Benefits of Earning Your Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
This was the rationale behind the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's 2004 endorsement of the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, which was supported by nearly three years of research. The decision paved the way to shift the requirement for entry into advanced nursing practice from a master's degree to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP). This shift should be complete by 2015, according to the AACN in their latest DNP fact sheet (aacn.nche.edu).
Since the DNP is a relatively new degree--in 2005, fewer than 10 programs nationwide were admitting students--you may be wondering how it fits into your career plans. Here are the top three benefits of earning your DNP.
1. Improve Your Practice Skills
The DNP focuses on improving direct care, emphasizing the skillful applications of scientific research, clinical scholarship, and patient care technology. The program requirements include a minimum 1000 clinical hours post baccalaureate in order to perform DNP competencies through practice immersion experiences.
Even though graduate nursing credit requirements are sometimes double the number of other MS degree programs at the same university, modern advanced clinical practice is simply becoming too complex to master in the course of an MS nursing program. As the new terminal practice degree, the DNS will prepare you to successfully navigate the complexities of advanced nursing practice today.
2. Solidify Your Leadership Role
Advanced practice nurses continue to take on more intensive and significant responsibilities. The DNP degree prepares you for a strong leadership role by specifically training you in health care advocacy positions, organizations and systems leadership techniques, and interprofessional collaboration strategies.
"My practice has become so noticeably like that of a doctor that patients often call me 'doctor' (despite the fact that I always introduce myself as a 'nurse practitioner')," wrote Chris Stewart, NP, MSN, in a letter to the American Journal of Critical Care editor. "Having the professional title of "doctor" would...clarify for my patients and colleagues that I do have independent 'doctoral' practice rights." Stewart went on to express a firm intention to earn the DNP.
3. Provide Better Patient Care Outcomes
Studies by Dr. Linda Aikens, Ph.D., RN, have established an unmistakable correlation between more advanced levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes. Dr. Aiken reports documenting "significantly higher patient outcomes in hospitals with more highly educated nurses at the bedside...." as quoted in the Journal of the American Medical Association (September 2003). Observed patient outcome improvements included better control of hypertension and diabetes, among others.
Is a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Right for You?
Despite ongoing theoretical discussions about the pros and cons of the DNP, nurses are walking the walk: between 2007 and 2008, the number of nursing students enrolled in DNP programs nearly doubled and the number of DNP graduates tripled. Unless you're just around the corner from retirement, if you want to work at the advanced practice level then you should give serious consideration to earning your DNP.
In addition to the three benefits highlighted above, there are many other reasons to earn your DNP. For example, although there are not yet any conclusive reports on average salaries, it is to be expected that compensation increases would be on par with other healthcare professionals practicing at the doctorate level.
Ultimately, the question of the DNP is a personal decision for every committed nurse. Does it make sense for your career and practice goals? Make the choice that will benefit your patients, your colleagues and you.
Explore Online Nursing Doctoral Programs
Find a doctorate degree in nursing from top ranked accredited nursing schools. Compare programs to find those that match your interests and complete the short information request form to receive additional information from school advisers from all schools that interest you: Online PhD in Nursing Programs - Nursing Doctoral Degrees
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- Doctor of Health Administration
- M.S. in Nursing
- Online
- Phoenix
- San Jose
- Hollywood
- Troy
- Tucson
- Gardena
- Roseville
- Littleton
- East Lansing
- Jacksonville
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- Hurst
- St Louis Park
- Pasadena
- Southfield
- Westminster
- Lathrop
- Woodland Hills
- Maitland
- Fairfax
- Westlake
- Salida
- Clearwater
- Miami
- Fairfield
- Saint Paul
- Livermore
- St. Louis
- Reston
- San Diego
- Independence
- Mesa
- Henderson
- Beachwood
- Ann Arbor
- Grand Rapids
- Lone Tree
- Arlington
- Sacramento
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- Livonia
- Las Vegas
- Irving
- Palm Beach Gardens
- San Francisco
- Plantation
- Dallas
- Aurora
- Chandler
- Elk Grove
- Costa Mesa
- San Antonio
- Tampa
- Sarasota
- Flint
- Daytona Beach
- Palm Desert
- Portage
- Temple Terrace
- Orlando
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs:- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General
- Ph.D. in Health Services - Course-based - Health Care Admin
- Ph.D. in Health Services - Self-Directed - Self-Designed
Keiser University
Campus
Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.
Programs:- Nursing, MS
- Fort Lauderdale
Kaplan University
Campus
Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.
Programs:- MS in Nursing
- RN to MS in Nursing
- RN to BS in Nursing
- Fort Lauderdale
Grand Canyon University
Campus
Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!
Programs:- M.S. in Nursing: Public Health
- M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
- Phoenix
Keiser University Campus
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, MS (Online Only)
- Port Saint Lucie
- Lakeland
Keiser University Graduate School
Campus
Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
Programs:- Nursing, MS (Online)
- Health Services Management, Graduate Business Certificate
- Fort Lauderdale
South University - Campus
Campus
With over 100 years of educational excellence, South University can give you the outstanding instruction and personalized attention you need to prepare for the real world. We offer a variety of degree programs which can be earned online or at one of our five campus locations. Options include Business Administration, Information Technology, Nursing, Criminal Justice, and more.
Programs:- Nurse Educator (MS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MS)
- Nursing (RN-MSN)
- Savannah
- Tampa
- West Palm Beach
Herzing University
Campus
Herzing University brought its tradition of high-quality programs to the Internet by offering some of the same courses taught at its U.S. campuses in an online format. Herzing University instructors who are specially trained to teach online teach these selected courses.
Programs:- Madison
The College Network
Online
Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.
Programs:- RN to MS in Nursing - Regis University (Licensed RNs only)
Spring Arbor University
Campus
Earn your degree at Spring Arbor, Michigan’s largest evangelical Christian university. Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs are available. Learn more about enrollment now.
Programs:- Masters of Science in Nursing
- Spring Arbor
American Sentinel University Online
Online
Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.
Programs:- MS Nursing - Case Management
- MS Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control
- MS Nursing - Management and Organizational Leadership
Nebraska Methodist College
Online
Advance your nursing career online with Nebraska Methodist College. Our online programs include Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing.
Programs:- MSN Executive
- RN to MSN Executive
- MSN Educator
Independence University
Campus
You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.
Programs:- MS - Nursing Administration
- MS in Health Services - Health Promotion program
- MS - Healthcare Administration
- Salt Lake City
CollegeAmerica
Campus
Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.
Programs:- Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online)
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (Online)
- Cheyenne
- Flagstaff
- Fort Collins
- Phoenix
- Denver
- Colorado Springs
