Advancing to doctoral-level nursing while continuing to work in clinical practice presents a significant yet common challenge. Balancing a rigorous academic program with the high-intensity, full-time demands of a clinical role can be arduous. Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs offer a direct pathway that reduces the time spent on academic study and unlocks in-demand career options more quickly. St. Thomas University (STU) offers a BSN to DNP online program that is designed for active nurses seeking an accelerated path to a doctoral degree.
Nurse practitioners are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a 35% growth rate through 2034. Pursuing a DNP is increasingly relevant and timely given the escalating complexity of healthcare, the critical shortage of DNPs and the urgent need to advance evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes. This guide provides an overview of a typical BSN to DNP online program, the benefits of choosing the BSN to DNP route, career opportunities with a DNP and why now is the right time to pursue higher education.
What Is a BSN to DNP Program?
A BSN to DNP program is an integrated academic pathway that combines master’s- and doctoral-level coursework. With this route, registered nurses with an existing BSN can earn a DNP without first earning an MSN. These programs are typically flexible and designed for working nurses, combining online coursework with local, in-person clinical hours to prepare graduates for advanced nursing roles.
Some programs require bridge courses or assessments to meet MSN core competencies before advancing to DNP-level clinical work. STU’s BSN to MSN online program requires applicants to hold a BSN from an accredited institution, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher and have an active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in Florida or Georgia. Many online BSN to DNP programs also offer specialty tracks, including family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health, adult-gerontology and healthcare leadership.
STU’s BSN to DNP program focuses on advanced clinical practice, healthcare policy, systems leadership and evidence-based practice. This CCNE-accredited program’s foundation includes advanced research skills and extensive real-world experience, combining online coursework with 500 MSN practicum hours and 500 DNP practicum hours.
Why Choose the BSN to DNP Route?
There are many key benefits to earning an online BSN to DNP degree. The accelerated online program offers a direct, accelerated path to the highest level of nursing practice. By allowing working nurses to earn their doctorate without pausing their careers, BSN to DNP programs provide an accessible pathway to career advancement. Key benefits include:
- Time and money savings: The accelerated program bridges the gap between BSN and DNP, allowing nurses to bypass a separate MSN program and reach the terminal degree faster, often at a lower overall cost.
- Maximum flexibility: Online programs are designed for working professionals, offering asynchronous classes that allow students to balance work, life and education.
- Certification eligibility: BSN to DNP programs make students eligible for national nurse practitioner certification during the first phase of the program.
- Leadership skill building: The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement and policy development, equipping graduates with the tools to improve healthcare outcomes at a higher level.
- Professional advancement: Doctoral preparation is increasingly the entry-level standard, positioning graduates for success from day one.
- Career future-proofing: As standards continue to evolve in the field, a DNP future-proofs your nursing career, unlocking more opportunities in a variety of fields.
What Career Opportunities Open After Earning Your DNP?
Earning a DNP opens doors to top-tier clinical, executive, leadership and academic roles in various healthcare settings. Nurse practitioners are experiencing rapid career growth, driven by the high demand for healthcare services, especially in primary and rural care. As of May 2024, the median annual salary for NPs and other similar professions was approximately $132,050, significantly higher than the average of all occupations. For the second consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has named nurse practitioner as the #1 job, driven by strong growth, high salaries and a strong work-life balance.
NP is just one of the many lucrative and rewarding positions available. Additional roles for DNP graduates include:
- Chief nursing officer (CNO): Offers executive-level leadership for hospitals or healthcare organizations. The median salary for CNOs and similar health service management roles was $117,960 in 2024.
- Director of nursing: Manages departments, budgets and staff to enhance operational efficiency. Directors of nursing share the same median salary as CNOS and other management positions.
- Healthcare consultant: Influences healthcare policy and policy development at local, state or federal levels. According to Payscale, the median salary is $92,000 as of 2025.
- Nursing instructors: Teach at colleges and universities, often focusing on clinical practice preparation and evidence-based practice. BLS lists the median pay at $80,780 as of 2024.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Pursue Your BSN to DNP
Now is the ideal time to pursue a BSN to DNP program due to a critical shortage of advanced practice nurses, high demand for specialized care and strong projected job growth for NPs by 2034. A DNP provides a high-earning, autonomous career and is becoming the industry standard for nursing leadership roles. With a projected physician shortage of 86,000 by 2036, driven by an aging population, high retirement rates and burnout, DNP graduates are in high demand, creating a competitive advantage, especially in leadership.
As of 2024, 27 states, along with Washington, D.C., have adopted Full Practice Authority (FPA) for NPs, enabling them to evaluate, diagnose, order tests and prescribe medications independently, opening a wider net of career opportunities across the country. As the field of healthcare continues to advance and evolve, major nursing organizations are actively moving toward the DNP education as the entry-level requirement for NPs. While not yet a mandate, the shift aims to elevate education standards for advanced roles.
Earning a DNP now enables professionals to stay ahead of evolving healthcare standards, equipping them to lead system-level changes, implement advanced, evidence-based practices and navigate increasingly complex, technology-driven care environments. DNP graduates are also prepared for opportunities in career advancement, leadership development and enhanced compensation, increasing their potential for growth and maximum impact in their chosen field.
Taking the First Step Toward Your DNP
Ideal for working nurses, St. Thomas University’s online BSN to DNP program is accessible and flexible, meaning you don’t have to put your career or life on hold to pursue higher education. Due to an unprecedented demand for NPs that sees no signs of slowing in the next decade, now is the best time to advance your education to unlock new career pathways. Competitive salaries and measurable career returns lead to job satisfaction and an ideal work-life balance.
To learn more about STU’s BSN to DNP program, visit the program page for information on courses, specialities and to review admission requirements. Explore the suite of online student services, discover the BSN to DNP program steps, timelines and career payoffs.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online BSN to DNP program.
