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Program Overview

ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë's Direct Entry D.N.P. (DEPN) program offers a swift and effective path to advance your nursing career, enabling you to become an advanced practice registered nurse in primary care without requiring a bachelor's degree in nursing. Opting to specialize as either an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) or a family nurse practitioner (FNP), the program paves the way for rapid professional development and opens doors to new opportunities for career progression. Are you ready to take the next step in your career? The first step is completing the DEPN application. 

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Master’s of Science degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë are accredited by the , 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The Office of Professional Regulation in the Vermont Secretary of State's office governs .

Concentrations

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Curriculum

You can fast-track your nursing career with our direct-entry D.N.P. program (DEPN), designed to be completed in 11 semesters by individuals holding a non-nursing bachelor's degree. There's no requirement to obtain a B.S.N. degree first—advance straight to the D.N.P. and begin your graduate nursing education earlier. The program blends on-site and online learning methods. The first year requires on-site attendance, followed by completion the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) over three years in hybrid format. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 

To graduate with a D.N.P. degree, successful completion of all  coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, clinical practice experiences, and a comprehensive exam are required. Our program ensures that you are thoroughly prepared to pass the national nurse practitioner certification exam and start your career as a primary care provider.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Semester 1 Courses

Fall (15 credits)

• GRNS 5130: Pathophysiology
• GRNS 5280: Pharmacology
• GRNS 6000: Professional Nursing Issues
• GRNS 6020: The Science of Nursing: Across Life I
• GRNS 6030: Practicum: Adults Lifespan I

January Intersession 

Winter (1.25 credits)

• GRNS 6040: Practicum: Adults Lifespan II

Semester 2 Courses

Spring (13.75 credits)

• GRNS 5320: The Science of Nursing: Children
• GRNS 6050: Practicum: Complex Nursing Care of Adults and Elders
• GRNS 6060: The Science of Nursing: Mental Health
• GRNS 6080: The Science of Nursing: Gyn Care & Family
• GRNS 6090: Practicum: Women and Newborns
• GRNS 6120: The Science of Nursing: Adults Lifespan II

Semester 3 Courses

Summer (6.5 credits)

• PH 5990: Public Health Nursing
• GRNS 6070: Practicum: Mental Health
• GRNS 6110: Practicum: Children
• GRNS 6150 Practicum: Public Health Nursing

The remainder of the program follows the A/GNP track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum >> 

Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Semester 1 Courses

Fall (15 credits)

• GRNS 5130: Pathophysiology
• GRNS 5280: Pharmacology
• GRNS 6000: Professional Nursing Issues
• GRNS 6020: The Science of Nursing: Adults and Elders I
• GRNS 6030: Section A Practicum: Adults and Elders

January Intersession

Winter (1.25 credits)

• GRNS 6040: Practicum: Adults and Elders II

Semester 2 Courses

Spring (13.75 credits)

• GRNS 5320: The Science of Nursing: Children
• GRNS 6050: Practicum: Complex Nursing Care of Adults and Elders
• GRNS 6060: The Science of Nursing: Mental Health
• GRNS 6080: The Science of Nursing: Gynecological Care & Family
• GRNS 6090: Practicum: Women and Newborns
• GRNS 6120: The Science of Nursing: Adults and Elders II

Semester 3 Courses

Summer (6.5 credits)

• GRNS 6070: Practicum: Mental Health
• GRNS 6110: Practicum: Children
• GRNS 6140: The Science of Nursing: Community/Public Health
• GRNS 6150: Practicum: Community/Public Health

Semester 4 Courses

Fall (12 credits)

• STAT 5000: Biostatistics & Epidemiology
• GRNS 6350: Advanced Pathophysiology
• GRNS 7040: Advanced Pharmacology
• GRNS 7060 Advanced Health Assessment

The remainder of the program follows the FNP track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum >>

The Direct-Entry (DEPN) program aims to ready students for progression to the DNP-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track. It is neither an accelerated path for completing Registered Nurse (RN) credentials nor does it award a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Completion of the initial direct-entry phase (semesters 1-3) enables students to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) in Vermont. Passing the NCLEX-RN and obtaining a Vermont nursing license allows one to practice as a Registered Nurse. Completing your nurse practitioner clinical training also opens up a wealth of opportunities for career advancement and specialization. For licensing requirements, consulting the specific state board of nursing is crucial, as the initial direct-entry year's completion may not transfer to other states for RN licensure. The ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë Course Catalog outlines specific requirements based on the catalog year, while the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook provides detailed academic standards.

Deadlines

Priority Deadline: November 15
Final Deadline: April 1

Admissions

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum college GPA of 3.0
• Three recommendation letters
• Personal statement and resume
• Prerequisite courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Nutrition, Statistics
• GRE scores are optional but may be submitted to strengthen your application.

International students are eligible to receive an I-20 immigration document to participate in this program. However, whether a student has Vermont RN licensure or not to begin the program, ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë is unable to authorize students for nursing employment experiences while in the Program as off-campus authorization (CPT) would not be possible because of the curricular structure of our program. While limited on-campus work would be possible, the ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë Medical Center is not an on-campus employment location, so students should expect not to have any paid nursing opportunities if they come to the program as an F-1 student. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not on the STEM Designated list and thus not eligible for OPT beyond one year. Further questions can be directed to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

New York applicants: Due to requirements of the New York Office of the Professions, ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë is restricted from offering clinical placements for licensure programs in the state of New York. Therefore, students from the state of New York or any other state may enroll in the MSN/FNP or FNP/DNP but MAY NOT complete any clinical preceptorships in the state of New York. If students from the state of New York or any other state enroll in these programs, it is with the understanding that all clinical hours MUST be accrued in a state other than New York.

Questions before you apply?

If you have any questions before starting your application, reach out to us at cnhsgrad@med.uvm.edu. Once you begin the application, you will find guidance in ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë Graduate College application portal. You do not need to apply all in one session; you'll have the option to save and return to it later. We're here to help make the process as seamless as possible. 

Outcomes

ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë's Direct Entry D.N.P. program offers unparalleled hands-on experience and expertise, distinguishing you in the competitive field of nursing. Prepare to excel and emerge as a leader in the profession.

In 2023, ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë students achieved a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-RN and surpassed a 95% pass rate for the FNP and A/GNP certification exams.

Costs and Funding

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How long will the program take to complete?

A full-time student may anticipate finishing the program in at least four years. For graduate students, maintaining full-time status requires enrolling in 9 credits each semester. 

Students in ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë's direct-entry DEPN program do not earn a degree upon completion of the pre-RN licensure year. The program is designed to allow students to progress directly to the D.N.P. - APRN program of study. Completion of the pre-RN licensure DEPN program allows the student to take the NCLEX in the State of Vermont. This is not necessarily transferable to other states. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students who complete their D.N.P. degree and successfully complete the NCLEX are eligible to practice in any state.

Will courses be online, hybrid, or on campus?

Some courses are available live on campus at set times, while others are provided in a hybrid format with either synchronous remote or asynchronous online delivery. Travel to rural sites requires a car.

How can I find out if ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë has received my transcripts (or any other materials)?

ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë will inform you upon the receipt of your application materials.

When will I learn whether I have been admitted to the program?

All applications will undergo review in December, and decisions will be communicated by the end of January.

Can international students work while in the program?

International students are eligible to obtain an I-20 immigration form to participate in this program. Regardless of whether a student holds Vermont RN licensure at the start of the program, ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë cannot grant authorization for nursing employment experiences within the program, as the curricular structure does not permit off-campus authorization (CPT). Although limited on-campus employment is feasible, the ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë Medical Center does not qualify as an on-campus job site. Consequently, students should anticipate that there will be no paid nursing positions available to them if they enroll in the program with an F-1 visa status. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not included in the STEM Designated Degree Program list, therefore it does not qualify for the OPT extension beyond one year. For further inquiries, direct your questions to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

Information Sessions

To learn more, attend an information session. Register by emailing cnhsgrad@med.uvm.edu.