BSN to DNP FAQs

Why choose a DNP degree over a master’s degree?

Current evidence clearly connects improved patient outcomes to higher levels of nursing education. It is the terminal degree option for those who wish to excel in practice. If you desire to deepen your practice expertise, translate research into quality care to improve patient outcomes and provide leadership to address key healthcare systems, then the DNP may be a good program for you to consider. In addition, the DNP will prepare you to serve as a teacher and mentor, while improving the quality of your practice.

How does the DNP differ from the PhD in nursing?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice focused doctorate degree. Those who earn a DNP are experts in translating science in research into practice. The PhD in nursing focuses on research and generating new knowledge to advance nursing science. PhD and DNP prepared nurses should work together to advance patient care.

Is it possible to continue working while I am enrolled in the BSN to DNP program?

A majority of students enrolled in our BSN to DNP program are working as full-time nursing professionals, while taking classes part-time. We encourage you to consider a part-time plan of study if you are planning on maintaining full-time employment and have other life responsibilities, as the part-time plan has been constructed with the working professional in mind.*

Can I pursue this degree program at the same time as another graduate or professional degree program at Ohio State?

Students who enroll in two graduate degree-granting programs concurrently are called Dual Degree students. Please review this information on the Graduate School website to learn more about the Dual Degree designation.

Dual Degree students must satisfy the credit hour requirements for each degree program. There may be little overlap between the two sets of coursework, which can result in students being required to fully complete the degree requirements for both programs in order to graduate. This can extend time to graduation. Due to the rigorous nature of some of our graduate clinical programs, prospective students interested in a Dual Degree option with the College of Nursing are advised to closely examine the curriculum requirements of our programs before applying. For degree programs with clinical components, it is important to recognize that adjustments to the standard curriculum plan may not be possible.

To learn more about the process for applying as a Dual Degree student, please visit the Graduate School’s website. After you have reviewed this information, please contact the director of the program in which you are interested for further discussion. The director’s name and contact information can be found by visiting the homepage of the program on the college’s website. This discussion should occur before you begin applying in order to gain a better understanding of program requirements. Applicants interested in applying to a College of Nursing graduate program as a Dual Degree student must follow the application process listed on the program admission webpage and adhere to all deadlines. Please email nursing@osu.edu if you have any questions about how to apply.

I already have a master’s degree in nursing from another institution. Do I have to choose this program if I want to pursue another specialty and get my DNP at the same time?

Yes, Ohio State’s Post-Master’s DNP program does not include APRN certification. If you wish to pursue a second certification along with your DNP, this would be the correct program. We can review your completed graduate nursing coursework once you are admitted to determine what can be applied to the program’s requirements.

If I choose a distance learning specialty, are there any on-campus requirements?

These specialties have on-campus requirements:

• The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty is offered in a distance-enhanced format that enables students to complete their coursework online in conjunction with 2 day on-campus visits during the last three semesters for in-person learning and evaluation of clinical skills. These required on-campus learning days will be pre-scheduled so students can make travel plans in advance.
• The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specialty is offered in a distance-enhanced format that enables students to complete their coursework online with one on-campus visit during each of the final three semesters or in-person learning and evaluation of clinical skills. These experiential learning opportunities will be pre-scheduled so that students can make plans to travel to campus.
• The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialty is offered in a distance-enhanced format that enables students to complete their coursework online in conjunction with 1-2 day on-campus visits during the last four semesters for in-person learning and evaluation of clinical skills. These required on-campus learning days will be pre-scheduled so students can make travel plans in advance.
• Nurse Anesthesia (NA) students will be required to travel to campus for one skills week during Intro to Clinical Anesthesia (Year 1, Summer Semester) and one simulator day per clinical course semester (Years 2 and 3). These experiential learning opportunities will be pre-scheduled so that students can make plans to travel to campus.
• The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) specialty is offered in a distance-enhanced format that enables students to complete their coursework online with up to four on-campus visits during the last four semesters.

Do the online courses have any designated meeting times for class? 

Yes, most online, graduate nursing courses will include a synchronous component, This means you are required to be logged in and participating in class. Most classes meet once per week, on a weekday, in the afternoon or evening. All times listed are Eastern standard time. There may be classes or times that differ from these norms.

Do I earn my master’s degree part of the way through and when do I sit for the board certification for my specialty? 

Typically, you are eligible to sit for your APRN certification upon graduation with your master’s degree after the second-to-last year of the program. 

Do I have to find my own clinical sites?

The College of Nursing’s Placement Office will assist you in locating clinical sites and preceptors. You can learn more about their process here. 

I work for Ohio State, will this program qualify me for tuition assistance? 

Possibly. Ohio State offers a Tuition Assistance program for employees, which you can learn more about here. Eligibility is based on your employment status. You should consult with your Human Resources representative if you have questions about the Employee Tuition Assistance program. 

When will interviews be scheduled? 

All applicants must complete an online recorded interview by the application deadline. Specific invitations are not sent to applicants for this initial interview. Please visit this webpage for instructions on how to prepare for and complete your interview. It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete the recorded online video interview by the application deadline. Any applicant who does not complete the interview by the application deadline will not move forward in the admission process and their application will be cancelled. 

Do you have rolling admissions?

No, we do not have rolling admissions. Please visit the BSN to DNP admissions timeline to learn more about the post-application process.

*Note: FAQs specific to the Nurse Anesthesia specialty track can be found here.