New Mexico State University

There are two avenues to pursue the Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree:

BSN to DNP option in the following specialty tracks

• • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

MSN to DNP option for RNs or APRNs with a Master's degree in Nursing

• Focus on Population Health Leadership

The following are criteria for DNP program enrollment:

• Only FULL-TIME applicants are accepted for the DNP program (see degree plans).
• First year DNP students are required to attend a 2-day on-campus orientation during the first week of classes in Fall semester.
• Third year BSN-DNP students are required to attend a week-long, on-campus Clinical Boot Camp during the summer semester prior to the start of the nurse practitioner specialty courses.
• Prior to starting clinical rotations, students will be required to submit a criminal background check and toxicology screen (medicinal marijuana is prohibited) and other clinical clearance requirements outlined in the DNP and Post Graduate APRN Certificate Student Handbook. Failure to provide these items will result in a failure to progress or program dismissal. Positive toxicology results and/or criminal background checks that do not meet NMSU School of Nursing clinical clearance requirements can result in program dismissal.

• Apply to the DNP Program through the NMSU Graduate School (here) and select ‘NMSU Global Campus’ to find the DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP and MSN-DNP programs..
• Upload the following documents:
  • Current CV/resume.
  • RN license (BSN-DNP) or APRN license and certification (MSN-DNP)
  • Unofficial transcripts from nursing programs/degrees
  • A letter of intent specifying career goals and a clear statement of how the DNP will advance the applicant’s career
  • A two to four (2-4) page paper (double spaced, 12 pt font) describing an example of a common problem in clinical practice that, if changed, could improve patient outcomes, population health outcomes, and/or healthcare delivery in your specialty area. This problem could be the basis for the DNP Project. Please use APA format and cite references.
  • Students are required (MSN to DNP applicants) to obtain official documentation or letter from the MSN to DNP program that they attended clearly denoting the total number of clinical hours completed
  • Names and contact information for three (3) references from colleagues in clinical practice
• Official transcripts from all prior college and universities (1 set from each) attended sent directly to the School of Nursing at: nursing@nmsu.edu or rcastro@nmsu.edu. You need official transcripts submitted before the end of the first semester.
• After an initial review of applications, selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview with faculty (on campus or via videoconferencing)

BSN-DNP Option 

• Successful admission to the NMSU Graduate School
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 or better
• Current unencumbered RN license from one of the 50 U.S. States or Territories
• Undergraduate or graduate level statistics course
• Must sign a commitment to enroll for full-time study as well as attend a 2-day program on-campus orientation at the start of the fall semester and a 1-week clinical seminar in the summer of the second year (non-attendance could result in program dismissal or failure to progress)
• Admission to the DNP Program is a competitive process based on the components of the application and interview

MSN-DNP Option

• Successful admission to the NMSU Graduate School
• Masters degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 or better
• Current unencumbered RN or APRN license from one of the 50 U.S. States or Territories
• Undergraduate or graduate level statistics course
• Students are required to obtain official documentation or letter from the MSN program that they attended clearly denoting the total number of clinical hours completed.
• Admission to the DNP Program is a competitive process based on the components of the application and interview
• Students are required to obtain official documentation or letter from the MSN or DNP program that they attended clearly denoting the total number of clinical hours completed
• Must sign a commitment to enroll as well as attend a 2-day program on-campus orientation at the start of the fall semester.

Program Information Sessions

SARA Authorization Information-

In order for New Mexico State University (NMSU) to enroll students residing outside of New Mexico in an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) distance education program, two conditions must be met. First, NMSU must have a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement with the state that the student physically resides in. To check your state, please refer to NMSU’s SARA map. Second, the state’s Board of Nursing must give approval or have no restrictions on APRN clinical education in the state where the student will complete their clinical training. For more information and for current APRN distance education requirements, please see the National Council on State Boards of Nursing website.

The New Mexico State University School of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Post Graduate APRN Certificate programs are currently authorized to operate, exempt or not subject to approval in:

• Arizona
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wyoming

The New Mexico State University School of Nursing will continue to monitor developments in state laws in each state in which it enrolls students and, if authorization or licensure is or becomes necessary, will obtain such additional approvals.