A Guide to the BSN to DNP at USD

Why Get a Doctor of Nursing Practice?

If you aspire to become a change-maker in nursing, well-prepared to lead the charge of improving health care in our country, our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program may be the right choice for you. Although we offer several paths of study in pursuit of this terminal degree, some elements remain consistent: a mastery of clinical practice, a drive to lead and a commitment to human connection.

Our DNP program prepares nurses at the highest level of proficiency as they learn to translate science into clinical practice. Students develop the skills to lead collaboratively, integrate research into care, and design better health care delivery systems. Some of our DNP students focus their studies on delivering complex care over the lifespan of one population. Others scale up their impact to shape entire systems, organizations, and policies through executive or administrative roles.

Whatever your intended focus, you will earn your DNP in a unique environment that blends academic strength with nurturing support. Here, what truly fosters our students’ success is their personal connection to our expert nurse faculty, as together, we push science into practice.

A Guide to Achieving the

Doctor of Nursing Practice at USD

Download USD’s Doctor of Nursing Practice guide for an in-depth look at the program and how our rich heritage of excellence in nursing education can help you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Serena's Story – Why I Earned My Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

When I decided to go back to school to earn my Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification, I researched doctoral programs. I might as well “move up” with the higher degree. The doctorate was becoming the standard, and I wanted to be sure I would continue to be as current and qualified in my profession as possible...

Alumni Spotlight

"The education I received not only provided me with the clinical/theoretical foundation necessary to provide care to a diverse aging population with increased complex needs; but also skills in evidence-based research, health policy, health care informatics, and quality improvement. As a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner, these skills are essential in order to meet the needs of an evolving health care environment and have become the foundation of my practice. I am grateful for the academic challenge, support, and mentorship I received from expert faculty who continue to influence my clinical and professional advancement."

–Marissa Munsayac, DNP, FNP-C

The Dickinson Nursing Simulation Center

Realistic scenarios play out in the Dickinson Family Foundation’s Lizbeth Dickinson Smoyer Nursing Simulation Center (DNSC). The DNSC is the keystone of the school’s clinical teaching facilities and a national model for nursing education. Located on the first floor of the Beyster Institute for Nursing Research, the DNSC houses an eight-bed clinical skills classroom equipped with highfidelity human patient simulators, six primary care exam rooms, three acute care hospital rooms with observation rooms, a medication station, three debriefing rooms, a green room for patient-actors, control rooms, equipment and store rooms, along with a faculty/staff office suite.

Learn more about the DNSC.