Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

DNP School of Nursing graduates class of 2025 in front of Hahn School of Nursing

Top Graduate Nursing Program

#1 DNP Program in San Diego County

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of San Diego is ranked among the top graduate nursing programs in the nation for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report and is the #1 DNP program in San Diego County. Designed for nurses ready to advance their clinical expertise and leadership impact, the DNP prepares graduates to translate evidence into practice, lead across complex health care systems, and improve patient and population health outcomes.

DNP Programs

The University of San Diego offers multiple pathways to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, designed to meet nurses at different stages of their professional journey. Whether you are advancing from a BSN, MSN, or post-master’s preparation, each pathway emphasizes advanced clinical leadership, evidence-based practice implementation, and measurable systems impact.

BSN to DNP NP

BSN to DNP CNS

Post-MSN to DNP

Guide

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Guide Book

Download the DNP Program Guide to explore curriculum details, pathway options, admission requirements, clinical expectations, and scholarly project information. This comprehensive resource is designed to help you understand how USD’s DNP program supports advanced clinical leadership and practice transformation.

Download the eGuide

Pursuing DNP

Advance your clinical expertise while developing systems-level leadership skills.
Strengthen your ability to translate research into measurable practice improvements.
Lead quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient safety and care delivery.
Expand your influence in healthcare policy, population health, and organizational strategy.
Collaborate with faculty mentors and peers in a supportive doctoral learning community.
Graduate prepared to drive sustainable change in complex healthcare environments.

Meet the DNP/NP Director

Laura Truman, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC is an ANCC board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) since 2010. She is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. 

Dr. Truman received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Baylor University in 1998. She received her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) in 2010 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) in 2023 at the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Meet with Dr. Truman

Dr. Roque is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Roque’s areas of interest are underserved populations with severe mental illness, those living with bipolar illness, and psychopharmacology.

Dr. Roque has experience with the treatment of tardive dyskinesia, GAD, PTSD, OCD, depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorders. She has been published in Issues of Mental Health Nursing, Medical Hypotheses, Journal of Nurse Practitioners, Current Psychiatry, and the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing.

Meet with Dr. Roque

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