- Nursing
- Degrees and programs
- Doctoral degree
Doctoral degree
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) will take you into new disciplines, such as education, research and management.
Doctoral degrees in brief
- Course length: 4–6 years
- Average annual salary: $106k–$200k
What are the benefits of an doctoral degree?
These advanced degrees open doors to a multitude of opportunities, allowing you to excel in various leadership positions within academia, research, healthcare facilities, and beyond. With a DNP or PhD in Nursing, you can make a significant impact in shaping the future of healthcare, implementing evidence-based practices, and driving innovation in patient care. Whether you aspire to contribute to cutting-edge research, educate future nurses, or assume influential roles in healthcare administration, a DNP or PhD in Nursing equips you with the knowledge, skills, and credibility to thrive in these challenging and rewarding positions.
Leadership
University lecturer, head of a laboratory and other managerial positions. They’re all within reach.
Earning potential
Advanced qualifications and more expertise bring a bigger salary.
Chance to grow
Your knowledge and experience will set you up to take on more advanced roles.
What you’ll learn with a DNP degree
Your studies will include the following classes, exams and practical training.
Core classes
You’ll get into the more academic side of nursing, with courses including research, statistics and data analysis, history and philosophy. The details of your studies will depend on the doctoral nursing degree you choose to pursue.
Hands-on experience
To prepare you for an executive position, the practical part of your DNP degree will be clinical leadership in a healthcare facility.
What you can do with an DNP degree
You’ll be ready to step into executive and leadership roles in a healthcare facility, teach at university level or go into research.
Research
Your qualifications as a Doctor of Nursing will allow you to pick and choose from many interesting positions, including Nurse Educator in a lab, Health Policy Nurse for the government, Nurse Educator at university level and Nurse Executive.
Managerial duties
Heading up a hospital, lab, faculty or another healthcare management position is a natural progression for nurses with a doctoral degree. You’ll play an important role in helping improve the healthcare system.
Did you know?
Where you’ll work after getting your DNP
- Universities
- Research labs
- Government labs
- Healthcare organizations
- Magnet hospitals
- Hospitals
- Doctor’s offices
How to get ahead with your DNP
One of the best things about being a nurse? You’ll never stop learning. You’ll have opportunities to grow from the day you start your career.
Postdoctoral studies
You can continue your education by pursuing additional research, training or teaching. Most postdoc students work closely with a mentor who supports them and helps them achieve their goals.
Featured specialties
Research nurse
A research nurse is a scientist who works with patients during clinical trials, recording and managing data with the intent of discovering newer, better ways to provide care.
Clinical nurse specialist
A clinical nurse specialist has advanced knowledge and hands-on expertise in a chosen specialty.
Health policy nurse (HPN)
Health policy nurses support the research, development, and implementation of healthcare policies. They advocate for patients and providers by shaping legislation, improving healthcare access, and communicating public health needs to government and policy leaders.
Take the next step on your nursing journey.
Are you considering a nursing career but unsure of where to start? Take our quiz to get your personalized guide of the steps you’ll need to take, whether you have prior nursing experience or are looking to enter the profession for the first time!