Doctorate in Nursing

Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Michelle Lew

Overview
There are several doctorate-level degrees in nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP or DrNP), Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc, DNS or DSN) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing. The Doctor of Nursing (ND) degree has been phased out and most universities have transitioned to the DNP. The PhD and DNS degrees are generally considered research-oriented degrees, whereas the DNP is a practice-oriented or clinical doctorate.

Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP or DrNP) is an advanced-level practice degree that focuses on the clinical aspects of nursing rather than academic research. The curriculum for the DNP degree generally includes advanced practice, leadership, and application of clinical research related to nursing. The DNP is intended primarily to prepare registered nurses (RN) to become advance practice nurses. Advanced practice roles in nursing include the nurse practitioner (NP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse midwife (CNM), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

Many other professions require entry-level professional doctorates for practice. These include the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), transitioning advance practice nursing programs from the graduate level to the doctoral level is a "...response to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs, additional knowledge or content areas have been identified by practicing nurses. In addition, the knowledge required to provide leadership in the discipline of nursing is so complex and rapidly changing that additional or doctoral level education is needed." According to the AACN, "...benefits of practice-focused doctoral programs include:
 * development of needed advanced competencies for increasingly complex clinical, faculty and leadership roles;
 * enhanced knowledge to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes;
 * enhanced leadership skills to strengthen practice and health care delivery;
 * better match of program requirements and credits and time with the credential earned;
 * provision of an advanced educational credential for those who require advanced practice knowledge but do not need or want a strong research focus (e.g. clinical faculty);
 * partly with other health professions, most of which have a doctorate as the credential required for practice;
 * enhanced ability to attract individuals to nursing from non-nursing backgrounds;
 * increased supply of faculty for clinical instruction; and
 * improved image of nursing."

The AACN requires that all entry-level nurse practitioner educational programs be transitioned from the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree to the DNP degree by the year 2015. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists has followed suit, requiring the DNP (or DNAP-Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice) degree for entry-level nurse anesthetist programs by the year 2025. Nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists currently practicing with an MSN will not be required to obtain the DNP.

Doctor of Nursing Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc, DNS, DSN) is a professional-level research degree in nursing, whereas the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing is considered an academic degree, which prepares candidates for both research and teaching positions. When first introduced in the 1970s, the Doctor of Nursing Science was intended to be the "clinical," or practice, based doctorate. However, the DNSc curriculum was found to be very similar to the research based PhD program. The DNSc requires writing and defending a dissertation or completing a substantial project for graduation. With the introduction of the Doctorate in Nursing Practice as a clinical-oriented degree, some schools of nursing have begun to phase out doctor of Nursing Science programs. The Nursing programs at Yale University and Rush University, for example, which formerly offered the DNSc, have now begun offering only the Doctor of Philosophy degree.