Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Overview

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

Opportunities With a DNP

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 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?

*SOURCE: PayScale.com

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

Admission Requirements for a DNP Program

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

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:

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

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:

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.

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

Explore DNP Programs

Reviewed by:

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.

Popular Resources

Meet a Travel Nurse

June 8, 2021   |   Staff Writers

Discover the roles traveling nurses fill and the recommended education level and skills needed to be successful within the position.

Ask a Nurse: How Do I Get Into a Management Position as an LPN?

June 9, 2021   |   Staff Writers

Find out about managerial roles for LPNs.

Ask a Nurse: Do Nurses Perform Surgery?

June 7, 2021   |   Staff Writers

Read here to find out whether nurses can perform surgery and options for nurses who wish to work in the operating room.