Careers with an Online MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice

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Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an astounding 45% employment growth rate between 2019 and 2029 for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. As of April 2021, the median salary for the DNP-prepared nurse was $103,662. *

By 2025, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has recommended that the DNP be required for advanced practice nursing. Similarly, the Future of Nursing report issued by the Institute of Medicine has called for nurses to take on greater responsibility to handle the growing number of patients requiring care as populations age and we navigate new challenges brought forth throughout the recent pandemic. An online Doctor of Nursing Practice can put you at the forefront of health care, prepared to take on high-level positions and help meet the rising demand.

As a DNP-credentialed nurse, you may have career opportunities such as:

Nurse Practitioner

Median wage: $111,680*

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly educated and hold higher levels of autonomy in their practice. NPs dedicate their practice to specific patient populations, such as women’s health, families, children, or the elderly. DNP coursework provides students with advanced research skills needed to incorporate evidence-based practice into their care strategies.

Practice settings include:

  • Private physician and NP practices
  • Hospitals
  • Colleges and universities
  • Public health departments

Nurse Informaticist

Median wage: $84,821**

Nurse informaticists specialize in managing the information technology that nurses use to process patient health information and communicate with care teams. With a DNP education, nursing professionals can learn how to innovate in this field and optimize these information systems to improve delivery of care.

Practice settings include:

  • Hospitals
  • Consulting companies
  • Medical groups
  • State and national government agencies

Chief Nursing Officer

Median wage: $133,623**

This executive role involves directing the operations of nursing staff in a medical organization. In some cases, a chief nursing officer or chief nursing executive may have some involvement in advocating for the nursing profession by developing, analyzing, and proposing various health and professional policies.

Practice settings include:

  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Government agencies
  • Healthcare system corporate offices

Nurse Policy Specialist

Median wage: $79,178***

Health policies govern health organizations and help societies achieve specific health objectives. DNP graduates have a deeper perspective of how local, state, and federal health systems interact with one another, allowing them to offer valuable input to these policies.

Practice settings include:

  • Government organizations
  • Public health agencies
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Advocacy organizations

Nurse Administrator

Median wage: $104,280*

Nurse administrators fill management and leadership roles in health care organizations. With their expertise in administrative procedures, they manage nursing teams, nursing units, a department, or nurses throughout an entire health system.

Practice settings include:

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Clinics
  • Physicians’ offices

Clinical Educator

Median wage: $83,040****

Clinical educators facilitate the training and development of nurses. They often work in hospitals and clinics but can also be found teaching in academic settings. They’re responsible for evaluating their units’ current needs and delivering suitable teaching plans that inform, motivate and energize their students.

Practice settings include:

  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Colleges and universities
  • Health care organizations

Clinical Nurse Consultant

Median wage: $87,521**

Clinical nurse consultants advise health care institutions to help them provide the highest quality of care. Depending on their professional background, they can specialize in different areas of health care, such as acute care or primary care. They’re responsible for overseeing treatment plans and helping nursing departments improve their operational strategies.

Practice settings include:

  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient treatment centers
  • Research labs
  • Emergency rooms

Nursing Home Administrator

Median wage: $92,094**

Nursing home administrators oversee the fundamental operations of a nursing home facility, such as planning, directing, and coordinating health services. They’re required to stay abreast of various changes in laws and regulations pertaining to nursing home care so they can make sure the facilities they manage stay compliant.

Practice settings include:

  • Memory care facilities
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Retirement communities
  • Veteran Affairs (VA) nursing homes

Nurse Researcher

Median wage: $95,000*****

Nurse researchers study various aspects of health care and illness. They design and conduct scientific studies, and collect and analyze data to improve current health care standards. They often survey patients to compile feedback about their satisfaction with nursing services and facilitate studies where different interventions are tested on patients to determine the efficacy.

Practice settings include:

  • Hospitals
  • Medical clinics
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government agencies

*BLS.gov
**Payscale.com
***ZipRecruiter.com
****Salary.com
*****ExploreHealthCareers.org

Regis College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

Designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing 2008-2020

Among The Princeton Review’s
“Best Regional Colleges”

Ranked among the Top 25 Fastest-Growing Colleges by The Business Journals

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