Key Takeaways
- Accelerated DNP programs allow Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) to advance quickly.
- Accreditation, curriculum, and faculty are key factors in choosing a program.
- Online and in-person options provide flexibility for working professionals.
- Cost savings and career advancement are major benefits of these programs.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you already have a lot on your plate and the work you do each day positively impacts countless people. While serving as an FNP is a highly rewarding career in its own right, you may decide that you wish to proceed to the Doctoral level to open up new possibilities and explore other roles within healthcare.
On this page, we are going to look at some of the top accelerated DNP programs for FNPs to make sure you have the information you need to find a quality program that suits your requirements. The best DNP programs for Family Nurse Practitioners will enable students to keep up with their current careers while also providing them with the information that is needed to take this next step with confidence.
Related:
- Accelerated DNP Programs
- Accelerated DNP for Advanced Practice Nurses
- Accelerated DNP Program Prerequisites and Qualifications
An Overview of Accelerated DNP Programs
The big idea behind fast track DNP programs for FNPs is to get through the doctoral-level work as quickly as possible to become qualified for a new set of positions within your organization or in another organization. Going into a traditional DNP program can be a time-consuming endeavor that may not fit in with your career goals or overall vision for your life.
Looking into the leading DNP programs for Family Nurse Practitioners will allow you to see that many of them are structured in much the same way. They want to help you move through the program quickly while still making sure you get everything you need to be qualified and prepared for future roles. You won’t finish up an accelerated DNP program with any less of an understanding of what you have learned, and you won’t have skipped any key topics, but you will have to work hard from start to finish to keep up with the rapid pace.
How to Pick a Good Accelerated DNP Program for You
The good news is that there are plenty of great options out there to pick from when pursuing this kind of education. Of course, that can also be bad news in a way, as picking from the best DNP programs for Family Nurse Practitioners can be a little overwhelming. How do you know which program to go for? There are many factors to look at while making your choice, but those listed below are a good start –
- Accreditation. This isn’t so much of a decision-maker as it is a starting point for the process. You won’t want to consider any schools that aren’t officially accredited, so use this as a screening point to make sure you are looking at legitimate schools that will give you the training and credibility you need.
- Relevant curriculum. Make sure the program is going to offer you the kind of coursework that will align with what you are interested in and what you hope to do with your career moving forward. For example, if you have a particular interest in pediatric care, find a program that is going to expose you to relevant lessons in that area.
- Quality faculty. The people you will be learning from should have the kinds of credentials that will cause you to listen when they speak. Experienced, proven faculty members can make all the difference at top-rated accelerated DNP programs for FNPs.
- Clinical placements. Does the school or program you are considering have a strong connection with healthcare facilities for clinical placements? That’s one of the questions you can be asking early on.
Some of the Top Contenders
There are far too many excellent programs from coast to coast to list anywhere near all of them here. We can, however, touch on a few of the best to give you an idea of what kinds of schools are leaders in this area and what you should be looking for as you aim to find a spot of your own to work toward an accelerated DNP.
The University of Minnesota offers an accelerated DNP program that can be completed in just a year. This is a program that offers most of the coursework online but also has some requirements for in-person attendance.
In a completely different climate, the University of Miami offers a similar program that also enables students to get to the finish line in 12 months. This is an in-person program, and while it is hosted in warm and sunny Miami, relocating might not be a feasible option for everyone.
For an entirely online experience, Gannon University is an option worth carefully exploring. This is a 16-month program rather than 12, but it can be done entirely online from wherever you happen to live. Anyone who won’t be relocating and doesn’t have access to a quality program near where they live will want to find a program that can accommodate a 100% online model.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Accelerated DNP Program?
You will be able to move up in your career faster when you opt for an accelerated DNP program rather than one that is going to take longer to complete. And, since many of the top FNP DNP programs nationwide are available online and in an accelerated format, you’ll still be getting a quality education that prepares you nicely for whatever comes next. As soon as you are done with your program, you can start to think about using this education to take further steps in your career and make your way up to higher positions with greater responsibilities.
In addition to the timeline, you can also save money with accelerated DNP degrees for Family Nurse Practitioners. Longer programs usually come with larger tuition bills, so getting things done faster will allow you to keep some additional money in your pocket. Of course, it will still be worthwhile to look into any financial aid options that might be available to help you pay for your program.
Looking Ahead at Potential Career Outcomes
Most likely, you are trying to find the best online accelerated DNP programs for FNPs because you have career growth in mind. You want to have as much upward mobility as possible and you’ll only be able to secure that mobility if you have the right education behind you.
So, what kinds of positions are possible when you complete a DNP program? There is very little in nursing that you can’t do once you have a doctoral-level education. Some of the common jobs that are targeted by people in this position include those in healthcare administration, advanced clinical practice, and policy-making. Also, if you have any aspirations to work in academia instead of in the clinical setting, this move will make that a possibility, as well.
Holding a DNP is ideal, and even necessary, for those who wish to truly leave their mark on the world of healthcare. You don’t need this level of education to work as a nurse and help individual patients, but if your vision is broader and you see ways that you will be able to improve the system as a whole for both patients and providers, a DNP can help make that happen.
We hope the information on this page, including a list of some of the best accelerated DNP schools for FNPs will be helpful to you in your journey. This is an exciting stage of your career to reach, and although the studies in front of you are certainly going to be challenging, you are an accomplished professional who is certainly up to that challenge. Good luck going after your DNP and the career growth that will enable!