DNP programs are practice and leadership-focused terminal degree programs for registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who want to pursue professional roles in direct patient care, teaching, research, and leadership. Earning a DNP degree helps enhance the clinical expertise, and ability of clinical nurses to create better patient outcomes.
What Is a DNP?
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) is a clinical or practice-oriented doctorate that enables the nurse to expand in both knowledge and skills without a prerequisite intermediary master’s degree. The DNP is designed as an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs, with curricula focused on evidence-based practice, systems leadership, and quality improvement, among other key areas.
Types of DNP Programs
There are a number of degree options available at the DNP level for nurses of various educational backgrounds, including traditional DNP programs, accelerated DNP programs for experienced nurses, dual-degree DNP programs, and post-master’s DNP programs.
Traditional DNP Programs
The majority of current nurse doctoral students are enrolled in traditional DNP programs that lead to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Traditional DNP programs generally require three years to complete and offer structured pathways for nurses with a master’s degree in nursing (MSN), postgraduate APRN certificate, or another relevant graduate-level nursing program. The traditional DNP program provides an opportunity for nurses interested in clinical practice areas such as community health, public health, education, and administration to complete a DNP degree alongside clinical practice.
RN to DNP Programs
An RN to DNP program is a post-secondary, structured degree pathway for ADN-educated nurses who have the goal of earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice. These programs offer a comprehensive course of study designed to transition ADN-educated nurses into the DNP program without a prerequisite BSN or MSN degree.
BSN to DNP Programs
A BSN to DNP program is a post-baccalaureate degree program for experienced nurses who want to prepare for an advanced level of nursing practice and clinical research. BSN to DNP curriculum includes both didactics and hands-on practice to enhance knowledge, skill, and clinical decision-making. Coursework is deeply focused on the expanded responsibilities of advanced practice nursing roles, such as systems thinking, evidence-based strategies, health policy, leadership, and informatics.
MSN to DNP Programs
MSN to DNP programs are designed for RNs who have already earned an MSN degree and are looking to expand their knowledge in the field of nursing through scholarly research and clinical practice. MSN to DNP programs are generally structured as accelerated post-graduate degree programs that build upon the MSN degree to provide students with opportunities to specialize in a particular area of advanced practice nursing.
DNP degrees generally require a minimum of 1000 hours of practicum experience, but many MSN to DNP programs will credit students for prior practicum and clinical hours, allowing students to focus on coursework at the doctoral level. These accelerated programs are intended to facilitate the completion of a DNP degree in 18–24 months, which is one-half the time required by traditional programs.
Direct Entry DNP Programs
Direct Entry DNP programs are designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in fields other than nursing, who want to transition directly into an advanced practice clinical nursing degree. Students enrolled in direct-entry DNP programs spend the first year-and-a-half in the program preparing to take the NCLEX-RN examination in order to become registered nurses.
During the second half of the program, students complete courses and clinical fieldwork at the doctorate level in an area of clinical specialization. Direct entry DNP programs are typically designed as full-time, accelerated degree programs and are commonly referred to as pre-licensure DNPs, due to the requirement that students earn their RN licensure prior to beginning doctoral coursework.
Online DNP Programs
Direct Entry DNP programs are designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in fields other than nursing, who want to transition directly into an advanced practice clinical nursing degree. Students enrolled in direct-entry DNP programs spend the first year-and-a-half in the program preparing to take the NCLEX-RN examination in order to become registered nurses.
During the second half of the program, students complete courses and clinical fieldwork at the doctorate level in an area of clinical specialization. Direct entry DNP programs are typically designed as full-time, accelerated degree programs and are commonly referred to as pre-licensure DNPs, due to the requirement that students earn their RN licensure prior to beginning doctoral coursework.
Top DNP Program Specializations
DNP programs offer students the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge in several clinical specialty areas. Some of the most common DNP program specializations include:
DNP CRNA Programs
Nurse anesthetists are highly specialized registered nurses who provide anesthesia services to surgical patients. They are prepared to assess patient needs, make appropriate anesthetic decisions, and attend to the safety of patients before, during, and after surgery. CRNA programs are offered at MSN and DNP-granting institutions throughout the U.S.
DNP FNP Programs
Family nurse practitioners are healthcare providers who diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illnesses in patients of all ages. They collaborate with physicians to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for patients throughout their lifetime. FNP programs are unique in that they prepare students for the full spectrum of primary care, including pediatrics, family practice, geriatrics, women’s health, and newborn care.
DNP Midwifery Programs
Certified Nurse-Midwives maintain responsibility for the care of a woman from conception to six weeks postpartum, as well as for prenatal education and counseling. They provide expert advice on birth control options, family planning, pregnancy nutrition, and prenatal testing. They also conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, and provide patient education.
DNP Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose and treat mental health disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe psychiatric medications. PMHNP programs prepare nurses to work with individuals of all ages who struggle with psychological conditions including anxiety, PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders.
DNP Programs FAQ
The time commitment for students pursuing DNP degrees varies by program. Most DNP programs require full-time enrollment and take two to three years to complete, however, there are a growing number of accelerated options, especially those at the post-graduate level, that can be completed in less than two years.
The decision to pursue an advanced degree is an entirely personal decision that students should make based on their own goals and career aspirations. There is no “correct” or universal opinion about whether or not DNP programs are worth it because the answer depends on what you value most in your professional (and personal) life.
That said, a DNP degree is the highest academic achievement that a registered nurse can pursue. Influential stakeholders, like the AACN, are calling for a doctoral-level education to become the requirement for advanced practice nursing, so clearly, there are many who believe that DNP programs are worth it!
No, a DNP and Nurse Practitioner are not the same, although a doctorally-prepared nurse may go by the title of “Nurse Practitioner” after successful completion of a DNP program. In the United States, Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), meaning they acquire specialized education (often a master’s-level program) and clinical practice beyond the scope of a regular RN.
Recommended Articles
