Regis University Online NP Programs

What to Expect

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the nursing programs at Regis University must have an unrestricted RN license in their state of residence in approved states. MSN and BSN-to-DNP applicants must hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a grade of C or above in all nursing courses. Post-master’s certificate applicants must hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. Applicants must also have taken statistics and earned a grade of C or higher, and have current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

Depending on the program, application materials include an online application, official transcripts, three professional letters of recommendation, a current resume, and an essay or personal statement. An admissions interview may be required. All degrees must be from NLN or AACN-CCNE accredited programs. No GRE or GMAT is required.

NNPs must have two years of clinical practice in Level III or Level IV NICU work experience; Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification is also required. PMHNPs must have two years of work experience in behavioral health or community health settings. FNPs and remote/rural FNPs need two years of clinical RN practice. FNP and PMHNP work experience is preferred but may not be required for the MSN and BSN-to-DNP programs.

State Restrictions: Regis University accepts students from most states into the online nursing programs except for Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, and North Dakota. Oregon is restricted from the FNP and Remote/Rural FNP programs, while Kentucky residents may be eligible. 

Prospective students should verify enrollment eligibility with the Loretto Heights School of Nursing under the Ruckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. Additionally, interested nurses should check with their State Board of Nursing about licensure requirements. 

Study Plan: Start dates land in August for all programs, except for the PMHNP programs, which begin in May. Courses last one semester each, and meet one day a week online. Students also complete local clinical practicums, which can occur at their current place of employment separate from paid work time. The MSN programs can be completed in five to six semesters. The BSN-to-DNP programs can be completed in four to five years. When students enter the DNP portion of the program, they can choose either a two-year or three-year option. 

The post-master’s certificates may take 12 to 18 months to complete depending on the courses transferred in from the MSN degree and other post-secondary education, as well as the number of courses taken per semester. Students may need to reduce work hours depending on the requirements of the chosen program. 

MSN Core Curriculum: The MSN degree includes the following core courses for all specializations: theoretical frameworks for leadership and advanced nursing practice; ethics for nurse leaders; advanced application of research for evidence-based practice; advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan; professional integration; advanced pharmacology for advanced practice; and healthcare policy and issues in practice. Note that some courses may vary for the NNP specialization. Students also complete a comprehensive exam at the end of the program.

MSN Remote FNP (Rural and Underserved Communities) Curriculum: The Remote/Rural FNP track comprises 48 credits plus 630 clinical hours. Specialization courses include advanced health assessment of the patient and family; women’s health and childbearing for the FNP;  primary health care of children and their families; primary care procedures; and primary health care across the lifespan I-III.

MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Curriculum: The NNP curriculum comprises 43 credits plus 630 clinical hours. Specialization courses include advanced health assessment for the neonatal nurse practitioner; advanced practice procedures for the high-risk infant; genetics and embryology for the NNP; care of the child to age two; management of the high-risk newborn; and clinical integration for the neonatal nurse practitioner. 

MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP program comprises 47 credits plus 630 clinical hours. Specialization courses include advanced health assessment of the patient and family; psychopharmacology for advanced practice psychiatric nursing; psychiatric assessment and psychopathology across the lifespan; and psychiatric mental health advanced practice I-III.

Post-BSN-to-DNP Curriculum: The BSN-to-DNP program includes a total of 1,000 clinical hours and comprises the following credits: 

• Remote/rural FNP – 79
• NNP – 74
• PMHNP – 78 

Students complete the MSN portion of the program in their chosen specialization and move into the DNP APRN courses. These include theoretical applications for doctor of nursing practice; applied statistics; informatics; epidemiology and health promotion for populations; clinical research for the doctor of nursing practice; health policy analysis and development; health system decision-making; doctor of nursing practice project A-C;  application to practice clinical hours; and project defense.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: All specializations take the following core courses if not transferred: leadership and theoretical frameworks; research for evidence-based practice; ethics for nurse leaders; physiology and pathophysiology; pharmacology for advanced practice; professional integration; and healthcare policy and issues in practice. Specialty courses then follow those listed above for the MSN specializations.

The FNP certificate program comprises 30 to 35 credits. The NNP certificate program comprises 19 to 31 credits. The PMHNP certificate program comprises 26 to 36 credits. All specializations complete at least 630 clinical hours.

Online Experience: Regis University delivers synchronous online class sessions one day per week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. using the Zoom platform. Regis University also uses the D2L Brightspace learning management system (LMS) to manage and deliver online courses and materials. Students must have access to a computer with speakers, a high-speed internet connection, and a webcam. 

Nurse practitioner students use the Regis University Student Portal and D2L Brightspace for material and course management, submission of assignments, and faculty/peer communication. Online students can access the Dayton Memorial Library, the Center for Career and Professional Development, Student Disability Services, academic advising, admissions counseling, technical support, and virtual faculty office hours.

On-Site Requirements: Two on-campus intensives are required for students in the NNP programs. No campus visits are required for the other programs.