As you look toward the next step in your nursing career, you have probably considered earning an advanced degree in nursing. The latest evidence shows that there is a strong connection between improved patient outcomes and higher levels of nursing education. So, should you earn your online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)?
You may also wonder what your job would look like with a doctorate in nursing. The idea of a nurse practitioner is likely already familiar to you, but you might wonder “What does a DNP do?” each day.
Doug Hettich, academic program coordinator for the College of Nursing, explains what a Doctor of Nursing Practice is and the job duties and career outcomes you can expect with the credential.
What is a Doctor of Nursing Practice?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the terminal degree option for those who wish to excel in practice. The College of Nursing offers a combined online program called BSN to DNP, which awards both the nursing master’s degree and the DNP degree and prepares the student to sit for advanced practice certification (in select specialties), all in one streamlined program.
For nurses who already have a master’s degree, the online Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice will advance your knowledge and skills in leadership, interdepartmental collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice.
If you desire to deepen your practice expertise, translate research into quality care to improve patient outcomes and provide leadership to address key healthcare systems, then the DNP may be a good program for you to consider. In addition, the DNP will prepare you to serve as a mentor, while improving the quality of your practice.
Who is the online DNP degree for?
The online BSN to DNP degree program is for BSNs that are ready to move on to the next level of clinical expertise. The Post-Master’s DNP program is for an RN with any master’s degree that is ready to advance their career into leadership roles within their field.
As a career field based on licensure, many career paths require higher and higher levels of education to work in more advanced roles. So, depending on your field of expertise and your state of residence, you may eventually need a DNP to advance or have more authority in your practice.
For these reasons, the online DNP is the best choice to future-proof your nursing career. Serious consideration is now being put towards shifting the educational requirement for advanced practice certification from the master’s to the doctoral level. If you are considering becoming an APRN, also getting your DNP now is a good idea, as in the very near future it will likely be required anyway.
What can you do with a doctorate in nursing? What does a DNP do?
A major role of the DNP in the clinical setting is the translation of research into practice, or using the newest data and science to improve patient outcomes. DNPs who work in administrative, policy, technical, educational, and other roles can advance into leadership positions where they will use that same evidence-based approach to improve the methodology of their organization.
The online DNP degree can prepare you for nurse practitioner roles. A nurse practitioner might diagnose and treat illness, order diagnostic tests, or prescribe medication. An online DNP degree can also prepare you to become certified to provide specialized care for patients.
What is the average Doctor of Nursing Practice salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average nurse practitioner salary is $114,510 annually. Due to a growing emphasis on preventative care, employment of nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives is projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Nurse practitioner salaries can vary based on geographic location and specialty.
How do I decide if the online DNP is right for me?
Ask yourself the following questions to decide if the online nursing doctorate is right for you:
What are your career goals? As an RN, are you ready to take on the responsibility of managing the care of your patients? Are you interested in only working towards the next level of licensure/certification, or are you interested in reaching the highest level of education in nursing practice? What type of nursing professionals or specialists are needed where you live, or where you plan to live in the future?
How long of an education commitment are you ready to make currently? The BSN to DNP program – in which students earn a master’s degree on their way to a doctorate – requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, which would take a full-time student 11 semesters to complete.
Earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice can have a positive impact on your nursing career – as well as patient outcomes. All online nursing degrees at Ohio State are taught by the same faculty experts who teach on campus, and instruction is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment. No matter which path you take to advance your education and improve your practice, the College of Nursing is with you every step of the way.
Still have questions?
Reach out to us directly, and we’ll be in touch shortly to help you on your path of nursing leadership.
