When seeking to further their expertise, career-driven nurses can opt between two terminal nursing degrees: the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Ph.D. in nursing. Interested students may be wondering about the differences between the two, and which one will better align with their professional goals.
Although the two programs overlap to some extent, it is important to understand that the overall purpose of each program is unique. Traditionally, the Ph.D. has been the standard degree for tenure-track faculty positions, and as such, it emphasizes scientific foundations, research methodology, and scholarly investigation. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) focuses on preparing nurses to provide evidence-based patient care.
Students who prioritize clinical nursing will benefit from earning a DNP, while those who want to prioritize nursing research might find the Ph.D. to be a better fit.
What Is a DNP in Nursing?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree designed for RNs who are interested in furthering their advanced practice nursing careers. BSN-credentialed nurses and nurses working as a masters-prepared clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, or nurse practitioner are eligible to pursue this degree. DNP programs also allow nurses to specialize in areas such as pediatrics, family practice, psychiatric mental health, adult gerontology, women’s health, and nurse education. Upon graduation, DNP nurses often find they’re eligible to work more autonomously and/or advance to managerial roles. Some DNP programs can be completed in two to three years.
What Is a Ph.D. in Nursing?
A Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) is the highest nursing degree. This is a science-focused, research-oriented program that’s ideal for nurses who are interested in directing their careers toward medical research and/or teaching at the collegiate level. Like other Ph.D. programs, most Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree programs can be completed in four to six years.
DNP vs. Ph.D.: Career Outcomes
Students who are interested in completing an advanced education must first understand which career path they want to pursue, as this will allow them to choose a degree program that best aligns with their individual interests.
Ph.D. in Nursing Career Paths
Graduates of Ph.D. programs are trained primarily as researchers. Students tackle complex questions about health care and formulate solutions to improve treatment outcomes. The degree sets most students on an academic path with the expectation that many will become faculty members and researchers at institutions of higher education.
DNP Career Paths
A DNP program prepares students for leadership positions and administrative roles in the health care industry. As experts at the highest level of clinical nursing, they may seek roles as executives in health care organizations, directors of clinical programs, and developers of care delivery for specific populations. Because the DNP is a terminal degree, graduates can also teach at the university level, but their pedagogical focus is still usually on clinical practice.
Separate Degrees, Complimentary Objectives
While DNP and Ph.D. graduates generally have different professional objectives, their roles are complementary, and there is ample opportunity for collaboration. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes the many benefits of establishing working relationships between nursing professionals with research-focused doctorates and those with practice-focused doctorates.
For example, nurses who hold a Ph.D. can assist DNPs with study design and methodology, data collection and evaluation, statistical analysis, and regulatory compliance. Their scholarly work can point to previously unknown results that could impact the implementation of treatment.
On the other hand, DNPs are particularly skilled at translating scholarly research into actual practice. This core strength enables them to assist Ph.D. nurses by evaluating the sustainability, performance measures, and financial impact of health initiatives; assessing provider practices; granting access to data and other indicators; and implementing evidence-based improvements in a clinical setting. DNPs are considered the “boots on the ground” in this partnership, and their expertise is crucial in guiding the theoretical underpinnings of academic research.
DNP vs. Ph.D.: Requirements
When deciding whether to prioritize a career in clinical nursing or nursing research, students can benefit from having a thorough understanding of the requirements for each degree. The DNP and the Ph.D. are similar, but their distinct objectives shape their curricula in different ways.
The average time to complete a Ph.D. program is four to six years, and each student must write a dissertation that presents the results of an independent and original research project. Because of the emphasis on scholarly investigation, most Ph.D. programs offer classes on methodology and data collection, the history and philosophy of nursing, scientific content and foundation, and other theoretical issues that are important to the field.
DNP programs tend to be shorter, with an average completion time of three to four years. Since it is a practice-oriented degree, there is a strong emphasis on immersive experiences in clinical settings. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice for supervised post-baccalaureate programs. DNP students complete a final project as well, but it’s important to note that it need not be a dissertation.
Instead, the final project can take forms that are more appropriate for those who want expertise in clinical nursing. For example, it can be an evaluation of a new health care initiative, guidelines for a new quality improvement program, a collaborative group study, or an analysis of treatment implementation. The project should arise from clinical nursing and demonstrate that the doctoral candidate can adequately translate research into implementation.
DNP vs. Ph.D.: Practical Skills
The DNP and Ph.D. represent the highest level of expertise in nursing, and the programs generally promote different skills.
Some of the practical skills that Ph.D. programs emphasize include the following.
● Designing and conducting independent research projects, including obtaining funding, managing research teams, and publishing the results
● Testing hypotheses, instituting methodologies, and generating and analyzing results
● Teaching and mentoring within academia
The DNP prepares candidates to graduate with competencies in the following areas.
● Scientific foundations for patient care
● Organizational and systems leadership
● Evidence-based practice
● Using medical technologies to improve patient care
● Health care policy and advocacy
● Interprofessional collaboration within the health care industry
● Disease prevention and population health
● Advanced specialized nursing practice
DNP vs. Ph.D.: Salary Differences
Data from the compensation source PayScale notes that as of August 2020, the starting salary for RNs who hold a Ph.D. in nursing was $91,986. The median salary for RNs who have a DNP degree was $102,870. However, it should be noted that salaries can vary widely based on where a job is located and a candidate’s years of relevant experience.
Career-driven nurses should consider enrolling in graduate programs to achieve their professional goals, whether they seek to prioritize clinical nursing or nursing research. The health care industry is under growing pressure to adapt to technological advances, aging populations, and shortages of nursing personnel. While these changes are creating a number of challenges, they are also giving rise to new opportunities for nurses.
As the demand for services intensifies, the overall employment of specialized nurses is projected to grow by 45% between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This growth is much faster than what’s projected for all other occupations Furthermore, nurses with graduate degrees are often more likely to report high levels of job satisfaction and see an increase in wages.
Learn More About the DNP Degree
Regis College prepares nurse practitioners to take the next step in their careers with the online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program. RNs with a bachelor’s degree who enroll in the program experience the same rigorous academic classes as traditional students, but with the flexibility of online courses.
Recommended Readings
NP to DNP: In Less Than 10 Years, All Nurse Practitioners May Need to Hold a DNP
What Can You Do with a Doctorate in Nursing?
What Can I Do with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, DNP Fact Sheet
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, PhD Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice”
The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, “Difficult Professional Choices: Deciding Between the PhD and the DNP in Nursing”
PayScale, Doctorate (PhD), Nursing Degree
PayScale, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Nursing Services (ONS)