Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Two to four years to complete, must have a BSN or MSN to apply.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs take two to four years to complete. They prepare Registered Nurses for roles in primary care, acute care, and leadership.

Overview

What Is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program?

The traditional Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in primary care. Most commonly associated with the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, the DNP is designed for nurses who want to diagnose and treat patients, manage long-term care plans, and serve as independent providers in clinical settings. These programs are clinical doctorates focused on patient outcomes rather than academic research, with graduates working in family practices, community clinics, and outpatient environments.

Over time, the DNP has expanded to include a variety of nurse practitioner and leadership concentrations. Common clinical specialties include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Women's Health, and Certified Nurse Midwife. Acute care specialties are also offered, such as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Non-clinical tracks like Nurse Executive, Health Systems Leadership, and Nursing Informatics are increasingly available as DNP-level programs, building on earlier MSN pathways.

The DNP is the highest practice-focused degree in nursing and equips graduates to lead complex clinical decisions, manage healthcare teams, and implement evidence-based improvements. Students complete both advanced clinical training and a capstone DNP project aimed at improving patient outcomes or organizational performance. Graduates are typically eligible for licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and certification in their chosen population focus or specialty area.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Overview:

  • Highest level of nursing practice education.
  • Prepares students for primary care, acute care, or leadership.
  • Program lengths range from 2 to 4 years.
  • Total tuition costs vary from $30,000 to $120,000.
  • May include Advanced Practice (APRN) or specialty certification.
  • A scholarly capstone project is required to graduate.
  • Salaries frequently exceed $110,000 annually.

Admissions

What Are the Admission Requirements for a DNP Program?

Admission to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is competitive and requires applicants to meet both academic and professional qualifications. Most programs offer two entry points: BSN-to-DNP for nurses with a bachelor's degree and MSN-to-DNP for those who already hold a master's degree in nursing or a related field.

Typical academic and professional prerequisites include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited institution
  • Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate or graduate coursework
  • One to two years of recent clinical nursing experience (may vary by specialty track)
  • Completion of undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course

Application materials commonly required include:

  • Completed application form and application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Personal statement outlining career goals and reasons for pursuing the DNP
  • Two or three letters of recommendation from academic or clinical references
  • Interview with faculty (in person or virtual, depending on the school)

Some BSN-to-DNP programs may require GRE scores, although this is becoming less common. Because DNP programs are highly selective, a strong application should highlight your academic achievements, clinical experience, and professional goals. Applicants are encouraged to consult college admissions advisors to confirm current requirements and application deadlines.

Curriculum

What Courses Are Included in a DNP Program?

The DNP curriculum varies by specialty and entry point, but most programs include advanced clinical coursework, leadership development, and a scholarly DNP project. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track remains the most common DNP pathway, preparing nurses to deliver comprehensive primary care across the lifespan.

BSN-to-DNP students typically complete both master's and doctoral-level coursework in a single program. Core content includes pharmacology, pathophysiology, physical assessment, population health, and advanced practice management. Students also complete supervised clinical hours and finish with a DNP project that addresses a specific healthcare need or system improvement.

In addition to the FNP track, DNP programs may offer specialties in Adult-Gerontology (Primary or Acute Care), Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Women's Health, Nurse Midwifery, and non-clinical options like Nursing Informatics or Executive Leadership. While course titles vary by university, the example below reflects a typical BSN-to-DNP curriculum for the popular Family Nurse Practitioner track:

BSN-to-DNP Curriculum, FNP Track (3-Year Example)
TermCoursesClinical Hours
Year 1
Fall
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Nursing Theory and Role Development
90 hours
Spring
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Population Health and Epidemiology
90 hours
Summer
  • Leadership and Health Policy
  • Clinical Practicum I
135 hours
Year 2
Fall
  • Primary Care of Adults
  • Healthcare Quality and Safety
  • Scholarly Project Planning
180 hours
Spring
  • Primary Care of Women
  • Primary Care of Older Adults
  • Clinical Practicum II
180 hours
Summer
  • Primary Care of Children and Adolescents
  • DNP Project Proposal
135 hours
Year 3
Fall
  • DNP Scholarly Project I
  • Organizational and Systems Leadership
180 hours
Spring
  • DNP Scholarly Project II
  • Clinical Integration and Residency
270 hours

DNP programs must meet a minimum of 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours as required by national certification bodies. Some MSN-to-DNP programs offer shorter curricula and fewer clinical hours, especially if the applicant is already a certified APRN.

Graduation also requires the completion of a DNP scholarly project, which differs from a PhD dissertation. The DNP project focuses on applying evidence to improve patient outcomes, healthcare delivery, or population health in a real-world setting.

DNP clinicals include hours in patient care, leadership, policy, and quality improvement.
While direct patient care is the primary focus for Nurse Practitioner students, all DNP students must complete clinical hours in leadership, policy, and quality improvement.

Clinicals

DNP Clinical Requirements

Clinical training is a core component of any Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. All accredited DNP pathways include a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours, though the exact number may vary depending on previous experience and the chosen concentration. These hours are completed in supervised settings and are required for national certification as a nurse practitioner. Clinicals are typically scheduled one to two days per week, averaging 90 to 180 hours per term.

In a BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, students complete clinical hours in primary care environments such as family practices, internal medicine offices, hospital outpatient departments, and community health clinics. These rotations develop core competencies in physical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, chronic disease management, and preventive care. Clinical experience typically spans pediatric, women's health, adult, and geriatric populations.

MSN-to-DNP students who are already certified as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) may be eligible to transfer up to 500 clinical hours from their MSN program. However, they must still complete additional practicum hours focused on leadership, health policy, or quality improvement, often tied to their final DNP project.

DNP students in other tracks such as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health, or Nurse Midwifery complete clinical hours aligned with the scope and standards of their specialty certification. Non-clinical DNP concentrations such as Nurse Executive or Informatics typically substitute direct patient care with leadership or systems-based practicum experiences, while still meeting the total hour requirement through supervised applied work.

In addition to clinical rotations, all DNP students must complete a scholarly project that applies evidence-based practice to improve outcomes in a healthcare setting. This capstone project may be carried out at a clinical site, hospital system, public health organization, or another approved practice setting.

Tuition

How Much Does a DNP Program Cost?

The cost of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program depends on the type of school, state residency, and whether you enter with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Public universities typically charge lower tuition than private institutions, especially for in-state students.

Annual tuition rates for full-time DNP students generally range from $10,000 to $30,000 per year at public universities. Private universities may charge $40,000 or more annually. Most BSN-to-DNP programs take 3 to 4 years to complete, while MSN-to-DNP programs may be completed in 1 to 2 years depending on the track and enrollment status.

Total program costs typically range from:

  • $50,000 to $120,000 for BSN-to-DNP programs
  • $30,000 to $70,000 for MSN-to-DNP programs

These estimates may not include additional expenses such as books, university fees, lab supplies, certification exam fees, or required software. Some schools offer per-credit pricing, while others publish flat-rate tuition models based on full-time or part-time status.

Prospective students should contact the financial aid office or graduate nursing department at their chosen institution to learn about current tuition rates and available funding options specifically for DNP students. Scholarships, grants, loan forgiveness programs, and employer tuition reimbursement may help reduce the total cost of attendance.

Outcomes

What Can You Do with a DNP in Nursing?

Graduates of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are well-prepared for a wide range of advanced practice roles in healthcare, enjoying not only greater job responsibilities but also significantly higher salary prospects. With the healthcare industry's increasing complexity and the growing emphasis on quality patient outcomes, DNP-prepared nurses are in high demand. According to recent data, DNP graduates can expect salaries well above the average for registered nurses, with figures often starting from $110,000 annually and increasing with experience, specialization, and geographic location.

Job titles for DNP-prepared nurses include:

Completing a DNP program opens the door to career advancement opportunities that are not only rewarding in terms of salary but also in the ability to make a significant impact on patient care, healthcare policy, and the nursing profession as a whole. DNP-prepared nurses are recognized as leaders in their field, equipped with the skills to implement evidence-based practices, improve healthcare delivery systems, and educate the next generation of nurses. The investment in a DNP degree thus represents a pathway to both professional growth and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in healthcare. Learn more about advanced-level nursing careers, including salaries, duties, and skills.

Colleges

Which Colleges Offer a DNP in Nursing?

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are most commonly found in universities that have a strong focus on health sciences. Community colleges and two-year institutions would not offer DNP programs due to the advanced level of study and research required that culminates in a doctoral degree. Instead, DNP programs are housed in universities with the resources, faculty, and facilities to support advanced nursing education and research.

Here are a few examples of colleges which offer DNP programs:

As you consider pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, visiting the websites of accredited nursing schools in your area can provide you with a wealth of information about DNP programs in general, including admission requirements, curriculum details, faculty expertise, and unique opportunities for students. Researching each program thoroughly will help you find one that best fits your professional goals and educational needs. We encourage you to supplement your research by exploring these institutions to gain deeper insights into what they offer for DNP education.

Questions

DNP Program FAQ

Do nurse practitioners need a doctorate?

No, a doctorate is not currently required to become a nurse practitioner (NP). However, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is increasingly seen as the preferred degree for advanced clinical practice roles. Some employers now favor DNP-prepared candidates, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) continues to support the DNP as the standard for APRN preparation.

Can a DNP student attend part-time?

Yes. Many DNP programs offer part-time options designed for working nurses. A full-time BSN-to-DNP track may take 3 to 4 years, while part-time students might complete the degree over 5 to 6 years. MSN-to-DNP students typically finish in 2 to 3 years part-time, depending on the track and pace of study.

What is the difference between a DNP and MD?

A DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is the highest nursing degree focused on clinical practice, patient care, and systems leadership. An MD (Doctor of Medicine) is a physician trained to diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, and perform surgeries. DNP are advanced practice nurses with a holistic, nursing-based approach to care, while MD follow a medical model. Both work in clinical settings but under different scopes of practice and licensing boards.

What is the difference between a DNP and PhD?

While both the DNP and PhD are doctoral degrees, they serve different purposes and career paths. The DNP focuses on clinical practice, leadership, and implementing research into care. The PhD in Nursing is centered on original research and academic scholarship. DNP-prepared nurses often work as nurse practitioners or executives, while PhD-prepared nurses typically work as researchers or faculty members.

How long does it take to get a DNP in nursing?

The duration depends on the student's entry point. BSN-to-DNP programs usually take 3 to 4 years of full-time study. MSN-to-DNP programs can often be completed in 1 to 2 years full-time. Part-time options may extend these timelines.

Can you take a DNP program online?

Yes. Many DNP programs are available in online or hybrid formats. While coursework can be completed remotely, clinical hours and DNP projects must be completed in person at approved locations. Online options are especially popular among working nurses and rural students.

Is a DNP worth it?

For many nurses, yes. A DNP can lead to expanded practice authority, leadership roles, and increased earning potential. It also fulfills the highest level of clinical training in nursing. However, it requires a significant investment of time and money, so prospective students should consider their long-term career goals and desired scope of practice.

Last updated: June 30, 2025

Nursing Degrees

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