What Can You Do With an Online DNP? (2024)

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 isand the job duties and career outcomes you can expect with the credential.

What is a Doctor of Nursing Practice?
Who is the online DNP degree for?
What can you do with a doctorate in nursing? What does a DNP do?
How do I decide if the online DNP is right for me?

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.

Who is the online DNP degree for?

Theonline 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 toimprove patient outcomes. DNPs whowork in administrative, policy, technical, educational, and other roles canadvance 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 practitionermightdiagnose and treat illness, order diagnostic tests, or prescribe medication. An online DNP degree can also prepare you to become aCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(CRNA)to provide anesthesia care to patients in surgical, delivery, and outpatient settings.

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. The following nurse practitioner specialties are available online from The Ohio State University College of Nursing:

Family Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

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.

Explore a Day in the Life of a Nurse Practitioner and Online DNP Graduate

FAQs

What Can You Do With an Online DNP? ›

Graduates are prepared to become nursing executives and leaders. The program provides students with connections in a variety of nursing fields, including evidence-based practice and clinical policies and procedures. The leadership program centers the students on how they can improve nurses' work experiences.

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What can someone do with a DNP? ›

A nurse practitioner might diagnose and treat illness, order diagnostic tests, or prescribe medication. An online DNP degree can also prepare you to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to provide anesthesia care to patients in surgical, delivery, and outpatient settings.

What is a DNP allowed to do? ›

Unlike registered nurses, nurse practitioners with DNPs have the expertise to analyze and interpret patient health data and then use their observations to plan and implement individualized treatment strategies and prescribe medications.

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How do online DNP programs work? ›

An online DNP typically allows you to work through theory-based coursework in virtual online classrooms while you fulfill clinical requirements in person at a local approved clinical site.

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Can you call yourself a doctor with a DNP? ›

So, the short answer is yes – in general, a DNP nurse may be referred to as "doctor," however, some states have regulations surrounding this. For example, California and Georgia forbid nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals from using the "doctor" title.

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Does DNP make more money than NP? ›

NPs who have a DNP degree will likely earn more than an NP with an MSN. However, the pay difference between an NP and those with a DNP degree can vary based on several factors, including the individual's experience, specialization, geographic location and the specific job setting.

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What can a DNP do that a NP cannot? ›

A DNP nurse can influence healthcare policies, take on administrative roles and provide clinical education for nursing programs. An NP without a DNP degree has not reached a terminal educational level that might be required for some roles.

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Is DNP worth it? ›

What are the benefits of getting a DNP? Higher salary: Nurses who choose to pursue a DNP earn more than nurses with just a master's degree. The difference is not really that much, but it can pay off. According to most online sources, DNP nurses earn about $8,000 more per year.

Can you work independently as a DNP? ›

Beginning in 2023, certified nurse practitioners can apply to practice independently in California.

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Can you work while doing DNP? ›

Full-time work is possible. The program is designed to accommodate students who are working; however, please keep in mind that the pace and intensity are demanding.

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How fast can you get a DNP? ›

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), DNP programs typically contain three to five years of full-time study. In fact, nurses have comparatively more disruption to their careers and education than other professions according to the AACN.

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What GPA do you need for DNP program? ›

DNP programs commonly require a minimum 3.0 GPA.

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Is DNP program hard? ›

BSN-to-DNP programs are academically challenging. Because of the academic rigor of the programs, it is common for some students to fail BSN-to-DNP programs.

Why get a DNP instead of MD? ›

Earning a DNP opens doors to nurse executive roles, such as executive nursing director and chief nursing officer, and similar nursing positions of policy and operational influence. Completing a DNP program can also help nursing candidates differentiate themselves in an increasingly hot job market.

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Is a DNP a real doctorate? ›

DNPs are doctors, but are usually not called that in clinical settings to prevent confusion with MDs (medical doctors). It may be more common for DNPs, or nurse PhDs, who teach in academia to be referred to as doctors, in the same way that non-medical professors can be called doctors of their field.

What is the DNP title controversy? ›

' But, to call themselves 'Doctor' in a clinical setting misleads the patient and perpetrates a fraud which defies their patient's trust." Similarly, the American Medical Association and California Medical Association expressed concerns that DNPs using the title "doctor" could cause confusion among patients, who might ...

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What happens if you get a DNP? ›

DNP graduates take on many different roles. Some become advanced clinicians, working with specific patient populations. Others work as high-level nursing administrators and focus on decision-making, policy, and education in areas like clinical training, executive leadership, and nursing informatics.

What is the point of getting your DNP? ›

With a DNP, you can pursue high-level leadership and executive positions that empower you to affect real change in policy, systems, and practice, and to advocate for the profession and patients.

Is a DNP worth it nursing? ›

Enrolling in a DNP program is a big decision, and it's essential to carefully consider not only your career goals but also your lifestyle and ability to invest time and money in a doctoral program. That said, if you are eager to learn more and have a bigger impact, a DNP can be an excellent choice.

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