For questions about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing undergraduate degree, visit BSN Programs.
The following table outlines some of the biggest differences between DNP and PhD in nursing programs. Statistics included represent an average for graduate nursing programs across the U.S. Requirements for any individual program may vary. If you are considering pursuing a DNP or PhD, be sure to investigate requirements specific to each program of interest.
| Criteria | DNP | PhD |
| Core Curriculum | Translating research evidence into nursing practice Health care policy (including budgets, financial management, leadership theory) Cultivating practice expertise | Research methodologies Theories of nursing research Faculty development |
| Applicant Prerequisites | Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Some programs require a Master’s degree in nursing while others accept BSN candidates. |
| Credit Hours | 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. | Around 60 credit hours for those with a Master’s degree, inclusive of dissertation hours. |
| Clinical Work | Yes, sometimes up to 1,000 hours | Generally minimal |
| Research | Statistics and theory | In-depth, faculty-guided research projects |
| Online Programs Available | Yes, some programs are available primarily or totally online | Yes, some programs are available primarily or totally online |
| Final Project | Often consists of a clinical paper, presentation, or other practice-based project | Dissertation that contributes substantively to the field of nursing, plus dissertation defense |
| Typical Post-Graduate Employment | Leadership in nursing practice Management positions Health care policy, administration, or government positions Academia in practice-based nursing programs | Nursing researcher Health policy positions Nursing faculty positions |
| Occupational Demand | 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. | 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 | 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) | 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, author. |