For registered nurses with BSN degrees considering doctoral education, choosing between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing is a critical decision. Both represent terminal degrees but serve fundamentally different purposes and lead to distinct career trajectories.
St. Thomas University (STU) offers an online BSN to DNP program that prepares nurses for advanced practice roles and clinical leadership positions. Whether you’re drawn to direct patient care, organizational leadership, research or academia, understanding these differences helps you make an informed choice aligned with your professional goals.
Understanding the Fundamental Differences: DNP vs PhD in Nursing
The National Academy of Medicine explains that there are two types of doctoral degrees in nursing: the PhD and the DNP, with the former designed to prepare nurse scientists to conduct research and the latter as a clinically focused doctoral degree that prepares graduates with advanced competencies in leadership, quality improvement and evidence-based practice. The PhD emphasizes research methodology and generating new knowledge through dissertation research, while the DNP focuses on translating research into clinical practice and leading quality improvement initiatives.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing characterizes the DNP as designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice, offering an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs. The National Academy of Medicine notes that PhD-prepared nurses develop the research base for evidence-based practice while DNP-educated nurses translate that evidence into practice and educate nursing students in clinical fundamentals.
Educational Requirements and Time Commitment Comparison
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) roles, though BLS notes that APRNs may choose to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice or a PhD as terminal degrees. Both doctoral pathways build upon master’s-level education or offer direct BSN-to-doctorate programs.
DNP programs offer flexible pathways based on your credentials. AACN’s State of Doctor of Nursing Practice Education in 2022 research found that BSN-to-DNP tracks required an average of 74 credit hours, taking three to four years, while Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)-to-DNP tracks required 38 credit hours, completing in two to three years. These programs emphasize evidence-based practice, leadership and quality improvement, culminating in a scholarly project that addresses real-world practice problems.
Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing data shows that 66 percent of DNP programs in 2020 were primarily online, providing flexibility for working nurses. PhD programs typically require four to six years regardless of entry point. The National Academy of Medicine indicates that doctoral programs generally require three to five years, as intensive dissertation research demands significant time for original study design, data collection and analysis.
Career Paths and Practice Settings: Where Each Degree Leads
DNP-prepared nurses pursue careers in advanced clinical practice and healthcare leadership, including advanced practice registered nurse positions such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist and certified nurse midwife. DNP graduates also assume executive roles as chief nursing officers, healthcare administrators and directors of clinical programs, working across hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, academic institutions and government health agencies. National Academy of Medicine emphasizes that DNP-educated nurses play a critical role in translating evidence into practice and educating nursing students, making them valuable in both direct care and educational environments.
PhD-prepared nurses follow different trajectories focused on research and academic scholarship. The National Academy of Medicine notes that PhD-prepared nurses teach and conduct research, serve as faculty at universities and systematically study health and healthcare issues. These nurse scientists typically pursue tenure-track faculty positions, serve as principal investigators leading research teams, or hold positions in government research agencies and policy organizations where they conduct original research that advances nursing’s scientific knowledge base.
Salary and Job Outlook for DNP vs PhD Graduates
DNP-prepared nurses command strong salaries in advanced practice clinical roles. BLS data shows the median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $132,050 in May 2024, with nurse practitioners specifically earning $129,210. PayScale reports an average DNP salary of $117,000 per year based on 426 survey responses, with variations by specialty, location and experience.
Employment outlook for both pathways remains strong. BLS projects that employment for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners will grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. The National Academy of Medicine data reveals that from 2010 to 2019, DNP graduates increased by more than 500% to 7,944 while PhD graduates grew 50% to 804, reflecting market demand for practice-focused doctoral preparation.
Which Doctorate Should You Choose? Decision-Making Factors
Selecting between a DNP and a PhD should align with your career aspirations. If your goals include practicing as a nurse practitioner or assuming clinical leadership roles, the DNP is aligned. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 94% of DNP graduates were satisfied with their decision, and in 2020, BSN-to-DNP enrollment reached 22,574 students compared to 16,956 in MSN-to-DNP tracks.
If you’re passionate about research, tenure-track faculty positions or developing nursing theory, the PhD aligns with those objectives. While The National Academy of Medicine reports that PhD graduates are growing more slowly than DNP graduates, nurse scientists remain critical for advancing evidence-based practice.
STU’s online BSN to DNP program offers a comprehensive pathway for BSN-prepared registered nurses to earn their MSN and terminal practice doctorate while maintaining their professional careers. Delivered entirely online with clinical practicum experiences completed locally, the program prepares nurses for advanced practice nursing roles through coursework in evidence-based practice, healthcare systems leadership, quality improvement and advanced clinical assessment.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online BSN to DNP program.
Frequently Asked Questions About DNP vs PhD in Nursing
Choosing between a DNP and a PhD in nursing raises many questions for BSN-prepared nurses considering doctoral education. Here are answers to the most common questions about these two doctoral pathways.
What is a DNP degree and how does it differ from a PhD in nursing?
A DNP is a practice-focused terminal degree preparing nurses for advanced clinical practice, healthcare leadership and evidence-based practice implementation. In contrast, a PhD is a research-focused terminal degree that prepares nursing scientists for academic research and scholarly investigation aimed at generating new nursing knowledge.
Is a PhD or DNP better for nurse practitioners?
The DNP is the standard doctorate for nurse practitioner practice, providing clinical leadership competencies essential for advanced practice roles. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties has committed to transitioning all entry-level NP education to the DNP by 2025.
How long does it take to complete a DNP compared to a PhD?
DNP programs typically require three to four years for BSN-to-DNP pathways or two to three years for MSN-to-DNP pathways, with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reporting that BSN-to-DNP tracks average 74 credit hours. PhD programs generally require four to six years to complete, regardless of entry point, due to the intensive demands of dissertation research.
Can DNP graduates teach in nursing schools?
Yes, DNP-prepared nurses teach in nursing schools, particularly in clinical courses and practicum supervision. Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing indicates that 23% of DNP graduates work as nursing faculty.
What is the salary difference between DNP and PhD nurses?
BLS reports that DNP-prepared nurses in clinical APRN roles earn median salaries ranging from $129,210 for nurse practitioners to $132,050 across all specialties, with PayScale showing an average DNP salary of $117,000. PhD-prepared nurses in academic faculty positions often earn less than clinical practitioners.
Are nurse practitioners with DNPs considered doctors?
DNP is a doctoral degree that qualifies holders to use the title “Doctor,” but BLS clarifies that DNP-prepared nurse practitioners are not physicians. DNP nurses have distinct educational preparation and scope of practice from physicians holding MD or DO degrees.
About St. Thomas University’s Online BSN to DNP Program
STU’s online BSN to DNP program graduates emerge prepared to sit for national APRN certification examinations and assume leadership positions driving meaningful change in patient care delivery. The curriculum emphasizes competencies in clinical decision-making, healthcare policy analysis and organizational leadership, while the DNP scholarly project provides experience designing and implementing practice innovations.
Designed for working nurses, this program provides flexibility to advance your education without stepping away from professional responsibilities, positioning you for career growth in advanced practice, executive leadership and specialized nursing roles. St. Thomas University offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs across its schools of business, law, science and technology, and nursing and health sciences, with a particular focus on serving first-generation college students and underrepresented communities.
