I have the undergraduate education that is expected of a nurse. I started with my Associate’s Degree to acquire my RN license. In my first year of working as a nurse, I completed my bachelor’s degree online. It’s been a few years now, and that itch to continue my education comes back every so often. The next step, my Master’s degree, and I always wanted to have my Doctorate. Like with everything else in the nursing career, a little bit of research is needed.
There are two different doctorate degrees available for nursing, DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice, or Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy. The two-degree have two separate courses of studies and career directions. Let’s start with the large difference between the two, something to keep in mind when deciding which is best for you. DNP is used in clinical practice, and the Ph.D. is used for educators and researchers.
DNP, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, is used in the clinical setting. Some states allow the DNP to practice without a Physician. Other states require a DNP to work under a physician. Either way, as a practicing DNP, you could see patients in an outpatient environment or managerial position in the hospital or medical office setting.
Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy, is more research-based for the student and nurse. The holder of a Ph.D. can work in the world of academia or research. Ph.D. includes studying issues within nursing, patient care, or teaching the next generation of nurses. A Ph.D. was the only available doctoral degree for a nurse until 2001[i].
The education and classes between the two degrees are different. As stated, Ph.D. is more research and methodology based without any direct patient care. In contrast, the DNP will still have a clinical experience, the context of research will be concluded but a heavier balance of patient care and leadership. The DNP will typically be a quicker degree with certification that will need to renew every five years. The Ph.D. has a more comprehensive study, there will not be a certification test but a dissertation written to complete your degree.
I have personally gone back and forth on what I want out of my career. Eventually, I will attain my DNP, and I found that a DNP can focus on the clinical aspects and the research. In my opinion, this one degree opens both the academic and clinical fields of nursing. But your review into which degree offers the career opportunities and further research into the individual program must also be granted further study.
Have you considered a graduate degree, Master’s, DNP, or Ph.D.? Which one?
[i] ECareers, H. (2015, December 04). Doctor of nursing practice: An origin story. Retrieved February 07, 2021