Applying to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program is an exciting opportunity, and preparing a standout application can set you up for success. Whether you’re looking to advance your clinical expertise or step into leadership roles, we’ve outlined key tips to help you submit a compelling application.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a key part of your D.N.P. application—it’s your chance to share your passion for nursing and your goals for the future. Whether you’re coming straight from an undergraduate program or have some work experience, use this space to explain why you’re excited about earning a D.N.P., what drives you, and how your education and experiences have prepared you for this next step. Be sure to follow these tips:

• Keep it clear and concise. Answer all components of the prompt. Stay focused and avoid unnecessary repetition to ensure a strong, engaging narrative.
• Write professionally. Proofread carefully and follow all formatting guidelines.
• Show, don’t just tell. Use specific examples from your experiences to highlight your skills and qualifications.
• Get feedback. Ask a mentor, colleague or professor to review your statement for clarity, impact and grammar.

Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)

Your résumé or CV is an essential component of your D.N.P. application, providing a clear overview of your academic and professional background. Whether you are applying directly from an undergraduate program or have prior work experience, your resume should highlight your clinical experiences, leadership skills and involvement in initiatives that demonstrate your commitment to advancing health care. Consider focusing on these key areas:

• Clinical practice: Emphasize your direct patient care roles and any leadership or management experiences from clinical rotations or student projects. Provide specific examples of instances where you led a team or delivered patient-centered care, and include any mentorship or supervisory roles—even if they were informal. Examples of such roles include charge nurse, clinical coordinator or preceptor. These details illustrate your ability to apply your academic training in real-world settings.
• Leadership roles: Detail your leadership experiences from student projects, class initiatives or clinical placements, even if you haven’t held formal positions yet. Include any roles in student organizations or volunteer efforts that demonstrate your capacity to drive change and support your peers. Highlighting these experiences shows your potential to manage responsibilities and contribute effectively to decision-making processes.
• Quality improvement and research: Showcase your involvement in quality improvement projects or research initiatives, even if these were part of your coursework. Discuss contributions that improved clinical practices or patient outcomes, and mention any presentations, posters or academic papers that demonstrate your commitment to evidence-based care. Nursing unit based quality improvement projects would also go under this category. This helps illustrate your proactive approach to learning and innovation.
• Extracurricular leadership and community impact: Demonstrate your leadership outside the classroom and clinical settings. Share experiences where you led or participated in workshops, health fairs or educational programs, and highlight volunteer work or mentorship roles that have contributed to community health. If you’ve earned any specialty certifications, include them to showcase your growing expertise.
• Additional relevant experience: Include any additional experiences that reinforce your readiness for a D.N.P. program. This might include teaching or assisting in courses, contributing to curriculum development or leading study groups—all of which reflect your dedication to academic and professional growth. Highlight academic or professional awards, and if applicable, describe how military service has influenced your leadership and clinical skills. Also, mention any contributions to committees, advisory boards or professional organizations that demonstrate your broader commitment to the nursing field.

Apply early

Applying early enhances your chances of admission, as our program follows a rolling admissions process. This means we review and make decisions on applications as they come in. As spots fill, it becomes more competitive to secure a place. Submitting your application early shows your enthusiasm and preparedness, and allows you to take advantage of greater availability. Early applicants also have more time to address any potential issues or additional requirements during the process.