What Is a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)?

A DNP is the terminal practice doctorate in nursing — a degree, not a job title. It prepares nurses for clinical leadership, quality improvement, and applying evidence to improve patient care at the highest level.

What is a Doctor of Nursing Practice icon

On This Page

Jump to a section

Click to Expand
DNP Degree Explained DNP Salary Data DNP vs NP BSN-to-DNP Pathways

Did You Know?

A DNP is one of two terminal degrees in nursing — the highest level of education the field offers. The other is the PhD in nursing. The DNP is practice-focused; the PhD is research-focused. Both are doctorates, and both are respected.

What Is a DNP, Exactly?

A DNP — Doctor of Nursing Practice — is the terminal practice doctorate in nursing, the highest practice-focused degree a nurse can earn. The most important thing to know up front is that it's a degree, not a job title or a license. That's the single biggest source of confusion. The degree is designed for clinical leadership, quality improvement, systems thinking, and evidence-based practice — in other words, applying existing research to make patient care better. It is not designed for conducting original research; that's what the PhD in nursing is for.

What DNP-prepared nurses actually do depends on their track. Some practice clinically as advanced practice nurses — often nurse practitioners — diagnosing, prescribing, and managing patient care, roles covered in detail by the BLS OOH. Others lead health systems as chief nursing officers or directors of nursing, work in nursing informatics, teach as faculty, or shape health policy. The throughline is doctoral-level practice and leadership, not original research. A DNP is a credential you hold, and the specific job a DNP-prepared nurse does depends entirely on the track and certification they chose along the way.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Salary Data

Salary information based on U.S. Department of Labor O*NET data. Select your state and metro area to view localized salary ranges.

National Salary Distribution

5 Things That Explain What a DNP Is

The acronym DNP causes a lot of confusion because nursing has so many credentials piled on top of each other. The simplest way to understand it: a DNP is a degree, specifically the terminal practice doctorate in nursing. It is not a job, not a license, and not the same as a physician's training. Once you separate the degree from the roles people use it for, everything else falls into place. The following points unpack what the degree is, what it's actually for, and how it differs from the terms people most often confuse it with.

To really understand what a DNP is, it helps to also see what it is not. It is not an MSN, though it builds on that level of preparation. It is not a PhD, which is research-focused. It is not the NP role, which is a job — even though many nurse practitioners hold a DNP. And it is not a medical degree; a DNP-prepared nurse is not a physician. Keep the tone friendly here. The goal is understanding the term, not deciding whether to pursue it.

Understanding the DNP in 5 Points

1

A DNP Is a Degree, Not a Job

Credential vs Role

The single most important thing to understand is that a DNP is a degree — the terminal practice doctorate in nursing — not a job title, a role, or a license. People often assume "DNP" names a kind of nurse or a specific position, but it doesn't. It's an academic credential a nurse earns, the highest practice-focused degree in the field. The specific role a DNP-prepared nurse fills — clinician, administrator, educator, policy leader — depends on their track and certification, not on the degree alone.

2

It Is Practice-Focused, Unlike a PhD

Practice vs Research

Nursing has two terminal (highest-level) degrees: the DNP and the PhD. The difference is focus. The DNP is the practice doctorate — it prepares nurses to lead clinical practice, improve quality, and apply existing evidence to make care better, ending in a practice-focused scholarly project. The PhD is the research doctorate — it prepares nurses to generate new knowledge through original research, ending in a dissertation. Both are doctorates and both are respected; they simply point toward different careers. The DNP is for doing and leading practice.

3

It Builds on an MSN-Level Foundation

Adds Depth

An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) already qualifies a nurse for the nurse practitioner role in most states today. The DNP sits one level above that — it layers clinical leadership, systems thinking, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and a scholarly project on top of the master's foundation. A nurse can reach the DNP through a BSN-to-DNP program (one integrated route) or a post-master's DNP (which builds on a completed MSN and is shorter). The DNP doesn't replace the MSN's clinical preparation — it deepens and extends it.

4

DNP-Prepared Nurses Are Not Physicians

Bust the Myth

Because the title includes the word "doctor," people sometimes assume a DNP-prepared nurse is a physician. They are not. A DNP holder has earned the academic title "doctor" — the same way a PhD holder has — but that refers to the doctoral degree, not to medical school. A DNP-prepared nurse is not an MD or DO. In clinical settings, how the title is used can be governed by state law and employer policy to avoid patient confusion. The DNP is the top of nursing education, a distinct profession from medicine.

5

It Exists to Strengthen Nursing Leadership

Why It Was Created

The DNP exists because healthcare grew more complex and the profession wanted nurses prepared to lead at the systems level. In 2004, as outlined by AACN, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing endorsed the DNP as the preferred preparation for advanced practice. Since then the degree has grown rapidly, with 400+ programs and thousands of graduates a year. Importantly, it has not become a universal requirement — the MSN still qualifies a nurse to practice as an NP today. The DNP is about deeper leadership preparation, not a new licensing hurdle.

DNP in Plain Terms

What It Stands For: Doctor of Nursing Practice
What It Is: The terminal practice doctorate in nursing (a degree)
What It Is Not: A job title, a license, or a physician (MD/DO)
Vs PhD: Practice-focused, not research-focused
Vs MSN: Adds leadership and systems depth; increasingly preferred
Vs NP: DNP is a degree; NP is a role (many NPs hold a DNP)
Created: AACN-endorsed in 2004

Frequently Asked Questions About What a DNP Is

What does DNP stand for?

DNP stands for Doctor of Nursing Practice. It is the terminal practice doctorate in nursing — the highest practice-focused degree a nurse can earn. The key thing to remember is that it's a degree, not a job title or a license. It prepares nurses for clinical leadership, quality improvement, and applying evidence to improve patient care. It is one of two terminal nursing degrees, alongside the research-focused PhD in nursing.

Is a DNP the same as a nurse practitioner?

No. A DNP is a degree; a nurse practitioner (NP) is a role — a licensed clinician who diagnoses, treats, and prescribes. They overlap, because many NPs hold a DNP and a clinical DNP track leads to NP certification, but they are not the same thing. Holding a DNP does not automatically make someone an NP — leadership, informatics, and education DNP tracks lead to non-clinical roles. The two terms describe different things that often coexist in one person.

Is a DNP a doctor?

A DNP-prepared nurse has earned a doctoral degree, so they hold the academic title "doctor" — but they are not a physician. The "doctor" refers to the doctorate, the same way it does for someone with a PhD. A DNP is not an MD or DO and did not attend medical school. In clinical settings, how the title is used can be governed by state law and employer policy to avoid confusing patients. The DNP represents the highest level of practice-focused nursing education.

What is the difference between a DNP and a PhD in nursing?

Both are terminal doctoral degrees in nursing, but they serve different goals. The DNP is the practice doctorate — focused on clinical leadership, quality improvement, and applying existing research to improve care, ending in a practice-focused scholarly project. The PhD is the research doctorate — focused on generating new knowledge through original research, ending in a dissertation. If you want to lead clinical practice or health systems, the DNP fits. If you want to conduct research or teach at the highest academic level, the PhD is the traditional route.

Why was the DNP created?

The DNP was created in response to growing complexity in healthcare and the need for nurses prepared to lead at the systems level. In 2004, AACN (the American Association of Colleges of Nursing) endorsed the DNP as the preferred preparation for advanced practice nursing. The idea was to strengthen clinical leadership, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement at the highest level of nursing education. The degree has grown rapidly since, though it has not become a universal requirement — the MSN still qualifies a nurse to practice as an NP today.

To summarize cleanly: a DNP is the terminal practice doctorate in nursing — a degree, not a job or a license. It prepares nurses to lead clinical practice and health systems and to apply evidence to improve care, distinct from the research-focused PhD. It builds on, rather than replaces, the MSN-level preparation that already qualifies a nurse as an NP. And a DNP-prepared nurse, while holding the academic title "doctor," is not a physician. Understanding it as a degree — and only a degree — is the key that resolves most of the confusion people have about the term.

Now that you know what a DNP is, the natural next questions are who earns one and how. In short, nurses reach it through a BSN-to-DNP or a post-master's DNP, complete clinical or practicum hours and a scholarly project, and (for clinical tracks) earn certification and APRN licensure. But the most important takeaway is conceptual: a DNP is the highest practice-focused degree in nursing, earned by nurses who want to lead, teach, or practice at the doctoral level. Everything else flows from that simple starting point.

What a DNP Is vs What It Is Not

The clearest way to understand the DNP is to contrast it with the terms people most often confuse it with. These five comparisons clarify what the degree is by showing what it isn't.

A Degree, Not a Role

DNP vs NP

A DNP is an academic degree — the terminal practice doctorate in nursing. An NP is a licensed clinical role. They overlap because many NPs hold a DNP and clinical DNP tracks lead to NP certification, but a degree and a job are different things.

Requirements
  • DNP: a terminal practice doctorate (a degree)
  • NP: a licensed advanced practice role (a job)
  • Many NPs hold a DNP; the two often coexist

Practice-Focused, Not Research-Focused

DNP vs PhD

The DNP is the practice doctorate — applying evidence to improve care and lead systems, ending in a scholarly project. The PhD in nursing is the research doctorate — generating new knowledge through original research, ending in a dissertation. Both are terminal degrees with different goals.

Requirements
  • DNP: practice doctorate, scholarly project
  • PhD: research doctorate, dissertation
  • Both are terminal nursing degrees

An Addition to the MSN, Not a Replacement

DNP vs MSN

An MSN already qualifies a nurse for the NP role today. The DNP sits one level above, adding clinical leadership, systems thinking, and evidence-based-practice depth. It builds on the master's foundation rather than discarding it, and is increasingly preferred by employers and academic medical centers.

Requirements
  • MSN: qualifies you for the NP role today
  • DNP: adds leadership and systems depth
  • DNP increasingly preferred, not yet required

A Credential, Not a Medical License

DNP vs Physician

A DNP-prepared nurse holds the academic title "doctor" but is not a physician. The title refers to the doctoral degree, not to medical school — a DNP is not an MD or DO. Clinical scope comes from the underlying APRN role and certification, not from the degree itself.

Requirements
  • DNP holders are 'doctor' academically
  • Not a physician (MD/DO)
  • Clinical scope comes from APRN role, not the degree

Increasingly Preferred, Not Universally Required

The DNP Today

AACN endorsed the DNP as the preferred preparation for advanced practice in 2004, and many employers and academic centers prefer it. But it is not a universal requirement — the MSN still qualifies a nurse to practice as an NP today. The DNP is about positioning, not a licensing hurdle.

Requirements
  • AACN-recommended for advanced practice since 2004
  • MSN still qualifies you as an NP today
  • DNP is about leadership and positioning

Why the DNP Confuses So Many People

Nursing has an unusually dense set of acronyms — RN, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP, DNP, PhD — and several of them sound similar or overlap in everyday conversation. The DNP in particular gets mistaken for a job, for the NP role, or for a physician credential. The fix is simple: anchor on the fact that a DNP is a degree. Once you hold that fixed point in mind, the relationships become clear — it's a doctorate, it's practice-focused, it sits one level above the MSN, and it's distinct from being a physician. Everything else just orbits that single idea.

When you see "DNP" after a nurse's name, it tells you their level of education, not necessarily their job. That nurse might be a practicing NP, a chief nursing officer, a professor, an informatics leader, or a policy expert, depending on the track they completed. The degree signals doctoral-level practice preparation; the role is a separate question with a separate answer. Keeping the degree and the role mentally separate is the single most useful habit for understanding advanced nursing credentials — and it will save you from most of the common mix-ups.

Quick DNP Facts

Stands For Doctor of Nursing Practice
Type Practice Doctorate
Endorsed by AACN 2004

Did You Know?

Earning a DNP does not, by itself, make someone a nurse practitioner. NP status comes from completing a clinical track and earning population-focused certification. A leadership-track DNP holder is a doctorally prepared nurse — but not necessarily an NP.

What People Confuse the DNP With

🎓 How Nurses Earn a DNP

A DNP is earned from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program through one of two main routes. The BSN-to-DNP takes a bachelor's-prepared nurse to the doctorate in one integrated program. The post-master's DNP builds on a completed MSN and is shorter. Both require an active RN license, 1,000 post-BSN clinical or practicum hours, and a DNP scholarly project that applies evidence to a real problem. Clinical tracks also lead to population-focus certification (through AANPCB or ANCC) and state APRN licensure on top of the degree itself.

The two routes exist because nurses come to the DNP from different starting points, but both end at the same place: the terminal practice doctorate. Post-master's students often finish faster because their MSN coursework and clinical hours usually count toward the DNP requirements. Some schools also offer direct-entry options for career changers who don't yet have a nursing degree. The common thread across every route is that the DNP is the highest practice-focused degree in nursing, reached by nurses who want to lead, teach, or practice at the doctoral level.

The Two Main Routes to a DNP

🏆 BSN-to-DNP ▼

Program Length: 3-4 Years (Full-Time, Integrated)

Average Cost: $50,000 - $150,000+ (varies widely by school)

Who It's For: BSN-prepared RNs who want to reach the terminal DNP degree in one continuous program rather than earning an MSN separately first.

What to Expect:

  • Combined master's and doctoral-level coursework
  • 1,000+ post-BSN clinical/practicum hours
  • A DNP scholarly project applying evidence to practice
  • Systems leadership and evidence-based practice content
  • Clinical tracks prepare for AANPCB or ANCC certification

Career Outcome: The terminal practice doctorate — eligible for APRN certification (clinical tracks) or leadership, faculty, and systems roles (leadership tracks).

🎓 Post-Master's DNP ▼

Program Length: 1-2 Years (Full-Time; 2-3 Part-Time) Post-MSN

Average Cost: $20,000 - $80,000 (varies widely by school)

Who It's For: MSN-prepared nurses, including practicing NPs, who want to add the terminal DNP degree without repeating master's coursework.

What to Expect:

  • Builds on a completed MSN — no repeated coursework
  • MSN clinical hours usually count toward the 1,000 total
  • Coursework in systems leadership and evidence-based practice
  • A DNP scholarly project applying evidence to practice
  • Same CCNE or ACEN accreditation standards

Career Outcome: The terminal practice doctorate on top of an existing MSN — stronger preparation for leadership, faculty, and competitive roles.

🔍 Find Your Program

Advanced Filters

Enter search terms above or use the advanced filters to find OT schools.

💡 Key Facts That Explain the DNP

💡

What Most People Get Wrong

A DNP is a degree, not a job. When you see "DNP" after a nurse's name, it tells you their level of education — the terminal practice doctorate in nursing — not the specific role they hold, which depends entirely on their track and certification.

What Most People Get Wrong

The DNP is one of two terminal degrees in nursing. The DNP is the practice doctorate, focused on clinical leadership and applying evidence to care; the PhD in nursing is the research doctorate, focused on generating new knowledge. Both are the highest level of nursing education.

What Most People Get Wrong

A DNP-prepared nurse is not a physician. They hold the academic title "doctor" because they earned a doctorate, the same way a PhD holder does — but they are not an MD or DO and did not attend medical school.

What Most People Get Wrong

You do not need a DNP to be a nurse practitioner. An MSN still qualifies you for the NP role in most states today. AACN endorsed the DNP as the preferred preparation for advanced practice in 2004, but it is not a universal legal requirement.

What Most People Get Wrong

The DNP scholarly project is not a research dissertation. It is a practice-focused project that applies existing evidence to a real clinical or systems problem — reflecting the DNP's focus on improving care rather than generating new research.