While DNP and NP only vary by one letter, they mean two things. Let’s explore their differences, and what they could mean for your nursing career.
Table of Contents
DNP
A Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal degree that prepares nurses for advanced clinical or leadership roles. The degree was developed to ensure that advanced practice nurses could implement evidence-based practice in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are 426 DNP programs in the country.
Focus
A DNP is at the same level as a Ph.D. in Nursing, but it focuses on practice rather than research. It explores nursing theory, evidence-based practice, and advanced practice. It also covers topics such as leadership, organizational management, health policy, and patient advocacy, to name a few.
A DNP requires the completion of at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours, while the latter does not. Ph.D. students need to submit a dissertation, while DNP students need to complete a scholarly project.
Given the breadth of the DNP curriculum, it can be used to achieve one’s aspirations of becoming an NP, educator, or administrator. In essence, DNP-prepared nurses are qualified to provide care, train students or nurses, serve as administrators, or influence health policies.
Format
If you are interested in getting a DNP, then you need to have a BSN and pass the NCLEX-RN. After working for at least a year, you can try for the BSN to DNP program. As the name suggests, it admits nurses who have a BSN degree. This takes about 3–4 years to finish.
An RN to DNP pathway is also available for those with an Associate’s degree, although they’re not as plentiful as BSN to DNP pathways. It takes about 3–6 years to complete this pathway.
There’s also a post-masters option for those with their MSN or any related Master’s degree. Traditionally, this program can be finished in 2 years.
DNP programs are available in a variety of formats, such as in-person learning, hybrid, or online.
Specialties
As mentioned, DNP-educated nurses can become NPs, educators, or administrators. On top of that, here are some other specialties that nurses can delve into:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Nursing Informatics Expert
- Healthcare Policy Expert
Work Environment
Depending on the chosen specialization, a DNP-educated nurse may be employed by any of these organizations:
- Hospitals, medical centers, or health systems
- Clinics and private practices
- Facilities
- Government agencies
- Universities
- Research facilities
Why DNP?
While a DNP is not required of NPs at the moment, it proves to be advantageous. It provides a higher level of education, which opens DNP-educated NPs to more high-paying career options. According to Payscale, DNPs earn about $112,000 a year, while MSN-educated NPs only earn about $102,000 annually.
Nurses with DNP may even have higher pay depending on their location. According to ZipRecruiter, DNPs in New York earn about $128,851 a year. The pay for DNP-educated nurses in Washington, Massachusetts, and DC is at around the $126,000 mark.
NP
A nurse practitioner or NP is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides patient care. The role, which was established in 1965, offers high-quality care in various populations and settings — one that is comparable to the service provided by physicians.
According to a report, those who are seen by NPs have fewer unnecessary hospital readmissions and ER visits and have a higher patient satisfaction rate.
Education
NPs need to have an advanced degree, such as a Master’s or a DNP, and be certified by a governing body.
Those who opt for a Master’s can pursue an RN-MSN or BSN-MSN pathway, depending on their highest level of education. Compared to a DNP, an MSN may be completed in as short as 18 months.
As for those who prefer a DNP, available pathways include RN-DNP, BSN-DNP, and post-masters DNP, as mentioned above.
After completing their degree, an aspiring NP should pass the certification exam rendered by:
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation — AGACNP
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board — AGPCNP, ENP, FNP, and PMHNP
- American Nurses Credentialing Center — AGPCNP, AGACNP, ENP, FNP, PPCNP, and PMHNP
- National Certification Corporation — NNP and WHNP
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board — PPCNP and PACNP
Responsibilities
An NP’s responsibilities include:
- Obtain medical history and other pertinent information
- Perform physical exams
- Diagnose and manage illnesses
- Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic exams
- Prescribe medications (depending on the state’s practice authority)
- Counsel and educate patients
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
- Operate medical equipment
Specialties
An NP can specialize in any of the following fields:
- Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (acute care or primary care)
- Emergency nurse practitioner
- Family nurse practitioner
- Neonatal nurse practitioner
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (acute care or primary care)
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner
- Women’s health nurse practitioner
Work Environment
Since an NP provides direct care, they are often employed by clinics, hospitals, medical centers, facilities, and health centers. They may also work in the military, universities, and correctional institutions.
Job Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for nurse practitioners (and other APRN roles) is at 40%. This is much faster than average, with BLS estimating an employment change of 141,200 from the year 2023-2033.
Pay
NP pay depends on a variety of factors, including the level of education, location, specialization, and place of employment. According to ZipRecruiter, NPs in Soledad, CA get paid as much as $194,908 while those in San Mateo County, CA receive as much as $191,790. Neonatal NPs earn the most at $136,649 annually, while Dermatology NPs get paid as much as $134,913 a year.
Summary
A DNP is a degree, while an NP is a career path. A nurse may choose to pursue any of them.
Aspiring NPs have the option to take a Master’s degree in Nursing or a DNP. The latter proves to be more beneficial though, as DNP-educated nurses are paid higher than those with MSN. The latter can also open doors to higher administrative positions, such as Chief Nursing Officer or Program Director.