Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Overview
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesA doctor of nursing practice (DNP) offers the highest level of clinical nursing education and can create many new job opportunities for nurses. It takes 3-4 years to complete a DNP and an additional 30-90 credits (based on the program requirements and degree level you’ve achieved).
Nurses who pursue a DNP could earn an annual salary of $107,000 or more, according to Payscale data from July 2022. DNP specialties include nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse anesthetist, and nurse midwife.
Opportunities With an DNP
Earning a DNP offers many benefits for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including:
- 1
Marketability
Those with a DNP can assume roles previously held by physicians, as our healthcare system changes.
- 2
Higher Pay
DNPs in clinical practice often come with higher pay rates and paths for advancement.
- 3
Leadership
A DNP is generally employed in a leadership role within large healthcare organizations or healthcare facilities.
- 4
Advanced Skill Sets
DNPs will learn skills for top leadership/organizational roles in nursing. The DNP curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, improvement of outcomes, and systems leadership.
Featured DNP Specialties
As the highest level of clinical nursing education, DNP degrees prepare registered nurses (RNs) to pursue licensure and careers as APRNs. Students pursuing a DNP degree can choose from many lucrative career options.
The following section explores some of the top-paying APRN clinical practice and research paths.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists, also called certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), administer anesthesia and ensure patient safety before and during surgery. This includes local anesthesia and general anesthesia.
Salary
$202,470
Job Outlook
13% increase from 2020-2030
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
These nurse practitioners work with psychiatrists in hospitals, mental health facilities, and in private practice to diagnose and treat patients suffering from mental illness and addiction.
Salary
$120,000
Job Outlook
52% increase from 2020-2030
Certified Nurse Midwife
CNMs see patients and provide medical care through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum in hospitals and birthing centers. They also assist physicians with Cesarean births.
Salary
$112,830
Job Outlook
11% increase from 2020-2030
Clinical Nurse Specialist
These APRNs select a specialization in which to diagnose and treat patients, including geriatrics, critical care, oncology, and rehabilitation. They also help with preventing and managing conditions.
Salary
$94,660
Job Outlook
45% increase from 2020-2030
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator instructs and mentors students pursuing degrees at all levels of nursing education. They teach students the skills required to provide safe, effective nursing care both in the classroom and in clinical practice settings.
Salary
$82,040
Job Outlook
22% increase from 2020-2030
How Much Will I Make With a DNP?
According to Payscale, the average annual salary for DNPs is $107,000, a monthly salary of $8,917 or an average hourly earning rate of $52.25 per hour. The average annual bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) salary is $89,000, and the average master of science in nursing (MSN) yearly salary is $98,000.
A DNP’s salary depends on factors, such as the area of practice, certification, experience level, and geographic location.
How to Earn a DNP
To earn a DNP, begin by deciding which type of program best fits your personal and financial needs. Review various schools and programs and identify those that meet your personal and professional goals. Look for accredited programs that offer your specialty focus and meet your other needs, such as length and cost.
After identifying potential programs, be sure you qualify by meeting prerequisites (e.g., school transcripts and minimum GPA, RN licensure, GRE test scores, letters of recommendation and other requirements). Most programs offer an online application process.
Once you are accepted into a program, secure financing by exploring options for grants, financial aid, scholarships, or loans. Finally, complete all course requirements. Note that coursework can be done online, but clinical practicum hours must be obtained in person.
Types of DNP Programs
There are several types of DNP programs. Selecting the best program for you depends on your personal circumstances, such as time restraints, financial budget, and current level of education.
RN-to-DNP Programs
Allow nurses who do not yet have a master’s degree to earn a 65-95 credit-hour DNP in 4-6 yearsBSN-to-DNP Programs
Bridge programs that allow BSN graduates to receive their DNP in 3-4 yearsMSN-to-DNP Programs
33-43 credit hour programs with at least 500 clinical practice hoursOnline DNP Programs
Hybrid programs that allow nurses to complete coursework online and fulfill clinical practicum requirements in person
Admission Requirements for a DNP Program
DNP students should expect to spend 3-4 years of full-time study. Part-time learners may take longer, but most programs allow 6-7 years for completion.
While admission criteria vary by program, nursing schools typically require:
- 1
Prerequisite Credits
Each applicant must hold a bachelor of science in nursing with coursework in nursing research and statistics.
- 2
Transcripts
Candidates submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
- 3
Application Materials
Most programs require personal statements, resumes, and three letters of recommendation.
- 4
Licensure
A DNP applicant must hold an active, unencumbered RN license.
- 5
GPA
DNP programs commonly require a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- 6
Test Scores
Most nursing schools require GRE scores.
Core Concepts of a DNP Program
Core concepts of DNP programs include evidence-based advanced nursing practice, healthcare policy, ethics and advocacy, leadership/management, and quality improvement in nursing care.
The DNP curricula may vary by school, concentration, and state licensure requirements. Examples of common DNP courses include nursing curriculum development; epidemiology and clinical prevention; and healthcare politics, ethics, and advocacy for nurses.
Clinical and Lab Components in an DNP Program
Nurses gain opportunities to enhance professional role development in advanced nursing practice by participating in supervised clinical settings. DNP programs concentrate on the latest evidence-based best practices to improve outcomes and increase safety and quality of nursing care in the student’s particular area of nursing specialization. Clinical practicums can take place in a variety of settings, including community centers, health departments, clinics, and hospitals.
In clinical settings, students learn to provide leadership for multidisciplinary teams, apply theoretical knowledge to nursing practice that improves outcomes, and develop and test new evidenced-based models of nursing care.
What to Expect From an Online DNP Program
Online DNP degree programs often include asynchronous or synchronous coursework and on-site experiential learning. Asynchronous course delivery allows students to access their course materials and recorded lectures on their own schedules. Synchronous classes mimic the on-campus experience through live, interactive webcasts. Hybrid programs combine virtual class formats with on-campus instruction.
Online students can interact with their classmates and professors through discussion boards and synchronous sessions. On-campus orientations or immersions typically occur, particularly in cohort-based programs.
Distance learners can often complete their on-site clinical hours at their current workplaces or healthcare facilities in their home communities.
Should I Get a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree?
Deciding whether or not you should get a DNP requires much consideration. Can you make a full-time commitment to your educational pursuits? If not, is there a part-time or online program that meets your needs?
Earning a DNP is not the best choice for every nurse, as it takes considerable time and financial commitment. There are some career paths, such as certain nurse practitioner specialties, that may be equally suited to earning an MSN.
Keep in mind that the AACN proposes the minimum education level for APRNs to be elevated from an MSN to a DNP. This could result in requirements changing in the future so that nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists must hold a DNP.
Nurses should consider their specific career goals, time availability, and their personal and family obligations when considering pursuing a DNP.
What’s the Difference Between a DNP and a Nursing Ph.D.?
| DNP | Nursing Ph.D. |
|---|---|
| The DNP emphasizes higher-level skills in the practice of nursing. DNPs strive to improve patient outcomes. | The Ph.D. in nursing is focused on scholarly inquiry and research. A Ph.D. seeks to enlarge and further the body of nursing knowledge. |
| The curriculum in a DNP program centers on leadership in healthcare, evidence-based practice decisions, and advanced specialty practice nursing. Coursework covers statistics, clinical diagnosis and disease management, budget planning and admin, healthcare policy, and the transformation of our healthcare system. | Nursing Ph.D. students study illness trajectories and the care systems we use to treat them. Ph.D. in nursing coursework includes advanced theory, research methodology, data analysis, chronic illness issues, and care systems. |
| Teaching is optional for DNP students. A DNP candidate, however, must complete up to 1,000 clinical hours of practical experience requirements. | Teaching is required for a nursing Ph.D., but these students do not need to participate in clinical components. |
| The DNP requires students to complete capstone projects. Many schools offer DNP programs online, allowing working nurses to maintain their employment. | Nursing Ph.D. candidates are expected to complete senior thesis projects. These programs generally take place in traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms and typically do not suit working students. |
| DNP degree-holders generally find employment in leadership in large healthcare organizations or healthcare facilities. Other roles include expert clinicians or academic positions that emphasize clinical practice and education. | Ph.D. degree-holders most commonly move into academic, tenure-track positions or serve in management roles conducting research. |
