PhD vs. DNP
Find Your Future in Nursing
Nursing Research (PhD- Doctorate of Nursing Science)
Focuses on developing new nursing knowledge and advancing scientific inquiry
Curriculum
In a PhD program, coursework will focus on research and analytical methods, theory, and nursing science. Most programs allow student to specialize in research interests that will directly relate to their careers; this research will culminate in a dissertation.
Career Tasks
Nurse scientists will spend their time researching, conducting analysis, and performing scientific studies to improve all patients’ health status. Collaboration with DNPs and other healthcare professionals is expected.
Careers
Nurse Researcher or Educator for healthcare facility, Nurse Scientist, Policymaker, Academic Professor, Author
Nursing Practice (DNP- Doctorate of Nursing Practice)
Focuses on a clinical career and improving outcomes of patient care and population health
Curriculum
DNP programs focus on a combination of healthcare policy and advocacy, information systems and technology, healthcare quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and organizational and systems leadership. A final project may also be required.
Career Tasks
DNPs will direct patient care, including diagnosing, treating and educating patients to help improve their outcomes. Collaboration with PhDs is expected and necessary to apply the findings of scholarly research within a clinical practice setting.
Careers
High-level advanced Leadership/Practitioner within Healthcare facility, Quality Improvement Management, Healthcare Informatics, Clinical Educators, and Policymakers
Sources:
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/dnp/ContrastGrid.pdf
http://dnp.fiu.edu/comparison
http://www1.salary.com/Professor-Nursing-salary.html
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctor_of_Nursing_Practice_(DNP)/Salary#by_Job
Top 25 Best Value DNP Programs
Top 50 Best Value PhD Programs
Additional Nursing Salary Data:
Average Nursing Salary for DNP- $116,000 (that is, the average annual salary of those holding a Doctorate in Nursing Practice as reported from Payscale.com)
Average Nursing Salary for those with PhD- $87,590 (that is, the average annual salary for those holding a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science reported by Salary.com)
Related Rankings:
