Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a doctoral program focusing on medical practice rather than medical research. Unlike traditional, research-based PhD degrees, DNP degrees provide training specifically designed for application the clinical environment.
Doctor of nursing practice recipients can use their degrees to take on leadership roles in a wide range of health care settings. Their experience empowers them to apply reputable research findings in specialized and innovative ways. At the same time, DNP training equips degree-holders to perform crucial logistical functions and assessments to optimize nearly every facet of the health care process – from policy to practice to management.
Jumpstart Your Career in Nursing, Explore Online DNP Programs:
- Complete in as few as 33 months on a full-time basis
- Engage in courswork with a clinical focus
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- Complete your DNP in as few as 27 months
- Keep your current commitments with our part-time study plan.
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A DNP degree is a natural career advancement step for a Registered Nurse (RN) with either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or a Master of Science Nursing (MSN) degree and a desire to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP) or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). A DNP degree is also a preferred credential for RNs looking to transition into the world of nurse education.
The Online DNP Program Experience
Completing a DNP program experience online is a preferred route for many practicing nurses that already possess an MSN degree. The flexibility of the online doctoral coursework is a good fit for those who do not wish to or cannot afford to leave their positions to attend school full-time.
Multiple options exist for students interested in pursuing their doctor of nursing practice: a BSN to DNP track for those looking to enter into a doctoral program directly following their bachelors degree and an MSN to DNP track for masters of nursing students. The BSN to DNP track is, naturally, lengthier and more intensive but can be a great option for those with their minds set on becoming a practicing DNP.
Multiple options exist for students interested in pursuing their doctor of nursing practice: a BSN to DNP track for those looking to enter into a doctoral program directly following their bachelors degree and an MSN to DNP track for masters of nursing students. The BSN to DNP track is, naturally, lengthier and more intensive but can be a great option for those with their minds set on becoming a practicing DNP.
Regardless of the amount of coursework required to earn a DNP online, these types of distance-learning programs offer a portability and versatility that allow students to engage with coursework on the go whenever the opportunity arises to do so. The combination of an internet connection and compatible device puts learning at students’ fingertips.
Students can expect online DNP programs to include:
- A cloud-based digital hub for accessing and submitting course content
- Multimedia-infused learning materials
- Embedded communication and collaboration opportunities for student-professor and student-student interaction
- Tech support services to prevent and solve software and hardware issues
Online DNP Program Admissions Requirements
As a doctoral degree, DNP candidates enter these post-baccalaureate programs already possessing a wide range of prior professional and educational credentials. Schools account for this by setting the bar for admissions at a level that makes the program completion both practical and feasible.
When researching online DNP programs to apply to, be aware that schools often require certain prerequisite coursework and/or work experience for entrance into specific DNP programs. These requirements can vary from school to school or even from program to program within the same school.
Similarly, some schools are more willing to accept existing post-baccalaureate credit and clinical experiences than others are. If you are looking for an DNP program online and already hold an MSN, this is a crucial consideration. Choosing a program that accepts your prior efforts can save you both time and money!
Despite these discrepancies, many of the specifics surrounding entrance into a DNP program ultimately stem from the base-level expectations set by the national nursing licensing boards:
- a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and/or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited university or college
- an active registered nurse’s license in good standing
- a minimum amount of work experience as an RN (amount varies by institution)
Online DNP Program Curriculum
Online DNP programs feature a blend of content from across the nursing profession. There are opportunities for nurses to advance their clinical practices in areas including diagnostics, treatment, and techniques. Additionally, DNP students receive training in non-clinical matters like organization, financial management, and the other various logistical components of the health care business.
DNP degrees are commonly paired with one or more Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and/or Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialties such as:
- Acute care (ACNP)
- Adult care (ANP)
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Gerontology (A-GNP)
- Family care (FNP)
- Nephrology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric care (PNP)
- Psychiatric and mental health care (PMHNP)
- Pulmonology
These specialties each require their own additional coursework and/or clinical hours to be eligible for certification in the given discipline.
It is worth reiterating that a DNP program leads to a doctorate degree in nursing sciences, not any particular nursing certificate. Upon completing an online DNP program, nurses must still complete testing and application requirements through the appropriate credentialing organization. As such, many schools include preparation for these tests as part of their DNP curricula.
DNP Programs vs FNP Programs
The major difference between DNP and FNP programs is the end result. DNP programs result in a doctoral degree while FNP programs result in a master’s degree. Both programs are popular pathways to career advancement in the nursing field; in fact, they are often obtained in sequence. Many RNs will start with a FNP program as a pathway to a MSN degree and then work towards a doctoral degree through a DNP program. Ultimately, DNP degrees open nurses up to more career possibilities and increased earning potential when compared to a BSN or MSN alone.
| Degree Components | DNP Degree | FNP Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Doctor of Nursing Practice: a post-BSN medical practice degree. The terminal degree in the field of nursing. | Family Nurse Practitioner: a nursing certificate that can be pursued in conjunction with a MSN degree. Candidates for FNP programs must possess a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN). |
| Typical Clinical Hour Requirements | 1,000 hours of supervised, clinical, post-baccalaureate experience (500 of which can typically be applied from prior post-baccalaureate studies) | A minimum of 500 hours of faculty-supervised clinical experience (varies by school – many require 650 or more hours) |
| Typical Time to Complete | MSN to DNP path:
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BSN to FNP/MSN path:
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| Required Coursework | MSN to DNP path:
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BSN to FNP/MSN path:
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Doctor of Nursing Practice Career Outlook
The career prospects for FNPs look strong over the next decade, but the prospects for DNP-holders might be very well be even stronger. The versatility and expertise associated with the completion of doctor of nursing practice programs is an ideal fit for the changing landscape of American healthcare.Urgent care and specialty care facilities are continuing to grow in popularity and ubiquity, which has created a rising demand for qualified professionals to staff them. This trend, combined with the increasing rate of retirements from the field has made NPs and APRNs, particularly those with DNP or comparable degrees, top targets for recruitment in the medical field.
Add to that the fact that nurses with DNP degrees are some of the most sought after candidates for nursing education roles and you have a career outlook filled with a wide variety of potential healthcare professions to pursue.
Through 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a strong 36% growth-rate for Nurse Practitioners and similar careers requiring a minimum of an MSN degree. This is more than double the projected growth rate for RNs over the same span.
Also according to the BLS, as of May 2017, NPs with MSN degrees earned median annual wages ranging from $101,600-$117,850. Specialists like nurse anesthetists (which requires a DNP degree) earned median annual salaries of $165,120.
It is highly likely that obtaining a doctor of nursing practice the most lucrative path a nurse can take in the medical profession without becoming a full-fledged Doctor of Medicine (MD). An online DNP degree program can open doors to a wide array of possible career paths in the medical profession with many opportunities for the foreseeable future.