# Doctor of Nursing
**Source**: https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/doctor-of-nursing/
**Parent**: https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/news/
## **Building Leaders in Nursing Science**
Nurses are rising to meet the challenge of a continuously shifting healthcare landscape. Through research and innovation, nurses can redefine health care and nursing education. This is Nursing in Action.
[Apply Now](https://admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply/)
[How to Apply](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/how-to-apply-doctor-of-nursing/)
**Applications open: November 1 | Application deadline: April 30**
[View a previous program info session](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/how-to-apply/#ProgramInfoSessions)
[Sign up for our email list](https://mailchi.mp/utoronto.ca/2025)
## What you will learn:
- Develop skills in translating research into practice
- Apply research knowledge in decision-making, and implementation of clinical innovations to make an impact on health care systems, improving care delivery and advancing nurse education & scholarship
## Program Overview & Objectives
The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing (DN) degree provides a formal, academic credential and competitive edge for those looking to advance their nursing careers in complex and changing healthcare systems or education settings.
### Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing program are prepared for:
- Executive leadership roles in healthcare – Chief Executive Officers, Vice-Presidents of Nursing Practice
- Mid and senior-level leadership roles in government, policy, and professional associations
- Leadership roles in government, regulation, policy, quality and safety science
- Teaching roles in nursing education programs
## Program Format
#### **Full-time Hybrid**
Students will complete the program in eight consecutive sessions **(three years)**.
Combining on-campus experiences with online coursework, students learn with a blend of innovative online courses and intensive residencies. This hybrid model is tailored for students who have considerable professional experience and work commitments. A balance of online and in-person learning, both synchronous and asynchronous, allows for mentorship with faculty who are engaged in senior leadership positions and creates a community of learning for students.
## Courses
The DN program totals 5.0 full course equivalents (FCEs) and includes:
**Three required doctoral courses:**
### [Leadership: Health Services and Education](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1301h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1301H
### [Implementation Science: Health Services & Education](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1302h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1302H
### [Health Policy in Nursing Practice & Education](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1303h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1303H
- 2 hours/ week
**One elective doctoral course relevant to the student’s focus such as:**
Using Population Health Data to Inform Decision Making; Informatics and Technologies for Practice Advancement; Equity and Ethics in Health Care and Education; Evaluation Science; Pedagogy and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
**Four DN seminar courses:**
### [DN Seminar 1](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1311h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1311H
### [DN Seminar 2: Literature Review (Year 1, Term 2)](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1312h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1312H
### [DN Seminar 3: Thesis Proposal](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1313h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1313H
### [DN Seminar 4: Advanced Doctoral Nursing Practice](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/course/nur1314h/)
Course Code(s)
: - NUR1314H
**Two Internships**
## Internships
- DN students are required to complete two internships.
- Students are required to develop clear realistic goals, learning objectives, and identify expected outputs in advance of each internship/practicum.
- The Internship evaluation will comprise a self-assessment, mentor evaluation, and faculty evaluation.
## Residencies
- Students will be required to participate in three on-campus residencies. Each residency is normally three days in length and takes place during April-May each year.
- Residencies provide an opportunity for students to present their own work and progress, meet with each other, their thesis supervision committee, our faculty members, and inspiring nurse leaders.
## Thesis
### **Students must also complete:**
A **literature review paper** (including published and peer-reviewed research, gray literature, policies, guidelines etc.) that clearly demonstrates the student’s ability to review, analyze and synthesize relevant material to be completed by the end of Term 3 (Year 1) and judged as Satisfactory by the Thesis Committee.
A written **DN thesis proposal** to be completed by the end of Term 5 (Year 2) and judged as Satisfactory by the Thesis Committee.
### Working with a DN supervisor, the student will:
- identify and investigate a current challenge in health care or nursing education
- articulate and apply theory and research to the problem
- design strategies for action to address the problem
- report on strategies implemented to address the problem
- analyze results
- make recommendations for the relevant setting
## Doctor of Nursing Symposium
A required on-site DN symposium is held during the final term of the program. This symposium brings all students in the cohort together to present their DN theses as well as to discuss Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) plans for implementing their innovations in practice, policy and/ or education. Faculty members, nursing leaders and mentors involved with the program attend and participate in the symposium as guest speakers, providing students with another opportunity to connect with, and learn from, world-class nursing leaders. Students complete their thesis and final oral exam after the symposium.
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## See yourself in our program
## Anjelica Martinez
Summer nursing internship in Abu Dhabi provides unique opportunity to explore international nursing experience
[Read her story](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/news-bulletin/summer-nursing-internship-in-abu-dhabi-provides-unique-student-experience/)
## Summer Lee
“We are all in this together” – Nursing grad aims to advocate for future nurses
[Read Summer’s Story](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/news-bulletin/we-are-all-in-this-together-nursing-grad-aims-to-advocate-for-future-nurses/)
## **Jinal Patel**
A chance to make a difference – New nursing students share inspiration for joining nursing profession
[Read Jinal’s Story](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/news-bulletin/a-chance-to-make-a-difference-new-nursing-students-share-inspiration-for-joining-nursing-profession/)
## Meet the team
Bloomberg Nursing prides itself on providing our students with expert faculty in the field of nursing innovation and science. You will learn directly from nurses and nurse practitioners with a variety of clinical backgrounds.
### [Edith Hillan, RN, PhD, FAAN, FCAN](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/edith-hillan/)
Professor
### [Linda Johnston, PhD, FEANS, FCAHS, FAAN](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/linda-johnston/)
Professor
### [Monica Parry, MEd, MSc, NP-Adult, PhD, FAAN, FAHA, FCAN, FPCNA](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/monica-parry/)
Professor
### [Elizabeth Peter, RN, PhD, FAAN, FCAN](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/elizabeth-peter/)
Professor
### [Martine Puts, RN, PhD, FAAN, FCAN](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/martine-puts/)
Professor \
Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Care of Frail Older Adults
### [Robyn Stremler, RN, PhD, FCAN, FAASM, FAAN](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/robyn-stremler/)
Dean and Professor
### [Kimberley Widger, RN, PhD, CHPCN(C), FAAN, FCAN](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/profile/kimberley-widger/)
Associate Dean, Academic \
Professor \
Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Pediatric Palliative Care
## Related Programs
Undergraduate
### Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Our accelerated, two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program opens the door to a long and rewarding career in health care.
[Learn More](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/)
Length
: Two Years
Delivery Format
: In-Person
Graduate
### Master of Nursing
Our Master of Nursing program prepares nurses to be professional leaders in their chosen advanced practice field.
[Learn More](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/masters-programs/)
Length
: Two Years Full-time
Delivery Format
: Online, Hybrid, In-Person
Graduate
### Post-Master Nurse Practitioner Diploma
A program designed for nurses who have completed a Master’s degree, preparing them for NP roles.
[Learn More](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/post-master-nurse-practitioner-diploma-pmnp/)
Length
: Two Years Part-time
Delivery Format
: Online, Hybrid, In-Person
Graduate
### Collaborative Specializations for Master’s and Doctoral Students
Providing a multidisciplinary experience that enhances student expertise in their chosen graduate degree.
[Learn More](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/collaborative-specializations/)
Delivery Format
: Online, Hybrid, In-Person
Graduate
### Doctor of Philosophy
Building leaders in nursing science. The PhD program prepares scholars to lead the way in innovative health care policy, practice, and research.
[Learn More](https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/learn-with-us/doctor-of-philosophy/)
Length
: Four Years Full-time
Delivery Format
: In-Person