Doctor of Nursing Science

A Doctor of Nursing Science  (D.N.Sc.) is an advanced-level academic degree in Nursing. When first introduced in the 1970s, the Doctor of Nursing Science was intended to be the "clinical," or practice, based doctorate. However, upon further comparison, the DNSc curriculum was notably similar to that of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which is traditionally a research or education based doctorate. Like the Ph.D., the D.N.Sc. requires writing and defending a dissertation for successful completion and graduation of the program.

A master's-level degree is a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education. This type of degree is preferred for nurse educators and nurses in leadership positions.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP or DrNP) degree is similar but with an emphasis on clinical practice rather than research, teaching, or theory. The Doctor of Nursing Science degree, due in part to its great similarity with the Ph.D. and with the introduction of the DNP, has started being phased out as a doctoral-degree option. For example, the prestigious Yale University School of Nursing, which formerly offered the DNSc, has now begun offering only the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Persons holding a nursing doctorate, whether Ph.D., D.N.Sc., Dr.NP/D.N.P., Ed.D., or the many other doctorates nurses can attain, are not licensed as Physicians, but rather Registered Professional Nurses. As such, they are not permitted to practice medicine unless they are licensed and certified as an Advanced Practice Nurse (i.e., Certified/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist) and even then, depending on the state of licensure, rules and regulations vary greatly. Generally, nurses holding a doctorate fill roles in nursing education, nursing research, executive and non-executive management, and clinical instruction.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, October 2004, provides background information and recommendations for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The DNP is more than a leadership role in the discipline of nursing. Numerous recommendations have been made by the AACN. Also, numerous programs are in place and increasing quickly to address this practice-focused doctorate.