A DNP nurse is a nurse who has earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. That’s the simple definition. But if you’re trying to wrap your head around nursing levels and credentials, you might well wonder what a doctoral degree means for a nurse. What can a DNP nurse do?
“In simple terms, you can think of a DNP nurse as a ‘super advanced nurse’ who still cares for patients, but also helps design better ways to deliver care, leads healthcare teams, uses research to improve practice, and sometimes even teaches future nurses,” says Michele Distler, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, CNE and instructor in Rasmussen University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
“DNP nurses play a big role in making healthcare safer, smarter, and more effective for everyone.”
How do they do that? There are many options.
What is a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (or DNP) degree is a terminal degree in nursing. That means it is the highest possible level of education in its specific field.
A DNP degree is also practice doctorate, which means it is focused on applying advanced knowledge to real-world nursing practice, patient care and healthcare improvement. It’s about clinical practice, not just academic or theoretical.
Nurses who pursue their DNP tend to be interested in research, nursing leadership or in educating nurses, says Chris Schreier, DNP, CPNP-PC, who is an instructor in Rasmussen’s graduate nursing program.
How is a DNP different from other nursing degrees?
In nursing, you can get an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. Here’s a quick breakdown of what nursing credentials tend to go with each degree level.
- Associate’s degree: Licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN)
- Bachelor’s degree: RN and BSN-RN
- Master’s degree: MSN and MSN-NP (master’s of science in nursing-nurse practitioner) APRN (advanced practice registered nurse)
- Doctoral degree: DNP, APRN
Along with all of these types of degrees (which tend to build on each other) nurses can also get certified in specific areas of nursing, such as pediatric nursing, gerontology or a long list of other nursing specialty areas.
For more on that, check out 17 Nursing Specialty Certifications, and What It Takes to Earn Them.
A DNP goes deeper into advanced nursing practice, evidence-based care, systems thinking and quality improvement. Schreier says the degree is a strong choice for nurses who appreciate research but want a clinical focus.
In that way, a DNP can be a strong fit for nursing professionals who want to grow in patient care, leadership and nursing education without stepping away from real healthcare settings.
What does a DNP nurse do?
A DNP nurse may wear a lot of hats depending on the setting. Some DNP-prepared nurses stay focused on direct patient care, while others take on leadership or advocacy roles.
Many DNP nurses become nursing professors, teaching nursing students in MSN and DNP programs.
Wherever they work, DNP nurses tend to have both the skills and the positioning to impact how nursing works.
Provide advanced patient care
Many DNP-prepared nurses work in roles that involve direct patient care and advanced clinical practice. Depending on their training and licensure, they may assess patients, manage treatment plans, support preventive care and use evidence-based practice to guide decisions.
A DNP-prepared nurse is trained to provide patient care like other nurses, but with advanced education that also supports leadership and systems-level thinking, Distler says.
That added preparation can help nurses strengthen clinical decision-making, improve care coordination and work toward better patient outcomes.
Lead teams and improve care delivery
“DNP programs build on advanced clinical knowledge while also emphasizing evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, leadership, and the implementation of large-scale practice changes,” Distler says.
Nurses working in healthcare right now tend to know exactly what needs improving in their hospital, clinic or healthcare facility. With the advanced experience and education of a DNP, nurses can move into leadership roles and make those changes happen.
Teach, mentor and support the nursing profession
Many DNP nurses also teach future nurses, mentor colleagues and support the nursing profession in broader ways. They may work in nursing education, serve as clinical faculty or help guide less experienced nurses in practice settings.
“I value sharing my clinical and leadership experiences, both positive and challenging, to advance the nursing profession as a nurse educator,” Distler says.
“Earning my DNP has also expanded my professional opportunities beyond those available with an MSN alone,” Distler adds. “It enabled me to assume leadership, scholarship and academic roles at a higher level.”
Distler says DNP-prepared nurses may also serve as policy advocates. That means their work can reach beyond one patient or one team at a time. For nurses who want to make a broader impact, a DNP can support growth in patient care, leadership, education and healthcare improvement all at once.
Where can DNP-prepared nurses work?
A DNP degree can support a wide range of career opportunities that include working in clinical settings, academic settings and leadership roles across healthcare systems.
In advanced practice roles
Some DNP-prepared nurses work in advanced practice roles that keep them close to patient care. This can include nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses, depending on their licensure, certification and area of focus.
That group can include roles such as family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists. These nurses may work in primary care, specialty clinics, hospitals and other settings where advanced clinical knowledge is needed.
In nursing leadership roles
Other DNP graduates move into nursing leadership roles within hospitals, clinics and larger healthcare systems. In these roles, they may help lead teams, improve care delivery and support organizational goals tied to patient outcomes and quality, according to Schrier.
“Aside from nurse educators, the DNP tends to be for nurses who are pursuing leadership and high-level nursing administration,” Schreier says. “Many of those positions will require a DNP degree.”
Depending on the setting, that may include leadership paths connected to nurse executive or executive leadership responsibilities. For nurses who want to grow beyond individual patient care while still shaping how care is delivered, this is one of the clearest ways a DNP can support career opportunities.
In nursing education and clinical faculty roles
A DNP can also prepare nurses for roles in nursing education. Some graduates become nurse educators or work as clinical faculty in nursing schools and other learning environments.
In these roles, they may teach nursing students, support hands-on learning and help prepare future nurses for clinical practice. For nurses who enjoy mentoring and teaching, this can be a meaningful way to stay connected to the profession while helping shape the next generation.
Policy work and advocacy in governance
Some DNP-prepared nurses work in roles focused on healthcare systems policy and legislation, according to Distler. These positions may center on improving patient outcomes, strengthening care processes or addressing larger issues that affect population health.
This type of work may happen inside public health organizations, government offices or larger healthcare organizations. It can be a strong fit for nurses who have a clear vision of the barriers in healthcare and what it might take to change them.
DNP vs. NP: What’s the difference?
You may be wondering, is a DNP nurse the same as a nurse practitioner?
No. A DNP nurse and a nurse practitioner are not the same thing. A nurse can become a nurse practitioner with a master’s degree.
The difference is also that a DNP is a degree, while a nurse practitioner is a licensed role.
Many nurse practitioners do go on to earn a doctoral degree. Meaning someone can absolutely be both an NP and a DNP. You could go to a clinic and see a nurse practitioner as your primary care provider and also see a “DNP” after their name, meaning someone can be a NP and hold a DNP degree.
Nurses who complete DNP programs may use that education in different ways depending on their background, licensure and career goals. In other words, the degree describes their level of education, not one single job title.
On the other hand, plenty of nurses who pursue the DNP don’t become nurse practitioners. For example, nurses who get into hospital or healthcare administration might earn an MSN, focusing on nursing leadership and then earn a DNP without ever becoming an NP.
It’s all about what kind of work you like best and where you want to apply it.
Think of it this way: A DNP tells you how far a nurse has gone in their education, while a nurse practitioner title tells you what kind of job they do.
Now that you understand a bit more about the education DNP nurses earn, see some of the many ways they can apply that education at: What Can You Do with a DNP?
1Rasmussen University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is not designed to prepare graduates for any advanced practice nursing license or any other state-issued professional license or certification. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing agency. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence. Rasmussen University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is not available in all states.
