91³ÉÈË

Accreditation is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a DNP degree. Enrollment in an accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice program ensures that graduates will qualify for licensure and certification in whatever nursing position they choose to pursue. Employers may prefer to hire nurses who have completed a program accredited by the (CCNE) or the (ACEN). These organizations are the only accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as accreditors for nursing programs. They ensure nursing programs are held to universal academic standards and meet specific industry requirements to better prepare nurses for healthcare roles.

Prospective students should also consider what DNP program options a school has available. There are many specializations within these programs, including adult-gerontological acute care, family nurse practitioner, nursing administration, neonatal nurse practitioner, nursing informatics, public health administration, women's health, and nurse educator tracks.

Students enrolled in a DNP program need at least 1,000 clinical practice hours. Those considering an online program should look closely at the requirements to ensure they can complete their nursing practicum locally. This is especially important for nurses who want to complete clinical hours at their current place of work.

Students who plan to seek APRN certification should check the eligibility requirements for their intended specialization when choosing a program. Each APRN certification has specific criteria for supervised clinical experience hours, program accreditation, and core competencies that must be included in the coursework.

Students of DNP programs will likely take some of the following courses, though specific course names may vary by school.

• Advanced Clinical Decision Making: To assess, diagnose, and treat patients, APRNs and other healthcare workers must make informed decisions based on many different variables. Advanced clinical decision making incorporates critical thinking and clinical problem-solving skills that nurses apply in a range of complex healthcare settings. This course provides nurses with a strategic framework for making evidence-based decisions when providing healthcare to offer the best outcome for patients.
• Applied Clinical Pharmacology: Pharmacology is the study of drugs used in patient care to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. In applied clinical pharmacology courses, students will learn how drugs affect different body systems and how to prescribe and administer them for primary patient care. Advanced pharmacology courses also cover legal requirements and ethics related to drug prescription.
• Epidemiology and Population Health: Epidemiology is the scientific study of disease and other health issues within a population. In this class, DNP students learn clinical epidemiology concepts such as risk factor analysis, public health surveillance, and the health impacts of social trends. They will also study how to use epidemiological methods to develop health policies and practices and evaluate the health of specific groups or communities. Course topics may include epidemiology in the workplace, study design, data sources, statistical measures, methods of evaluation, and prevention of health conditions.
• Health Policy and Advocacy: This course focuses on the relationship between policy and healthcare delivery in nursing. In this class, DNP students learn how to evaluate health policies and understand their impact on healthcare quality. Coursework may examine the role of health policy at the organizational, community, state, and/or federal levels. Some courses also cover social justice strategies in healthcare systems. Other courses may incorporate leadership strategies for health advocacy.
• Populations & Social Determinants of Health: Many factors can affect a person's health, including social, political, cultural, environmental, and economic factors. Some DNP programs include courses on how these factors can cause health inequity. Courses, such as this focus on healthcare barriers and how social determinants affect health equity in different populations. Other courses may cover community-based healthcare, promoting health and prevention of health issues within communities, and understanding the needs of diverse populations.

Nursing professionals who currently hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may be considering either an MSN or DNP program. Choosing between these different levels of education is a personal decision that will depend on individual career goals and how much time and money a student is able to dedicate to their studies. Both degrees will allow nurses to become APRNs. Generally, earning a DNP is a better choice for nurses seeking roles in leadership, administration, education, or research. Earning an MSN can lead to specialized nursing roles.

The major differences between these two degrees are cost, length of time to completion, and salary benefits. Earning an MSN will likely take less time and cost less than earning a DNP, but may also mean lower average salary rates, depending on the specialty area or chosen career path. Earning a DNP will require more credit hours, take a longer amount of time, and may be more expensive, depending on the program. However, a DNP may be necessary for some positions and may qualify nurses for higher pay.

As with any doctoral program, the length of an online DNP program depends on a few factors: what degree a student holds before entering the program, whether they attend full time or part time, and whether the program requires a dissertation. On average, MSN-prepared nurses will earn their DNP in two-three years, whereas nurses with a BSN will need five-six years to complete the degree.

MSN students take many of the classes required to graduate with a DNP, and this effort is usually rewarded with a shorter time to graduation. Students in a BSN-to-DNP program need to demonstrate their aptitude with the graduate-level coursework included in an MSN program before they move to the DNP requirements.

DNPs are practice doctorates rather than research doctorates, which means they're terminal degrees that aim to prepare students for a profession rather than a career in research or teaching. Therefore, most DNP programs culminate in a capstone course that features a semester-long research project rather than a dissertation that could take years to write.

Earning a DNP degree is a significant financial investment, but there are opportunities to lower the total cost. The first step prospective DNP students should take is to apply for federal and state financial aid by filling out the FAFSA. This form is used by the federal government to determine how much money students will need, in the form of grants and loans, to pay for their education. Colleges and states also use this information to award scholarships and grants. To receive aid from a state government, the student may need to reside in the state where their online program is based.

These are some of the best ways to fund a degree program because they don't require repayment. Many schools offer graduate-level scholarships and grants, and funding specifically for nursing students. Prospective DNP students should check their school's financial aid webpage for more information about scholarships offered by their institution. 

There are also many nursing and healthcare organizations that offer scholarships and grants to nursing students, including the , an agency of the U.S. Bureau of Health Workforce, which provides scholarships to nursing students who plan to work in facilities with nurse shortages. Other opportunities are offered by the (AACN), the (AORN), and the (AANP). The has compiled a list of additional grants and scholarships available to DNP students.

Many DNP students qualify for loan repayment programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a that repays up to 85% of student loan debt for licensed registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and other nurse faculty members who work in either an accredited school of nursing or facilities with healthcare worker shortages. Some schools also participate in the . This option is a good choice for DNP students who plan to go into nursing education — up to 85% of their student loans can be forgiven if they work in a school of nursing for four years post-graduation.

Those who work in government or nonprofit hospitals or healthcare facilities may also qualify for the . Under this program, the federal government forgives the remaining balance on any federal Direct Loans after 120 payments. Prospective DNP students should also check with their employer to see if any tuition reimbursement opportunities are available. Many employers will fund part of an employee's tuition, enabling them to pursue more education.

Most applicants considering a DNP already have a nursing degree and years of experience, so the prospect of several more years of hard study can be daunting. Although the advanced degree won't be worth the costs for everyone, it can provide a major career boost in terms of salary and employability.

Potential benefits

• A DNP graduate who passes a licensing exam is eligible for a high-paying, fast-growing role. The majority of APRNs work as nurse practitioners. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of , and employment for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives is projected to grow 40% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
• A . As of 2025, all new certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) must graduate from a doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). However, a DNP is not currently required to become a nurse practitioner in most states, despite longstanding recommendations from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties to move toward doctoral preparation for entry into practice.
• APRNs continue to report high levels of career satisfaction, citing opportunities for greater autonomy, leadership, and expanded clinical responsibilities as key benefits of earning an advanced nursing degree. It's also the third in the US right now.

Potential drawbacks

• DNP students must complete extensive practice experiences before graduating. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing () recommends that graduates complete the equivalent of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours, although students entering with an MSN may be able to apply qualifying hours earned during their master's program toward that total. Working nurses may be able to complete many of these hours at their current place of employment, but requirements vary by school and clinical site. If a student's chosen specialty differs from their current role, they may need to complete practice experiences at another healthcare facility.
• DNP programs can be a significant financial investment, but choosing an affordable program can substantially reduce the overall cost. Based on the schools in the ranking above, annual tuition ranges from $3,230 to $6,144, though many online DNP programs nationwide still cost more than $15,000 per year. To estimate the total cost of a degree, students should also factor in books, technology fees, clinical expenses, and other required supplies, then multiply those costs by the program's expected completion time, which is typically two to four years depending on the entry pathway.

Nothing about nursing classes make them especially well- or ill-suited to distance learning, but the usual caveats apply. 91³ÉÈË programs allow students to work on assignments, watch lectures, and post to discussion forums on their own time as long as they respect due dates. Students don't need to uproot their lives to move close to school if they find an ideal program in another area of the country. One downside is that students might forgo some informal networking opportunities that take place on campus, but this may be offset by a DNP student's field experience. Each student needs to log more than 1,000 clinical hours in a healthcare facility, where they can make helpful contacts.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are APRNs who work in a wide range of healthcare settings. They diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, have authority to prescribe medication, although the level of physician collaboration required varies by state. DNP graduates are also well prepared for advanced clinical leadership, quality improvement, healthcare administration, nursing education, and evidence-based practice roles.

Even if someone isn't motivated solely by a higher salary, they may want to consider a DNP to remain competitive in an evolving healthcare workforce. According to the (BLS), nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $129,210, and employment for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives is projected to grow 40% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

A doctoral degree is now required for some APRN roles. Beginning in 2025, all new certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) must graduate from a doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). However, a DNP is not currently required for nurse practitioner certification in most states, although organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) continue to support doctoral preparation as the long-term direction for advanced practice nursing education.