Nurses eager to grow professionally can choose from a range of advanced practice options including a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). A DNP program is the highest practice-based degree in nursing. With its focus on evidence-based research and leadership, the program prepares nurses for high-level roles in areas such as quality improvement, administration and healthcare policy.
DNP graduates excel at translating science into real-world practice that improves health outcomes. Nurses looking to earn their DNP on a flexible schedule may want to consider Arkansas State University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Here we provide an overview of this specialized area of nursing to help you decide whether earning a DNP aligns your career goals.
What Does DNP Stand for and Is a DNP a Doctor?
A DNP is a practice-focused doctorate in nursing while a Ph.D. in nursing is a research-focused doctorate. A DNP translates evidence into practice. A Ph.D. generates new evidence and understanding.
DNP nurses are academically doctors, but in clinical settings their role is different from that of a physician. Some states may allow the use of the title doctor with clarification (e.g., Dr. Nurse Practitioner) while others legally restrict its use to prevent patients from confusing DNPs with medical doctors. While Doctors of Medicine (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) focus on diagnosing and treating disease through a medical model, DNPs are advanced practice nurses focused on systems-level care.
DNP programs differ from MD and Ph.D programs in terms of the curriculum studied and the type of advanced practice entered post-graduation. MDs and DOs complete more in-depth, disease-focused training while DNPs build on nursing foundations, with a focus on improving the quality of patient care and healthcare systems leadership.
What Does a DNP Do? Career Opportunities and Roles
DNPs work across settings as advanced clinicians, leaders, educators, policy advocates and systems innovators. DNP graduates qualify for a range of impactful leadership roles in healthcare, including the following:
- Clinical director: Manages daily clinical operations to ensure high-quality patient care, including supervising staff and maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Nursing director: Oversees day-to-day operations, staff and quality of nursing services for a healthcare facility.
- Healthcare policy leader: Advocates for policies that improve access to healthcare and address disparities among underserved populations.
- Quality improvement coordinator: Guides initiatives to enhance safety and efficiency within a healthcare system.
At A-State, nurses in the online DNP program hone their leadership skills by learning to implement new care models, improve patient outcomes and influence healthcare policy. The curriculum focuses on health informatics, organizational theory, quality improvement, and ethics, preparing graduates for executive-level roles in a variety of healthcare settings.
How Much Does a DNP Earn? Salaries and ROI
Most leadership roles available to DNP graduates, including clinical director and nursing director, have a median salary of $117,960 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The job outlook is robust, with a 23% projected growth rate through 2034.
DNP salaries are typically 15 to 25% higher than MSN salaries, especially in areas of specialty where demand is high such as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Compensation varies based on specialty, geographic location and experience, however DNP graduates are better prepared for leadership roles.
Overall, DNP graduates see strong returns on their investment (ROI) in a program that offers significant career advancement opportunities along with professional autonomy. Affordable and flexible, A-States’s ACEN-accredited online DNP program enables students to study at their own pace while maintaining their current employment.
Does Pursuing a DNP Align With Your Career Goals?
To assess whether a DNP program makes sense for your career trajectory, consider questions that support self-reflection and goal evaluation. Here are some prompts that can assist with the decision-making process.
- Why a doctorate: Are you seeking the highest practice degree to lead, innovate and transform healthcare or to achieve the next credential?
- Leadership qualities: Do you thrive in roles requiring independent research, strategic thinking and management?
- Area of Practice: Do you want your career to focus on applying research to practice and systems improvement?
- Learning style: Are you good at working independently and pushing yourself academically?
- Role alignment: Are you interested in qualifying for roles such as clinical director, consultant, policymaker or informatics leader?
- Market demand: Will this degree position you for in-demand leadership roles in your chosen specialty or region?
MSN-prepared nurses interested in making an impact in healthcare at the systems-level make ideal DNP program candidates. A-State’s curriculum is practice based and project focused, allowing students to complete internship hours and project work within their current workplace or another approved professional setting. This structure ensures learning directly supports day-to-day practice and long-term career goals. Students in this flexible online program learn from the same distinguished faculty members who teach on campus in an interactive setting that supports collaboration and inquiry.
Begin Your Journey to Healthcare Leadership With an Online DNP From A-State
A DNP is designed to prepare nurses for a range of high-level positions where they can make a lasting impact in healthcare. The value this degree offers nurses is significant, positioning them for roles that shape clinical practice and healthcare delivery at the highest levels.
Many organizations now prefer or require the DNP for advanced practice certification and leadership positions, as it equips nurses with the competencies needed in today’s complex healthcare environment. By helping students develop skills in systems thinking, evidence-based practice, quality improvement and organizational change, a DNP program prepares nurses to lead teams, influence policy and drive improvements that elevate patient outcomes and overall healthcare performance.
Learn more about Arkansas State University’s online DNP program.