Are you considering pursuing a PhD in Nursing? If your career goals are to become a home nurse or nurse executive, or to provide leadership at the institutional policy level, A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree may be the right path for you.
Below we discuss how to earn a DNP, how long it usually takes to achieve it, and why this advanced nursing practice program is worth it.
What do Doctors in the Graduate School of Nursing Practice do?
Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice can improve your qualifications and open more career doors in your chosen field. As a clinical nurse, prepare to lead nursing and professional teams.
The DNP degree is also designed for those pursuing managerial and executive roles. Depending on the nursing practice program you attend, you may need to choose one of the following:
- Clinical roles such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Non-clinical subjects such as nurse executives
- Curriculum detailing research, policy and practice for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
What are the steps to obtain a DNP degree?
Although these steps are shown as a linear progression, they are not fixed. There are different levels of nursing and timelines can be flexible depending on the university and program you choose.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the traditional procedure for obtaining DNP.
#1: Start early
If you’re someone with a clear life plan from an early age, high school can sometimes serve as a solid starting point. and history will help you prepare for college nursing education.
There are no specific DNP requirements for a high school diploma, but graduation, obtaining a GED, or testing into a college program may be required before applying for other DNP program prerequisites, such as a BSN degree .1
#2: Get your BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) four-year degree provides entry-level nurses with the educational platform they need to work directly in patient care. This includes foundational liberal arts courses and general electives, as well as science classes.
BSN is one of two educational options for becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). You can also complete a two-year Associate of Nursing Degree (ADN), take the licensing exam, and become an RN.
However, BSN may offer a smoother transition when enrolling in the MSN program or DNP, as well as more successful careers, including transitioning to nursing leadership roles and advanced practice nursing. Many such programs require a BSN for registration.
#3: Pass NCLEX
To become a registered nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam) within three years of earning your BSN (or ADN), although this may vary by state.2
In 2020, over 85% of candidates passed the multi-format NCLEX on their first attempt.3 If you need to retake the exam, most states allow you to wait 45 days before retaking the exam.Four You can usually receive your results within about six weeks from your test date.Four
#4: Get an RN License
Next, you will need to register your RN license in your state. Nursing, like law, accounting, and other registered professions, is licensed at the state level, so the requirements are slightly different, but primarily you should:Five
- Show proof of a nursing degree from an accredited school
- Submit NCLEX Exam Passing Record
- Complete and submit any additional documents required by your state
- Fees are typically around $100, but range from $70 (West Virginia) to $375 (Alaska).6
- pass a criminal background check
#5: Get work experience
Some may prefer to focus on long-term employment in a single role, while others may choose to enhance their resume with a mix of different work environments and roles that allow them to:
- Stay at home in multiple clinical settings
- build skills over time
- Indicate career advancement based on responsibilities, title, or skill set growth
The practical aspects of nursing education are interwoven with different levels of learning. By the time you complete your DNP degree, you will likely be a seasoned nurse with several years of work experience.
#6: Earn an MSN degree
The Master of Science in Nursing is a graduate advanced nursing program that takes a leadership role in either practical nursing or non-clinical practice. MSN programs usually have a wide range of specializations to choose from, as nurses choose a specialization for their role at the master’s level. for example:
- family nurse practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- nurse executive
- nurse educator
However, it is not necessary to receive master’s level education in a program separate from DNP. Some colleges offer his DNP track for BSN entry and track for MSN entry. For students enrolled at BSN, the program is significantly longer as they are essentially completing a master’s degree before proceeding to the program’s PhD.
But what if you have an ADN instead of a BSN and decide to pursue a career in advanced nursing? And what about career changers seeking advanced nursing practice after working in healthcare or management?
You can go back to school and complete your BSN, or basically skip the BSN requirement.
- RN-to-MSN Bridge Program for RNs without a Bachelor’s Degree8 (Basic BSN courses are part of the curriculum and students typically have nursing experience)
- Non-Nursing Bachelor/Bachelor Direct Enrollment or Accelerated MSN Programs
Learn more about the differences and similarities between MSN and DNP degrees and see which level you should aim for.
#7: Successfully complete the DNP program
Like MSN, Doctor of Nursing Practice programs generally allow for flexible entry, timing, and areas of focus. As opposed to a research-focused PhD, this is the premier clinical nursing degree. Nursing degree. Those who choose DNP, whether clinical or non-clinical focused, typically have years of first-hand patient experience and may already be nurse leaders.7
However, after completing the DNP, you must still meet the continuing education requirements to maintain your RN license. You can choose to pursue a variety of professional certifications, but there is no higher degree level to pursue.
A DNP degree will help you:
- Using evidence-based practice to influence all aspects of healthcare
- Provide top-level leadership to nursing associations and medical networks
- Consultation on public health policy related to nursing practice
- Train and set educational policies for nursing degrees and specialties
- Get a higher salary in your preferred field of nursing
Earning a DNP degree can increase salaries for Nurse Executives, Nurse Practitioners, and Family Nurse Practitioners.9
How many years does a DNP degree take?
So how long does it take to become a DNP? A degree usually takes 2-4 years, depending on your entry point (BSN or MSN) and your area of specialization.
On average, the BSN-DNP program usually takes 3-4 years of full-time study. That said, most DNP programs also require you to meet MSN requirements.Ten
The duration of a DNP degree depends on several factors, including:
- College program requirements
- Whether face-to-face courses, clinics, or internships are required
- If your university allows flexibility to accelerate or expand the program to suit your needs
- Whether you can study full-time or part-time and if you plan to work and go to school at the same time
What is the difference between DNP and Nurse Practitioner?
A doctor of nursing practice is a degree and a nurse practitioner is a profession.11 Obtaining a DNP entitles you to work as an NP and gives you the following educational backgrounds:
- Advancing to a leadership role in nursing management
- Leading Nursing and Interprofessional Clinical Teams
- Explore careers related to public health and institutional health policymaking
- Remain in current role, such as nurse anesthesiologist, but with updated qualifications and knowledge
In addition, the governing bodies of the following specialties require that all students accepted into accredited entry-level programs must graduate with a Ph.D.12
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- clinical nursing specialist
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Is DNP Right For You?
A PhD is a challenge that requires an investment of both time and money, but which enhances your knowledge and expertise, and provides the potential for career and income growth. There are multiple ways to apply and complete DNP, depending on your background and goals.
USAHS Nursing Program
St. Augustine University Health Sciences (USAHS) offers Master of Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. When nursing certificate after graduation Designed for working nurses. Our nursing degrees are delivered online and have a hands-on component commensurate with the specialization of the program and role. MSN offers several options to help you get your degree faster. Earn an advanced nursing degree while maintaining a work-life balance.
sauce:
- “Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Overview,” nurse journal, Last updated September 2022,
- SimpleNursing Team, “How many doses of NCLEX can I take?” simple nursinglast updated February 2022,
- Kaplan, “NCLEX Acceptance Rate: What You Need to Know”:
- “When the exam is over” NCSBN,
- “License” NCSBN,
- Angelina Walker, “RN License Requirements by State” nurse.org, Last updated: July 2022,
- Danielle LeVeck, “What is DNP and what is it worth?” nurse.org, April 6, 2022
- Anna Giorgi “Getting a Master’s Degree in Nursing” all nursing schools,
- “Physician of Nursing Practice (DNP) Salaries in 2022” Nursingprocess.org,
- “BSN-DNP Program for BSN-Prepared Nurses” Doctor of Nursing Practice (Dai Nippon Printing),
- Linda A McCauley et al., “The US Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree: Reflecting, Recalibrating, and Getting Back on Track.” nurse outlook,
- “Accreditation Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs,” Council On Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programlast updated May 2022,
