{"id":18715,"date":"2025-09-15T08:58:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T12:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=18715"},"modified":"2026-01-22T09:32:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T14:32:30","slug":"streamline-your-advanced-nursing-education-with-wilmus-bsn-to-dnp-tracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/15\/streamline-your-advanced-nursing-education-with-wilmus-bsn-to-dnp-tracks\/","title":{"rendered":"Streamline Your Advanced Nursing Education With WilmU\u2019s BSN to DNP Tracks\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nurses who hold a bachelor\u2019s degree in nursing and dream of earning a doctorate can take advantage of two new streamlined tracks at Wilmington University that can help them reach that goal faster and more affordably \u2014 BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)<\/a> and BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving a DNP signals the highest level of clinical preparation in nursing practice. It enhances your professional identity and opens doors in higher education, public policy and in clinical settings,\u201d says Dr. Lori Irelan<\/strong>, WilmU\u2019s nurse practitioner program chair. \u201cBy enrolling in a BSN to DNP program, you skip the MSN as a separate step and go directly to the terminal degree, which can save time in the long run.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both programs can be completed in 3 \u00bd years, combining rigorous academics with the flexibility working RN-BSNs need. Through coursework and experiential hours, doctorally prepared faculty will help you bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of our faculty practice while they are teaching so that we can provide real-world insight and up-to-date clinical information,\u201d Dr. Irelan says. \u201cOur program is geared toward adult learners. Our classes are in the evening, and it is possible to still work and have minimal disruptions.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 79-credit BSN to DNP PMHNP program is ideal for \u201chighly motivated BSN-level nurses who have a passion to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and who want to perform at the top of their field,\u201d says Dr. Dana Olive<\/strong>, assistant chair of WilmU\u2019s PMHNP program. It\u2019s \u201cdesigned to emphasize integrated care of the whole person as they exist within families and communities. Mental health care is whole-person health.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAll of our faculty practice while they are teaching so that we can provide real-world insight and up-to-date clinical information.\u201d<\/p>\n\u2014 Dr. Lori Irelan<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

She and other instructors will prepare you for national certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). If you choose the 75-credit BSN to DNP FNP program, you\u2019ll be eligible for family nurse practitioner national certification.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur 100% pass rate shows our commitment to preparing competent and well-prepared providers,\u201d Dr. Irelan says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BSN to DNP candidates must meet the admissions requirements for WilmU\u2019s Doctor of Nursing Practice<\/a> program and either the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate<\/a> program or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate<\/a> program. Cohorts begin in the fall and spring.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI view this new BSN to DNP program as an opportunity to influence the development of strong advanced practice competencies while students are identifying their professional priorities,\u201d says Dr. Natalie Hart<\/strong>, an assistant professor and PMHNP program coordinator. \u201cWe will cultivate great role models who can carry the torch throughout their professional careers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n