How to Earn Your DNP: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

• A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a practice-focused doctoral degree built around applying research to patient care and leading healthcare teams.¹
• The number of DNP programs has expanded steadily since 2004, and DNP programs are now available in all 50 states.²
• Admission typically requires a registered nurse (RN) license, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a minimum GPA from an accredited nursing program.
• DNP coursework may typically cover evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, leadership, and quality improvement.
• Most DNP programs culminate in a capstone or scholarly project that addresses a real practice problem.

Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree typically involves completing an accredited DNP program consisting of advanced coursework, practicum hours, and a final capstone project. The journey moves through several stages, each building on the one before. Here is how the process works, start to finish.

What Is a DNP Degree?

A DNP degree is a practice-focused doctoral degree centered on improving patient outcomes and translating research into real-world care. Unlike a PhD in Nursing, which is a research-focused degree dedicated to generating new knowledge, the DNP emphasizes applying evidence in clinical and leadership settings.¹

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the DNP as the preferred preparation for advanced nursing practice in 2004. Enrollment in DNP programs has grown steadily since then. There are nursing schools in all 50 states that offer this doctoral degree.²

Why Do Nurses Earn DNP Degrees?

Nurses earn DNP degrees to deepen their clinical expertise, strengthen their leadership ability, and address the growing complexities of healthcare. The AACN cites rapid expansion of healthcare knowledge, increased patient-care complexity, and a need for doctorally prepared leaders as key factors driving growth in DNP education.²

How Do You Choose a DNP Program?

Selecting a DNP program starts with accreditation. Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Here are other aspects to consider:

• Program format: Explore online, on-campus, or hybrid formats.
• Areas of specialization: Ask about focused tracks such as advanced practice leadership or healthcare systems leadership.
• Curriculum: Look for depth and faculty expertise.
• Student support: Find out what services and resources are available. 

Online DNP programs offer flexibility for working nurses, while on-campus and hybrid options provide face-to-face interaction. Comparing several nursing schools can help you find the best fit for your goals and schedule.

What Are the DNP Degree Requirements for Admission?

DNP degree requirements for admission vary by nursing program, but most DNP programs expect applicants to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution and program.

Requirements may include: 

• A current, active, unrestricted RN license
• A minimum cumulative GPA, often 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Official transcripts from prior nursing programs
• Letters of recommendation and/or a personal statement

Some programs admit RNs who hold a BSN and a non-nursing master’s degree. Individual schools can provide the exact criteria for admission.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a DNP Degree?

How long it takes to earn a DNP degree depends on your starting point and whether you attend full or part time. Nurses entering with an MSN may be able to complete a DNP program in one to two years of full-time study. Nurses entering with a BSN usually need three to four years, since the path includes completing master’s-level coursework first.

Part-time options extend these timelines, and many DNP programs are designed to accommodate working nurses. Program length also varies by credit requirements, specialization, and the number of practicum hours required.

What Coursework Does a DNP Program Include?

DNP coursework builds on prior nursing education with advanced, practice-focused content, emphasizing translating research into practice and leading change within healthcare systems. 

Doctoral coursework may cover:

• Advanced nursing theory and evidence-based practice
• Healthcare policy and ethics
• Leadership and systems thinking
• Quality improvement and informatics

What Are Practicum or Clinical Hours in a DNP Program?

Practicum hours give DNP students hands-on experience applying coursework in real healthcare settings. Working with a faculty advisor, students identify practicum sites and preceptors that align with their specialization and goals.

These hours let nurses practice in a supervised environment. Common focus areas include:

• Leadership and systems change
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Evidence-based practice projects

What Is a DNP Capstone or Scholarly Project?

A DNP capstone or scholarly project addresses a real practice problem using evidence-based principles. Students might choose to:

• Design a quality improvement initiative
• Implement a new care protocol
• Evaluate an existing health program

The capstone lets nurses demonstrate expertise and contribute to their organization and the nursing profession.

What Can You Do With a DNP Degree?

DNP-prepared nurses work across many settings. According to an AACN survey, graduates are employed as nurse practitioners, nurse executives, chief nursing officers, nurse faculty, and healthcare consultants.³

The degree centers on advanced clinical, leadership, and systems-thinking skills applicable across the many types of nursing roles in today’s healthcare environment.

How Do You Balance Work, Life, and a DNP Program?

Many doctoral candidates are working nurses juggling professional, family, and academic responsibilities. Here are some strategies that students use to organize their activities:

• Set a consistent weekly study schedule.
• Prioritize tasks by deadline and importance.
• Choose programs with flexible scheduling.
• Draw on support from family, colleagues, and university services.

Chamberlain University’s DNP Program

When you are ready to compare DNP programs, it helps to look closely at what individual schools offer.

Chamberlain University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program features 100% online coursework plus a practicum. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year, and the program offers support for working nurses who want to balance studies with professional responsibilities.

The DNP program offers three elective course sequences:

• Advanced Practice Leadership
• Healthcare Systems Leadership
• Educational Leadership

A key part of earning a doctoral degree in nursing at Chamberlain is a customized, five-part project and practicum experience. The university’s Experiential Learning Team is available to help DNP candidates secure a practicum site or preceptor, if needed.

Advancing your education with a doctorate in nursing is a commitment to building expertise at the highest academic level. If the depth of practice resonates with you, it may be time to explore DNP programs and find the one that fits your life and goals.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online options, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of experience preparing healthcare professionals. 
 

¹Source: www.aacnnursing.org/students/nursing-education-pathways/dnp-education 
²Source: www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/dnp-fact-sheet
³Source: www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Surveys-Data/State-of-the-DNP-Summary-Report-June-2022.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DNP degree?

A DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice, degree is a practice-focused doctoral degree dedicated to bridging research and clinical care, leading healthcare teams, and improving patient outcomes. 

How long does it take to earn a DNP?

Time to completion varies by DNP program and whether a student attends full or part time. Programs for nurses entering with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree may take one to two years with full-time study, while those for nurses entering with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)   typically take three to four years.

What are the DNP degree requirements for admission?

Most DNP programs require a current RN license, a BSN or MSN from an accredited institution, a minimum GPA, and official transcripts. Some programs also request letters of recommendation and/or a personal statement.

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

A DNP degree focuses on applying evidence in clinical and leadership settings. A PhD in Nursing is a research-focused degree centered on conducting original research and advancing nursing science.

What can you do with a DNP degree?

DNP-prepared nurses may choose to work as nurse practitioners, nurse executives, faculty members, healthcare consultants, or in many other roles.

By Chamberlain University