DNP- Lifestyle Medicine
Overview
A DNP in Lifestyle Medicine focuses on expanding the knowledge base of advanced practice nurses specifically in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention.
This online doctorate degree program is a post-master’s degree program available to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (APRNs) nationally certified in any specialty (including Family, Adult, Psychiatric Mental Health, Pediatric and Women’s Health) who would like to gain additional knowledge and competency in providing lifestyle-focused interventions in the care of patients with chronic illnesses.
Why Choose Lifestyle Medicine?
More than 86% of the nation’s healthcare costs are related to the treatment of preventable chronic diseases, with risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and alcohol abuse playing a huge role in the deterioration of health. Healthcare providers, considered the most trusted and credible sources of health care information, are in a unique position to change these statistics, by educating and inspiring their patients to change their unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based, inter-disciplinary approach that examines the biological, psychosocial, and environmental influences of a persons’ chronic physical and mental illness across the lifespan. This approach focuses on the importance of a whole food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connection in the treatment and reversal of chronic disease.
Graduates of the DNP in Lifestyle Medicine will be well-positioned to promote healthy behaviors as foundational to medical care and will have the knowledge and confidence to counsel their patients in nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle interventions and to empower them to take an active role in their care.
Available Pathways
Post Master's APRN to DNP in Lifestyle Medicine
How to Apply
Complete the Florida State University Graduate application. Upload all required admissions documents and video interview to the application.
FALL ADMISSION
APPLICATION DEADLINE
July 1st
Florida State University Graduate Application
Application Requirements
1. MSN degree from a nationally accredited program with an upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
2. Current APRN Certification (ANCC or AANP)
3. Official Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
4. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).*
5. Three (3) letters of recommendation.
6. Current CV or resume.
7. Essay (Writing Sample) answering the following questions:
- Tell us about your professional work experience as a nurse and other relevant professional experiences. Include leadership activities such as serving on committees, leading projects and involvement in professional associations.
- What are your career goals in Lifestyle Medicine and how will a DNP degree help you with your goals?
8. Record a video answering the questions below. The video should not be more than 5 minutes long answering all the questions.
- Tell us about your previous clinical or volunteer experiences? When have you had a direct impact on a patient’s life? Please include activities such as patient advocacy, involvement in professional associations or an instance you were a change agent to improve quality care delivery.
- What patient population are you most passionate about? Why? What are your thoughts about any health disparities affecting that group? As an DNP prepared nurse practitioner, how might you contribute in finding solutions to these issues?
- What is your research interest for your Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence based practice project?
GRE/MAT Waiver Criteria
The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following criteria:
- A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution.
- A completed BSN (60 hours of nursing or RN to BSN courses) with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution.
Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied.
Applicants with a competitive GRE or MAT score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to these additional criteria.
For those accredited institutions that are competency-based (no GPA assigned) the applicant must submit a GRE/MAT score.
*States where we can and cannot accept students
For more information on Graduate application process, contact Carlos Urrutia currutia@fsu.edu
For information regarding Tuition and Fees, visit https://studentbusiness.fsu.edu/tuition-fees
National Certifications
After completing the Lifestyle Medicine DNP track, students will be eligible to sit for the National Lifestyle Medicine Certification exam through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
