Doctor Of Nursing Practice Programs Online
There are many online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs across the United States. Weve organized them into regions:
- Pacific West: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
- Mountain West: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
- Midwest: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
- Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
Some of the programs found below may require campus visits, offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to DNP degree, offer hybrid options and/or may focus on leadership or advanced practice if no concentration is listed. Be sure to check with your preferred universitys website for more information on campus visits, admission requirements and program options.
We have abbreviated some of the specializations for the tables below:
- AG-CNS: Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- AGACNP: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- AGPCNP: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- : Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- CNL: Clinical Nurse Leader
The Evolution Of Dnp Graduates
So, why did the growth of DNP programs across the United States fail to significantly impact the educational level of clinical APRNs? The original intent for DNP curricula was to prepare a workforce of leaders in advanced clinical practice however, the decade of fast growth in post-master’s DNP programs produced a majority of first-wave graduates opting for positions in administrative and educational settings instead . Out of the 7,039 DNP graduates in 2018, 4,232 entered full-time positions in schools of nursing, rather than bedside or clinical positions . With almost five DNP graduates per year for every nursing PhD graduate, the DNP offered a quick way for schools to increase their proportion of doctorate-prepared faculty. While this wave of DNP graduates has helped to ease the perennial shortage of nursing faculty, to an extent, it has not counted toward the number of doctorate-prepared APRNs needed to address the national primary care shortage.
Prospective Student Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend a Prospective Student Information Session to learn more about our programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing , a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice . These sessions will provide details on admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, student life, clinical experiences and other opportunities. Students are required to attend a PSIS prior to requesting an individual appointment.
- Reservations are required to attend a session
- Guests of registered attendees are welcome
- Sessions last approximately an hour to an hour-and-a-half
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A Closer Look At Dnp Roles
While all DNP programs provide a core curriculum, specialized coursework prepares you for one of two types of roles:
Nurses who specialize in clinical leadership and nurse executive positions at the organizational level
The DNP degree in and of itself is not a role, notes Campbell-ODell. If you already have a role, such as a nurse practitioner, a DNP will enhance your capabilities. If youre an administrator, its going to make you a better administrator. If youre an informatics specialist, it will make you better at it.
DNP programs for clinical nursing focus on the four APRN roles:
- Certified nurse practitioner
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Family/individual across the lifespan
- Healthcare policy
Become An Expert In Nursing With An Online Dnp Degree

Our interactive online classroom with synchronous components, in which you learn alongside others virtually or in person, allows you to earn your DNP in as few as 15 months and begin advocating for healthcare change.
The support of our hands-on faculty will help you change nursing practice to impact healthcare, even before you graduate. Through clinical hours and a scholarly project, you will build upon online classroom hours and impact nursing practice as you learn.
Graduate from the CCNE-accredited DNP program empowered to advocate for patients and the nursing profession competently and compassionately.
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Lead The Future Of Nursing With A Dnp
Madonna Universitys online Doctor of Nursing Practice program develops nurses who already have an MSN degree into leaders through a curriculum that focuses on an interdisciplinary knowledge base and advanced interprofessional skill set. The DNP degree sets the stage for career advancement and a lifelong commitment to serving communities.
Ready to elevate your career as a nursing leader? Request more information about the post master’s DNP degree or apply now!
An Online Learning Experience Like No Other
When you join the Carlow family, you get an experienced and compassionate team dedicated to your personal and professional growth. Online learning at Carlow offers the flexibility you need while connecting you to a vibrant, close-knit and supportive community of instructors and learners.
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Transitioning Toward The Doctorate
The AACN recommended that all entry-level nurse practitioner educational programs be transitioned from the Master of Science in Nursing degree to the DNP degree. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists has followed suit, requiring the DNP degree for entry-level nurse anesthetist programs by the year 2025. Meanwhile, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists announced in July 2015 its endorsement of the doctor of nursing practice as the required degree for CNS entry into practice by 2030. Nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists currently practicing with either an MSN or certificate will not be required to obtain the DNP for continued practice.
In the United States there are two terminal doctorate degrees in the field of nursing: The doctor of nursing practice , and the doctor of philosophy . Previous doctorate level degrees have been, or are in the process of being phased out and converted to one of the two terminal degrees. The doctor of nursing and the have transitioned into the DNP whereas the doctor of nursing science has transitioned into the PhD. The PhD in nursing is generally considered the academic and research-oriented degree, whereas the DNP is the practice-oriented or professional terminal degree.
Note On Licensure Authorization Endorsement Or Other State Credential Necessary To Practice As A Nurse Practitioner
Most states require that DNP-FNP program graduates pass the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam in order to apply for licensure or other credential to practice as a nurse practitioner in a state. Graduates must hold a masters, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing in order to be eligible for the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam, which is required in order to practice as a certified FNP in most states. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. While the DNP-FNP program is designed to lead to licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential necessary to practice as a nurse practitioner, it is the prospective students responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to nursing practice in the state in which he or she intends to practice and/or resides as requirements vary widely.
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Salary And Earning Potential
Determining your salary potential with a DNP can be tricky because the BLS doesnt break out salaries for jobs with this degree. For instance, nurses with either an MSN or a DNP can be advanced practice nurses.
Like most professions, however, having the highest level of education in nursing can give you an advantage.
The degree can help you qualify for positions that are typically paid at a higher level because they have higher levels of responsibility, and their minimum requirements are a higher level of education, Campbell-ODell says.
Check out this chart to get a sense of average annual salaries for roles that require a DNP or similar education. Of course, factors like your geographic location, level of experience, and workplace can also affect your salary.
Career
Should I Get A Doctor Of Nursing Practice
Nurse leaders must be familiar with a constantly growing base of medical knowledge, and staying current on these evolving best practices requires mastery of the subject matter. Not only is patient care complex, but industry-wide developments in healthcare are shifting more responsibility onto nurses than in the past. Anticipated shortages in physician staff and nursing faculty further place challenging intellectual demands on nursing leadership. Expectations for nurse leaders are lofty in this high-stakes environment, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers excellent preparation for advanced clinical practice.
As the U.S. healthcare system continues to evolve, DNPs in clinical practice are expected to take on larger roles in problem solving and advocacy, as well as liaison with other areas of medicine and other medical professionals. This heightened responsibility comes with higher pay rates and opportunities for advancement, especially as current DNP holders start to retire.
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Dnp To Be Required For Some Nurses
The AACN has recommended that the DNP be regarded as the graduate degree for advanced nursing practice preparation, including but not limited to the four current APN roles: clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner.
This position would align nursing with other healthcare specialties that require a doctoral degree, such as physical therapy and pharmacy.
Still, theres no consensus among the various APRN specialties about whether a DNP should be required.
Doctor Of Nursing Practice Careers

Nurses who earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice degree often do so because they want to pursue fruitful careers in a wide range of specialties and leadership positions and make an impact in a particular medical arena. There is a growing demand for doctoral-level nurse professionals who can teach, develop scientifically based approaches to patient care and lead the nursing field into an ever more complex future, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
DNPs with an emphasis in leadership or administration may pursue opportunities in a range of public health leadership roles or executive positions in clinics or hospitals. Other employment opportunities for DNPs include research-based roles, nurse faculty, and health advocacy.
Nurses who prefer to stay hands-on may pursue a variety of direct-care positions and such as a certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, and nurse anesthetist.
The median annual wage for nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists is $117,670, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2020. Among this group of professionals, the highest 10% earned more than $190,900 in May 2020. The BLS projects that there will be 393,200 nurse midwife, nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist roles by 2030, up from 271,900 jobs in 2020.
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Applicants Without A High School Diploma Or College Degree In The Us:
- If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
Dnp Mission And Philosophy
The mission of doctoral education, offering a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, is to prepare graduate nurses with advanced knowledge who will practice at the most advanced level of nursing. The graduate program of the School of Nursing derives its purpose directly from the underlying philosophy of the School of Nursing. The graduate program builds on the foundation of undergraduate and graduate education the program prepares professionally educated nurses who are capable of intellectual and professional leadership to provide high quality clinical nursing to populations, focusing on vulnerable, underserved urban and global communities.
The faculty of the School of Nursing believe that graduate education prepares the nurse with a strong theoretical foundation, and provides increased opportunities to utilize analytic methods to critically appraise existing literature and other evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice.
The faculty believe that baccalaureate education prepares the graduate for the emerging roles of the beginning nurse generalist and provides the foundation for graduate study. Professional nursing education is built on theoretical foundations of the humanities, liberal arts and the basic, and applied sciences. These are used in conjunction with nursing science in a creative and disciplined approach to provide nursing care under conditions of change.
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State Authorization & Professional Licensure
Lenoir-Rhyne University is approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Although institutions that are members of SARA are authorized to provide education to students from all SARA member states, some states have an authorization process. This is an evolving area, therefore students who hold a license as a registered nurse outside the State of North Carolina are encouraged to contact the National Council on State Boards of Nursing and the professional certification board.
Dnp In Nursing Education
Our ACEN-accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice program with a specialization in educational leadership is a practice-based, leadership-focused program that prepares faculty, program directors and deans to lead nursing education programs. Our online DNP nursing program is one of a very few that offers a DNP degree with an educational leadership specialization. As a student you will be taught by some of the top nurse educators in the nation and surrounded by colleagues who share your education-focused goal. Our students come from a variety of educational institutions like community colleges, pre- and post- licensure nursing schools, educational consulting companies, hospital settings and more.
DNP Q& A Webinar
- Program is only 2 years and 4 months long with rolling admission
- 100% online
- No residency
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Need To Know: What Is The Difference Between A Dnp And A Nursing Phd
In response to the IOMs call for better-educated nurses, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is shifting the focus of the DNP. Until now, advanced practice nurses have qualified for specialty credentialing with the MSN. However, a masters degree credit load that prepares nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and certified nurse anesthetists is comparable to that of doctoral degrees in other healthcare professions. Recognizing this, the AACN now recommends the DNP as a minimum standard of education for all advanced practice specialties.
To understand the difference between a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, consider the following:
Nursing PhD
In summary: scholarship is key in both degree programs, and they are equally academically rigorous, but the degrees provide different training and serve different purposes.
A Personalized Guide To Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your online Doctor of Nursing Practice requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to helpwith our Doctoral Degree Coach.
- Map and track milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, whats ahead, and what youve already accomplishedall in one place.
- Meet weekly targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect with faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access helpful resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right directionno more frustrating searches.
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How One Walden Grad Is Serving Disadvantaged Communities In Texas
Dr. Alvin Mena Cantero is a Cuban refugee physician who came to the U.S. and started his educational journey with Walden University. He has been sowing seeds of social change in Houston, Texas, and around the globe.
PROGRAM SAVINGS
Receive up to a $5,000 Walden Care & Compassion Grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on January 10, 2022. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
- Field experience
- Completion of DNP project
- DNP Project Mentoring course
- Doctoral DNP Project Completion
Courses
Advancing Nurses Advancing Practice Advancing Healthcare

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Elms College includes a rigorous and innovative curriculum to prepare students for advanced practice. Each DNP track supports the next generation of advanced nurses who are ready to be change advocates within varied practice level roles that may be clinical from the bedside to the boardroom in leadership and in health care policy.
Other DNP programs may offer similar coursework, yet, the dedicated Elms College DNP faculty are passionate about educating the next generation of advanced practice nurses and nurse leaders. The student to faculty ratio provides the accessibility of experienced faculty who are committed to their students success. As a result, the Elms DNP program creates an exciting and dynamic learning environment for students by fostering interaction and learning from peers and faculty.
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Is A Doctor Of Nursing Online Degree Worth It
A DNP is akin to earning a PhD, except your doctorate is for the practice of nursing instead of for research. The distinction of earning the degree can give you more autonomy and power to help shape the profession, whether through academia, government or executive suites.
The worth of a Doctor of Nursing Practice depends on your career goals and desired level of expertise. Nurses interested in advanced care nursing roles are required to have an MSN. However, a DNP may lead to more responsibilities and leadership roles in the field. In a leadership position, DNP nurses can help influence patient care at a systemic level. Lastly, nurses interested in research-based positions may benefit from the scholarly emphasis of a DNP program.