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What Can I Do with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)?
Discover the career possibilities with a doctorate in nursing (DNP). Earn the terminal degree in nursing and greatly expand your career potential.
Career options with the terminal degree in nursing
There are many types of nursing degrees required for different jobs in nursing, such as a diploma to become a practical nurse, or an associate/bachelor’s degree (ASN, BSN) to become a registered nurse.
You can unlock your potential across the board by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Rather than help you get a job in a specific emphasis, a DNP can prepare you for personal achievement in all nursing disciplines.
Education is essential to continue climbing the ladder. Earning a DNP can help any nursing student reach the next level in their career.
Expand your credentials across specialties
The terminal degree in nursing can help you better prepare for career success across a variety of potential specialties in advanced practice nursing.
Rather than provide specific training towards a particular specialty, a DNP can provide an educational foundation applicable to any career path you might choose.
However, this isn’t always the case—some DNP programs do emphasize in a specialty or concentration, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Midwifery, or Nursing Executive/Leadership. Educational requirements will vary to apply for these kinds of programs.
Our DNP program is designed for both BSN and MSN holders seeking to accelerate their personal growth to the height of the nursing profession.
Relevant jobs at the DNP level
| Clinical careers | Leadership careers |
|---|---|
| Nurse practitioners | Nurse administrators |
| Nurse anesthetists | Nurse educators/faculty |
| Nurse midwives | Public health nurses |
| Clinical nurse specialists | Nursing home administrators |
| Clinical nurse researcher | Nurse managers |
Improve your qualifications as a nurse educator
While clinical experience and a strong practice-focused educational background is important for those interested in a teaching role, there is an alternative doctoral degree pathway available to nurses aspiring to become a nurse educator.
Our School of Nursing has developed a Doctor of Nursing Education program to provide a pathway for master’s-prepared nurses to develop comprehensive knowledge and skills specifically in nursing education.
Doctorally-prepared educators may potentially earn an edge in a competitive job market given their capability to teach both undergraduate and graduate-level courses.
Invest in yourself and make your mark
Perhaps the best thing you can do with a DNP is to pursue your personal career advancement as a change agent in the field of nursing. You can help the nursing profession earn greater influence in the medical world and stake your claim as a leader in the field.
While earning a DNP can potentially help you qualify for a wider variety of higher paying job openings,1 the DNP curriculum doesn’t necessarily only apply to any distinct specialty or nursing job. Your DNP education prepares you for career success at the highest levels across specialties.
Take the next step to reach your highest career goals in nursing. We exist to help you make it possible.
Learn more about our online DNP program
1. According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, registered nurses whose highest education was a DNP reported a median salary of about $100,000, 11% higher than the $90,000 median for those who had earned as much as a master’s degree.