Most of our courses are offered online; however, there are some courses with on-site requirements. For example, our didactic nurse practitioner courses are offered on-site only. Classes are scheduled so that students are on campus only once a week. Please remember, there may be other times when on site is required such as orientation or as enrichment days. These dates will be available to students well ahead of time so that arrangements can be made. Clinical practicums are arranged by the College of Nursing with consideration of where students live. Every effort is made to minimize long distances. However, the goal is to provide students with the best possible clinical experiences, and this may require travel on the part of the student.

Yes, the Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care program requires satisfactory completion of 2 years of full time experience as a registered nurse providing direct care to adults and older adults admitted to an inpatient unit (e.g., inpatient surgical or medical unit, telemetry, progressive care, stepdown unit, intermediate care, intensive or critical care unit). Critical care is not required but is a plus. Inpatient care does NOT include emergency department, PACU (recovery room) is also poor preparation, cath lab, interventional radiology, endoscopy, etc. are essentially ambulatory care, and Operating Room (OR) is also not acceptable.

No, you do not need to take the GRE for our DNP program.

At this time clinicals must be done in Iowa. We make the placements, so students aren’t responsible for finding sites. There are three sequential clinical courses in the program that start in the fall and go through summer. The fall and spring courses require 180 (AGNP, PNP, FNP) or 270 (PMHNP, ACAGNP) hrs of clinical experience each and the summer is 180 hours (AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, ACAGNP) or 270 (FNP). You can divide the number of clinical hours by 15 weeks in the fall & spring and 10 weeks in the summer to determine how many hours you would spend in clinicals each week. It’s possible to do blocks of concentrated time if that works better for a student’s schedule.

You should wear business casual attire in your clinical settings. Lab coats can be worn; however they are not required. Your photo badge identifying you as a DNP student must be worn at all times.

Due to the level of internet-based course work required, international students in this program of study are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student immigration status. Questions regarding visas and immigration documentation should be addressed to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) via email at isss@uiowa.edu.

How much each student is able to work can be determined only by them; however, please be realistic about your ability to work full-time and take courses. The advanced practice core and specialization courses require a great deal of time, and it may necessitate reducing work time. During the clinical year (year 3), you will be completing practicum hours during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. This is in addition to on campus class on Wednesdays and your other class work. Most students find it very difficult to maintain a regular work schedule during this time. Some find the weekend option or a PRN position most helpful.

If you move to Iowa for the sole purpose of being a student, you will pay non-resident tuition. The University of Iowa Registrar’s Office can assist you in determining what you would need to do to be eligible for resident tuition. Please see the following URL for information regarding residency as well as contact information: http://registrar.uiowa.edu/tuition-residency