Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Specializing in Nurse Leadership

The School of Nursing accepts Nurse Leadership students in the Fall and Winter Quarters. All admission requirements must be completed by the deadline.  Deadlines are as follows:

• Fall – April 15 (quarter begins in September)  
• Winter – September 15 (quarter begins in January)

There are two fees associated with the application:

• $70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.

The criteria for admission to the DNP program must be met before consideration for the Nurse Leadership concentration. Once the DNP criteria for admission have been met, admission criteria for this concentration must be met and are listed below.

Doctor of Nursing Practice degree general admission criteria

The following criteria are required for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program in nursing:

• A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program (or its equivalent).
• A 3.00 undergraduate G.P.A. (on a 4.00 scale), both cumulative and in the nursing major.
• Three Recommendation letters: Nurse Supervisor, RN Co-worker, Spiritual Advisor
• A standardized interview with two graduate nursing faculty members.
• Current California registered nurse license before enrollment in clinical nursing courses.
• Nursing experience in the area of the desired major prior to beginning graduate study.
• Prerequisites: undergraduate statistics and research.

In addition to the requirements for admission to the DNP program, the requirements for admission into the Nurse Leadership Concentration include:

Minimum 6 months nursing experience in a leadership role is preferred Each applicant’s clinical experience will be individually evaluated Interview by faculty members in the School of Nursing

Additional Admission Requirements for Post-Masters Degree to DNP

• Completion of a master’s degree in nursing with a clinical major from a program accredited by CCNE or the National League for Nursing
• Undergraduate and Graduate GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing courses
• Current California RN license

Admission Requirements for International Students 

International applicants (non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent residents) must meet all admission requirements for the chosen program. In addition, official international transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited evaluation service. A TOEFL score may also be required. Please visit www.llu.edu/apply/intltrans for more information.

NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.

Returning LLU Applicant - If transcripts were previously sent to Loma Linda University prior to your NursingCAS application, please contact [email protected] with your full name, application term, program name, and a brief message requesting assistance with the transcript process.

BS to DNP Leadership - Curriculum Plan

1. The DNP Program has been approved as a hybrid program with much of the academic work completed in an asynchronous manner on line. Students are required to attend and actively participate in any scheduled Zoom and face-to-face meetings scheduled for the DNP Program courses.
2. Most of the DNP Program Core courses and the prerequisite clinical courses require that students participate on-campus for 4 to 8 hours during Seminar Week in the middle of each quarter. Students are also required to be on campus to take all course exams including the midterm and final exams.
3. NGRD 657 – Intermediate Statistics – has four mandatory synchronous class meetings during each quarter and students are required to participate in them either face-to-face or by Zoom.  Students must attend take the midterm exam and the final exam on campus during scheduled face-to-face meetings. Additional optional group sessions held both face-to-face and by Zoom are available for students enrolled in NGRD 657.
4. NGRD 624 – Advanced Health Assessment – has mandatory synchronous lab meetings every two weeks during the quarter.  Students must attend each of these sessions. The faculty coordinate the course exams including the midterm and final exams so that they are scheduled when the student is on campus for a scheduled lab session.
5. The CNS and NP clinical courses meet at least four (4) times per quarter face-to-face on campus and all exams are administered on campus.  The NP Program skills courses meet weekly during the quarter that the skills course is scheduled.  Attendance at each of the assigned labs is mandatory for students enrolled in the skills course.

Students in the CNS and NP clinical courses will be assigned clinical rotations in the Inland Empire (IE) region of Southern California (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties).  The CNS and NP Program faculty members arrange all clinical rotations for students as required by the California Board of Registered Nursing Regulations (Sections 1484, h (11) of Division 14 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations).

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

1. What makes the DNP in Nurse Leadership program at Loma Linda University unique?

Loma Linda University’s DNP in Nurse Leadership program is designed for experienced nurses who want to lead in healthcare policy, administration, and system-wide change. This program integrates advanced nursing practice with leadership development, evidence-based decision-making, and healthcare innovation. With a strong emphasis on mission-driven leadership, our program prepares graduates to influence policy, manage healthcare organizations, and implement strategies that improve patient care outcomes.

2. What kind of career opportunities are available for graduates of the Nurse Leadership DNP?

Graduates of this program are prepared for executive-level positions in hospitals, healthcare systems, government agencies, and academic institutions. Career opportunities include:

• Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
• Director of Nursing or Nursing Administration
• Healthcare Policy Consultant
• Quality Improvement Director
• Hospital or Clinic Executive Leadership
• Academic or Research Leader in Nursing Education

3. How does this program prepare nurses for leadership roles?

The DNP in Nurse Leadership program focuses on executive decision-making, financial management, healthcare policy, and quality improvement. Students engage in case studies, real-world problem-solving, and hands-on leadership training through capstone projects and clinical practicums. The curriculum also includes coursework in organizational behavior, strategic planning, and informatics, providing nurses with the skills needed to navigate complex healthcare systems effectively.

4. Do students need to complete a clinical residency for the Nurse Leadership DNP?

Yes, students must complete a leadership-focused clinical residency to gain hands-on experience in nursing administration and policy implementation. Unlike traditional clinical practicums, this residency emphasizes strategic decision-making, resource management, and system-wide leadership. Students may complete these hours in healthcare organizations, hospitals, or public health institutions.

5. How long does it take to complete the DNP in Nurse Leadership program?

The program typically takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether students enroll full-time or part-time. The flexible schedule allows working professionals to balance coursework with their current leadership roles.