What is a DNP?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree that prepares nurses for advanced roles in clinical practice and leadership within healthcare organizations.
Registered nurses can enter a DNP program after completing a bachelor’s degree (BSN to DNP Program) or a master’s degree (MSN to DNP Program). Often, DNP programs can be completed in a hybrid model (on campus and remote) or as an online DNP program.
A DNP refers to the degree or level of education one has obtained, while an NP refers to a certification and job title. A nurse practitioner (NP) can hold a master’s degree (MSN) or a doctoral degree (DNP).
Do I need a DNP?
As you progress through your nursing career, it is important to identify your professional career goals.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs provide leadership training and teach skills that allow nurses to practice at the highest level of nursing in order to improve patient outcomes and apply research to clinical practice.
DNP programs equip nurses with a strong understanding of research and nursing science in order to implement it into clinical practice. You become the bridge between newly developed nursing research and evidence to directly impact clinical practice (aka the patients).
DNP nurses hold the highest level of education in nursing practice, placing these nurses on equal ground with other doctoral-prepared multidisciplinary team members (e.g…, pharmacists, physical therapists, and psychologists).
A DNP degree is likely to become the entry-level preparation for NPs by 2025. This was first proposed by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties in 2018 and was reinforced in the organization’s most recent statement in April 2023. Getting a DNP now may provide job security in the future if educational standards change.
A DNP allows you to work at new levels of healthcare that you previously may not have been qualified for. This is extremely valuable, given the constant evolution in healthcare.
What is the difference between a DNP and a Ph.D.?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) are terminal degrees, which refer to the highest academic degree for nursing as a discipline.
A DNP is a doctoral degree focused on clinical practice, whereas a Ph.D. is a doctoral degree focused on conducting research.
DNP – Careers in nursing leadership and administration in clinical and non-clinical areas of healthcare. Students learn how to interpret nursing research and apply it to clinical practice. Students also use evidence to solve clinical problems and conduct scholarly projects related to quality improvement or compliance. Additionally, students learn high-level organizational skills such as program management, healthcare administration, and health policy.
Careers in leadership in a variety of health care settings as administrators, nurse practitioners, or health care executives. Professional titles in the hospital setting include but are not limited to chief nursing officers or director-level nursing positions. DNP nurses also hold positions in the academic setting and academic titles such as assistant professor.
Ph.D. – Students learn to develop and conduct nursing research, lead research teams, develop nursing theory, and contribute to the body of knowledge in nursing and health sciences. Research findings are disseminated through scholarly publications, presentations, and teaching in clinical and academic environments.
Careers in leadership and scientific research. Often, these nurses hold leadership positions in academic and clinical settings. Professional titles include but are not limited to assistant professor, manager of clinical research unit, faculty instructor, post-doctoral fellow, program director, co-founder, and chief nursing officer.
Scholarship is highly valued in both the DNP and Ph.D. academic preparation. DNP students develop, implement, and present a scholarly project for program completion. Ph.D. in Nursing students conduct research and defend a dissertation. Both doctoral-prepared nurses are trained to lead multidisciplinary teams to address healthcare issues.
Top 5 DNP Programs in the US for 2023
At Johns Hopkins, you can pursue a DNP in Nurse Practitioner Clinical and Executive Tracks. Areas of clinical focus include Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP*, Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP*, Family Primary Care NP*, Pediatric Primary Care NP*, Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care NP*, and Nurse Anesthesia. (*Online program with onsite immersions). DNP Executive tracts include a DNP Executive degree and a DNP Executive/MBA/MPH Dual Degree.
The post-baccalaureate DNP prepares nurses (RNs) or advanced practice nurses (APRNs) to provide comprehensive care to patients. Post-BS DNP specialties are Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program (AG-ACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program (AG-PCNP), Anesthesia Program (ANES), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program, Midwifery Program, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH).
Duke University offers pathways for BSN, MSN, and Nurse Anesthesia students who want to earn a DNP starting in the fall and spring terms. The program also offers a DNP Executive Leadership specialty.
Rush University offers DNP Degrees for Adult-Gero Acute Care Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Adult-Gero Acute Care Nursing Nurse Practitioner (NP), Adult-Gero Primary Care Nursing, Anesthesia Nursing, Family Nursing NP, Neonatal Nursing CNS, Neonatal Nursing NPr, Pediatric Acute Care Nursing NP, Primary Care Pediatric Nursing CNS, Primary care Pediatric Nursing NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing NP, Public Health Nursing, Transformative Leadership: Population Health Nursing, and Transformative Leadership Systems Nursing.
The University of Washington offers DNP programs in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Pediatric NP Acute Care, Pediatric NP Primary Care, Population Health and Systems Leadership, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Women’s Health CNS. You can learn more about the DNP programs through online information sessions.
Learn more at USNews 2023-2024 Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
