University of North Dakota Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Meet the Expert: Kris Hendrickx, DNP, ACNS, FLAGF

Dr. Kris Hendrickx is currently a clinical associate professor and chair of graduate nursing programs at the University of North Dakota. She earned her baccalaureate and master’s degrees from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, in adult health clinical nurse specialist and nursing education, and her DNP from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Hendrickx has held positions in higher education for more than 20 years. In addition to teaching for the University of North Dakota, she has taught at the College of St. Scholastica, the University of MN, and Augsburg College, focusing on health promotion, gerontology, management of chronic illness, and evidence-based practice. She also served as dean of allied health and nursing at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN. She is a certified adult health CNS with a focus on the management of chronic diseases and palliative care.

NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in North Dakota?

Dr. Hendrickx: I wish more people understood the essential roles that nurse practitioners play in meeting a variety of healthcare needs across North Dakota. Family nurse practitioners are often the primary care providers on the frontline, especially in rural areas. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are crucial in addressing our state’s growing mental health needs, and acute care nurse practitioners serve patients in hospital settings with a focus on clinical care.

NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?

Dr. Hendrickx: For students considering a nurse practitioner program, my advice is to take the time to explore the different nurse practitioner roles to find the one that aligns with your interests and strengths. Shadowing or speaking with practicing NPs in different specialties can offer valuable insight.

It’s also important to understand that these programs are rigorous and require a strong commitment, but the impact you can make is incredibly rewarding. And most importantly, don’t hesitate to reach out to faculty at the schools you’re considering and ask questions. We’re here to help guide you!

What to Expect from the University of North Dakota Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Admissions Requirements: Admission to the University of North Dakota online NP programs requires meeting both the university’s Graduate School and the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines criteria. No GMAT or GRE is required.

Common requirements include completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited nursing program, an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (typically over the last two years of undergraduate study), completion of a statistics course at the undergraduate or graduate level, current, unencumbered RN licensure valid in the United States, submission of official transcripts from all institutions attended, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a current resume, successful completion of an interview, and successful passage of a criminal background check. International students must provide proof of English language proficiency depending on where they earned their bachelor’s degree.

For DNP tracks, a minimum of one year of RN work experience is required. For post-graduate certificate programs, applicants must hold a graduate degree in nursing (MSN or DNP) with national certification in an advanced practice area and relevant clinical experience.

State Restrictions: The University of North Dakota has determined that the program meets licensure eligibility for North Dakota and Minnesota. Therefore, students from other states must inquire with their state board of nursing to determine licensure eligibility. UND accepts students from other states for online study; however, students should check with the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines at UND to determine program restrictions. The University of North Dakota is an NC-SARA participant.

Study Plan: The University of North Dakota’s online NP programs are designed to be flexible. The BSN-to-DNP tracks can be completed in about eight semesters with a full-time schedule or 11 semesters part-time. The MSN-FNP program is typically structured for part-time study and can be completed in seven semesters. Post-graduate certificates take as few as three to six semesters, depending on the certificate.

Most courses are delivered online, with a mix of asynchronous learning and some required live sessions. For the BSN-to-DNP-FNP and MSN-FNP programs, students visit the campus twice during the program. The PMHNP-DNP and the PMHNP certificate programs do not require campus visits, making them entirely online aside from clinical requirements.

UND offers clinical placement assistance. Please note that clinical placements may not be available in all states; therefore, students should check with the nursing department to verify placement possibilities.

Curriculum: In the BSN-to-DNP FNP track, students complete 83 credits through courses such as advanced pharmacology; advanced physiology and pathophysiology; health promotion; family-centered advanced practice nursing; management of health conditions in primary care; pharmacotherapeutics for primary care; advanced health assessment; maternal and child health in primary care; population health; role development of the nurse practitioner; evidence based research; health informatics; health policy; healthcare economics, finance and leadership; and the DNP capstone and project. Clinical practicum experiences are built into the track.

The PMHNP DNP program requires 85 credits and covers advanced pharmacology; advanced physiology and pathophysiology; health promotion; psych diagnostic reasoning; role development of the nurse practitioner; psychopharmacology; individual therapy; group and family therapies; advanced health assessment; population health; management of psychopathology; evidence based research; health informatics; health policy; healthcare economics, finance and leadership; advanced psychiatric clinical practicum experiences; integrated leadership DNP core concepts; DNP organizational systems focused practice; culture of safety and ethics; and advanced univariate statistics. Students also engage in a DNP capstone and project.

The MSN-FNP program comprises 49 credits, with courses in theories/concepts nursing; evidence for practice; advanced pharmacology; advanced pathophysiology; health promotion; ethical, legal and health policy issues; family centered advanced practice nursing; management of health conditions in primary care; pharmacotherapeutics for primary care; role development of the nurse practitioner; maternal and child health in primary care; advanced health assessment; and three progressive advanced clinical practicum courses.

For APRNs seeking additional certification, the AGACNP post-graduate certificate is a 22-credit program that includes diagnostics and therapeutics for acute care, two acute care courses, and intensive clinical practicum experiences.

The PMHNP post-graduate certificate is a 26-credit track, focusing on psych diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, management of psychopathology, and psychiatric clinical practicums.

Online Experience: UND delivers online courses through Blackboard. Coursework is asynchronous and 100 percent online. Some clinical and research courses include occasional live sessions for discussions and presentations. Modes of learning may include audio and video material, hands-on assignments, readings, and assessments. Student services include online library access, admissions counseling, career counseling, online tutoring services, writing help, and technical support.

On-Site Requirements: Most coursework in UND’s online nurse practitioner programs is completed remotely, but certain tracks include required campus visits. The FNP programs at both the DNP and MSN levels include two on-campus visits. In contrast, the PMHNP programs and post-graduate certificates are offered 100 percent online, with no campus visits required. All students complete clinical hours in approved healthcare settings near their home communities.

Paying for the University of North Dakota Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

The University of North Dakota online nursing program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should contact UND’s Department of Nursing for current tuition costs, as tuition may change from year to year.

The University of North Dakota offers federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans according to the FAFSA. Nursing students may wish to check with their employers to see if they qualify for a tuition reimbursement program. University of North Dakota students may also seek outside opportunities for funding, such as community scholarships and grants.

Farheen Gani

Writer

Farheen Gani is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).