Iowa Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

Allen College: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Review
Allen College, 1990 Heath Street, Waterloo, IA 50703.
This College is based in Waterloo, Iowa and offers programs with a focus in healthcare studies. The college was founded in 1925 as a part of the Allen Memorial Hospital. Today the college offers undergraduate through graduate degree programs in nursing, radiography and health sciences.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice at Allen College prepares nurses to assume leadership roles in healthcare settings which affect change and maintain a high standard of care.

To apply to the DNP program, nurses should have a masters degree in nursing from a regionally accredited program and an RN license.

Admission criteria into the DNP program include an essay, letters of reference, GPA, and possibly an interview. Nurses should have a 3.25 GPA or higher in the masters program. Applicants must also submit a scholarly writing sample as part of the nursing application process. Prerequisite courses in statistics and nursing research are required for entry into the program. Completing a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical experience is a requirement for the DNP program. Nurses should have completed a minimum of 600 hours of clinical experience in the Master of Science in Nursing program, though students may be admitted if this is not the case. International students are required to take an exam which demonstrates English proficiency.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice can be completed in 33 hours of study.

Clarke University: DNP Program Review

Clarke University

1550 Clarke Drive

Dubuque, IA 52001

Clarke University is a four year university which serves over 1,000 students. Based in Dubuque, Iowa, the university is affiliated with the Catholic tradition. Clarke University was founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was started by Mary Francis Clarke.

Clarke University offers both BSN to DNP and DNP Bridge programs. The BSN to DNP trains nurses as competent caregivers who deliver care based on evidence-based practice. Admission requirements to the BSN to DNP program include a bachelors degree in nursing from an accredited program with a 3.0 GPA or higher, three letters of recommendation, and an example of written work. Though the GRE is not required, it is recommended. A prerequisite course in statistics with a grade of “C” or better is required for the program. The BSN to DNP program admits 20 students each year. The doctoral program can be completed in 3 years.

The DNP-Bridge program offers a DNP in less time than three year program for nurses with an MSN-NP specialization (Masters of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner). The program can be completed in 18 months. Each year approximately 10 students are accepted in the post-masters DNP program. In total 60 students are enrolled in the DNP-Bridge program each year, which also includes students enrolled in the three-year BSN-DNP program.

University of Iowa: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review

University of Iowa

School of Nursing

50 Newton Rd

Iowa City, IA 52246

The University of Iowa is a public university in Iowa City, Iowa. The university was founded in 1847 and claims to be the oldest university in Iowa. The campus of the University of Iowa spans 1,900 acres and includes 11 colleges of study.

The College of Nursing at the University of Iowa offers both DNP and PhD in Nursing programs.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares nurses to be leaders in clinical practice and leadership. The doctoral nursing program admits both BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and MSN graduates. Graduation from a nursing program accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC with a GPA of at least 3.0 is the minimum requirement for admission to the nursing program. Applicants are required to submit information to both the graduate school and nursing program. Students can choose from a Nurse Practitioner (NP), CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) or Health Systems Leadership specialization. U.S. News and World Report ranks the Nurse Anesthesia program among the top six in the USA.

The PhD in Nursing trains nurses to become consultants, educators, researchers and leaders in the field of nursing research and application. Students are prepared with a foundational knowledge of nursing research. Admission requirements for applicants with either a BSN or MSN include a minimum 3.0 GPA in the BSN or MSN program and a prerequisite statistics course. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is also required as part of the PhD in Nursing application process.