Quick Highlights
- A DNP is not currently required to practice as an NP in most states or settings, but it is a growing preference at academic medical centers and some health systems.
- AACN recommended the DNP as the entry-level advanced practice degree back in 2004; that target date passed without a hard mandate, and NONPF reaffirmed DNP as its recommended entry standard in 2023.
- A-State offers three DNP concentrations: General (clinical practice), Leadership and Education. This guide covers the clinical-practice DNP.
- Employer expectations for a DNP vary by setting, from optional in many community clinics to increasingly preferred in academic medical centers.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) often ask the same question once they hit a plateau in their career: is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) necessary, or is an MSN enough? Arkansas State University (A-State) offers a DNP – General online program for NPs weighing this exact decision. The honest answer is that a DNP is not currently required to practice as a nurse practitioner in most settings, but the calculus is shifting in specific corners of healthcare. Explore what national nursing organizations currently recommend, who a clinical-practice DNP is really for and how to think through whether it is worth pursuing.
Is a DNP Required to Practice as an NP?
No, not currently and not in most settings. In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommended the DNP become the entry-level degree for advanced practice nursing by 2015. That target date passed without a national requirement taking effect, and the MSN remains the credential most practicing NPs hold today. In April 2023, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) reaffirmed its position that the DNP should be the entry-to-practice standard for NPs, signaling that the direction of travel has not changed, even without an enforced deadline.
In practice, this means an MSN-credentialed NP can practice fully today in the states and settings that already recognize that license, with no expiration on that authority. What has shifted is employer preference in certain settings, not state licensure requirements.
Who This Is For: Clinical Practice DNP vs. Leadership and Education DNP
Not every DNP prepares a nurse for the same next step. A-State offers three DNP concentrations: DNP – General, DNP – Leadership and DNP – Education. A-State’s online DNP – General program is built for NPs who intend to remain in direct patient care and want to deepen their clinical, quality-improvement and evidence-based-practice expertise without shifting into an administrative or faculty track.
Nurses aiming instead for hospital or system-level leadership roles, or for a faculty career teaching future nurses, are better matched to A-State’s DNP – Leadership or DNP – Education concentrations. The Leadership track centers on healthcare systems, policy and organizational management, while the Education track focuses on curriculum design and academic teaching skills for a faculty career.
Employer Expectations by Setting
DNP expectations are not uniform across healthcare. Academic medical centers and large research-affiliated health systems increasingly favor, or in some cases prefer, a DNP for advanced practice hires, particularly where the organization emphasizes quality-improvement leadership and evidence-based practice initiatives.
Community clinics and smaller practice settings, by contrast, generally hire and credential MSN-prepared NPs without hesitation, since state licensure does not distinguish between the two degrees.
Telehealth platforms and hospital systems fall somewhere in between: an MSN is typically sufficient for clinical hiring, but a DNP can carry weight for advancement into clinical leadership or program-development roles within those organizations.
Important Note
These are general hiring patterns, not universal rules. Individual employer requirements vary by organization and region, so confirm expectations with employers in your specific market before assuming either degree is required.
Should You Pursue a DNP? A Quick Decision Guide
There’s no single right answer, since the decision depends on what a nurse is targeting next in their career rather than a blanket rule about which degree is “better.” The table below matches common goals against the A-State concentration or resource that fits them.
| If you… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Want to deepen clinical, quality-improvement or evidence-based-practice skills without leaving direct patient care | A-State’s DNP – General |
| Are targeting a role at an academic medical center or a health system with a stated DNP preference | A-State’s DNP – General |
| Are aiming for a hospital or system-level leadership or administrative role | A-State’s DNP – Leadership |
| Want to teach the next generation of nurses | A-State’s DNP – Education |
| Are still weighing whether the credential is worth it for your specific goals | See the detailed MSN vs. DNP for Nurse Practitioners Comparison |
Whichever row fits, the underlying question is the same: what does the specific role or employer require, not what credential sounds more advanced. The FAQs below cover the questions NPs raise most often when working through this decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a DNP to practice as a nurse practitioner?
No. A DNP is not currently required to practice as an NP in most states or settings. An MSN remains the credential most practicing NPs hold.
What is AACN’s official position on the DNP?
In 2004, AACN recommended that the DNP become the entry-level advanced practice degree by 2015. That target passed without a hard national mandate, though NONPF reaffirmed DNP as its recommended entry standard in 2023.
Which employers prefer a DNP?
Academic medical centers and some large health systems increasingly favor a DNP, particularly for roles emphasizing quality improvement or evidence-based practice leadership. Community clinics generally hire MSN-prepared NPs without hesitation.
What is the difference between A-State’s DNP concentrations?
DNP – General is built for NPs staying in direct clinical practice. DNP – Leadership prepares nurses for administrative and systems roles. DNP – Education prepares nurses for academic faculty careers.
Is a DNP worth pursuing if I am happy in clinical practice?
It depends on your specific career goals and target employers. See the MSN vs. DNP comparison for a detailed breakdown of the tradeoffs.
Can I pursue a DNP while working full time?
Yes. A-State’s online DNP – General program is built for working nurses, with practice experience completed at the student’s own workplace rather than through traditional off-site preceptorships.
Key Takeaways
- A DNP is not currently required to practice as an NP in most states or settings; the MSN remains the entry credential most NPs hold.
- AACN’s 2004 entry-to-practice recommendation did not become a hard mandate, though NONPF reaffirmed the DNP as its preferred standard in 2023.
- Employer preference for a DNP varies by setting, with academic medical centers leaning toward it more than community clinics.
- A-State’s DNP – General concentration is built for NPs staying in direct clinical practice, distinct from its Leadership and Education tracks.
- The right next step depends on individual career goals, not a universal requirement.
Not yet NP-credentialed? Start with MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP or MSN-AGACNP. Ready to take the next step in clinical practice? Explore A-State’s online DNP – General program and see if you qualify to start.