What Is a DNP Degree (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

What Is a DNP Degree (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
writer
Written by Emily Harper Published on October 8, 2024

Emily is a creative wordsmith who knows how to make complex things simple. She's here to support students in their academic journeys.

Table of contents

The US population is aging rapidly, and chronic diseases are becoming a major burden on the medical system, increasing the number of annual hospital stays and lengthening their duration. Considering these trends, the nursing staff requirements are expected to grow by 45% in the next ten years. At the same time, nursing standards become more demanding, calling not only for practical patient care capabilities but also for research skills and the development and use of evidence-based techniques and protocols. For now, a Master’s degree is required for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), though the licensing bodies may soon require all APRN applicants to obtain a DNP degree first.

Who Is a DNP? 

Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal practice-based degree in the nursing field focusing on advanced techniques, protocols, and skills. Unlike research-based Ph.D. programs, the DNP curriculum is less about theory, research, data analysis, and statistics and more about improving patient outcomes or other measurable nursing deliverables. 

It’s also important to remember that DNP is not a position, title, or function. It is an academic degree that can help you achieve the desired career growth or open new opportunities. 

Most Popular Nursing Schools with Online DNP Programs

Colleges do not offer advanced post-graduate programs, but most universities with a nursing track do. Among those, there are a few dozen online DNP programs. We’ve found at least ten solid options for you to consider:

  1. Aspen University - https://www.aspen.edu/nursing/dnp/
  2. Jacksonville State University - http://www.jsu.edu/nursing/DNP/index.html
  3. Johns Hopkins University - https://nursing.jhu.edu/academics/programs/doctoral/dnp/
  4. Rush University - https://www.rushu.rush.edu/college-nursing/programs-admissions/family-nurse-practitioner-dnp
  5. University of Missouri - https://nursing.missouri.edu/academic-programs/dnp/
  6. University of North Georgia - https://ung.edu/degrees/graduate/nursing-practice-dnp.php
  7. University of South Alabama - https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/con/dnp/
  8. University of Virginia - https://www.nursing.virginia.edu/academics/dnp/
  9. University of Washington - https://nursing.uw.edu/programs/degree/dnp-fnp/
  10. Walden University - https://info.waldenu.edu/walden-programs/nursing/doctoral/doctor-of-nursing-practice-d-n-p/at-a-glance

These ten schools offer a wide range of programs when it comes to duration and cost. The shortest programs are around 30 credit hours, while the longest is over 70 credit hours. The program costs range from under $10,000 to over $40,000 for the full program, with out-of-state costs being two or three times higher than in-state prices.  

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Structure

Each Nursing school is free to develop a unique curriculum. However, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends all schools include eight critical components in every program:

  1. Scientific foundation of nursing practice
  2. Systems and organizational nursing leadership
  3. Evidence-based nursing practice and analytics
  4. Medical technology for patient care and medical IT systems
  5. Healthcare policy advocacy
  6. Cross-disciplinary collaboration
  7. Preventative clinical and population healthcare
  8. Advanced nursing practice

Aside from a set number of credit hours, each DNP program includes a practical component of around 1,000 clinical hours to help you put newly acquired knowledge to good use.

The culmination of a DNP program is a final project, though it’s very different from a Ph.D. dissertation. Instead of conducting research and nursing essay writing a manuscript, you can create a practice portfolio, a policy change proposal, a quality improvement project, a systematic review, a pilot study, etc. Ideally, the final project should either reflect your study or career trajectory.

Where Do DNPs Work?

DNP holders usually obtain positions in medical facilities. The two common tracks include:

  1. Advanced practice nursing. After getting a DNP, nurses can become nurse practitioners for maximum independence in diagnosing and treating patients. They can also hold specialized APRN posts in midwifery or anesthesiology.
  2. Administrative track. Upon completing a program with a focus on leadership, DNP nurses can hold supervising or administrative positions in hospitals, care facilities, etc. They can also work on changing policies, managing medical staff, or providing organizational health support.

Setting your career goals before applying to a DNP program will help you choose the right school and curriculum.

Difference Between DNP and Ph.D. 

Doctor of Nursing Practice and Philosophy Doctor in Nursing are both advanced, terminal degrees, meaning they are equally impressive, and there is no higher education level above either of them. Moreover, both DNPs and Ph.Ds. should be referred to as ‘doctors’, making things even more confusing.

The difference lies in the mission and goals of the programs, the outcomes achieved, and potential future applications. For example, DNP programs focus on achieving advanced practical skills for nursing leaders or administrators, and these competencies are achieved through the curriculum we’ve discussed above. Ph.D. programs focus on independent research skills and are more suited for those interested in research or teaching positions.

FAQ

1. What do you call a nurse with a doctorate degree?

You can call them Doctors, though the moniker only applies to their advanced degree and doesn’t make them medical doctors. It is an important distinction that should be made obvious.

2. What can you do with a doctoral degree in nursing?

There are several avenues open to a DNP nurse, including leadership or administrative positions in the hospitals, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse positions according to your specialization. And Ph.D. holders can take on research roles.

3. Why do nurses get a DNP?

For some, a Nursing doctorate is a requirement; for others, it’s a way to access new career opportunities and a pay raise. Besides, a DNP program provides a set of advanced competencies necessary for some nursing positions.

4. Which is better: a DNP or a Ph.D. in Nursing?

That depends entirely on your career plans. If you’re keen on devoting your life to research or teaching, a Ph.D. is a more suitable option. However, if you’d like to hold a leadership role in a hospital or climb up the management ladder, a DNP is the best choice.

5. What is the salary of a DNP?

The DNP meaning is a degree, not a position, so you won’t find data on the average DNP salary. The specific number depends on the position. However, nurse practitioners with a Master’s degree earn between $100,000 and $200,000, with a median salary of over $120,000 (as of May 2021), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6. How to Get a DNP?

You can complete a BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP program that allows you to combine your Bachelor's or Master-level classes with a DNP component and gain the terminal degree faster. However, the workload in these programs is significantly higher. You can also get into a post-master's DNP program if you need to take a break from your studies and complete a DNP capstone project.

7. Can a DNP be called a doctor?

Yes, as a DNP holds a doctorate in Nursing Practice, they can be called a doctor. However, it is important to clarify they are not a medical doctor but rather a holder of advanced nursing degrees.

8. Can a DNP diagnose?

If a nurse practitioner (NP) holds a DNP, they may possess the “full practice” status, approved across the DC and 22 states. In this case, a DNP can assess, diagnose, and choose appropriate treatments and interventions. On its own, a doctorate of Nursing Practice does not provide nurses with the license to diagnose patients.

9. How many years is a DNP degree?

Post-baccalaureate programs are 3 to 4 years of full-time studies on average. Post-Master programs are more flexible and based on the nurse’s prior experience. They usually last 12 to 24 months.