Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees (DNPs) are high-level degrees that prepare students for clinical nursing education and advanced practice nursing. Registered nurses seeking DNP degrees are able to focus their studies on either advanced practice nursing and systems or organizational/educational leadership.
The number of unit hours required to complete a program will vary from program to program and depend on the specialty being pursued. The post-master's DNP programs in the state of Nevada will requires completion of didactic and practicum nursing courses that comprise around 31 semester credit—depending on the track. BSN-DNP programs normally require 60 credits for the Nurse Executive tracks, and 68 credits to complete the Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner tracks.
Upon successful completion of the DNP, graduates will be able to:
- Provide advanced nursing care to improve patient and population health care outcomes in various direct and indirect settings
- Provide evidence-based practice through the application of analytical methods, information systems technology, and clinical research
- Take leadership roles in the analysis, delivery, and management of nursing care and health care systems.
- Act as a change agent, leader, and advocate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health care policy as it affects populations and the nursing profession
- Collaborate in inter-professional teams to meet the health care needs of culturally and ethnically diverse individuals and populations
2025 Best DNP Programs in Nevada
Looking for the best DNP programs in Nevada? RegisteredNursing.org has you covered. We rank top programs to help you make an informed choice. Our list focuses on quality, affordability, and student success. Find the right program to advance your nursing career. Check out our detailed rankings and see which schools stand out. Learn more about how we rank programs here.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV - Public 4-Year - unlv.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at UNLV prepares advanced practice nurses to lead transformative healthcare initiatives. This terminal professional degree equips nurses to tackle complex healthcare challenges through advanced clinical practice, research, and leadership skills. Graduates emerge as expert practitioners ready to improve patient outcomes across diverse settings. The program offers flexible online tracks for post-master's and post-bachelor's students, focusing on evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and healthcare policy development.
- Terminal professional nursing practice degree
- Online and flexible program options
- Advanced leadership preparation
- Multiple track options available
- Prepares nurses for clinical leadership
- Evidence-based practice focus
- Interdisciplinary healthcare approach
- Post-master's and post-bachelor's tracks
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at UNLV prepares advanced practice nurses to lead transformative healthcare innovations. Designed for post-master's and post-bachelor's students, this online program focuses on Family Nurse Practitioner preparation. Graduates develop advanced clinical skills, leadership expertise, and evidence-based practice strategies to address complex healthcare challenges. The comprehensive curriculum equips nurses to improve patient outcomes, collaborate across interdisciplinary teams, and drive meaningful healthcare policy changes.
- Online DNP program available
- Post-Master's and Post-Bachelor's tracks
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced clinical practice preparation
- Evidence-based healthcare approach
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Master’s Advanced Practice Track - Online Learning - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at UNLV prepares advanced nursing professionals to lead transformative healthcare solutions. This rigorous online program equips nurses with critical skills in clinical practice, leadership, and evidence-based research. Designed for post-master's advanced practice nurses, the program focuses on improving patient outcomes, healthcare systems analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduates emerge as expert clinicians ready to drive innovation in complex healthcare environments, with opportunities in direct patient care, education, and executive leadership roles.
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Available fully online
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced practice specialization
- Prepares nurses for diverse roles
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Bachelor's Family Nurse Practitioner Track - Online Learning - Visit Website
UNLV's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares advanced nursing professionals to lead healthcare transformation. This comprehensive online program equips nurses with cutting-edge skills in clinical practice, research, and healthcare leadership. Graduates develop expertise in evidence-based practice, health policy analysis, and inter-professional collaboration, positioning themselves for high-impact roles in clinical settings, education, and healthcare administration. The Post-Bachelor's Family Nurse Practitioner Track specifically focuses on developing advanced clinical competencies for family healthcare delivery.
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Available fully online
- Multiple specialized tracks
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced clinical practice preparation
University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, NV - Public 4-Year - unr.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nevada, Reno's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares advanced nursing professionals to excel in clinical practice, leadership, and healthcare innovation. Focused on the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, this program equips nurses with cutting-edge skills to address complex healthcare challenges. Graduates can pursue specialized roles in clinical practice, healthcare administration, education, and policy development, serving diverse patient populations with advanced clinical expertise.
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Advanced clinical practice preparation
- Multiple specialization options
- Full-time and part-time tracks
- Leadership and practice-focused curriculum
- Prepares for advanced nursing roles
- Serves Nevada and national healthcare needs
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Nurse Executive/Clinical Nurse Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nevada, Reno's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Executive/Clinical Nurse Leadership prepares advanced nursing professionals to excel in leadership roles. This comprehensive program focuses on developing high-level clinical expertise, innovative healthcare strategies, and transformative leadership skills. Graduates emerge as influential healthcare professionals capable of driving systemic improvements, implementing best practices, and addressing complex healthcare challenges. The program offers flexible full-time and part-time options, enabling working nurses to advance their careers while maintaining professional commitments.
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Advanced clinical leadership focus
- Multiple enrollment options
- Prepare for executive roles
- Hybrid program structure
Doctorate - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) track prepares advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive care for acutely ill adult and geriatric patients in complex healthcare settings. Students develop advanced clinical skills to diagnose, treat, and manage critically ill patients through collaborative interdisciplinary approaches. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, with 72 total credits and 780 specialty-specific clinical practicum hours. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification, qualifying them for leadership roles in acute care environments like hospitals and intensive care units. The curriculum integrates advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and clinical reasoning to prepare nurses for high-stakes healthcare delivery.
- 72 total program credits
- 780 specialty practicum hours
- National certification eligibility
- Advanced clinical practice focus
- Interdisciplinary healthcare approach
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Clinical Education Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Nevada, Reno empowers nurses to transform healthcare through advanced clinical expertise and leadership skills. This comprehensive program prepares professionals to excel in critical healthcare roles, including clinical practice, administration, teaching, and research. With a focus on implementing best practices and evaluating care delivery models, graduates can specialize in various areas like Clinical Education Leadership. This doctoral program uniquely bridges academic knowledge with practical application, enabling nurses to make meaningful impacts in patient care and healthcare systems.
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Multiple specialization options
- Advanced clinical practice focus
- Leadership role preparation
- Hybrid program format
- Full-time and part-time tracks
- Clinical practice emphasis
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Henderson, NV - Private 4-year - roseman.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice—Family Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
Roseman University's Doctor of Nursing Practice—Family Nurse Practitioner (DNPFNP) is a cutting-edge 36-month online program designed for ambitious nurses seeking advanced practice. This comprehensive doctoral pathway prepares students to become highly skilled Family Nurse Practitioners capable of delivering exceptional patient care across diverse healthcare settings. With a total tuition of $60,400, students gain advanced clinical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to impact healthcare quality. The program blends rigorous didactic coursework with extensive clinical practicum experiences, totaling 1,000 direct and indirect patient-care hours. Graduates emerge as expert practitioners ready to address complex healthcare challenges, improve patient outcomes, and potentially earn an impressive annual mean wage of $124,680.
- 36-month online program
- 1,000 total clinical hours
- $60,400 total tuition
- CCNE accreditation pursuing
- Advanced clinical training
- Leadership skill development
- Comprehensive patient care focus
- Flexible clinical placement options
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia
Concentration: Nurse Anesthesia - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia (DNPNA) at Roseman University offers an intensive 36-month hybrid program designed to transform skilled critical care nurses into expert Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This cutting-edge curriculum blends online learning with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing students for a high-demand healthcare role with exceptional earning potential. Requiring a BSN and minimum one year of critical care experience, the program demands strong academic credentials, including a 3.2 GPA and 3.5 science GPA. With 90% of clinical sites local to Nevada and a competitive tuition structure, students can expect comprehensive training leading to a projected 38% job growth and a mean salary of $205,770.
- 36-month hybrid-online program
- Requires 1-2 years critical care experience
- 118 total credit hours
- 90% local clinical sites
- First DNPNA in Nevada
- Science GPA minimum 3.5
- CCRN certification required
- Multiple intensive care specialties accepted
Touro University Nevada
Henderson, NV - Private 4-year - tun.touro.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Touro University Nevada's Doctor of Nursing Practice with Leadership concentration prepares advanced nursing professionals to excel in complex healthcare environments. Students can choose between an accelerated one-year full-time track or a standard two-year part-time program. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership development, and strategic patient care improvement. Graduates emerge as skilled healthcare leaders ready to transform nursing practice through innovative approaches and collaborative strategies.
- 100% Online Coursework
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Two Program Length Options
- Multiple Annual Start Dates
- MSN Degree Required
- 3.0 GPA Minimum
- RN Licensure Needed
- Scholarly Project Component
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Touro University Nevada's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with Leadership concentration empowers advanced nursing professionals to transform healthcare delivery. Designed for licensed RNs with an MSN, this flexible program offers accelerated (1-year) and standard (2-year) tracks. Students develop critical leadership skills, learn evidence-based practices, and gain advanced competencies to improve patient care and healthcare systems. The fully online curriculum supports working professionals seeking to elevate their clinical and organizational leadership capabilities.
- 100% Online Coursework
- Leadership Concentration Options
- 3 Annual Start Dates
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Requires 3.0 GPA
- MSN Degree Prerequisite
- Active RN Licensure Required
- Scholarly Project Component
Choosing a DNP Program
Selecting the right DNP program and school takes a little legwork. To ensure that you choose the right school for you, there are a few important things that should be carefully considered.
What to Consider When Choosing a DNP Program
- Program Cost—Tuition costs for the two DNP programs in the state of Nevada are as follows:
- Touro University Nevada Tuition Cost: $625 per unit hour
- UNLV—In-state $615 per unit hour; Out-of-state $1000 per unit hour
- Online/Campus Options— Nevada has several universities with DNP programs that are delivered to students primarily in an online format:
- Touro University Nevada—Touro's DNP program is offered completely online with no required on-campus visits. The practicum and scholarly project portions of the program (which are required for graduation) may be completed in the student’s geographical area
- University of Nevada @ Las Vegas & Reno—although all courses are delivered online, students are required to come to campus for a two-day orientation and one day each during two different semesters for their project proposal and project defense presentation.
- Accreditation— DNP programs in the state of Nevada are accredited by the Commission on Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Residency— Clinical residencies and fellowships for DNP students can typically be arranged through their university. Students are encouraged to ask what kind of partnerships their school has with local hospitals and health centers.
Admission & State Licensing or Certification Requirements
Admission
To be considered for acceptance in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program, applicants should:
- Hold a current BSN or MSN degree from a CCNE or ACEN accredited School of Nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) in their undergraduate nursing coursework
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their Master's program
- Be licensed as a registered nurse with an unencumbered license in the state the practicum will be completed
- English proficiency (written & spoken) is mandatory
- Submit all required information to the admissions department by the deadline
- Pass a Level I criminal background check and drug screen
- Complete required health immunizations and other requirements identified by the School of Nursing (varies based on practicum experience)
- Pay any fees
- Interview with faculty
- Transcripts of all education institutions attended must be sent to the school of choice
Certification
Accredited DNP programs in the state of Nevada allow successful students to sit for certification upon completion of programs. DNP tracks offered at universities in Nevada allow students to become certified specialty fields including, but not limited to, the following:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Advanced Practice
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Executive
Licensing
In the state of Nevada, nursing students who've completed the DNP track will need to be licensed by the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Requirements for licensure include:
- Completing an application
- Background checks
- Provide transcripts from all educational institutions
- Submit verification of specialty certification
- Complete fingerprinting
Nevada BSN to DNP Program Options
Some schools offer BSN to DNP program options for students to directly enter a doctorate program from their baccalaureate degree. This option is available in Nevada at:
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas: offers a BSN – DNP program at 60 credits for the Nurse Executive track, and 68 credits to complete the Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner track
Related Education Paths
- Nevada Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Nevada Nurse Practitioner Programs Online
- Nevada FNP Programs
- BSN to DNP
- RN to NP
Helpful DNP Agencies and Organizations in Nevada
- Nevada Nurses Association
- The Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association
- Nevada Association of Nurse Anesthetists
- Nevada State Board of Nursing
List of Campus and Online DNP Programs in Nevada
Henderson, NV
Roseman University of Health Sciences
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice—Family Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- 36-month online program
- 1,000 total clinical hours
- $60,400 total tuition
- CCNE accreditation pursuing
- Advanced clinical training
- Leadership skill development
- Comprehensive patient care focus
- Flexible clinical placement options
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia
Concentration: Nurse Anesthesia - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 36-month hybrid-online program
- Requires 1-2 years critical care experience
- 118 total credit hours
- 90% local clinical sites
- First DNPNA in Nevada
- Science GPA minimum 3.5
- CCRN certification required
- Multiple intensive care specialties accepted
Touro University Nevada
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 100% Online Coursework
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Two Program Length Options
- Multiple Annual Start Dates
- MSN Degree Required
- 3.0 GPA Minimum
- RN Licensure Needed
- Scholarly Project Component
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 100% Online Coursework
- Leadership Concentration Options
- 3 Annual Start Dates
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Requires 3.0 GPA
- MSN Degree Prerequisite
- Active RN Licensure Required
- Scholarly Project Component
Las Vegas, NV
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Website
- Terminal professional nursing practice degree
- Online and flexible program options
- Advanced leadership preparation
- Multiple track options available
- Prepares nurses for clinical leadership
- Evidence-based practice focus
- Interdisciplinary healthcare approach
- Post-master's and post-bachelor's tracks
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Online DNP program available
- Post-Master's and Post-Bachelor's tracks
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced clinical practice preparation
- Evidence-based healthcare approach
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Master’s Advanced Practice Track - Online Learning - Website
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Available fully online
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced practice specialization
- Prepares nurses for diverse roles
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Bachelor's Family Nurse Practitioner Track - Online Learning - Website
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Available fully online
- Multiple specialized tracks
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced clinical practice preparation
Reno, NV
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Website
- Terminal professional nursing practice degree
- Online and flexible program options
- Advanced leadership preparation
- Multiple track options available
- Prepares nurses for clinical leadership
- Evidence-based practice focus
- Interdisciplinary healthcare approach
- Post-master's and post-bachelor's tracks
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- Online DNP program available
- Post-Master's and Post-Bachelor's tracks
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced clinical practice preparation
- Evidence-based healthcare approach
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Master’s Advanced Practice Track - Online Learning - Website
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Available fully online
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced practice specialization
- Prepares nurses for diverse roles
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Bachelor's Family Nurse Practitioner Track - Online Learning - Website
- Terminal professional practice degree
- Available fully online
- Multiple specialized tracks
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced clinical practice preparation