make sure that it briefly describes your past and present experiences and future aspirations in relation to the field, and try not to exceed two pages so as not to bore the committee.

Nursing School Admission Essay Questions to Address in Your Writing

Although such questions can vary across institutions, some typical topics are often addressed in DNP application essays. These questions are designed to assess your experience, motivation, and goals as they relate to the degree to which you’re applying, and they are as follows:

  • Why do you want to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree?
  • What is your overall nursing experience, and how did it prepare you for doctoral study?
  • What areas of nursing practice are you most interested in, and why?
  • What healthcare issue or problem would you like to address as a DNP nurse?
  • How do you plan to contribute to the nursing field and advance through your DNP studies?
  • How do you balance the demands of work, personal life, and academic commitments?
  • What position (e.g., manager, associate dean, director) do you wish to acquire within three to five years after completing the program?

Note that the above questions are not final, and the institution you are applying to may have its own unique questions to answer in the application essay for nursing school admission, so always take the time to check the provided prompts, and you are halfway to success!

Still Unsure What to Include in Your Essay? We Can Help!

Just fill out a quick online form, and our dedicated experts will turn your experiences and goals into impactful writing that will definitely secure you a spot in your dream institution. The whole process takes up to 5 minutes, and it is completely confidential, so no one is going to know you got professional help in writing a capstone proposal !

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DNP application....essay question

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Published Jan 18, 2009

CardioTrans, BSN, RN

I was wondering if someone could help me brainstorm with writing some essays for my DNP application. They are requiring three essays.

1: How the DNP and PhD differ. Well, that one is a given....

2: Educational and professional goals, short and long term, and how the DNP will help you reach the goals.

3: Describe your current practice system and recent issues or problems in that system that you might be interested in pursuing for your project.

I have read over and over again about the "project". It is a three semester class and is a synthesis project.

They have referred to the DNP Essentials on the AACN website. Each has to be a separate essay and max of 500 words.

Down Vote

  • + Add a Comment

llg

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

You have to start with the basic truth. For the 2nd question, start by stating your basic goals: anything else will sound fake. After stating your actual goals, then discuss how the DNP program will help you achieve those goals. Don't start trying to write the final version right away. Start by simply jotting down ideas and build/refine from there.

For the 3rd question, take a similar approach. Begin by jotting down your thoughts and then work from there. Describe your work setting. What are the issues and problems that you see in that setting? Are there any issues/problems that you might want to work on through your academic program? As a DNP student, you are going to have to do a major project -- and they are looking to see whether or not you are prepared to take on such a big project. When you look around at your world, do you see the types of problems that might lend themselves to being solved through such a project? Which topics interest you the most? They are asking you to show that you can assess your environment and identify the types of problems that you would be interested in working on.

DNP_OR

Listen to your heart and why you want to get an advanced degree. Then use your head to put that into words that tell why you and why now. Don't try to be anyone other than YOU are. Have a good friend or collegue read your essays and give you some feedback on them. That is the easy part! Waiting for the admission response is the real killer. Good luck.

Thanks llg and DNP_OR for your replies!

I have been working on the difference between PhD and DNP.... I started by writing things down as they came to me and as I found things.... then started writiing some of the body. The intro and conclusion will be the last thing........

I figured I would do that one first, then the one about goals. That way I could incorporate some of the information from the first one into it.

I did talk to a friend of mine last night who is a well respected physician who is published in many medical journals, a professor at the med school, and who does lectures all over the country who has agreed to critique them for me when I finish. He said that he would also be happy to write a recommendation letter for me.

Now I just have to finish them! Guess I will take my day off work and do that.

Thanks again for the replies!

IMAGES

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  2. Addressing goals for the DNP program Essay Example

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  4. The Difference of DNP Program from a Traditional Ph.D. Program Essay

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  6. Check Our Best Nursing Personal Statement Examples Here

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  1. How to Write an Excellent NP School Personal Statement

    The video recommends applicants organize their statements in a five-paragraph essay format and write no more than 500 words. First paragraph: Make an immediate impact in your introduction. Second paragraph: Explain what attracted you to the program and field. Third paragraph: Compare your short- and long-term goals with the program goals.

  2. DNP Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement Tips

    Show where you have come from and where you plan to go. Explain how the DNP program will help you achieve your goals. Use first person, "I" language (e.g., "I am interested in…" or "I would like to study…"). Avoid being overly general, clichés and informal (using slang). Make your statement of purpose and personal history unique.

  3. On the Road to DNP, Admission Essay Example

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  4. PDF ONLINE DNP-NP ESSAY OVERVIEW

    NLINE DNP-NPESSAY OVERVIEW:Submitting an essay is one of the items required to complete your application f. r the Online DNP-NP program. This tool is to provide clarity regarding what the content of that essay should be, as well as some helpful tips in order to submit a scholarly essay that addresses all elements the review committee looks for ...

  5. PDF ONLINE DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE ESSAY OVERVIEW

    ete your application for the Online DNP program. This tool is to provide clarity regarding what the content of that essay should be, as well as some helpful tips in order to submit a scholarly essay that addresses all elements the revie. committee looks for in a DNP application essay.Your essay needs to describe 3 experiences that have prepared ...

  6. 7 Tips for Writing the Perfect Family Nurse Practitioner Essay

    3. Demonstrate Your Passion and Commitment. When you describe why you want to be a nurse practitioner, your passion and commitment should leap off the page and make the admissions committee excited to offer you a place. They should see you as the kind of student and colleague that they want to represent their school.

  7. Writing a Personal Statement for NP School Applications

    A good personal statement will highlight the applicants dedication to nursing, and understanding of the nurse practitioner role. It should be creative, concise and organized. It should begin with an intriguing introduction, continue with reflections of life experiences and explain why NP school is the next step in the applicants life.

  8. Apply to the DNP Program

    Optional Essay: Applicants can submit a one-page essay (double-spaced/12-point font) focused on non-academic topics. Communications: If an applicant has corresponded with our Admissions Office regarding any parts of their application or program requirements (i.e. prerequisite course review), they can upload the email communication in this section.

  9. Guidelines on Writing Personal Statement (DNP Programs)

    DNP Project idea-a problem, specific population, or practice/system change to be considered for a DNP Project proposal; Goal statement to include what kind of work or position you will seek after graduation; Tips for writing the personal statement: It is absolutely imperative that you follow these guidelines and that you cover each topic area.

  10. PDF DNP Goal Statement

    DNP Goal Statement Your goal statement should be typed and no more than 2 pages in length. It should reflect your future goals, your strengths, and your weaknesses. It needs to be concise and to the point. Your goal statement will be reviewed as a writing sample, so be sure to write clearly and succinctly and check your punctuation and spelling.

  11. PDF Fall 2025 Start DNP Application Guidelines and Requirements

    • There is a maximum word count of 1200 words each for the Statement of Purpose and Personal History essay prompts for the DNP application. ... Please note, UC Irvine Graduate Applicatio n contains sample prompt language, but when applying to the DNP-FNP or DNP-Post Master's program, please only use the guidelines below.

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  14. PDF Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School Applications

    Sample Prompts DNP Program, Loyola University Chicago 1. Describe your personal vision of yourself as a leader in health care; discuss how the DNP program will help you to operationalize this role. 2. Provide a statement describing how your work experiences and professional interests have prepared you to be successful in the DNP

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    Steps to Apply. Review Admissions Criteria. Collect the Required Items below. Complete the New Student Application Form. Goal Statement Essay: Prepare a well-crafted essay (300-500 words) that communicates to the Admissions Committee your goals as a DNP prepared nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner. Use one or more of the AACN Domains for ...

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  17. How to Apply (DNP)

    The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following criteria: -A completed master's degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution. -A completed BSN (60 hours of nursing or RN to BSN courses) with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution. GRE/MAT waiver request form.

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  21. PDF Fall 2022 DNP Application Essay Response Requirements

    Please note, UC Irvine Graduate Application contains sample prompt language, but when applying to the DNP-FNP or DNP-Post Master's program, please only use the guidelines below. Statement of Purpose . In the UCI Graduate Application "Statement of Purpose" section, please respond to the following prompt in 1200 words or . less:

  22. Stuck on Your DNP Admission Essay and Need Help?

    9 Tips on Writing an Application Essay for Nursing School Admission. Let's go over a few tips from our DNP capstone project writers that will make your copy stand out while still remaining genuine and authentic: Create a timeline of events. Stick to your brief, keeping the proper word count & structure.

  23. DNP application....essay question

    They are requiring three essays. 1: How the DNP and PhD differ. Well, that one is a given.... 2: Educational and professional goals, short and long term, and how the DNP will help you reach the goals. 3: Describe your current practice system and recent issues or problems in that system that you might be interested in pursuing for your project.