Why Choose a Doctoral Program?
The outlook and demand for doctorly-prepared nurses is excellent. The Institute of Medicine recommended that the number of nurses with doctoral degrees should double by 2020 (IOM, 2011). Obtaining a doctoral degree is a major decision for any student to make. It is important that nursing students choose a program that best meets their career and educational goals. Choosing the wrong path can be a waste of time and money. This article will compare the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with the Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) degree. While both are terminal nursing degrees, the programs differ on curriculum and objectives.
By the Numbers: Program Comparison
In 2020, there were 407 DNP programs that enrolled 40,834 students and produced more than 10,000 graduates. By comparison, there were 149 PhD programs that enrolled 4,476 students and had 773 graduates.
What is the difference between the two programs?
| DNP | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Objective | Practice-focused nursing doctorate degree | Research-focused nursing doctorate degree |
| Curriculum Focus | Translation of research Application of improving systems Focus on patient outcomes Organizational leadership |
Scientific study Knowledge for improving systems Conduct research |
| Program Length | 2 – 3 years | 4 – 5 years |
| Entry Points | BSN or MSN | BSN or MSN |
| Roles | Nurse Practitioners (NPs) Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) Nurse clinical educators Nurse administrators Public health nurses Nurse informaticists |
Nursing faculty Nurse scientist Public health policy Healthcare innovation |
| Academic Group Name | DNP Team | PhD Committee |
| Final Academic Requirement | DNP Project | PhD Dissertation | Degree Requirements | 1,000 hours post baccalaureate clinical hours DNP Project |
Final defense of dissertation |
Conclusions
Only one percent of all nurses have a nursing doctorate degree (AACN, 2022 Jul). Obtaining a terminal degree would give a nurse a significant edge in any area of practice or research. Regardless of which doctoral path is chosen, nurses work in collaboration with each other. PhD nurses are needed to do research and find the best evidence-based practices. DNP nurses take this research and translate it into practice to improve outcomes. The DNP and PhD prepared nurses are pivotal in changing the future of the nursing profession while improving health outcomes.
By: Denise Lindstrom, EKU Online DNP student
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