The Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Florida International University’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers a direct, streamlined pathway to the highest level of clinical nursing preparation—equipping you for a meaningful, influential career as an advanced clinical nurse practitioner.
As access to healthcare expands nationwide, nurse practitioners (NPs) play an increasingly vital role across the healthcare system. From busy urban centers to rural communities, NPs are on the frontlines providing primary care, performing a growing range of procedures, and practicing with greater autonomy and scope than ever before.
The Goal of the MSN program is to:
Prepare graduates for advanced practice nursing roles in clinical practice and education.
Graduates from the MSN program will be able to:
- Implement leadership across healthcare teams and populations while prioritizing clinical expertise, ethical standards, professionalism, and integrating communication technologies to support optimal patient outcomes. (AACN 2026 Domain 7, 8, 9, 10)
- Apply advanced scientific and clinical knowledge in a specialized area and integrating research and evidence-based practice that improve patient and system outcomes. (AACN 2026 Domain 1, 4,5)
Implement population health strategies in collaboration with communities, public health agencies, and interprofessional partners to address local, national, and international health needs. (AACN 2026 Domain 3, 6) - Advocate for systemic changes in healthcare policies to achieve quality healthcare that is accessible for all. (AACN 2026 Domain 3,7, 9)
- Collaborates and implements systemwide programs grounded in holistic, compassionate, and culturally sensitive practices to support individuals and communities. (AACN 2026 Domain 2, 3, 9)
The Goal of the DNP program is to:
Prepare graduates for leadership, advanced clinical practice, and healthcare systems improvement.
Graduates from the DNP program will be able to:
- Lead transformative initiatives in healthcare delivery, policy, and education by applying translational research, health systems innovation, and advanced technology, while exemplifying professionalism and ethical decision making to improve healthcare outcomes. (AACN 2026 Domain 7, 8, 9, 10)
- Synthesize research to develop, evaluate, and disseminate evidenced based practices in clinical and organizational settings emphasizing principles of safety and quality improvement. (AACN 2026 Domain 1, 4, 5)
- Lead and develop population health initiatives to sustain strategic partnerships with community groups, public health entities, and interprofessional stakeholders to drive system improvements in local, national, and international health outcomes. (AACN 2026 Domain 3, 6)
- Collaborate with interprofessional teams to design and advocate for healthcare policies that enhance healthcare quality, delivery, and accessibility for all. (AACN 2026 Domain 3,7, 9)
- Lead systemwide initiatives grounded in holistic, compassionate and culturally sensitive practices for individuals and communities. (AACN 2026 Domain 2, 3, 9)
Specialty Tracks
FIU Graduate Nursing offers four specialty tracks within the DNP program:
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Predominantly Online)
Prepares graduates to care for adolescents, adults, and older adults with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and managing acute and chronic multi-system conditions.
Family Nurse Practitioner (Hybrid)
Prepares graduates to deliver primary care across the lifespan—including pregnant and postpartum patients—in ambulatory and community settings. Emphasis on wellness, disease prevention, episodic care, and chronic disease management through a family-centered approach.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Predominantly Online)
Trains pediatric primary care specialists to diagnose, treat, and manage care for newborns through young adults, including well-child care and common acute and chronic pediatric conditions.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Hybrid)
Focuses on advanced psychiatric and mental health care for individuals, families, and communities across primary, secondary, and tertiary settings. Practice sites include community mental health centers, crisis centers, psychiatric clinics and hospital units, correctional health, and private practices.
Note on Online Tracks:
Students in online specialties may complete clinicals outside FIU’s traditional service areas (Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach). Students are responsible for identifying their clinical site and working with FIU’s clinical department to secure a contract before beginning any clinical rotation.
Licensing Eligibility
Program graduates are qualified to apply for national certification in their specialty areas and for state certification as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) / Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).