For questions about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing undergraduate degree, visit BSN Programs.
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the key distinctions between DNP and PhD in nursing programs. Please note that the statistics are averages for graduate nursing programs across the U.S., and specific program requirements may vary. If you are contemplating a DNP or PhD, it’s essential to explore the specific requirements of each program of interest.
Core Curriculum
DNP
- Translating research evidence into nursing practice.
- Health care policy (including budgets, financial management, leadership theory).
- Cultivating practice expertise.
PhD
- Research methodologies.
- Theories of nursing research.
- Faculty development.
Applicant Prerequisites
DNP
- Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) or
- Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN)
PhD
- Some programs require a Master’s degree in nursing while others accept BSN candidates
Credit Hours
DNP
- Usually between 70-95 for those entering with a Bachelor’s degree. Fewer credits are required for those students who have already obtained a Master’s degree.
PhD
- Around 60 credit hours for those with a Master’s degree, inclusive of dissertation hours.
Clinical Work
DNP
- Yes, sometimes up to 1,000 hours.
PhD
- Generally minimal.
Research
DNP
- Statistics and theory.
PhD
- In-depth, faculty-guided research projects.
Online Programs Available
DNP
- Yes, some programs are available primarily or totally online.
PhD
- Yes, some programs are available primarily or totally online.
Final Project
DNP
- Often consists of a clinical paper, presentation or other practice-based project.
PhD
- Dissertation that contributes substantively to the field of nursing, plus dissertation defense.
Typical Post-Graduate Employment
DNP
- Leadership in nursing practice.
- Management positions.
- Health care policy, administration or government.
PhD
- Nursing researcher.
- Nursing faculty positions.
- Health policy positions.
Occupational Demand
DNP
- According to the AACN, demand for nurses educated at the highest levels of practice is growing. The AACN has advocated for more DNP programs and the movement of a DNP requirement (as opposed to the current Master’s degree requirement) for all nurse practitioners in the coming years.
PhD
- The demand for nurses with PhD-level education is high, particularly in academia where waves of retirement are expected to have a major impact on the number of nursing faculty in the next decade (AACN, 2020).
Salary Expectation
DNP
- As the highest degrees in nursing practice, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) degrees can catapult advanced practice nurses to the top of the pay range. Some prospective students, however, may wonder how the salaries of these different degree types stack up. The short answer is that the differences in salary between nurses who hold a DNP and those with a PhD are minimal, with an average difference of approximately $4,000 per year.
However, things such as location, organization, and job title will ultimately determine a salary for a nurse with either degree type. (Source: RegisteredNursing.org).
PhD
- A PhD prepared nurse spends time researching, conducting analysis and performing scientific studies. They also commonly enter academia as professors and educators. According to Payscale, a PhD educated nurse’s average salary is $98,000 per year. This makes the salary very competitive in comparison to that of a DNP. Similar to a DNP-prepared nurse, there is variability in salary depending on setting and institution. A nurse researcher can expect to earn a yearly salary of approximately $95,000 per year. Some job titles a PhD may search for include: nurse researcher, nurse scientist, policy maker, academic professor or author.