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Yes! There are many reasons why it’s worth pursuing a DNP, including:

1. Reach the height of the nursing profession with the terminal degree in nursing
2. Advance your skills regardless of your specialty
3. Prepare for future APRN education requirements
4. Doctorally-prepared nurses are needed to translate evidence and research
5. Earn a key role in improvement science
6. Become a better educator/teacher
7. The healthcare system needs doctorally-prepared nurses

The DNP is a practice-focused doctoral degree, while a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is a research-focused degree. Some key differences include:

• PhD students are trained to develop new knowledge for both the science and practice of nursing, while DNP students learn the skills necessary to translate evidence from the research and put it into practice. Program curriculums vary accordingly.
• PhD students complete a dissertation, while DNP students complete a minimum number of clinical hours and/or a scholarly project
• Credit requirements can vary
• Unique employment opportunities upon graduation

The DNP represents the terminal degree in nursing, meaning it’s the highest degree you can earn in nursing. It’s one level higher than the MSN. The main differences include:

• Curriculum differences
• Certification requirements
• Enrollment trends
• Salary potential
• How long it takes to earn

Learn more about the difference between MSN vs. DNP.

Our program can be completed in less than 2 years: 20 months, or 5 semesters when you choose full-time enrollment.

Choose part-time enrollment and you can complete the program in 7 semesters, or 28 months.

Due to the significant shortage of nurse educators, any Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) can potentially be in high demand on the job market, which includes MSN graduates who pass the CNE certification exam. 

If you currently have an MSN and you’re mostly interested in teaching undergraduate nursing courses, choosing a shorter post master’s certificate in nursing education program (8 months) is a viable pathway.

While MSN-prepared graduates are capable of teaching undergraduate courses, doctorally-prepared nursing educators can potentially be better prepared to teach graduate-level courses as well. A Doctor of Nursing Education program also includes advanced coursework outside the scope of an MSN program.

Your career goals as an educator are what really matters. Our admissions team can help you decide if the MSN/certificate or DNE pathway makes the most sense for you.

Salaries vary widely across different types of jobs in advanced practice nursing, and earning a DNP can potentially apply to them all. However, earning a DNP can potentially help you compete for higher pay.*

According to the , registered nurses whose highest education was a DNP reported a median salary of about $100,000, 11% higher than the $90,000 median for those who had earned as much as a master’s degree.

Each school designs their own nursing education curriculums for unique types of students, which results in several different types of naming conventions at the doctoral level—each with their own meaning. Some of the most common names include:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP is a practice-oriented degree, focused in clinical practice, leadership, and advanced nursing roles. Emphasis is placed upon evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). The PhD is a research-focused degree  which places greater emphasis on academia and scholarship in nursing. .
• Doctor of Education in Nursing Education (Ed.D). These are general Doctor of Education programs for which they offer a nursing education concentration. Leadership, policy, and educational practice is the focus of the Ed.D.
• Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE). The DNE represents a doctoral curriculum designed to fully prepare students for educational roles and leadership in nursing.  С���� are focused on curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies in nursing.

In October of 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the , which recommended moving the current level of preparation needed for advanced nursing practice from the master’s to doctorate level.

The AACN set an to phase out master’s level prep for APRNs and transition fully to DNP by 2015. That deadline has come and gone, and a master’s level education remains the minimum requirement to practice as an APRN (additional requirements vary per certification).

However, the transition has been discussed for many years—and not only by AACN. The set a goal of 2025 to move all entry-level nurse practitioner education to the DNP degree.

While enrollment in DNP programs has increased continuously for 20 years running as of the AACN’s most recent , a DNP has not yet become required to practice as an APRN.

However, the landscape is changing and the DNP is trending towards becoming the standard for APRNs at the highest level.