Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of the terminal degrees in nursing practice. Registered nurses (RNs) who have earned their DNP can serve as executives, educators, and researchers, or provide care for patients with the largest scope of practice available to nurses.

DNP programs focus on the population the student plans to serve post-graduation. For advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners (NPs), the curriculum is focused on adult primary care, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, or another selected specialty. Other DNP programs serve the three other APRN careers in the United States: clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

Still other DNP programs provide specialty tracks for RNs interested in leadership, teaching, public health, health policy, and more. Additionally, a PhD in Nursing (also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing) can best prepare RNs for roles in academia and research. Scroll down to explore all the options and learn about program lengths and potential earnings.

DNP Requirements

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs generally require students to have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Additional requirements include adequate GRE or GMAT scores, active RN licensure, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and prior work experience as an RN. Each program will have specific requirements as well as recommendations, such as a requirement of one year of experience and a recommendation of two years. Depending on how competitive the program is, students may need to fulfill or even exceed all application recommendations.

RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may qualify for what are known as RN-to-DNP bridge programs. These offer a more efficient path for RNs to become APRNs with doctorates – without needing to complete an MSN. Many of the other requirements, such as adequate GRE scores and years of experience, are similar to those of DNP programs.

DNP Program Length and Cost

DNP programs vary in length from one to four years. The length and cost depends on the type of program, as well as whether an RN has part-time or full-time student status. Students pursuing paths that are not designed for APRN roles generally have fewer courses and clinical hours. An RN with an MSN could complete a DNP focused on leadership in as little as one year, and will complete around 500 clinical hours. For RNs with a BSN, a DNP program in education or leadership could take three to four years.

An RN completing a DNP program to become an APRN, such as a nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), will complete 1000 or more hours of clinical experience. These DNP programs last two to four years, and some offer a part-time option, allowing an RN to continue to work while in school.

All DNP programs require students to complete a capstone project as part of their coursework. Students write an extensive essay or give a research-based presentation that examines a current issue in clinical healthcare. Capstone projects enable students to use what they’ve learned and apply it to current nursing practice, bridging the gap between student and professional nurse. The cost of a DNP can span from $18,000 to over $70,000. Total cost varies greatly based on the type of program, length, and geographical location.

DNP Earnings and Careers

RNs with their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) reported an average annual income of $117,859. DNPs can work in a variety of roles and their range of pay reflects that. In the following data, please note that many DNP careers are also held by RNs with their MSNs. Earning a DNP instead of an MSN could result in greater income and arguably makes a candidate as qualified as possible and more competitive.
Interestingly, by 2025 all new CRNAs must have a DNP (instead of the current requirement of MSN) to practice as a nurse anesthetist. As the professional standards for nursing shift, other careers may require a DNP as well.

Pay for all RNs is affected by their location, type of employer, and years of experience. Below are common DNP careers, including APRN careers, and their annual average salary as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

*This data is provided by ziprecuiter.com, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report data specific to this specialty at this time.

Still, other DNP curriculums focus on nursing practice, public health, nursing practice, and health policy. A DNP in Nursing Practice focuses on preparing the student to implement and critique clinical research. This type of DNP enables students to influence nursing practice, or how nurses deliver healthcare. A DNP in Health Policy provides insight into the American healthcare system and how it is funded at national and state levels. DNPs can work with policymakers at different levels of government to improve healthcare for populations. Similarly, a DNP in Public Health enables nurses to influence healthcare at a population level. All DNP specialties prepare graduates to teach at colleges and universities if they so choose.

PhD Program & Careers Overview

A PhD in Nursing, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, prepares nurses to work in research or academia. A PhD is a terminal degree like a DNP, meaning there are no higher educational opportunities for nurses. In academia, a nurse with a PhD may teach undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral nursing students. A nurse researcher with a PhD may design and lead investigational studies in a lab, clinic, or at an institutional level.

PhD in Nursing programs generally take four to six years to complete and do not require clinical hours. A PhD program can include an emphasis on leadership, healthcare policy, public health, or other topics, similar to the options available to DNP students. Students will be expected to submit a dissertation at the end of the program, or a document that synthesizes current research on a topic and explores an original theory or hypothesis through research. The cost of a PhD program ranges from $50,000 to nearly $100,000 and can often be reduced by agreeing to teach or perform research for the institution where enrolled.

RNs interested in pursuing a DNP or PhD should fully research options for the specialty area they wish to work in and the type of institution they wish to work for. Understanding the requirements and job outlook of different roles can best guide an RN in making the choice that best fits their goal.