4 Best DNP Programs in Nevada – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Getting a degree from one of the DNP programs in Nevada is one of the best ways to boost your earning potential as a nurse in the Silver State. DNP-educated RNs in Nevada can count on averaging $160,150 annually. A Doctor of Nursing Practice diploma opens many employment options in the Silver State, too, ranging from advanced practice patient care and nursing education to executive management at the organizational level and electronic data harvesting. These employment options are anticipated to increase by 51 percent over the next decade. Could a DNP be the right career move for you? This list of the 4 best DNP programs in Nevada will help you decide.


WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN NEVADA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 4 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Nevada (Online & Campus) for 2025.


1. University of Nevada-Las Vegas - Las Vegas


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Nevada- Las Vegas is home to one of the best DNP programs in Nevada. The program admits students three times annually in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The post-bachelor's DNP program consists of fully online courses and in-person clinicals near your home, making it an excellent choice if you work or have other responsibilities and do not wish to travel to attend school.

The BSN-to-DNP pathway, which offers a Family Nurse Practitioner focus, is a 70-credit program. The curriculum features classes such as Family Theory & Health Promotion, Translational Evidence for Healthcare Systems, and Diagnostic Reasoning & Clinical Decision-Making for the APRN. Clinical courses focused on Adult & Women's Health, Children & Obstetric Care, and Geriatric & Chronic Illness are accompanied by corresponding clinical components. All DNP students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the post-baccalaureate DNP program at The University of Nevada Las Vegas must have a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of school or the most recent 60 semester credits is required. Official college/university transcripts, a goals statement, three letters of recommendation, and a professional resume or curriculum vitae must be provided.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-master's DNP program is offered exclusively online. With three start dates per year, it is easy to choose a time to begin your studies that works best for you.

The plan features a 38-credit curriculum with classes, including Health Systems Science & Quality Improvement, Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice, and Analysis & Economics of Healthcare System & Delivery. This DNP pathway with a focus on Advanced Practice will equip you with interprofessional and nurse executive competencies. You will learn the skills needed to assess and evaluate health information systems and technology, improve population health, and inform leadership on patient care issues.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants for the post-master's DNP in Advanced Practice must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned at a regionally accredited school of nursing. You must provide official transcripts from any post-secondary school you have attended reflecting a minimum 3.0 grade point average for the last two years or the last 60 semester credits. Additionally, all candidates must submit proof of an unencumbered RN license, a curriculum vitae or professional resume, a written statement of professional and career goals, and three letters of recommendation.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Upon admission to the DNP programs in Nevada at UNLV, all students are assigned an advisor. You will work in collaboration with your advisor and the DNP Coordinator to develop a personalized plan of study. Your advisor will monitor your progress throughout the program and be a source of guidance to ensure you have the best experience.
• The University of Nevada- Las Vegas reports high retention and graduation rates for its DNP programs and outstanding national certification exam pass rates and excellent job placement rates for graduates. Each of these factors is a strong indication that the school provides a high-quality program designed to prepare you for success!


2. Touro University Nevada - Henderson


Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Leadership


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Touro University offers an outstanding DNP program in Nevada that offers the opportunity to specialize in leadership. The program features a distance learning format, making it an excellent option for working professionals. With three start dates per year and options to enroll part-time or full-time, you can pursue your degree as it fits your lifestyle.

The DNP program with a Leadership focus has a full-time accelerated track that can be completed in one year. If you pursue the standard track of part-time study, you can graduate in two years. At Touro, you will complete at least 34 credits to earn the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The curriculum includes didactic and practicum nursing courses, including Principles of Research Methods & Biostatistics, Nursing Leadership Approaches to Population Health, interprofessional Education, and Evidence-Based Practice.

MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates desiring admission to the DNP program at Touro University must hold a master’s degree in nursing earned at a regionally or nationally accredited nursing school (ACEN, CCNE, CNEA, or NLNAC). You must possess an active, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state where you reside and where you will complete your practicum requirements.

All applicants must complete an application through NursingCAS and/or a Touro Nevada application. You must provide transcripts from any college or university you have attended and have a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, you must provide a curriculum vitae or professional resume, a DNP Essay, one letter of recommendation from a healthcare or nursing supervisor or professional, and documentation of any academic practicum you have completed, if applicable.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The DNP program at Touro University has many strengths and accolades. From offering a comprehensive curriculum combined with practical real-world experiences to having engaged faculty who support you all throughout the program, you will be well-prepared to advance your career with a DNP in nursing leadership. The knowledge and skills you gain in the program will equip you to engage in improving healthcare outcomes, promoting the nursing profession, and impacting your communities and the people you serve.
• Because the DNP Leadership program is offered exclusively online, you can continue working while earning your degree. Many graduates of the program are offered leadership positions at their current place of employment upon completion of the program, which is a good indicator of the leadership preparation the program provides.


3. University of Nevada-Reno - Reno


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Executive/Clinical Nurse Leadership, and Clinical Education Leadership


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Executive, Advanced Practice, Clinical Education Leadership, and Health Policy


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: At the University of Nevada- Reno, baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses can choose from five clinical care or two leadership specialty tracks to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. These post BSN-to-DNP programs in Nevada are designed to prepare you as a specialist in advanced clinical nursing practice and nursing leadership roles.

The curriculum plans for the BSN-to-DNP pathways consist of 68 to 72 credits, depending on the specialty you choose to pursue. Each pathway takes three to four years to complete, based on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.

All BSN-to-DNP programs begin with core nursing courses, including Scientific Underpinnings & Translational Evidence for the DNP, Introduction to Knowledge Development & Scientific Inquiry, and Advanced Health Assessment. Additionally, the curriculum for each pathway includes concentration-specific courses and clinical practicums. All BSN-to-DNP pathways include a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical practicum.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Nevada- Reno, you must have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE- or NLNAC- accredited nursing school and have an undergraduate overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Candidates must provide verification of having a current, unrestricted RN license and be eligible to practice as an RN in Nevada. Additionally, all applicants must provide a Statement of Intent, including graduate-study goals, three letters of recommendation, and a current resume, and complete a graduate-level Statistics course.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Nevada- Reno admits students twice per year in the fall and spring semesters. The program offers four specialty options, each designed to be completed in two years.

Each post-master's curriculum plan requires students to complete 30 credits to earn the DNP. The first year of the program includes a general DNP program of study with classes, including Economics of Healthcare Delivery, Analysis of Healthcare Organizations, and Economics of Healthcare Delivery. In the second year of the program, you will complete coursework relevant to your specialization in the fall and end the program with an Executive/Advanced Practice DNP Residency and a DNP Project.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Nevada- Reno, you must possess a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned at an NLN- or CCNE-accredited institution. All candidates must be licensed at a level consistent with the focus of their DNP study and hold a national certification in an advanced practice role (or be eligible for certification). You must provide documentation of clinical and executive excellence, complete graduate-level prerequisites with a grade of "B" or better and have a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• As a nurse and healthcare educator, I believe it is crucial to consider certification pass rates, as they reflect the preparation of the program and the quality of the education you will receive as a student. Graduates of the DNP programs at the University of Nevada- Reno have exceptionally high pass rates on national certification exams!
• The DNP programs in Nevada offered by the University of Nevada- Reno are taught by experienced faculty who are leaders in nursing. Their diverse backgrounds, clinical experiences, and professional insight will provide you with expert mentorship and guidance to help you succeed!


4. Roseman University of Health Sciences - Henderson


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Roseman University of Health Sciences offers a DNP program in Nevada with options to specialize as either a Family Nurse Practitioner or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The program is designed for registered nurses who currently hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and wish to seek a terminal degree in clinical nursing practice. Classes begin once per year.

The Family Nurse Practitioner program is a 36-month program featuring a blended online learning modality. The first year of the program consists of online didactic material, combining DNP core courses, foundational science courses, organizational management, healthcare informatics, and advanced core practice coursework. The second year of the program offers a blend of clinical and didactic curriculum with clinical practicum blocks. The final year of the program is spent completing any remaining required practicum hours, completing Evidence-Based Practice studies, and participating in the Doctoral Project Practicum and Seminar, as you prepare for the implementation and evaluation of your DNP Project.

The Nurse Anesthesia DNP program also takes 36 months to complete. The program features a hybrid online format, consisting of online courses until the middle of the first year, then integrating on-campus requirements. In the second year of the program, you will participate in blinded didactic and clinical curriculum, including satellite clinical rotations. The final year of the program consists of full-time clinical rotations combined with a few DNP courses. The post-bachelor's Nurse Anesthesia program features a block curriculum and requires you to complete 118 credits. You will study courses, including Advanced Pathophysiology & Disease Management Across the Lifespan, Professional Aspects of Anesthesiology Nursing, Chemical & Physical Anesthesiology Nursing, and Advanced Bioscience Anesthesiology.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants seeking admission to either BSN-to-DNP pathway at Roseman University of Health Sciences must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing earned from an approved regionally or nationally accredited college or university, an unencumbered RN license. FNP candidates must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate nursing GPA and show proof of a completed undergraduate Statistics course completed within the previous 10 years with a grade of "B" or higher. FNP candidates must have a minimum of one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse and must provide a current curriculum vitae, a Personal Statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.

Nurse anesthesia candidates with two years of work experience in surgical, medical, cardiac, neuro, pediatric, Level III, or trauma intensive care are preferred. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, with a minimum science GPA of 3.5. Candidates must also show proof of completing Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Statistics within the previous 10 years with a grade of "B" or better.

Candidates for both programs may be asked to participate in a personal interview with the admissions interview committee. Interviews are by invitation only.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Roseman University of Health Sciences utilizes the Six-Point Mastery Learning Model. This learning model combines Block Curriculum, Competency-Based Education, Active & Collaborative Learning, Early Experiential Learning, Assessment Learning, and Inclusive Classroom Design. The combined benefits of this learning model have been proven to create excellent success rates for students.
• High employment rates among graduates of both the Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia BSN-to-DNP programs at Roseman University of Health Sciences reflect the high quality of the education the programs provide.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Nevada?




2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In Nevada?


4


3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Nevada?


Hourly$77.00
Weekly$3,080
Monthly$13,350
Annual$160,150


4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Nevada?


Hourly$56.64
Weekly$2,266
Monthly$9,820
Annual$117,820


5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Nevada?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
1-4 Years of Experience$64.09$2,564$11,110$133,310
5-9 Years of Experience$75.66$3,026$13,110$157,370
10-19 Years of Experience$84.26$3,370$14,610$175,260
20 Years or More Experience$100.69$4,028$17,450$209,430


6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Nevada By Metro?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Carson City$80.13$3,205$13,890$166,670
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise$77.66$3,107$13,460$161,540
Reno$76.00$3,040$13,170$158,070


7. Average DNP Salary In Nevada Vs. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Nevada


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Nurse With DNP$160,150$00.00%
Physician Assistant$154,800+$5,350+3.46%
Dentist$144,420+$15,730+10.89%
Pharmacist$131,820+$28,330+21.49%
Optometrist$122,610+$37,540+30.62%
Physical Therapist$111,460+$48,690+43.68%
Chiropractor$107,920+$52,230+48.40%
Occupational Therapist$107,070+$53,080+49.58%
Veterinarian$104,830+$55,320+52.77%
Speech-Language Pathologist$100,620+$59,530+59.16%
Radiation Therapist$90,980+$69,170+76.03%
Dental Hygienist$90,320+$69,830+77.31%


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



DNP Programs in Other States



Popular Related Articles