Become a transformative nurse executive with Duke’s Executive Leadership DNP.
Duke University School of Nursing’s Executive Leadership DNP track and post-DNP Executive Leadership Specialty (ELS) empower experienced nurse executives to navigate the complexities of today’s health care landscape. Our executive leadership programs equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently lead and transform health care organizations.
Aspiring nurse leaders benefit from high-quality online courses and interactive on-campus intensives that foster engagement with faculty and colleagues, all of whom have extensive nurse leadership experience. You’ll gain the expertise to tackle modern health care challenges head-on, while developing the leadership vision to shape a better future for patients and health care systems. This format caters to working professionals, allowing you to balance your studies with your demanding career.
Building on your strong nursing foundation, our executive leadership curriculum addresses critical health care challenges and challenges you to develop innovative solutions. By earning your Executive Leadership DNP in just 21 months (five semesters) or the ELS in one year, you’ll be prepared to make a lasting impact as a clinical scholar, patient advocate and influential leader in health care.
#3
Best Nursing Schools DNP Leadership
Equipping accomplished nurse leaders with the knowledge and skills to lead complex, ever-changing organizations and healthcare systems. Providing accelerated, high-quality programs with flexible online courses that facilitate the needs of working students while allowing for substantive engagement with colleagues and faculty.
Executive Leadership DNP Highlights
Duke University doesn’t just offer exceptional nursing education, we create exceptional nurse executives. We go beyond rankings to focus on the experiences that make our Executive Leadership DNP and specialty programs truly transformative:
Balance work and studies:
Our executive leadership programs are designed for busy professionals. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge through interactive online courses, allowing you to manage your studies alongside work and other commitments. Additionally, DNP students build strong connections with small, supportive cohorts during on-campus intensives. You can even complete your DNP project at your workplace.
Hands-on, executive-level curriculum:
Prepare for real-world challenges by collaborating with classmates to develop and implement innovative solutions. Personalize your learning by tackling a pressing health care issue through a project that makes a meaningful impact on patients, organizations or the broader health care system.
What Can You Do With a DNP Leadership Degree or Specialty?
Duke’s Executive Leadership DNP and specialty equip nurse executives with advanced qualifications to excel in leadership roles in diverse health care settings. With a focus on nurse leadership, our program positions you for success by providing:
- Advanced leadership expertise: Deepen your leadership skills through our cutting-edge classes and then apply what you learn to real-world settings. With our ELS program, you’ll acquire the advanced tools and expertise you need to manage departments or pursue executive roles within health care organizations.
- Interprofessional collaboration: Learn to work effectively with physicians, administrators, policymakers and other health care professionals to improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall quality of care.
- A focus on quality improvement and patient safety: Use data analytics and evidence-based practices to implement changes that optimize patient outcomes and organizational performance.
- Preparation for challenging health care environments: Become an effective leader who can navigate challenges in an increasingly complex health care system. Duke’s executive nurse leadership program prepares you to address issues such as health care disparities and population health management.
The demand for skilled nursing and health care leaders is booming. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for medical and health services managers to grow up to 28% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country.
While exact figures vary depending on location, experience, area of expertise and other factors, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $110,680 for medical and health services managers, with the highest 10% earning more than $216,750. Our executive leadership program qualifies you more lucrative opportunities at the top end of this range.
Program Director
Barbara Turner
PhD, RN, FAAN
A retired colonel from the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Dr. Barbara Turner established Duke’s Center for Nursing Research and served as Associate Dean for Research. Her research focuses on nursing interventions for critically ill newborns. Dr. Turner is active in professional organizations and consults nationally on accreditations and grant writing. She transitioned from a military career to nurse leadership, maintaining a passion for teaching doctoral students.
Learn more about Barbara Turner: Scholars@Duke
Meet Our DNP Faculty
Our faculty are renowned scholars who are passionate about igniting a lifelong love of learning in their students. This diverse group fosters a global mindset, empowering you to excel in nurse leadership to confidently solve tomorrow’s health care challenges.
The Duke Difference
Earn your Duke nursing degree or certificate while you continue to work.
Discover our unwavering focus on creating innovative, nurse-led models of care.
Learn from experts in distance-based and hybrid education for over 20 years.
Learn & practice at one of the most advanced health systems in the world.
Our faculty are leaders in their field, with real world clinical experience.
We have exceptional students, learning alongside talented & dedicated classmates.
Executive Leadership DNP Admissions
To qualify for our DNP program, you’ll need a master’s degree in health care leadership from a nationally accredited CCNE or ACEN program with at least five years’ experience in nurse leadership. Candidates must also be currently licensed as a registered nurse.
If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.
Student Testimonials
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I was excited to become a nurse because I knew that there were many options in the career and I could use it to help in a variety of settings, even overseas. Nursing allows one to enter the most intimate times of people’s lives and support them there.
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At that point in my career, I only had rudimentary medical knowledge; however, witnessing the administration of pain-relieving anesthetic to this wounded soldier was moving. From that impactful day forward, I knew becoming a CRNA was in my future.
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Duke University School of Nursing was my first option when I decided to pursue my PhD in Nursing, mostly because of the prestige of the school. I was initially skeptical about applying because I felt I wasn’t good enough to gain admission into such a prestigious school, but my initial conversations with some of the professors in the school changed my mind. The availability of the funding also provided an added incentive especially for an international student.
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Reflecting on my academic and career path today, I can confidently say that becoming a nurse and, subsequently, a nurse practitioner, has been the right decision. This rewarding journey has allowed me to fulfill my calling and make a positive impact on the lives of those I care for, bringing me immense satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for DNP Students
The Duke DNP Leadership degree isn’t just an educational credential; it’s a powerful investment in your future and the future of health care. We recognize the financial commitment involved, and Duke is dedicated to making your journey more attainable. We offer a variety of financial aid options for DNP students, including select merit- and need-based scholarships and federal loan opportunities.
Note: Federal financial aid and scholarships from Duke School of Nursing are not available for specialty certificate students.
Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships