The Companion DNP is FNU’s term for a shorter, more condensed DNP program of study. Students eligible for the Companion DNP have completed courses that include some of the DNP Essentials during their MSN and Certificate programs.
Students who have completed the following FNU courses as part of their FNU MSN or Post-Graduate Certificate:
PC 702 – Epidemiology and Biostats
PC 713 – Principles of Independent Practice
PC 718 – Evidenced Based Practice
If a student has multiple degrees from FNU, as long as one of the completed degrees includes the three courses above, they are eligible to enter the Companion DNP. Currently, an eligible student can return to the Companion DNP at any time. The method of entry that they follow to return to the DNP will depend on how long they want to return after their FNU MSN or Certificate is awarded (as outlined in Q4). At this time there is not an expiration on when eligible students can enter the Companion DNP.
The Post-Masters DNP is for FNU students who did not complete the three courses listed in Q2 during their FNU MSN or FNU Certificate or people who obtained their MSNs from another university.
The Companion DNP is only for specific FNU graduates (as outlined in Q2 above). The CDNP program of study is three courses shorter than the PM-DNP b/c students took those three courses during their FNU MSN or Certificate.
2. Streamlined Entry and Admissions Entry are pathways into the degree.
Students can streamline into both the PM-DNP and the Companion DNP. It just depends on what previous degree the student has completed (as outlined in Q2 and Q3). Streamlined Entry
1. Students who enter the PM-DNP or Companion DNP the term immediately following the term they complete the FNU MSN or FNU Certificate.
2. Students who enter the PM-DNP or Companion DNP after a one term “stop-out” between the completion of the FNU MSN or FNU Certificate and the DNP.
Students wishing to streamline from the MSN or Certificate should contact their assigned Academic Advisor.
Students MUST have officially received confirmation of the completion of their FNU MSN or Certificate PRIOR to starting the DNP program. If a Streamline Entry student does not have their MSN or Certificate officially conferred by the end of add/drop of their intended DNP start term, their DNP first term course schedule will automatically be cancelled. (students cannot have outstanding I or IP grades).
Admissions Entry
1. Anyone who received their FNU MSN or FNU Certificate more than two terms ago (e.g. official graduation date is in fall term and the student wants to begin the DNP the following summer term or later)
1. Anyone who did not receive a degree from FNU.
Students wishing to enter the DNP more than two terms after the completion of their FNU MSN or FNU Certificate should contact the Admissions Office.
As soon as you know you want to enter the DNP, you should notify your academic advisor for planning purposes. Your academic advisor can provide an overview of the DNP curriculum and walk you through the steps to take either as a streamline entry or (future) admissions entry process.
Students should inform their academic advisor no later than week 7-8 the term before they wish to begin the DNP. Ideally, students will begin working with their academic advisor at the start of the term before they wish to begin the DNP.
All students entering the DNP should self-register in the DNP Prep 101 Course in Canvas and begin familiarizing themselves with the content prior to DNP Bound. To self-register students go to the FNU Banyan Tree Portal and click on DNP Prep 101 under “Courses” in the left navigation.
1. Streamline Entry PM-DNP and Companion DNP students must virtually attend specific sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday morning during DNP Bound
2. Admissions Entry Companion DNP students must also virtually attend specific sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday morning during DNP Bound.
3. Admissions Entry PM-DNP students must attend DNP Bound in person.
Check the FNU Academic Calendar for scheduled Bound dates. Virtual sessions will be joined via BBB.
The virtual DNP Bound sessions are NOT recorded. Students must virtually attend the live session. Anyone who is not able to virtually attend the DNP Bound sessions will not be able to begin the DNP the following term and will be required to defer their start date.
No – this form simply helps administration and faculty predict who is planning on entering the DNP and in what term, to assure adequate resources are available. You must still contact your academic advisor and/or the admissions department to begin the actual entry process.
Determining your program of study is very individual and depends on many variables. If you elect to take 1 course per term, you should plan to spend about 16 hours per week on DNP coursework. For 2 courses per term you should have 32-40 hours per week available to complete course work.
Most students will select their program of study based on when they want to begin the DNP clinical project:
Companion DNP
9 month POS = begin the clinical project in term 1
12 month POS = begin the clinical project in term 2 1
5 month POS = begin the clinical project in term 3
PM-DNP
12 month POS = begin the clinical project in term 2
15 month POS = begin the clinical project in term 3
18 month POS = begin the clinical project in term 4
For financial aid purposes, the DNP uses the same criteria as the MSN and Certificate when determining full-time and part-time status. Full-time attendance is 5 or more credits in a term and part-time is 4 or fewer credits in a given term.
Just like when you were in your Master’s program, your clinical site must be credentialed by FNU BEFORE you begin the clinical courses. Details about the clinical project are outlined in the DNP Prep 101 Course in Canvas.
All DNP students should self-register in the DNP Prep 101 Course in Canvas and begin familiarizing themselves with the content PRIOR to attending DNP Bound. To self-register students go to the FNU Banyan Tree Portal and click on DNP Prep 101 under “Courses” in the left navigation.
Unlike the MSN, DNP students are encouraged to plan and implement their DNP Quality Improvement Project where they work as APRNs. Students not providing direct patient care as APRNs may choose to volunteer at a clinical site or where you work as an RN for project implementation.
No. In 2015 the AACN published a white paper describing DNP competencies including planning, implementation, and dissemination of a population health focused quality improvement project within a clinical setting.
No. Preparation for the DNP Clinical Courses, including submitting your clinical site for credentialing, is done by completing the requirements in DNP Prep 101.
All DNP students need to self-register in the DNP Prep 101 Course in Canvas and begin familiarizing themselves with the content PRIOR to attending DNP Bound. To self-register students go to the FNU Portal and click on DNP Prep 101 under “Courses” in the left navigation.
Each term, a BBB session is held introducing the DNP to FNU’s MSN students. You can attend this session live or access a recording in the Student Connections folder in the FNU Portal under “Connections” and then “Student Connections” in the left navigation. Look for a general session about the Companion DNP titled, “4 Reasons the Companion DNP is Definitely for You,” and a session specifically discussing the DNP Clinical Project titled, “Preparing for the DNP Clinical.”
You can also contact your Academic Advisor, or the DNP Program Director for more information.
