Doctor of nursing practice
DNP
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Doctor of Nursing Practice
Frontier Nursing University’s clinical doctorate is designed for registered nurses who want to take their nursing career, leadership skills and clinical expertise to the next level.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest degree for clinical nursing practice. Our DNP curriculum provides education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership.
“Obtaining my doctoral degree taught me to think differently. It opened my eyes to quality improvement, developed leadership skills and gave me the confidence to be an agent of change in my community.”
– Kristin A. Gianelis, DNP, ANP-BC, WHNP-BC”
Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNU’s Post-Master’s DNP degree program is designed for certified nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who want to earn a DNP. The goal of the program is to improve health care outcomes and the delivery of primary health through enhanced nursing leadership.
Hear what our students and alumni are saying about Frontier’s DNP program.
Program Overview
The DNP Quality Improvement Project
- Lead a Quality Improvement (QI) project guided by the needs of the practice site.
- Complete planning improvements using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) “Model for Improvement” over an 8 week period.
- Learn about the process of working within a healthcare delivery system to translate evidence into practice.
Click here to learn more about the quality improvement projects.
Student Success
At Frontier Nursing University, we are committed to providing the resources and connections you need to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. With personalized guidance from academic advisors, peer collaboration opportunities, and a robust curriculum delivered by passionate faculty, you have everything you need to succeed as a Frontier student.
The Student Engagement, Access, and Success team cultivates a seamless, student-centered ecosystem grounded in Inclusive Excellence and Frontier Nursing University’s foundational Culture of Caring that supports every student from enrollment through graduation and beyond.
What Sets FNU Apart?
Are you interested in learning about FNU’s PMHNP Programs?
Join us for a Q&A Session!
Specialty Track Overview
Post-Master’s
DNP Program Q&A
with Dr. Khara’ Jefferson
This video was recorded in November 2025.
ready to apply?
Preparing nurses at the highest clinical level
The DNP Program draws on the clinical expertise of the faculty and students to prepare nurses at the highest clinical level to impact health care nationwide, starting with their communities.
Read more in our blog Be a leader for change with the DNP.
What Our Students and Alumni Are Saying
“I decided to pursue a DNP at Frontier due to its strong reputation, online format, and faculty expertise.”
– Kimberly Jones-Beatty, CNM, DNP, FNU Alumni
“I was lucky to have wonderful influences during my journey with Frontier… It truly made the educational process more of an exciting evolution of uncovering more about myself and what differences I can make in healthcare and quality improvement.”
– Marie Labadie-DeGennaro, DNP
DNP News
Graduate Spotlight: Jaime Westlund Turns a Dream Into Care for the Kona Community in Hawaii
Graduate Spotlight: Denise Wilks answers her calling to serve families through a collaborative physician-midwife team she helped build
Faculty Spotlight: NRHA Names Associate Professor Dr. Joanne Keefe a 2026 Rural Health Fellow
Purpose, Philosophy, and Objectives
Learn more about FNU’s nurse-midwifery program purpose, philosophy, and objectives.