Compare online DNP programs

DNP vs PhD – what’s the difference?

A doctor of nursing program (DNP) is a terminal degree representing the highest level of education attainable in practice-focused nursing. It differs from a PhD in important ways. While both programs will equip you to become a thought-leader in the medical field, a DNP requires 1,000 clinical hours to specifically prepare you to continue patient care while achieving expertise in specialized advanced nursing practice. A PhD in nursing, by contrast, requires a dissertation and is focused extensively on advancing the type of research that someone with a DNP degree translates into practice.

Admission requirements for a DNP program

In order to pursue a DNP, you’ll need to have passed the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and be a registered nurse licensed to practice in at least one jurisdiction. Depending on the program you want to pursue, you will need an RN license, a or a .

How to apply

The type of program best suited to you depends on your career goals, the time investment you want to make, and the types of jobs you see yourself doing. Most program applications require you to provide a statement of purpose, several professional letters of reference, a résumé, and to have completed a certain amount of RN patient care hours. for more information on individual application requirements.

Online DNP curriculum

Our online DNP programs combine clinical expertise with leadership concepts to equip nurses to lead through practice, advance patient care, and improve population health and health equity. Though every DNP curriculum is different, all accredited nursing programs follow the framework provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and as such, most DNP curricula will cover: advanced health assessment and measurement, advanced healthcare policy, clinical information systems, clinical pharmacology, evidence appraisal, health policy, organizational theory, economics and finances, policy, evidence-based practice, informatics, and more. Find out more about general programs, as well as online acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) programs which specialize in acute care, which train nurses to provide advanced mental health care to individuals, and , designed for those interested in providing primary care services to individuals and families.

Doctor of nursing practice jobs

Here are five distinct jobs you can pursue as a doctor of nursing:

• Health care executive: Play a key role in the success of healthcare organizations like hospitals, clinics, and medical practices by leading strategy and managing operations.

• Nursing faculty: Shape the next generation of nursing professionals by pursuing the academic side of this profession. You can work in nursing schools, colleges and universities, or other healthcare educational institutions.

• Advanced practice registered nurse: Put your advanced, highly-specialized clinical training to use bydiagnosing, treating, and managing the healthcare needs of patients independently and comprehensively.

• Health care policy specialist: Play a crucial, policy-shaping role in healthcare by focusing on the development and analysis of laws and regulations.

• Chief nursing officer: An executive-level role in charge of creating and overseeing a big picture strategic plan for organizations that includes equal effort in managing clinical and administrative matters.

Need to consider a before a DNP? Explore these master’s programs first.

Promising job outlook for DNP graduates

Between 2022 and 2032,employment for advanced practice registered nurse professionals will see enormous growth, almost 40%, which is much higher than the average for all occupations.type: embedded-entry-inline id: 5iJUytOKCgXmq49nozalp4Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), since they perform many of the same services as physicians, will be increasingly employed in hospitals, physicians offices, and clinics, to provide preventive and primary care. As states change their laws governing APRN practice authority, they’ll be recognized more widely as a primary healthcare source.

Doctor of nursing practice salary information

One of the main considerations for pursuing a doctor of nursing degree is the high earning potential of DNP graduates. For example, the median annual salary for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $125,900 in May 2022.type: embedded-entry-inline id: 1L4ajEBBRJ4dGzey0La2qwThe top industries in which they work are outpatient care centers, hospitals, the offices of physicians and other health practitioners, and education.

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