Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice

Become a Yale DNP

Enhance your clinical skills and contribute to better health for all

Yale School of Nursing's hybrid Clinical DNP program empowers advanced practice nurses to elevate their clinical expertise, lead transformative change, and improve patient care at every level—from individuals to entire healthcare systems. With a hybrid format that combines online learning with in-person experiences, this program blends Yale’s tradition of innovation and social justice with hands-on clinical mentorship and interprofessional collaboration.

Why the Yale Clinical DNP program?

Globally Recognized Academic Excellence

YSN is consistently ranked among the top nursing schools in the United States and globally. Earning a DNP from Yale enhances career mobility and positions graduates as thought leaders in the nursing profession.

Customized, Impactful Clinical Projects

Students design and implement a high-impact DNP project that addresses a real-world healthcare challenge, drawing on the resources and support of Yale’s renowned research institutions and clinical practice settings.

World-Class Faculty and Clinical Mentorship

Learn from Yale’s distinguished faculty and clinical leaders who are at the forefront of nursing research, policy advocacy, and clinical practice innovation. Work alongside them as you develop your own portfolio of advanced clinical skills.

Commitment to Equity and Public Health

With a focus on health equity, graduates are equipped to advocate for policy changes and create innovative care models that address healthcare disparities and improve access for all populations.

Leadership in Healthcare Transformation

The Clinical DNP at YSN prepares nurses to lead evidence-based initiatives that improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and healthcare system efficiency, with a focus on advancing care in underserved and vulnerable populations.

Unparalleled Academic Support

Yale DNP students can access a range of support services tailored to help you succeed academically and personally. From academic advising to mental health resources, we are committed to your well-being and success in the program.

What skills will you learn in the Clinical DNP?

Evidence-based practice model change initiatives
Quality improvement/performance management projects
Analysis of policy problems
Development of tools for advocacy
Design, evaluation and implementation of new models of care
Policy/practice case report and analysis
Implementation and evaluation of innovative uses for technology to enhance or evaluate care

How to collaborate with researchers to answer clinical questions
Working towards legislative change using evidence
Financial analyses to compare care models and potential savings
Design and use of databases to retrieve information for decision making, planning, and evaluation
How to work with lay or professional coalitions to develop, implement, or evaluate health programs, such as health promotion, and disease prevention programs for vulnerable patients, groups or communities

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

The Post-Master’s Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed for Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) who have graduated from a MSN program and are interested in pursuing a program to enhance their clinical innovation skills and develop a clinical area of expertise in their practice area.

How do I apply?

All applicants to the Clinical DNP must submit an application via NursingCAS, the centralized application service for nursing schools and programs. You'll need to submit an application, official transcripts from all institutions you've attended, a personal statement, resume/CV, and 3 letters of recommendation. For a complete list of requirements and deadlines, please visit the How to Apply page.

How much does it cost?

Tuition for the Yale DNP is approximately $34,000 per academic year, and the program requires three years to complete. For a comprehensive breakdown, visit the tuition and fees page.

What does hybrid delivery mean?

The Yale DNP is a hybrid program, providing our students – who typically have full time jobs and are geographically widespread – with the flexibility and benefit of both online and on-campus learning. Through on-campus classes and synchronous online follow-up, students develop meaningful, lasting relationships with their cohort and faculty members.

Is financial aid available?

YSN offers a comprehensive program of need-based and merit-based scholarships to both domestic and international students. Consideration for these awards is typically made as part of the regular application for admission and no separate application is required. For more information on financial aid options, please email the financial aid office at ysn.financialaid@yale.edu.

Meet the Clinical DNP Program Director

Joanne DeSanto Iennaco, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, FFNMRCSI

joanne.iennaco@yale.edu

Joanne DeSanto Iennaco is a Professor of Nursing and Psychiatry at Yale University and the Director of the Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Yale School of Nursing. She holds a PhD in chronic disease epidemiology from Yale’s School of Public Health, with a research focus on the impact of aggression exposure on healthcare workers in psychiatric and hospital settings. As the U.S. lead on the international PERoPA-Study, she collaborates with researchers from several countries to investigate nursing managers' perceptions of patient and visitor aggression. In addition, Professor Iennaco plays a key role as a clinical interventionist in mental health research, leading groups for studies on behavioral therapy and insomnia.

A dual-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, she is recognized for her contributions to the field through prestigious honors, including Fellowships in the American Academy of Nursing and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She has received numerous accolades such as the Dorothy Sexton Mentorship Award and the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. Beyond her academic and clinical work, she serves on several boards and committees, including the Connecticut Health Policy Project and the Yale-China Association, and is actively involved in organizations such as the European Violence in Psychiatry Research Group, Sigma Theta Tau International, and the Society for Epidemiologic Research.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Yale DNP Journey?

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