The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the Hunter College School of Nursing currently offers three specialization tracks:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) *Open to certified FNPs only
Specialization Roles
Learn more about the unique roles of the DNP and the DNP specializations offered by HBSON in the table below.
- Role of DNPs
- AGPCNP
- PMHNP
- FNP
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Role of DNPs
The changing demands of the nation's complex health care environment require that nurses serving in specialty positions have the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise possible. The DNP curriculum builds on traditional clinical master's programs by providing additional education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems leadership and other content areas that will lead to improved clinical outcomes in complex systems.
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Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners engage in primary care as providers of direct health care services. This includes practice in health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention. AGPCNPs employ evidence-based clinical practice to screen and identify health promotion needs, provide guidance and counseling to meet patient needs, diagnose typical and atypical health problems and illnesses, develop and implement treatment plans, and direct and coordinate other aspects of clinical service delivery within an integrated system of health care.
The focus of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP) is to provide patient-centered, quality care across the entire age spectrum of the adult-gerontology population, including adolescents and young adults, adults, and older adults. The graduate of an AGPCNP program is prepared to provide comprehensive services across the continuum of care from wellness to illness that is characterized by a long-term relationship between the patient and AGPCNP. While AGPCNPs often practice in ambulatory and community-based settings, the scope of practice is not setting-specific and is more based on patient health care needs.
Source: AACN (2016). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care And Primary Care NP Competencies (PDF).
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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The PMHNP focuses on individuals across the lifespan (infancy through old age), families, and populations across the lifespan at risk for developing and/or having a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or mental health problems. The PHMNP provides primary mental health care to patients seeking mental health services in a wide range of settings.
Primary mental health care provided by the PMHNP involves relationship-based, continuous and comprehensive services, necessary for the promotion of optimal mental health, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders and health maintenance. This includes assessment, diagnosis, and management of mental health and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
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Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)*
*The FNP program at HBSON is open only to individuals currently certified as Family Nurse Practitioners at the master's level.The graduate of an FNP program is prepared to care for individuals and families across the lifespan. The FNP role includes preventative healthcare, as well as the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness and preventative health care for individuals and families. Family nurse practitioners demonstrate a commitment to family-centered care and understand the relevance of the family's identified community in the delivery of family-centered care.
Course of Study by Specialization
Explore the DNP course of study by specialization here.
How to Apply
First, please carefully review our DNP program admission requirements. Information on the application process is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.