Finding the right D.N.P. program for you
February 17, 2025
Choosing the right D.N.P. program means finding one that fits your career goals, lifestyle and professional ambitions. Here are some key factors to consider:
Board pass rates
(if applicable)
For practice-focused D.N.P. concentrations, passing a national certification exam is a key step in realizing your transition into advanced clinical practice. A program’s board pass rates reflect the strength of its academic preparation, clinical training and student support. At VCU, our graduates consistently earn high board pass rates, thanks to our evidence-based curriculum, experienced faculty and dedicated student support services.
Finding a faculty mentor
A strong faculty mentor can shape your academic experience, guide your research and help you build connections in your field. At VCU, our faculty are leaders in clinical practice, research and health care innovation and are locally based in Richmond and surrounding areas. Many of our NP faculty practice at VCU Health, creating opportunities for student collaboration and learning in the health care setting. We have faculty with extensive expertise in all four of our D.N.P. concentrations. Our students receive individualized support and guidance from faculty mentors to ensure they thrive in the program and develop expertise for their chosen career.
Support for clinical placements and preceptor identification
For practice-focused D.N.P. concentrations, clinical training is a vital part of your education—but securing a preceptor can be challenging. VCU provides dedicated clinical placement assistance, matching students with experienced preceptors to ensure hands-on learning in high-quality clinical settings. Our health care partnerships and academic-practice collaborations ensure students gain high-quality, hands-on clinical experiences without the stress of securing placement sites. We have a clinical placement specialist and experienced faculty members who work collaboratively to identify clinical placements that will best meet your learning needs.
Flexibility to fit your schedule
Balancing work, life and school can be challenging, but the right program will offer the flexibility you need. VCU’s D.N.P. program is designed with working professionals in mind, offering hybrid and online coursework alongside clinical experiences. While flexibility is key, our program maintains the benefits of a brick-and-mortar institution, with in-person class meetings that deepen learning and foster meaningful connections with faculty and peers. In the nurse practitioner concentrations, hybrid courses offer a balance between in person classes and online learning. Our nurse practitioner courses have periodic in-person class meetings to promote deep understanding of course content and help you develop supportive relationships with other students and faculty.
Clinical Learning Center
D.N.P. students at VCU obtain hands-on experience in the school’s Clinical Learning Center as part of their coursework. Students engage in dynamic laboratory activities such as learning technical skills, completing simulated patient care experiences with trained standardized participant actors and other activities. These activities help prepare students for clinical experiences and offer unique learning opportunities that may not be found at other universities.
Learning environment
The environment where you study plays a critical role in shaping your education. A dynamic learning environment ensures you receive the latest training and valuable experience in cross-disciplinary collaboration, preparing you for high-quality, patient-centered care. VCU’s health sciences campus fosters a collaborative learning environment that brings together students from nursing, medicine, pharmacy and other health disciplines. Anchored by VCU Health, a Magnet-designated academic medical center, our program integrates cutting-edge research, clinical excellence and community engagement to prepare students for advanced practice in diverse health care settings.
Concentrations to achieve your career goals
Every nurse has unique career goals, and a D.N.P. program should offer the flexibility to match those goals with specialized concentrations. Whether you're interested in leadership or advanced clinical practice roles, our programs are designed to provide the expertise and skills necessary to achieve your aspirations. The D.N.P. concentrations offered at VCU include: