Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) in Executive Leadership

Take Leadership to the Next Level with an Individualized D.N.P.

Benedictine University’s D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program prepares you to drive innovation and serve in high-ranking roles that impact the future of nursing and health care delivery.

In the D.N.P. program, online courses extend your nursing expertise through a competency-based curriculum aligned to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2021) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education.

When you make the choice to earn your online degree from Benedictine University, you choose to not compromise. Your career stays on track as you balance online classes with work and you graduate with enhanced skills and a degree from a prestigious and historic university. Compromise is not in our vocabulary…nor should it be in yours.

Online Classes, In-Person Clinical

24-26 Months

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Explore Critical Health Care Issues in our D.N.P. Leadership Degree

Move through the D.N.P.’s 12 courses by demonstrating your skills rather than taking exams. Develop expertise aligned to core competencies from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2021).

AONL Aligned

Benedictine’s D.N.P. program curriculum is also aligned with competencies from the American Organization of Nursing Leaders (AONL).

Dedicated Faculty

Supportive faculty help you develop a personalized approach to the D.N.P. and advise you throughout the program.

Placement Assistance

Receive help finding a clinical placement convenient for you. Many students find placements at their workplaces.

Open Doors to Exciting Nursing Careers

Become a nurse executive and leader in diverse fields and settings, such as administration, education, government, management and more. Benedictine’s D.N.P. leadership degree also helps you pursue one of the highest-ranking nursing positions: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

Jobs You Can Pursue with a D.N.P. in Executive Leadership

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) $147,532 Average base salary1

Director of Patient Care Services $115,496 Average base salary2

Director of Nursing $100,887 Average base salary3

Clinical Operations Director $99,525 Average base salary4

Engage with Your Education

With a focus on usability and design, our online learning framework–Engage Learning Management System (LMS)—is built according to industry best practices and is always improving. It’s easy to use, facilitates communication through live chat with faculty and classmates, and gives you an increased social presence.

Connect to Your Future

Learning online may not feel like a traditional college experience because it’s not. The curriculum mirrors that of an on-campus program and the professors are the same. But online learning gives you more say in how earning your degree fits into your already busy life. You determine how to balance your online program with work, family and other commitments. BenU gives you all the student support and career-related services you’d find on campus. Connecting to your future online may be the best choice for you.

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Sources

  1. Payscale. “Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary.” January 6, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.
  2. Payscale. “Average Director of Patient Care Services Salary.” September 19, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.
  3. Payscale. “Average Director, Nursing Salary.” January 10, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.
  4. Payscale. “Average Clinical Operations Director Salary.” December 3, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.