New format makes advanced nursing degree more accessible and affordable
Belmont University's Inman College of Nursing is excited to announce significant changes to its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, making it more accessible and affordable for working nurses seeking to advance their careers and make a broader impact in health care.
Starting in Fall 2025, the DNP program will transition to a primarily online format with on-site immersions in Belmont’s Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation, allowing working nurses to balance their education with professional and personal commitments. This shift in modality comes with a substantial reduction in tuition costs to $985 per credit hour.
"We recognize the complex challenges facing our health care system today,” said Dr. Erin Shankel, associate dean of graduate nursing at Belmont. “By elevating strong nurses and equipping them with greater leadership skills, we can empower them to solve the complex needs of our evolving health care landscape. This program redesign reflects Belmont's commitment to furthering nursing education and addressing critical issues such as nurse burnout and retention."
The reimagined DNP program will focus on developing competencies essential for nurse leaders, including advanced clinical skills, health systems science, quality improvement and change management. Students will engage in asynchronous online learning, complemented by intensive on-site experiences that foster collaboration and hands-on skill development.
DNP graduates can expect to move into advanced roles that involve leadership, system-wide health care improvements, policymaking and administration in various health care settings, from hospitals to public health departments.
Regardless of their chosen career path, DNP-prepared nurses will be uniquely positioned to address complex health care challenges at a systems level, implement evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for entire populations and drive innovations that can significantly impact patient care, cost-effectiveness and overall health care system performance.
"Our goal is to provide a high-quality, accessible education that meets the unique demands of today's nursing professionals,” said Dr. Julie Honey, dean of the College of Nursing. “By offering a primarily online format with strategic on-site intensives, we're creating a program that allows nurses to advance their careers without putting their lives on hold. This approach not only accommodates their busy schedules but also prepares them to become the innovative leaders our health care system needs. Moreover, by reducing tuition costs, we're demonstrating our commitment to addressing the critical nursing shortage by making advanced education more affordable and accessible to a wider range of nursing professionals. "
The need for skilled nursing leaders has never been more pressing. Recent data suggests that by 2025, there could be a gap of 10-20% between the number of required nurses and those available. Additionally, with the average age of nurses being 52 years old, the profession faces a looming retirement cliff that could exacerbate staffing challenges.
The Inman College of Nursing remains committed to addressing these workforce issues by preparing compassionate, skilled nurse leaders who can drive positive change in health care delivery and patient outcomes. By making advanced nursing education more accessible and affordable, Belmont aims to contribute to the solution of the nursing shortage while also elevating the quality of health care leadership.
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Learn more about Belmont's Doctor of Nursing Practice