Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

Classes

Students who attend UVA are mentored by faculty members who are experts in their field as educators, clinicians, researchers. Their experiences are additionally enriched by access to other disciplines across the University, including religion, ethics, contemplative sciences, mindfulness, and medicine. All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop. 

Depending on the degree with which DNP students enter the program (whether it's a BSN, a generalist MSN, or a specialty MSN), BSN to DNP students who choose the CNS as their specialty focus during the program also take courses in:

• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Designing, implementing, and evaluating the DNP Scholarly Project
• Population Health/Epidemiology
• Data Analysis
• Ethics and Leadership
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Policy and Economics

The length of time required to complete the program depends on several factors: whether you have enter having already earned a BSN or MSN degree; whether you are a full-time or part-time student; the number of practicum hours required; and your final scholarly project. Full-time students with a BSN degree can typically complete the DNP pathway in 33 months; students in the combined Adult-Gerontology Acute Care CNS and NP typically complete the program in 36 months. Part-time students complete the program in 5-6 years.

The DNP program culminates in the successful completion of a scholarly project—a significant, evidence-based contribution to existing nursing knowledge suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal or a book—designed by the student in collaboration with a project team. Students are encouraged to discuss concepts for the scholarly practice project early in their study.

Practicum

DNP faculty mentors help students create individualized clinical plans to meet their professional, specialty and geographic goals. Clinical requirements do not need to be met at the UVA Medical Center; the School has existing clinical contracts across the Commonwealth and beyond and students may also ‘bring their own’ clinical sites from the area or outside of Virginia. If a new contractual arrangement must be established for the student’s practicum, be advised that this process can take two to three months.

Clinical/practicum activities are generally conducted within Virginia, but may be conducted outside Virginia if the University is authorized to place students in that state and pending faculty approval.

*The BSN to DNP program's structure is new for 2024, and its proposed structure is pending SCHEV approval.

APPLY

Whether students enter the DNP having already earned a BSN, a generalist MSN, or a specialty MSN, the following admission requirements apply to most students:

• Submit a completed application and submit an $85 application fee
• Have a baccalaureate or master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited (CCNE or NLN ACEN) school
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate and graduate study
• Be licensed as a registered nurse in the US, with eligibility to transfer your license to Virginia. All matriculating students who are not active-duty military nurses must have a Virginia RN license before the first day of classes
• Submit a resume or CV
• Send official transcripts for all post-secondary study
• Be available for an interview, if requested
• International applicants have additional application requirements

UVA School of Nursing alumni are guaranteed admission into the DNP program, and have a more streamlined application process.

Applicants who earned a BSN GPA of 3.25 or higher, who have an active membership in a national nursing organization, preferably in the applicant's practice area, who exhibit leadership behaviors in their professional practices, have earned a clinical certification, or are on a path to obtaining one, and have excellent writing skills are most competitive.

Candidates with generalist MSN degrees (CNL, nursing education, informatics, etc.) should apply to the BSN-to-DNP pathway. Enrolling students may petition to transfer up to 12 credits from their prior MSN degree to the DNP.

APPLY

Post-BSN DNP [full-time, 12+ credits] 

Post-BSN DNP [part-time] 

Post-BSN DNP [full- and part-time] - January and summer terms 

Post-MSN DNP [full-time, 12+ credits] - Fall and spring terms

Post-MSN DNP [part-time] - Fall and spring terms

Post-MSN DNP [full- and part-time] - January and Summer Terms

Cost of estimated living expenses for graduate students (2024-2025)