It’s no secret that obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree takes patience, dedication, and no small amount of hard work. After all, this degree asserts that nurses have pursued their education to the furthest extent, gaining the expertise and on-the-ground training to take on leadership positions or specialized clinical care roles in medical organizations. Taking on these serious responsibilities requires intensive schooling, equipping nurses with the insight and experience needed to take on authoritative nursing roles.
Fortunately, thanks to the arrival of remote learning models, it’s easier than ever to pursue a DNP degree with a maximum of convenience and control.
These programs offer the same high-level education of a traditional on-campus program while allowing students – who are often working nurses balancing school and clinical hours – to pursue their studies with more flexibility and autonomy, greatly offsetting the logistical difficulty of attending graduate school.
So what are the advantages of earning a DNP through an online program, and what does the day to day experience of an online DNP student look like? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the best online DNP programs in California, with information about scheduling options, program duration, application requirements, and more.
No matter what your degree level, you can pursue your DNP online
There are DNP programs for students at all stages of their education, be it a BSN, MSN, or even a bachelor’s degree in a subject unrelated to nursing. This is because many who wish to pursue careers as nurses are eager to aim their educational paths right to the top of the field.
Indeed, a DNP degree is a terminal degree in nursing practice, meaning it indicates that you have pursued your education to the finish line. With this degree, you’ll be qualified for top positions in the nursing field, from leadership roles like Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Director of Nursing, and Director of Clinical Operations to specialized caregiving roles like Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), and more.
The roles and responsibilities available for DNPs outrank those available to nurses at any other degree level.
This is why many aspiring nurses set their sights on DNP roles when laying out plans for their future careers.
While it used to be custom for nurses to work their way up through each level of nursing degree – BSN, MSN, and finally DNP – it is now possible to enroll in programs designed to streamline your education with the ultimate goal of a DNP degree in mind. These programs differ in duration and curriculum depending on your prior educational experience, adding foundational coursework for those who have not obtained the lower levels of nursing degrees that were once prerequisites in the field.
NP programs of every type have been quick to embrace the online learning format that has swept the world of higher education, offering online and hybrid programs that can reduce the logistical headache students face when taking on graduate school. Indeed, there are numerous fantastic BSN to DNP programs in California, as well as stellar online MSN to DNP programs.
It’s worth noting that nursing school will always include a significant amount of on-the-ground clinical training, which cannot be completed online – in this sense, all online DNP programs are “hybrid” programs. A “fully online” DNP program is therefore one that holds all classes virtually.
Virtual technology isn’t just changing nursing school. It’s also changing nursing practice
Online DNP programs are a tremendous boon for students, making it easier than ever to pursue a terminal degree with a maximum of convenience. But the rise of virtual technologies has created change that goes far beyond classroom walls.
In fact, the nursing practice has been transformed by the arrival of information technologies, which have brought innovative tools that have improved all aspects of caregiving, from administrative oversight to on-the-ground patient care. Nurses are increasingly utilizing telehealth platforms to provide remote care, allowing them to monitor patients with chronic conditions or offer consultations in real-time, regardless of geographic location. Additionally, augmented reality (AR) is being employed in clinical practice to assist nurses with complex procedures, such as catheter insertions or wound care, by overlaying helpful data and visual guides onto the patient’s body.
As virtual technology continues to advance, it is reshaping not only how nurses are trained but also how they deliver care in an evolving healthcare landscape. Those who enroll in DNP programs will therefore have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a quickly-transforming field, gaining insights that will help you become a more efficient and effective nurse than was ever possible before.
What you can expect from your online degree program
DNP online programs in California offer the same education as in-person programs, typically with the same timelines available to students.
All DNP programs will offer a rigorous nursing education that will equip you for advanced clinical responsibilities, regardless of program format.
Regardless of what type of program you enroll in, it’s worth going in with a realistic understanding of the work that lies ahead of you.
Prerequisites
Educational requirements for DNP programs will vary depending on what type of program you enroll in. Take a look at the list below to see what type of online DNP program is right for you.
- BSN to DNP online programs: Applicants must already hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited university, hold Registered Nurse (RN) certification, and are typically expected to have completed at least one year of experience as an RN to be eligible to pursue a DNP.
- Post-master’s DNP online programs (also known as MSN to DNP programs): Applicants must already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and RN certification. In many cases, MSN-prepared nurses also hold Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification, though this is not a strict requirement at most schools.
- Direct entry DNP online programs: Applicants are typically expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject. In rare cases, those who hold RN certification without holding a bachelor’s degree are eligible for these programs as well.
Many if not most DNP programs also require applicants to have GPAs of 3.0 or higher from their undergraduate or graduate programs. This is to ensure that they have successfully mastered the foundational material included in their programs and are equipped to take on the advanced work of DNP programs. Applications will likely also call for letters of recommendation, personal statements, and your RN certification.
Program duration
Different DNP programs are on different timelines, depending on the amount of course curriculum they include. This is because BSN to DNP online programs include a significant amount of the material of an MSN program, while post-master’s DNP programs do not need to include this material. Direct entry DNP programs take the most time of all, since students have not even completed BSN programs yet.
Most DNP programs – be them BSN to DNP, post-master’s, or direct entry – offer classes on a both a full-time and part-time schedule, allowing students who wish to work while in school a streamlined path to do so.
Prospective students can anticipate programs will take (roughly) the following amount of time:
- BSN to DNP: Three to four years (full time), four to five years (part time)
- Post-master’s DNP: Two years (full time), three years (part time)
- Direct entry DNP: Four years (full time), five to six years (part time)
These numbers should provide a rough guideline for prospective applicants, but it’s also important to do your research on the specific programs on your list, as these figures are approximate and subject to vary from school to school.
Course curriculum
The course curriculum of a DNP program is also subject to vary depending on what level you are entering. Direct entry and BSN to DNP programs are designed to catch students up to speed on material they may have missed out on in not attending BSN or MSN programs, while post-master’s DNP programs are devoted exclusively to an advanced practice education (which will be included at the end of the other two program types, following more foundational materials).
DNP programs of any type are designed to build the expertise needed to become an advanced nursing practitioner.
For some DNP students, this means focusing on leadership roles in the nursing profession, from high-ranking roles on nursing teams to specialized care providers. What you study in a DNP program will directly funnel into your long-term career prospects, so it’s important to give thought to the nursing career you’d like to have as you decide between online DNP programs.
Regardless of your specific focus, your DNP education is likely to include the following topics:
- Advanced health assessment
- Evidence-based practice
- Clinical decision making and diagnostic reasoning
- Healthcare policy and advocacy
- Quality improvement and patient safety
- Population health and epidemiology
- Financial and resource management in healthcare
As mentioned above, a significant amount of your DNP will also be a clinical practicum, in which you will work in a medical organization directly under the supervision of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), gaining the hands-on experience to thrive in your chosen area of focus. This will be true no matter what your chosen focus area is, so be ready to get to work on the ground upon enrolling in your online DNP program.
Pursue your DNP degree online with these excellent California-based programs
If you’re looking to pursue your DNP through a fully (or primarily) online degree program, California is a great place to do so. The state is home to a number of stellar DNP programs which are increasingly making their course offerings available online to reach more students and make the graduate school process more convenient for working nurses. Take a look at the excellent program options that await you in the list below.
Which DNP programs are 100% online?
As you survey the guide below, you may notice that most online DNP programs include occasional on-campus intensives, orientation sessions, or final project presentations. These programs are still designed to allow students to do the vast majority of classwork online, on schedules intended to provide maximum convenience to students maintaining full-time work as nurses. Still, some students may be hoping to find programs that will not include any on-campus requirements whatsoever.
If you’re looking for an online DNP program that has no on-campus requirements of any sort, the following schools (which are featured in the guide below) will be your best bet:
- Azusa Pacific University – MSN to DNP track only
- National University – MSN to DNP track only
- Point Loma Nazarene University – Healthcare Leadership (MSN to DNP) track only
- Samuel Merritt University
- University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences – Nurse Executive and Post-Master’s tracks only
- Western University – Post-Master’s DNP only
Azusa Pacific University
BSN to DNP, Post-Master’s DNP
See concentration options below
Degree paths: BSN to DNP, Post-Master’s DNP
- Location: Azusa (main campus), Inland Empire, Monrovia, San Diego
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $63,980 – $77,060
- On-campus intensives: Yes (BSN to DNP only)
Websites: BSN to DNP | Post-Master’s DNP
Azusa Pacific University offers online degree programs for both MSN- and BSN-prepared nurses, which are on different timelines and tracks to accommodate students’ existing areas of expertise. The BSN to DNP program is primarily online, with students expected to occasionally attend on-campus intensives throughout the duration of their program. The post-master’s DNP program is 100% online.
The BSN-to-DNP program at APU offers three different concentration tracks for students. Two of these are APRN tracks that prepare students for specific certifications and credentials: the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track and the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track. The third track, Health Systems Leadership, places a more primary emphasis on clinical leadership, and is intended for students who are more interested in taking on executive roles than specialized clinical services.
The post-master’s DNP program, meanwhile, does not offer concentration pathways, though students also have the option of informally prioritizing Direct Care classes (which foreground APRN clinical responsibilities) or Indirect Care classes (which foreground leadership roles). It is also possible for those in the MSN-DNP program to take on the Oncology Fellowship, a unique opportunity that will provide training to students who wish to pursue their ONP Certificate.
Applicants to APU’s DNP programs are expected to hold the relevant degrees from accredited programs, with transcript GPAs of 3.0 or higher. Those applying to the BSN-DNP programs are expected to hold active RN licenses with a minimum of eight months’ professional experience, while those applying to the MSN-DNP program are expected to hold some form of APRN license.
California Baptist University
Doctor of Nursing Practice -
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Educator
Psychiatric Health Nurse Practitioner
Degree paths: MSN to DNP
- Location: Riverside
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $13,561
- On-campus intensives: Yes (3-4 total)
California Baptist University is a Christian institution based in Riverside, CA. It offers an online MSN-to-DNP program with occasional on-campus intensives (3-4 times over the course of the program). Outside of these in-person intensives, all remote courses are offered asynchronously to allow maximum scheduling flexibility for nurses who are continuing to work while pursuing the next step in the degree process. The program can be completed in six semesters.
Students in the DNP program at CBU have the option of taking on a concentration while in school, with offerings including Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Psychiatric Health Nurse Practitioner. It is also possible to complete the program without a concentration, meaning you will receive indirect care (leadership-oriented) training.
Since CBU’s DNP program is a post-master’s DNP, applicants are expected to hold an MSN from an accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants also must hold an active RN license, with APRN licenses preferred. Since your MSN practicum hours will be put toward your DNP requirements, it is also required to submit a record of the completed field work from your master’s program.
California State University – Fullerton
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Direct Care
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Indirect Care
Degree paths: MSN to DNP
- Location: Fullerton
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $17,576
- On-campus intensives: Yes
Cal State Fullerton offers a post-master’s DNP program with a mostly-online model, requiring students to occasionally attend on-campus tutorials throughout the five semesters of the program. Courses are offered both synchronously and asynchronously, with scheduling designed to support working students. This program takes two years to complete, including a summer semester between each year of school.
There are two tracks offered in Cal State Fullerton’s DNP program: Direct Care (for APRNs and those seeking to perform specialized clinical services) and Indirect Care (for those interested in acquiring advanced leadership experience). Since the program is intended for nurses who are working full time, students have the opportunity to earn practicum hours as well as complete doctoral project research through their regular place of employment.
Applicants to the Cal State Fullerton post-master’s DNP program are required to hold an MSN from an accredited university, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. All applicants must also hold an active RN license, and those who apply to the Direct Care track are expected to hold some form of APRN certification as well.
Fresno State University
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree paths: BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP
- Location: Fresno
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $16,112
- On-campus intensives: Yes
Fresno State University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is open to both BSN- and MSN- prepared nurses. This is a two-and-a-half year program for students with either educational background, though those who have completed master’s degrees have the opportunity to bypass a significant number of practicum hours, leading to a greatly reduced workload over the five semesters of the program.
Fresno State’s DNP program is offered almost entirely online, though students are expected to attend on-campus workshops during the first and last semesters of the program, as well as delivering their final project presentations in-person to culminate their studies. Otherwise, all courses are offered remotely, with some offered synchronously and others offered asynchronously.
Applicants to Fresno State’s DNP program are required to hold either a BSN or MSN from an accredited institution, with a 3.0 GPA minimum. Applicants also are required to have an active, unencumbered RN license in the state of California. It is preferred, though not required, for those who have MSNs to hold some form of APRN certification as well.
California State University – Long Beach
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree paths: BSN to DNP
- Location: Long Beach
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $8,902
- On-campus intensives: Yes
BSN-prepared nurses in Southern California have an excellent opportunity to pursue their doctoral degrees at Cal State Long Beach, which offers a hybrid program designed specially for working professionals. This is a three-year program that is only available for students to complete on a full-time basis, though it is scheduled to minimize interference with work responsibilities.
Students in the DNP program at CSU Long Beach can choose from one of five areas of concentration, each of which will prepare students for national-level certification: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Practice, Pediatric Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Life Span.
Applicants to the BSN-DNP program at CSU Long Beach are expected to hold a BSN from an accredited institution, as well as an active, unrestricted RN license. It is possible for those whose RN licenses are still pending to apply to the program, with the assumption that it will be cleared by the time the program begins.
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree paths: MSN to DNP
- Location: Willowbrook
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): Not provided by school
- On-campus intensives: Yes
MSN-prepared nurses who are hoping to obtain their doctorate degrees in the shortest amount of time possible have an excellent option in the DNP program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which takes only 16 months to complete. This is a primarily online program that includes two on-campus intensives at the beginning and end of the program. This program is intended for working nurses, with theoretical courses held on weekends in synchronous and asynchronous sessions.
It is recommended for applicants to the CRDU DNP program to hold some form of APRN certification, as students are permitted to put work hours toward their practicum requirements. This will allow motivated students to level up in their specialized clinical skills to reach the top of their respective fields.
While APRN credentials are preferred but not required, all applicants to Charles R. Drew must hold up-to-date RN certification, as well as an MSN from an accredited university. Proof of completed practicum hours from one’s master’s program are also required, as these will determine how many hours you will be expected to complete toward your DNP.
National University
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Leadership
Degree paths: MSN to DNP
- Location: Fresno
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $12,020
- On-campus intensives: No – 100% online (MSN to DNP)
National University offers DNP programs for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, but only the post-master’s track is available exclusively online. (The BSN to DNP program, which is a degree in Nursing Anesthesia Practice, includes a fifteen-month on-campus component.) The MSN to DNP program is a 30 month program when taken on a full-time schedule.
The emphasis of National University’s post-master’s DNP program is Executive Leadership, engaging students in topics including healthcare administration, policy, and informatics. Coursework and practicum experiences are intended to build leadership skills among students so that they are qualified to take on high-ranking roles leading healthcare teams upon graduating.
An MSN degree from an accredited institution is required in order to qualify for National University’s online post-master’s DNP program. National University is a veteran-founded institution that offers special initiatives to help those who have served in the military attain a quality education.
Point Loma Nazarene University
Doctor of Nursing Practice -
Healthcare Leadership
Family Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Degree paths: BSN to DNP (FNP and CNS concentrations only); MSN to DNP (all concentrations)
- Location: San Diego
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $18,884
- On-campus intensives: Yes (FNP and CNS only)
Website: Healthcare Leadership | FNP | CNS
Point Loma Nazarene University offers three DNP tracks: Healthcare Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The former of these options is a post-master’s program only open to MSN-prepared nurses, taking 24 months to complete on a full-time schedule. It is available 100% online, with no on-campus intensives required. The latter two tracks are open to BSNs and MSNs alike, though they are on different schedules depending on degree level: the BSN-to-DNP has a 76 unit requirement (taking 10 semesters to complete), while the MSN-to-DNP has a 55 to 65 unit requirement (taking 9 semesters to complete). Both of these programs include occasional on-campus intensives.
It’s worth noting that Point Loma Nazarene University is a Christian university, though the school welcomes students of all faith backgrounds. Indeed, the school espouses the belief that nursing is a sacred calling, and as such spiritual and biblical teachings are woven into the course curriculum in each program.
Each program at PLNU has its own application, but requirements are the same for all programs across the board. Students must hold a BSN or MSN from an accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Students are also expected to hold an active RN license and to have a minimum of one year’s work experience as an RN in order to apply.
Samuel Merritt University
Doctor of Nursing Practice -
General DNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health
Degree paths: BSN to DNP; MSN to DNP
- Location: Fresno, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $57,326
- On-campus intensives: No
Those looking for 100% online programs at either the BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP levels can find an excellent choice at Samuel Merritt University. The school offers two tracks for BSN-prepared nurses: a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track or a Psychiatric Mental Health track. MSN-prepared nurses can attend the school’s post-master’s DNP program, which does not offer concentration paths but allows students to pursue a chosen area of specialization through their field work.
The BSN to DNP programs can be completed on full-time or part-time schedules. The FNP program takes 2.5 years to complete on a full-time schedule, while the Psychiatric Mental Health program takes 3 years to complete on a full-time schedule. The post-master’s program can be completed in 20 months, making this one of the fastest possible options for MSN-prepared nurses who are hoping to obtain their DNPs as quickly as possible.
Each of these programs has its own separate application. Those applying to the BSN-to-DNP programs are expected to hold BSNs and active RN licenses, with one year of full-time RN experience at the time of application. Those applying to the post-master’s program are expected to hold MSN degrees and active RN licenses, as well as documentation of practicum hours completed in one’s MSN program.
San Jose State University
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree paths: MSN to DNP
- Location: San Jose
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $15,270
- In-person intensives: Yes (3 total)
The post-master’s DNP program at San Jose State University is designed to help MSN-prepared nurses earn the highest degree level in their field in the most expedient and convenient way possible. This twenty-three month program features almost entirely online classes, with three short on-campus intensives over the course of the program.
Designed for working nurses, this program emphasizes personal research, which students have the opportunity to complete over the course of their practicum experiences. The program culminates in a public project presentation (the third and final on-campus intensive), at which each cohort shares their doctoral research.
Applicants to SJSU’s DNP program must hold MSN degrees and RN licenses (and, if applicable, APRN licenses as well). The program is only open to California state residents.
University of California – Irvine
Doctor of Nursing Practice (post-master’s)
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
Degree paths: BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP
- Location: Irvine
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $12,264
- In-person intensives: Yes
UC Irvine offers two primarily online DNP programs: an FNP program, which is open to both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, and a post-master’s DNP program, which is open exclusively to those who hold MSNs. These programs each feature synchronous and asynchronous online courses, with occasional on-campus intensives taking place sporadically throughout the program duration.
The FNP program at UCI takes three years total to complete, with BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses on the same schedule. Those who hold MSNs, however, can put practicum hours amassed during their master’s program toward their doctorate degrees, greatly reducing the number of field work hours they will need to complete in the DNP program. The post-master’s program, meanwhile, is designed to take two years to complete, with students completing their field work hours at their current place of employment.
Applicants to each program must hold the relevant degree to each pathway. All applicants, regardless of degree level, are also expected to hold active RN certification, with a minimum of one year (1800 hours) of field experience by the time of the start of the program.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Doctor of Nursing Practice -
Nurse Executive
Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's
Degree paths: MSN to DNP, MSN to DNP
- Location: San Marcos
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $18,594 (approx)
- On-campus intensives: No (Nurse Executive / Post-Master’s); Yes (FNP)
University of St. Augustine offers two 100% online DNP programs: a DNP–Nurse Executive program (open to BSN-prepared nurses) and a post-master’s DNP program (which, as you might guess, is open only to MSN-prepared nurses). The school also offers a DNP–FNP program for students at both degree levels, which is a hybrid program that features one on-campus intensive.
BSN-prepared nurses who enroll in the FNP and Nurse Executive programs can expect them to take approximately four years and 3.3 years to complete, respectively. These include online synchronous and asynchronous courses, as well as 1,000+ hours of practicum experience. The MSN-DNP program takes only 2.3 years to complete (when taken on a full-time schedule) and calls for 540 – 1000 practicum hours, depending on students’ level of experience.
Applicants to University of St. Augustine are expected to hold BSNs or MSNs (depending on their program) with GPA minimums of 3.0. They are also expected to hold active RN licenses with a minimum of 2,000 hours (approximately one year) of work experience as an RN upon starting their program.
Western University
Doctor of Nursing Practice -
Leadership
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Degree paths: BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP
- Location: Pomona
- Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $18,398
- On-campus intensives: Optional (post-master’s); Yes (BSN to DNP programs)
Western University is one of the first-ever schools in the country to offer online education options, having first introduced remote courses in 1997(!). Today, the school offers three online DNP programs: two at the BSN-DNP level (FNP and PMHNP) and one at the post-master’s level (Leadership). These programs are designed to enhance nurses’ leadership skills and clinical specialties while fitting seamlessly into their existing professional schedules. The BSN-DNP programs both feature occasional on-campus tutorials, while the post-master’s program includes intensives that can be taken either on-campus or virtually.
The two BSN-DNP tracks are designed around specific specializations, and those who graduate from these programs will be eligible for the relevant certifications upon completing their programs. The post-master’s program, meanwhile, has a generalist Leadership focus, though students have the opportunity to take on several Nurse Educator electives, gaining an informal area of specialization over the course of their DNP program.
To be eligible for enrollment, applicants must hold the relevant degree for their respective pursuits, as well as active RN licenses. Those with less than one year of work experience as RNs will be expected to complete additional practicum hours while in school.
Tuition data is taken from program websites and the NCES College Navigator database, accessed September 2024.
FAQs
Are online DNP programs as prestigious as on-campus programs?
Yes. There is no difference between the education you receive in a DNP online program as opposed to one that meets in person, and both involve intensive on-the-ground training. This means that there will be no difference between the opportunities you will be afforded after completing an online degree program vs. an on-campus one. In short, the best online DNP programs in California will offer as complete an education as on-campus alternatives.
Who is qualified to pursue a DNP?
Students at virtually any stage of their education can qualify for DNP programs, though it is important to apply to a program with the correct academic track for your level of experience. BSN to DNP programs are designed for those who hold Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, while MSN to DNP programs (also known as post-master’s DNP programs) are intended for those who hold Master of Science in Nursing degrees. There are also some longer-term programs known as direct entry DNP programs which are designed to allow students who hold bachelor’s degrees in other subjects.
Are DNP online programs in California really entirely held online?
Not entirely. You may see schools advertise their course offerings as “100% online,” meaning all classes will take place virtually. However, DNP programs also involve a significant amount of practicum time, in which you will get your on-the-ground training as an advanced practice nurse. This means that while you will have the convenience of attending all classes remotely, you will still be expected to appear in person at the clinic where your practicum is based.
Can a DNP be called a doctor in California?
No – and in fact, in the state of California, it is illegal for anyone who is not a licensed physician or surgeon to do so. This is to ensure that patients are not confused about the level of expertise held by those who give them medical advice. While DNPs hold doctorate degrees in the field of nursing and outrank other nurses, they nevertheless do not hold the qualifications needed to earn the title of “Doctor,” which applies to physicians and surgeons exclusively.