DNP vs PhD in Nursing: Which Is Right for You?

DNP vs PhD in Nursing

Nurses don’t just care for patients—they can also advance to leadership positions that shape everything from patient care to healthcare policy.

To further your nursing career, you have a few different options for advanced education, including a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). What is the difference between DNP and PhD in Nursing? We break down everything you need to know about a DNP vs. PhD in Nursing so you can choose the best degree for your career goals.

Table of Contents

What Is a PhD in Nursing?
What Is a DNP?
DNP vs. PhD in Nursing: Main Differences

What Is a PhD in Nursing?

A PhD vs DNP in Nursing is one of two terminal degrees. A PhD in Nursing is a research- and science-focused degree, representing the highest level of education possible for nurses.¹ It prepares nurses for careers in medical research to advance the nursing profession or for teaching nursing at the college level rather than pursuing clinical practice.

What Is a PhD in Nursing?

How to Earn a PhD in Nursing

To apply to a PhD in Nursing program:

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.¹ This degree prepares you with foundational knowledge on topics such as anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology and more.² A BSN program typically takes four years.³
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). All nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN to practice in the United States.⁴The exam assesses your critical thinking skills and knowledge of nursing practices.
Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Some programs may require an MSN for admission into their program.¹ An MSN is a graduate degree focused on specific nursing topics to prepare you for advanced practice or nursing leadership. Choose from various nursing role specialties, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Nurse Executive or Nurse Educator.

Once you’ve completed these steps, begin applying to PhD in Nursing programs.

Curriculum Expectations in Nursing PhD (vs. DNP) Programs

The courses you’ll take in a nursing PhD program will vary by program, but you can expect your coursework to focus on the following:⁵

History and philosophy of nursing
Development and testing of nursing and other healthcare techniques
Data management
Research methodology
Social, economic, political and ethical issues in nursing

You’ll also need to complete a dissertation focused on original research.¹

Career Outlook for PhD vs. DNP

Earning a PhD in Nursing qualifies you for two career pathways: research and nursing education.¹

A nurse researcher may work in a hospital, medical lab or other research facility, where they design and perform scientific research to propel the profession forward.¹ Their duties include:

Crafting research questions
Conducting research to answer those questions
Collaborating with other scientists in nursing and other related medical fields
Collecting and analyzing data
Publishing their findings
Applying for grants and funding for research proposals
Creating and following quality assurance standards
Training and supervising laboratory staff, including nurses and scientists

A nurse educator works at universities and colleges to train nursing students.¹ Their day-to-day responsibilities include the following:

Overseeing course curriculum
Teaching courses for undergraduate and graduate nursing students
Supervising students’ laboratory and clinical work
Grading student work and rating their performance
Mentoring and advising nursing students

PhD/nurse educator careers: A PhD can lead to careers in nursing education and research. The median annual wage for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary was $80,250 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).⁶^†

Benefits of Earning a Nursing PhD (vs. DNP)

Earning a PhD in Nursing has benefits that make it appealing to nurses who want to advance in the profession:

A more traditional work schedule.⁷ Nurses often work 12-hour shifts, including overnights, weekends and holidays. Academia, however, adopts more of a 9-5 schedule and adheres to national holidays.
The opportunity to influence healthcare policy and practice.⁸ Working in academia, you can design and conduct research that could impact healthcare policies and nursing practice.
Administrative and leadership opportunities.⁸ A PhD in Nursing provides leadership opportunities in research and academia that a BSN or MSN wouldn’t qualify you for. You can also lead development nurses as they enter the profession.

What Is a DNP?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares you for the highest level of nursing expertise in a clinical setting in addition to management and leadership roles, including as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).⁹ You do not have to practice with a DNP, but it does give you the option.

APRN roles, including nurse practitioners (NPs), nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, are projected to grow 36% from 2025-2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.¹⁰ The median annual salary for these APRN roles was $134,920 in May 2025.¹⁰^†

The journey to earn your DNP may vary based on where you start. At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), the path to a DNP follows these steps:

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You’ll complete a four-year program consisting of traditional liberal arts courses, general electives and a science curriculum. While you can start your nursing career with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), you’ll need a BSN to qualify for a DNP program. If you have a BSN, you may be able to enter a BSN-entry DNP nursing program, which includes selecting a role specialty.
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam. NCLEX requirements vary by state, as each state nursing board sets its own licensure policies. Some states, such as Georgia, require candidates to pass the NCLEX within three years of graduation.¹¹
Get a registered nurse (RN) license. The process varies by state, but generally, you can expect to:

Submit a transcript from an accredited nursing program
Share your NCLEX exam results
Complete the additional paperwork required by your state
Pay an application fee, which varies by state¹²
Pass a criminal background check

Gain work experience. USAHS’ DNP program requires applicants to have the equivalent of at least one year of full-time nursing experience as an RN by the time they begin their first practicum course. This on-the-job experience builds your skills and showcases your career progression in terms of responsibilities, titles or skill sets.
Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). An MSN is a graduate nursing program that prepares you for leadership roles and provides specialized training. If you are applying to USAHS and some other programs, this step is optional since you can apply with a BSN.
Complete a DNP program. Your final step is to complete a DNP program. The timeline for completing your DNP will vary based on a variety of factors, including:

Your entry point (BSN or MSN)
Area of specialization
Program requirements
Acceleration or extension opportunities
Whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time

Curriculum Expectations in a DNP (vs. PhD) Program

The majority of the curriculum in a DNP program is practice-focused and will include clinical practicums and a final project similar to a dissertation.⁹^,¹³

The curriculum for a DNP may vary based on the program, your entry path and your specialization.

At USAHS, you can choose between two paths to enter the DNP program — BSN-entry or MSN-entry. If you enter the program with a BSN, you’ll earn anywhere from 64-77 credit hours and participate in 1,276-1,334 practicum hours, depending on whether you enroll in the FNP, PMHNP or Nurse Executive pathway. Students entering the MSN pathway from another program will earn 42-52 credits and anywhere from 696-1,276 practicum hours.

As a USAHS DNP graduate, you will be equipped to:

Employ the skills necessary to engage in life-long learning through intellectual inquiry and scholarship
Lead and serve on interprofessional teams to promote improved population health and outcomes in complex healthcare systems
Practice critical thinking and evidence-based decision making in delivering or directing nursing practice and serving as a leader in healthcare systems
Provide leadership in the use of technology and information systems for the evaluation and improvement of individual, population, and institutional outcomes
Exhibit professional and ethical standards while advocating for safe, equitable, and cost-effective healthcare and policies for all
Communicate effectively with members of interprofessional teams, healthcare consumers, policymakers, and institutional, local, regional, and national healthcare leaders
Utilize transformational leadership, systems thinking, and clinical analytics to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals and diverse populations
Deliver or direct nursing practice based on sound theoretical frameworks, best scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and in collaboration with the patient and family.

Specialty Areas

DNP students can specialize in any of the following areas:⁹^,¹⁴

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)(not currently enrolling at USAHS)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Healthcare Policy
Nurse Executive(NE)/Nurse Administrator
Nurse Educator
Nursing Informaticist

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Career Outlook Difference Between DNP and PhD

You have several career options with a DNP, including nurse practitioner (NP) and other clinical and leadership positions. You can qualify for many of these positions with an MSN degree, but earning a DNP could lead to a more advanced role and greater financial compensation.¹⁵^†

You can use your DNP in direct patient care as an NP. NPs typically specialize in one of the following areas:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): An FNP is a clinician who assesses, diagnoses and treats patients and families like a family doctor. They typically work with children and adults in clinics, private practices and hospitals.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP): An AGNP works with individuals, from young adults to seniors, to assess, diagnose, treat and manage illnesses and injuries.¹⁶ They work in clinics, private practices, hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities such as nursing homes.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP): An NNP provides care to premature babies while supporting and educating their parents or guardians.¹⁷ They often work in emergency rooms, delivery rooms and outpatient facilities with infants.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): A PNP is similar to a neonatal NP, except they work with children from infancy to their late teens.¹⁸ Since children cannot make medical decisions, pediatric NPs work closely with their parents in clinics, private practices and hospitals.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): A PMHNP works with patients experiencing mental illness or addiction.¹⁹ They diagnose, treat and evaluate patients in hospitals, outpatient facilities, clinics and private practices.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): A WHNP focuses on helping patients with reproductive, obstetric and gynecological care, similar to a gynecologist.²⁰

Someone with a DNP who wishes to work directly with patients can also pursue the following careers:

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): A CNM focuses on providing healthcare to women from pregnancy through postpartum.²¹ They work in hospitals, birthing centers and public health clinics and hold a certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): CRNAs are advanced-practice nurses who administer anesthesia during procedures and surgeries.²² They treat patients of all ages and can work alone or with anesthesiologists at hospitals, in dentist offices and with other healthcare providers.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A CNS supervises and collaborates with other nurses and healthcare team members, conducts research and other evidence-based projects, consults with healthcare organizations to improve system and patient outcomes and teaches or advises future nurses.²³

Nurses with DNPs do not have to work directly with patients—they can also hold many leadership and administrative roles:

Nurse manager: A nurse manager works administratively, overseeing staffing, personnel, human resources, financial resources, operational efficiency and other day-to-day operations.²⁴
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO): A CNO works in hospitals, clinics, government organizations and other healthcare organizations to ensure quality care for patients.²⁵ They serve in a leadership capacity, working with other organizational leaders to maintain patient care standards. These nurse leaders establish patient care standards, design patient care systems, integrate medical technologies effectively and collaborate with other healthcare professionals and hospital leaders.
Health Policy Analyst: Nurses with DNPs can work in healthcare policy, which impacts everything from healthcare access, cost, delivery methods and privacy. They often work for government or nonprofit organizations, higher education, research laboratories and hospitals to develop healthcare policies based on data and research.²⁶
Nurse informaticist: Nurse informaticists combine nursing with computer and information science to develop medical data systems, such as electronic medical records (EMRs), that support nurses and improve patient care outcomes.²⁷ They may educate others on how to use technology, research and develop software or serve as chief nursing officers.
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE): A CNE often continues to practice part-time while teaching undergraduate and graduate nursing courses at a college or university.²⁸

Benefits of Earning a DNP (vs. PhD) in Nursing

There are several benefits to earning a DNP in Nursing:

Increased salary. Pay for nurses varies based on education level and length of experience, which means that nurses with a DNP will likely make more than an RN with an MSN.²⁹^† Their advanced education and access to leadership roles may lead to higher earning potential than other nurses.
Access to new career opportunities.⁹ Nurses with DNPs may have access to more leadership roles than nurses with an MSN. These leadership positions mean those with a DNP can help shape the future of healthcare policy.
Increased responsibility and autonomy.³⁰ Nurses with DNPs who become nurse practitioners may have more responsibility and autonomy than traditional RNs. They may also leave clinical practice to work as a healthcare leader.
Advanced expertise. A DNP is a terminal degree, so completing a DNP program allows you to advance your education and deepen your expertise in a specialized area.

DNP vs. PhD in Nursing: Main Differences

	DNP	PhD
Degree Type	Practice-focused terminal degree	Research-focused terminal degree
Primary Focus	Advanced practice, clinical leadership and quality improvement
Typical Program Length	2–4 years*	4–6 years
Clinical Hours	Yes. DNP programs include supervised practice and at least 500 post-entry-level practice hours.	No standard clinical-hour requirement
Culminating Requirement	DNP scholarly/practice project focused on applying evidence or improving practice	Original research culminating in a dissertation or linked research papers
Common Work Settings	Hospitals, healthcare organizations, primary and specialty clinics, private practice, government agencies, universities and other healthcare settings	Colleges and universities, research institutions, healthcare organizations, government agencies and other research-focused settings
Median Salary (as of May 2025)^†	Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners: $134,920^†	Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary: $80,250^†
Projected Job Growth (2025–2035)	36%	17.1%

Sources: Registered Nursing¹, American Association of Colleges of Nursing^5,14, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics^6,10, Nurse.org⁸, NurseJournal^13,15, USAHS

The main difference between DNP and PhD in Nursing degrees centers on career goals, program length and clinical requirements.

The DNP prepares students for active practice, while a PhD in Nursing prepares students for careers in research and academia.¹ While nurses with a DNP may qualify to teach while they practice, nurses with a PhD will typically not interact with patients outside of a research setting.³¹

While it varies by program, entry point, specialization and enrollment type, a PhD in Nursing generally takes longer to complete than a DNP. Most students earn a DNP in two to four years, while a PhD in Nursing typically takes four to six years to complete.¹^*

Because a DNP prepares you for clinical practice, a DNP (vs. PhD in Nursing) program will require some clinical experience to prepare for clinical practice. Since nurses with a PhD in Nursing generally work only with researchers, scientists and future nurses rather than patients, the degree does not require students to complete clinical hours.³¹

How to Choose: DNP or PhD?

Choose a DNP if you want to:

Lead clinical practice or healthcare teams
Work directly with patients as an APRN
Drive quality improvement and healthcare system change

Choose a PhD if you want to:

Conduct original nursing research
Teach at the university level
Advance nursing science and influence policy through scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a DNP or a PhD higher?

Neither. Both are terminal doctoral degrees with different focuses.

Which pays more, a DNP or a PhD in nursing?

Salary depends on the role, specialty, experience and location, not simply the degree.⁶^,¹⁰^†

How long does a DNP take vs. a PhD in nursing?

Program length varies, but DNP programs typically take about 2–4 years, while PhD programs often take 4–6 years.¹*

Can you get a DNP without a master’s?

Yes. BSN-to-DNP programs allow nurses to progress directly from a BSN to a DNP.⁹

Do you need a DNP or PhD to teach nursing?

Not necessarily. Requirements vary by institution and position; some faculty roles require a graduate or doctoral degree.¹^,⁹

Should I get a DNP or a PhD in nursing?

Choose a DNP for advanced practice, clinical leadership or healthcare improvement. Choose a PhD for research, teaching and scholarship.¹^,⁹

Earn Your DNP with USAHS

A PhD or DNP can help you propel your nursing career forward, but a DNP (vs. PhD in Nursing) comes with more career options and a shorter timeline, making it a better option for many nurses. Influence health outcomes by caring for patients, advocating for better healthcare policies or leading organizations with a DNP from USAHS.

Research by Rhonda West James, on professional doctoral students suggests that persistence involves more than academic integration. It also includes professional identity formation, commitment to the profession and leadership readiness. For aspiring DNP students, these findings highlight the importance of developing a strong professional identity and leadership skills throughout doctoral study.

If you are considering a DNP vs PhD degree, explore our DNP program or apply today. Enter with a BSN or MSN and pursue the right path for you.

*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

^†This data represents national figures, is not based on school-specific data and represents national median annual wages, not starting pay for recent grads. Conditions in your area may vary. USAHS does not guarantee salary levels.