As a nurse, you focus on the health and well-being of your patients. Maybe your commitment to helping others has you contemplating a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. What is a DNP? Is it worth pursuing? Can a doctorate in nursing offer career advancement and additional opportunities to practice your nursing skills? Let’s start by defining what exactly a DNP degree is.

The practice-focused DNP degree is the highest level of clinical nursing education. DNP programs may focus on advanced clinical care, evidence-based practice, leadership and quality improvement.

The purpose of this guide is to help you determine whether obtaining a DNP is right for you. We highlight DNP program options, school and career opportunities and what you may want to consider when earning a DNP degree.  

What is a DNP—and what are common DNP degree program options? Although there are many routes available to earn a DNP, some students hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) upon DNP program entry. Registered nurses who possess an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) are able to enter a doctorate in nursing bridge program. Program formats may vary, especially when comparing practice-focused and research-focused programs.

Traditional Programs

Traditional DNP nursing programs are available on campus, online or in a hybrid format. There are also full-time, accelerated and part-time programs. Online and part-time programs may provide flexibility that allows students to maintain their current responsibilities at work and home. For example, online DNP programs may require students to complete coursework and assignments online while pursuing any additional clinical hours in local hospitals or clinical settings. How long it takes you to complete a DNP depends on your enrollment type (full or part time), specialization and program structure. From 2006 to 2015, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that full-time DNP nursing students took an average 2.4 years to complete their studies, while part-time students took an average 2.9 years to finish their degree.

Dual Degrees

Another pathway to a doctorate in nursing is a dual degree program. Dual degree programs allow you to combine your DNP studies with another discipline. Some possible degree combinations may include a DNP/MPH (Master of Public Health), DNP/MBA (Master of Business Administration) and DNP/PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Nursing. While a dual degree requires fewer credits than if you had earned the two degrees separately, its concentrated curriculum is demanding and may take three to seven years to complete.

Bridge Programs

For students who hold a bachelor’s, master’s or associate degree in nursing, you might be interested in bridge programs such as a BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP or RN-to-DNP program. These highly concentrated programs help you complete any missing nursing or degree curriculum requirements. Bridge programs may include a combination of on-campus and online coursework along with extensive clinical hours.

Specializations

If you’re interested in a certain type of nursing, you may be able to find a specialization that suits your DNP nursing goals. Some specializations to consider include: nurse midwifery programs, acute care nurse practitioner programs, pediatrics, women’s health nurse practitioner programs, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs and family nurse practitioner programs. Specializations enable you to gain unique knowledge while you earn a doctorate in nursing.

A doctorate in nursing may be worth it if you’re ready to advance your nursing career or gain specific knowledge. You may be weighing how rewarding a DNP is compared to an MSN degree. What’s the difference between the two degrees? In general, an MSN and DNP both have the same goal: to provide optimal patient care as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The difference between them is how that goal is achieved. 

A doctorate in nursing typically has a stronger focus on leadership and administrative components, as well as on the clinical aspects of the APRN. In contrast, an MSN degree may focus on clinical skills. The value of a DNP degree largely depends on your nursing career goals.

If you aspire to become a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner or another type of APRN, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that these APRN positions typically require at least a master’s degree. However, the BLS notes that some APRNs may choose to pursue a DNP degree. 

As with any career, your DNP nurse salary may vary as a result of many factors, including your experience, employer and geographical location. The BLS does not break down annual wages for DNP nurses; however, it does break down annual wages for APRNs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, APRNs had a median annual salary of $117,670 in 2020.

Employment of APRNs is expected to grow 45% between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations, the BLS reports. With the need to care for aging baby boomers and the increased focus on preventive care, APRNs will be in high demand in various settings including hospitals and clinics.

With a DNP degree, graduates may choose to work as health care professionals in a variety of settings. Below are some careers you may consider pursuing with a DNP degree.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, some other advanced practice nursing roles include: clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and certified nurse-midwife (CNM).

Furthering your education is a big decision. Before you pursue a DNP degree, there are several factors worth considering. We outlined some of these below:

Ultimately the decision is yours to make. Whether a DNP is right for you is likely dependent on your specific goals. In addition to considering the above factors, it may be beneficial to talk with current or graduate DNP students to learn about their experiences.

Last updated January 2022.