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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Overview

As the highest level of clinical nursing education, DNP degrees prepare registered nurses (RNs) to pursue licensure and careers as advanced practice nurses (APRNs).


Written by: NurseJournal Staff | Reviewed by: Anna-Lise Krippaehne, DNP, FNP-BC

average program length
3-6 years
average credits required
30-90 credits
average earning potential
$88,000-$112,000
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Opportunities With a DNP

partial online offering
clinical hours required
Marketability
Those with a DNP will assume roles previously held by physicians as our healthcare system changes.
Leadership
A DNP is generally employed in leadership in large healthcare organizations or healthcare facilities.
Higher pay
DNPs in clinical practice often comes with higher pay rates and paths for advancements.
Skills Learned
Attention to detail, communication, compassion, critical thinking, leadership, and resourcefulness.

Featured Online Programs

Featured DNP Specialties

Students pursuing DNP degrees can choose from many lucrative career options. The following section explores some of the top-paying APRN clinical practice and research paths.

bsn Required
High Demand

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CRNAs administer anesthesia prior to surgeries and other medical procedures, monitor and adjust anesthesia levels during procedures, and monitor vitals and assist patients with pain management during recovery.
Salary $174,790*
Job Outlook 45% increase from 2019-2029
Learn More About Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
bsn Required

Nurse Researcher

Nurse researchers analyze data and design, implement, and publish their own studies to improve patients' health and healthcare delivery. They work in clinics, hospitals, and laboratories.
Salary $67,930*
Job Outlook 19% growth rate by the year 2022
Learn More About Nurse Researchers
msn Required
High Demand

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

These NPs work with psychiatrists in hospitals, mental health facilities, and in private practice to diagnose and treat patients suffering from mental illness and addiction.
Salary $131,500*
Job Outlook 45% increase from 2019-2029
Learn More About Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
bsn Required
High Demand

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 $93,047*
Job Outlook 45% increase from 2019-2029
Learn More About Certified Nurse Midwives
adn or bsn Required

Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse

These pediatric specialists provide care to children up to age 18 living with diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other conditions related to the endocrine system.
Salary $60,441*
Job Outlook Positive job outlook in coming years
Learn More About Pediatric Endocrinology Nurses
msn Required

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 $68,000*
Job Outlook Positive job outlook in coming years
Learn More About Clinical Nurse Specialists
*SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale

How Much Will I Make With a DNP?



$51.12

Hourly Salary



$8,599

Monthly Salary



$103,188

Annual Salary

*SOURCE: PayScale.com

Learn More About DNP Salaries and Careers

How to Get a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

Decide Type of DNP Program
DNP programs can differ based on your educational background. Figure out what type of program works best for you.
Find DNP Program
After deciding which factors are important to you in a school, use our degree finder to find programs that fit your criteria.
Apply to DNP Programs
Common application requirements include prerequisite credits, transcripts, RN licensure, GPA, test scores, resumes, and letters of recommendation.
Secure Funding for DNP Programs
There are many ways to finance your degree, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, loans, and employer tuition reimbursement programs.
Attend DNP Classes
Online courses receive the same training as on-campus courses, but clinical hours must be completed in person and often can be completed at your current workplace.
Graduate with a DNP
Congrats on earning your degree! Now you can begin your career in your specialization.

Types of Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs

RN-to-DNP Programs BSN-to-DNP Programs MSN-to-DNP Programs Online DNP Programs

Admission Requirements for a DNP Program

While admission criteria vary by program, nursing schools typically require:

  • Prerequisite Credits: Each applicant must hold a bachelor of science in nursing with coursework in nursing research and statistics.
  • Transcripts: Candidates submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
  • Application Materials: Most programs require personal statements, resumes, and three letters of recommendation.
  • Licensure: A DNP applicant must hold an active, unencumbered RN license.
  • GPA: DNP programs commonly require a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Test Scores: Most nursing schools require GRE scores.

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.

Core Concepts in a DNP Program

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, DNP programs provide an alternative terminal degree to the academic and research-focused Ph.D. for nurses interested in clinical practice, research, nursing policy, and advocacy.

The curriculum focuses on competencies in these areas:

  • Advanced nursing practice
  • Clinical prevention and population health
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Healthcare policy for advocacy
  • Information systems and patient care technology
  • Interprofessional collaboration
  • Quality improvement
  • Scientific underpinnings for practice
  • Systems and organizational leadership

DNP degree plans vary according to specialization, but common courses include:

  • Advanced pathophysiology/physiology
  • Advanced pharmacology
  • Advanced health assessment
  • Contemporary issues in advanced nursing practice
  • Healthcare economics and finance
  • Healthcare informatics
  • Investigation, discovery, and integration
  • Principles of epidemiology
  • Qualitative methods in research
  • Social ethics and health policy

Clinical and Lab Components in a DNP Program

DNP programs require experiential learning both on campus and at hospitals or other healthcare facilities under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Programs may require one or more of the following types of clinical experiences:

  • Campus immersions
  • Clinical internships
  • Clinical rotations
  • Lab simulations
  • Practicums
  • Precepted training
  • Projects and presentations
  • Residencies
  • Seminars

Clinical requirements vary widely, depending on specialization area and program. Requirements for state licensure and national certification criteria, with most including 500-1,000 hours.

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?

As the U.S. healthcare system continues to evolve, DNPs in clinical practice continue to take on more significant roles in problem-solving and advocacy. This heightened responsibility comes with higher pay rates and opportunities for advancement, especially as current DNP degree-holders start to retire.

Advantages to a DNP

  • Marketability, while already superior for doctoral-level nursing professionals, will only improve as our healthcare system allows more nurses to assume roles previously held by physicians.
  • CNMs, NPs, and CRNAs will eventually require a DNP, as opposed to an MSN, which is currently required for credentialing.
  • Intensive clinical practicum requirements in DNP programs provide opportunities for advanced training in a clinical environment.

Disadvantages to a DNP

  • Lengthy time to completion, particularly if the student continues working full time.
  • May lead to positions in academia, but tenure-track positions are generally reserved for Ph.D. degree-holders.
  • Division within the nursing industry around the ethical nature, necessity, and staying power of the DNP degree.

What’s the Difference Between a DNP and a Nursing Ph.D.?

DNP

  • The DNP emphasizes higher-level skills in the practice of nursing. DNPs strive to improve patient outcomes.
  • 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.
  • Teaching is optional for DNP students. A DNP candidate, however, must complete up to 1,000 clinical hours of practical experience requirements.
  • The DNP requires students to complete capstone projects. Many schools offer DNP programs online, allowing working nurses to maintain their employment.
  • 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.

Nursing Ph.D.

  • 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.
  • 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 required for a nursing Ph.D., but these students do not need to participate in clinical components.
  • 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.
  • Ph.D. degree-holders most commonly move into academic, tenure-track positions or serve in management roles conducting research.

Explore DNP Programs

Best Online MSN-to-DNP Programs The Best BSN-to-DNP Programs Best Online DNP Programs The Best Online RN-to-DNP Programs

Reviewed by:

Portrait of Anna-Lise Krippaehne, DNP, FNP-BC

Anna-Lise Krippaehne, DNP, FNP-BC

Anna-Lise Krippaehne is a recent graduate from the University of Portland's doctor of nursing practice program. She received her bachelor's in nursing science from the University of Portland in 2012, and worked in acute care providing bedside nursing care on a general surgical unit for eight years at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington before pursuing her doctorate.

There, she also assisted in teaching new graduate nurses through simulation experiences with Swedish's Nurse Residency Program, in addition to contributing to several quality improvement projects during her tenure. She will soon begin her first position on faculty as a board-certified family nurse practitioner at Oregon Health & Science University's Family Practice Department in Portland, Oregon.

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