DNP in Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice
DNP Degrees / Programs
What is a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) Degree?
The DNP degree has been offered in the United States and Canada for several years. This degree builds on work completed during previous master's-level courses, and provides education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership, and is typically more clinically oriented than a PhD. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, DNP programs prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice.
Why the shift to DNP programs? today’s complex healthcare environment demands nurses with advanced knowledge and clinical expertise. Rising patient care complexity, workforce shortages, and higher educational expectations are driving a shift in graduate nursing education to prepare leaders who can ensure safe, high-quality care.
Four Key Points on DNP Degrees
Focus on Practice: Unlike research-focused doctorates, DNP programs emphasize translating evidence into practice, leading to quality improvement projects and innovations in healthcare settings.
Advanced Clinical Skills: DNP curricula provide expertise in areas like organizational and systems leadership, healthcare information technology, policy, and interprofessional collaboration.
DNP Project: Students complete a scholarly project that involves translating research into practice, focusing on improving outcomes for patients, populations, or healthcare systems.
Specializations: Programs offer various focus areas, including advanced practice specialties (like Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Anesthesia), nursing leadership, informatics, and public health.
While there are hundreds of DNP programs in the United States, in Canada, DNP programs are offered through the University of Toronto & the University of Calgary (more on these programs below).
👉 If you’re interested in becoming an NP, check out our Practice Management Page for several posts on NP programs & Specialties in the United States & Canada - including BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP options.
What is the Difference between a DNP and nursing PhD?
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a DNP degree is a practice-focused doctoral program, instead of a research-focused doctoral program. The DNP offers an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs.
NP vs. DNP - What is the difference?
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree can be offered as a stand-alone program, such as a Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner or a post-master’s NP degree. The primary focus of these programs is to prepare students to take a certification exam for a specialty NP credential, allowing them to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the U.S., or as a Nurse Practitioner/Registered Nurse – Extended Class in Canada.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, on the other hand, always includes a leadership-focused curriculum designed to prepare nurses for leadership roles within the healthcare system. In the U.S., DNP programs can include NP specialties, such as Family, Acute Care Pediatrics, or Psychiatric/Mental Health. These programs—like BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP—combine clinical training with leadership preparation.
There are also DNP tracks that focus purely on clinical leadership, without the direct patient care component. Ultimately, the choice between an NP degree and a DNP depends on your career goals:
Clinical focus: Become a nurse practitioner.
Combination clinical-leadership focus: Become a nurse practitioner with a DNP.
Leadership focus: Earn a DNP to advance healthcare systems without practicing as an NP.
In other words, some programs allow you to become both an NP and a DNP, while others prepare you for leadership roles as a DNP alone.
Should I get a DNP Degree?
If you are keen to become a strong nursing leader, you should consider a DNP degree. There are hundreds of programs in the United States, with different tracks, hybrid/online options, and full/part time options. There are also a few programs offered in Canada. Canadians can consider applying to certain US DNP programs that accept internationals tudents. You can learn at a pace that works for you.
👉 Bottom line: The choice between an NP degree and a DNP depends on your career goals:
Clinical focus: Become a nurse practitioner.
Combination clinical-leadership focus: Become a nurse practitioner with a DNP.
Leadership focus: Earn a DNP to advance healthcare systems without practicing as an NP.
DNP Programs in the United States
DNP programs offer various specializations, catering to Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, as well as nursing leadership, education, public health, ethics, informatics, and public policy.
In other words, when choosing a DNP program, you will have to research what each university/college offers - many offer nurse practitioner specializations (e.g. if you want to attain a DNP and a nurse practitioner specialty like a family NP or adult geriatric acute care NP), while others offer clinical leadership specializations, health systems specializations, and more.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing:
439 schools of nursing are currently enrolling students in DNP programs
DNP programs are now available in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
DNP Program Tracks in the United States
There are 3 tracks offered in the United States:
Post-baccalaureate DNP programs: for bachelor-prepared nurses, with an RN license. These programs allow RNs to fast-track their education by bypassing the traditional Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and moving directly into the doctoral curriculum.
For example, San Diego State University in California offers a BSN-MSN program with 4 NP specialties to choose from - family NP, adult gerontology primary care NP, adult gerontology acute care NP, and psych/mental health NP - allowing students to be eligible to apply for certification in these NP specialties.
As another example, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers a BSN-DNP in nurse anesthesia, so students can attain a DNP and will be eligible to apply for certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Post-master’s DNP programs: for masters-prepared nurses, with an RN license. These programs allow RNs with a master’s degree in nursing to focus on core doctoral level courses to attain a DNP.
For example, St Anthony College of Nursing in Illinois offers MSN-DNP programs with 2 NP specialities to choose from - adult gerontology primary care NP, and family NP - allowing students to be eligible to apply for certification in these NP specialties. They also offer a clinical leadership and leader in macro/micro health systems specialties.
Entry-level DNP programs: bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. These intensive, accelerated programs include coursework to earn your registered nurse (RN) license before you transition into advanced practice doctoral studies.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing:
BSN-DNP programs: offered in 307 schools (as of 2024)
MSN-DNP programs: offered in 403 schools (as of 2024)
Entry-level DNP programs: 6 schools (as of 2024)
DNP Program Curriculum
Curriculum will vary depending on: what track you choose (BSN-DNP vs MSN-DNP vs entry-level DNP programs), the specialty you choose (NP vs. CRNA vs. other specialty), and there are university program variations. In general, the curriculum will focus on the following areas:
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): Apply research to improve patient care and outcomes.
Quality Improvement (QI): Design and implement initiatives to enhance healthcare systems.
Leadership & Organizational Skills: Lead teams, influence policy, and manage complex systems.
Health Economics & Finance: Navigate financial and economic aspects of modern healthcare.
Informatics & Information Systems: Use technology and data to improve care and efficiency.
Scholarly Project: Complete a practice-focused capstone, often an Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project (EBQI).
DNP Program Structure
Entry: Post-BSN (BSN-DNP), post-MSN (MSN-DNP), or entry-level (entry level-DNP).
Length: Program length varies, typically between 2-4 years, depending on the entry point and whether the student is full-time or part-time
Clinical Hours: Significant practicum requirements; post-BSN programs typically include 1,000 hours.
Culminating Project: Demonstrates mastery of knowledge and leadership in practice change.
Duration: depends on whether you complete it full/part-time (many programs offer both)
BSN-DNP: 3-4 years
MSN-DNP: 18 months-4 years
Entry level-DNP: 3-4 years
Many programs offer online and hybrid options, while others require more on-campus learning.
DNP Admission Requirements
Requirements will vary from program to program, but generally you can expect the following:
GPA: >3.0
RN license (unless going into an entry-level DNP program)
BScN if going into a BSN-DNP program
MSN if going into an MSN-DNP program
RN experience: preferably 1-2 years full time experience in a relevant field, if applying to a nurse practitioner specialty
CV/resume
Academic transcripts
References: academic, clinical - typically 2-3
DNP Programs Canada
1. Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing - University of Toronto
Quick facts:
What you will learn:
Develop skills in translating research into practice
Apply research knowledge in decision-making, and implementation of clinical innovations to make an impact on health care systems, improving care delivery and advancing nurse education & scholarship
Applications open: November 1, with a deadline April 30 (fall start)
Full-time, hybrid: on-campus + online coursework
Duration: 3 years
Courses:
Leadership, Health Services & Education
Implementation Science: Health Services & Education
Health Policy in Nursing Practice & Education
1 elective
4 seminar courses: introductory seminar, literature review, thesis proposal, advanced doctoral nursing practice
2 internships
3 on-campus residencies: Each residency is normally three days in length and takes place during April-May each year. These provide an opportunity for students to present their own work and progress, meet with each other, their thesis supervision committee, our faculty members, and inspiring nurse leaders.
Admission requirements:
Current RN registration in at least one jurisdiction
Master’s degree in nursing or a related field, with a minimum B+ average
At least 2 years of healthcare leadership or advanced nursing education experience
Strong letters of support: 1 academic and 2 professional references
2. University of Calgary Doctor of Nursing Degree
Quick facts:
What you will learn:
Develop skills in translating research into practice
Apply research knowledge in decision-making, and implementation of clinical innovations to make an impact on health care systems, improving care delivery and advancing nurse education & scholarship
Applications open: June 1, with a deadline Sept 15 (winter start)
Online
Duration: 3 years
Courses:
Leading Innovation and Transformation
Technology and Healthcare Information
The Business of Healthcare
Health Policy and Advocacy
Innovation, Improvement and Implementation Science
Seminar 1 – Project Development
Seminar 2 – Knowledge Mobilization
Admission requirements:
Minimum 3 years in mid- to senior-level healthcare or related leadership roles
Master’s degree from a recognized institution
Graduate-level research coursework, including at least one qualitative and one quantitative methods course
Current resume/CV detailing education, work history, leadership roles, awards, publications, and professional affiliations
2 reference letters: 1 academic, 1 professional
What Jobs can I get with a DNP Degree?
It depends what your specialization/clinical focus is. There are clinical and non-clinical jobs you can attain:
DNPs with a clinical focus:
Nurse Practitioner jobs across the health care sector
Certified nurse midwife jobs across the health care sector
Certified registered nurse anesthetist jobs across the health care sector
Clinical nurse specialist jobs across the health care sector
DNP with a non-clinical focus (e.g. on leadership, health systems, etc)
Executive leadership roles in healthcare – Chief Executive Officers, Vice-Presidents of Nursing Practice
Healthcare administration roles
Policy and advocacy roles
Consultants
Leadership roles in government, regulation, policy, quality and safety science
Mid and senior-level leadership roles in government, policy, and professional associations
Teaching roles in nursing education programs
Key take home point: if you are a nurse, or an aspiring nurse, who wants to become a leader in the health care landscape, then you should consider a DNP degree - either in the US or Canada.
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