Doctor of Nursing Practice

The DNP is the terminal academic preparation for clinical nursing practice. The DNP builds on the competences of the master’s degree, and adds a highly advanced skill base in informatics and technology, evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement, and organizational systems and leadership. The University of Texas at El Paso College of Nursing DNP prepares graduates to:

• Synthesize current and emerging science, including genetics/genomics, in the application of advanced practice nursing to the care of individuals, groups, communities, and systems.
• Utilize evidenced-based practice, standards of care, ethical decision-making and clinical judgment to support health promotion/restoration and cost-effective, culturally competent quality healthcare.
• Model full accountability for professional advancement and lifelong learning.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to achieve national quality healthcare goals and reduce health disparities.
• Assume advanced leadership roles in addressing complex health problems of the border region involving health disparities, ethics, policy, access, quality, and financing.
• Establish collegial and collaborative relationships with health professionals to provide comprehensive healthcare management in a variety of settings for individuals, families and communities experiencing chronic illness.
• Promote the highest level of professional accountability for nursing and the larger healthcare delivery system through dissemination of evidence-based findings and the use of translational research to improve healthcare outcomes for target populations.

DNP Program at a Glance

• Curriculum aligns with the Essential of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006).
• Special consideration is given to NPs that teach or plan to teach or who reside/work or plan to reside/work in rural or medically under-served areas
• A student cohort will be enrolled each academic year in the full time, 5 semester long program.
• The prescribed curriculum has been designed for the working advanced practice nurse.
• The on-campus classes are conducted one weekend a month (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) during fall and spring and over four weekends during the summer session.

Degree Plan

How to Apply

• Submit online application to the  Graduate School
• Applications will not be processed by the graduate school until they are complete. A complete application includes a resume, letter of intent, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. You may upload unofficial transcripts to expedite the process; however, your admission will not be finalized until official transcripts are received by the Graduate School.
• All applicants must first meet the Graduate School admission requirements. The Graduate School evaluates your application and transcripts; then, forwards the application to the College of Nursing.

Application Deadlines

Admissions Requirements for DNP Program (Post-Master's Degree)

1. Eligibility for admission to UTEP Graduate School (including completion of the TOEFL with a score of 550 or higher and all requirements for the Commission on Foreign Graduate Nursing Schools (CFGNS) for international students).
2. Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or its equivalent in the case of foreign-prepared APNs.
3. GPA of 3.0 or higher from master’s degree course work.
4. Current unencumbered registered nurse license and hold one of the following Advance Practice Registered Nurse Certifications:
   •                 Nurse Practitioner- NP (there are a variety of Nurse Practitioners)
   •                 Nurse Midwife-NMW
   •                 Clinical Nurse Specialist- CNS
   •                 Certified Register Nurse Anesthetist – CRNAs
5. Approval by the Board of Nursing, or its equivalent, to practice as an advanced practice nurse in the state or country in which clinical practice will occur.
6. Current national or board certification by a nationally recognized credentialing organization as an advanced practice nurse.
7. Letter of intent (LOI) to apply identifying experience with underserved populations including community service, awareness and direct knowledge of cultural elements that impact healthcare along the U.S.-Mexico border, and current teaching in a Texas nursing program.
8. Current resume or curriculum vita.
9. A personal goal statement congruent with program goals.
10. Three letters of references attesting to the applicant’s academic ability and potential, including one from a professional colleague.
11. Completion of personal interview.

Dr. Roberta Durk-Gomez

Clinical Associate Professor
Coordinator / Advisor: MSN-DNP
915-747-7285, Rm. 371
radurk@utep.edu
Faculty Profile

 

 

Third-Party Comments for College of Nursing (CON)
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

 The University of Texas at El Paso, CON Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program received an initial five-year accreditation by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in April 2019. The DNP program is scheduled for a five-year accreditation review March 13-15, 2024.

Written third party comments regarding the DNP program must be received by CCNE no later than February 19, 2024.

CCNE accepts only signed, third-party written comments in English.

If you would like to submit a third-party comment for a program currently under review, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org

Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third Party Comments
655 K St. NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001