DNP Programs in New Mexico – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

New Mexico has one of the worst primary healthcare provider shortages in the U.S. DNP-educated RNs are highly prized in the Land of Enchantment because they offer a solution to that problem. DNP programs can train you to become a highly qualified advanced practice RN delivering patient care or an executive nurse manager operating the healthcare facility that offers that care. Graduates of DNP programs in New Mexico are well compensated, earning annual salaries that average $147,330 a year. Within just 10 years, they will enjoy 65 percent more job opportunities than they do now. Become a part of New Mexico’s healthcare future! The guide below to the best DNP programs in New Mexico can show you how.


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

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


1. The University of New Mexico - Albuquerque


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


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Nursing Administrative Leadership, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who wants to earn a doctorate in New Mexico? If so, the University of New Mexico has a program worth considering! At UNM, you can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice in two years and nine months, specializing in one of six concentrations. The BSN-to-DNP program offers a mix of online classes with on-site simulation experiences and facility-based clinicals.

The post-baccalaureate DNP programs at the University of New Mexico offer rigorous curriculum plans built upon a foundation of clinical education and evidence-based practices. Didactic and clinical coursework promote advanced clinical knowledge. The program requires students to complete between 63 and 71 credits, depending on which specialty concentration is chosen.

Each nurse practitioner pathway includes lab simulations and a clinical component. If you choose one of the five nurse practitioner specialties, you will complete a minimum of 750, or up to 950 clinical hours. The Nursing Administrative Leadership pathway includes 700 clinical hours. Additionally, all DNP students are required to complete a DNP Scholarly Project, which awards 300 systems thinking/project hours. The Office of Clinical Affairs team works closely with each student to identify and secure clinical placements and preceptors.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the post-bachelor's DNP program is available to applicants who have either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university or an associate degree in nursing and a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Candidates who are admitted with an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor's degree must complete three courses in the RN to BSN program to progress in the program and begin graduate coursework.

Applicants must complete a NursingCAS application and a supplemental application for admission to The University of New Mexico. All applicants must submit official transcripts from any post-secondary school they have attended and have a cumulative college grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, candidates must provide three letters of recommendation, a resume or curriculum vitae, and answers to three essay questions through NursingCAS.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at the University of New Mexico is one of the best online DNP programs in New Mexico. The online format makes this program an excellent choice for working professionals. The program is designed to be completed in two years, preparing you with an in-depth, broad knowledge of leadership, clinical, and healthcare skills.

The MSN-to-DNP curriculum includes DNP core courses, Evidence-Based Practice core courses, DNP Systems Thinking and Project Core Courses, and electives. The total number of credits you need to earn the post-master's DNP will be determined by GAP analysis of your MSN coursework and clinicals. Students complete a minimum of 30 credits or up to 44 credits. The program includes 500 practice and DNP project hours. All DNP students at UNM must complete at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Therefore, if your GAP analysis indicates you achieved less than 500 hours in your master’s program, additional hours will be required while in the MSN-to-DNP program.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at UNM, you must have either a Master of Science in Nursing from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited program or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a master's degree in a related field, such as an MBA, MPH, MPA, or MSA. You must have a license to practice as a registered nurse in New Mexico. Additionally, if you are an advanced practice nurse or certified in a specialty, you must provide a copy of your advanced practice license or certification.

All applicants must complete a NursingCAS application. You must provide official college or university transcripts reflecting a graduate-level GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, a CV or professional resume, three letters of recommendation, and complete essay responses in the application.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The University of New Mexico is an excellent choice for pursuing a DNP. The school is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in several categories, including Best Grad Schools: Nurse Midwifery.
• The University of New Mexico is the only Carnegie R1 university in New Mexico. As a graduate nursing student at UNM, you have opportunities to participate in research opportunities alongside faculty and nurse researchers.


2. New Mexico State University - Las Cruces


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


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesiology


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Population Health Leadership


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: New Mexico State University offers a post-bachelor's DNP program in New Mexico with the option to specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse Anesthetist. The program admits students annually in the fall semester.

The Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner pathways feature asynchronous online didactic courses and require you to complete 74 credit hours. The programs also include more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practicum, which you may complete in your community.

The curriculum plans for the FNP and PMHNP pathways include classes such as Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare, Epidemiology for Advanced Practice Nursing, and Advanced Pathophysiology for Clinical Nursing. Each pathway also includes concentration-specific coursework. Depending on the specialty you choose to pursue, you may study Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice, Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesiology Practice, or Diagnostic Reasoning & Advanced Health Assessment.

The Nurse Anesthesiology concentration is a three-year program featuring a rigorous 102-credit curriculum, and it includes 2,400 hours of clinical training. If you live in the Las Cruces area, you will be required to attend classes on campus. Students located in the Albuquerque area may be required to attend didactic courses via distance education. Although some classes may be available online, most of your clinical experiences and a rural health rotation will be held in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe or Las Cruces regions. Therefore, out-of-state students are encouraged to relocate to Las Cruces, NM at the beginning of the program.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at New Mexico State University must have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program and a minimum nursing grade point average of 3.0. All candidates must have an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse or APRN in the United States. You must apply to the DNP program through the NMSU Graduate School. You must upload copies of a current CV or resume, your RN license, unofficial transcripts from all nursing or other degree programs, a letter of intent, an admissions essay, and three references. Applicants who pass the initial review will be required to attend an admissions interview with faculty.

Nurse Anesthesia candidates must also meet the following requirements: Provide verification of a valid CCRN adult or pediatric certification, have two to three years of experience as an RN in a United States hospital at the time of application, with at least one year of full-time work experience in a critical care setting. Nurse Anesthesia applicants must provide a supervisor’s assessment form from a current supervisor, three NMSU CRNA Shadow Experience Logs, and a Critical Competency Checklist. In addition to an overall 3.0 GPA, Nurse Anesthesia candidates must have a hard science grade point average of 3.0 or better.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a master’s prepared registered nurse interested in improving population health, the MSN-to-DNP program in Population Health Leadership at New Mexico State University is a great option. The program is designed in a distance-learning format and can be completed in two years or five semesters if you enroll full-time.

The program features a 36-42-credit curriculum. Post-master's students majoring in Population Health Leadership take classes, including Clinical Data Management & Analysis, Strategic & Financial Planning for Population Health Programs, Quality Improvement in Healthcare, and Innovations & Healthcare Organizations.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission criteria for the MSN-to-DNP program at NMSU include the following. You must have a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program with a 3.0 or higher nursing GPA and a current, unrestricted RN or APRN license in one of the 50 United States or Territories. Applicants must have proof of passing an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course and provide official documentation or a letter verifying the total number of clinical hours earned in the master's nursing program.

Candidates interested in the MSN-to-DNP program at New Mexico State University begin by applying through the NMSU Graduate School. You must upload verification of your current RN or APRN license and certification, a current professional resume or CV, a letter of intent, an admissions essay, and an unofficial transcript from any post-secondary school you have attended. Additionally, applicants must sign a commitment to enroll and attend a two-day on-campus orientation.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• DNP faculty at New Mexico State University are leaders in advanced nursing practice. They are dedicated to providing support and personalized mentorship to help you gain the most out of your program and to guide you to success.
• I love to see nurses take opportunities to learn and grow professionally. One of the things I like about New Mexico State University is that students in the DNP program have the option of pursuing a dual certification. At NMSU, by combining your doctoral education with an 18-credit post-graduate APRN certificate program, you can earn a dual certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner!


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In New Mexico?




2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In New Mexico?


2


3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In New Mexico?


Hourly$70.83
Weekly$2,833
Monthly$12,280
Annual$147,330


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


Hourly$52.11
Weekly$2,084
Monthly$9,030
Annual$108,390


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


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
1-4 Years of Experience$58.96$2,358$10,220$122,640
5-9 Years of Experience$69.60$2,784$12,060$144,770
10-19 Years of Experience$77.51$3,101$13,440$161,230
20 Years or More Experience$92.63$3,705$16,060$192,670


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


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Albuquerque$70.27$2,811$12,180$146,170
Farmington$66.22$2,649$11,480$137,730
Las Cruces$63.21$2,528$10,960$131,480
Santa Fe$69.49$2,779$12,040$144,530


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


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Dentist$190,530-$43,200-22.67%
Podiatrist$152,490-$5,160-3.38%
Nurse With DNP$147,330$00.00%
Optometrist$146,280+$1,050+0.72%
Physician Assistant$133,140+$14,190+10.66%
Pharmacist$131,420+$15,910+12.11%
Veterinarian$121,430+$25,900+21.33%
Occupational Therapist$100,740+$46,590+46.25%
Speech-Language Pathologist$100,470+$46,860+46.64%
Physical Therapist$98,290+$49,040+49.89%
Dental Hygienist$92,100+$55,230+59.97%
Audiologist$81,880+$65,450+79.93%
Chiropractor$76,840+$70,490+91.74%


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.



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