The majority of people get confused between DNP and Ph.D. in nursing. It usually happens when you want to earn a doctorate in healthcare but do not know which one is the best option. In that case, please understand that different nursing degrees have varying advantages. From learning about leadership in the healthcare sector to excelling at nursing programs, you can accomplish anything over time. With that in mind, try to find more about your passion. If you plan on building a nursing career, it is great to either opt for DNP or Ph.D. in nursing.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are the two most common professional nursing degrees. However, it gets difficult to pinpoint the significant differences between the two. The biggest difference between them in the DNP is a practice-focused program, whereas the Ph.D. is a research-based program.
Without further ado, let’s compare both the degrees and see how unique they are.
DNP vs. Ph.D. in Nursing
The DNP is a professional nursing degree that primarily focuses on clinical nursing practice. It enhances the nurse’s understanding of clinical practices while following a proper curriculum that emphasizes leadership and clinical skills. People graduating in this degree will be able to:
- Lead interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Improve the overall healthcare systems.
III. Translate nursing-related study into evidence-based principles of care.
- Analyze outcomes concerning particular patient populations.
The American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) recommends doing DNP to the nurse practitioners. The DNP is a terminal degree in nursing, replacing the previously recommended MSN (Master of Science) degree. MSN used to be the minimum nursing education requirement for advanced nurses.
Since then, the number of candidates enrolling in DNP programs has amplified at a fast pace. Moreover, DNP programs are available in almost 50 states, including the Columbian District.
On the other hand, the Ph.D. in nursing focuses on academic research. It prepares the nursing candidates to create advanced, evidence-based knowledge about their profession. A degree similar to a Ph.D. is a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS), but candidates prefer a Ph.D. over it. Some benefits of accomplishing this degree are:
- Ability to lead healthcare research teams.
- Becoming the nursing team leader that deals with data analysis, statistical evaluation, and scientific theory.
III. Designing and executing studies that emphasize care systems and disease-related courses.
- Opportunity to work in the field of education or research.
Now, it is time to talk about which degree to choose while exploring your academic choices.
Choosing Between the DNP and Ph.D.
After learning about the differences between these two degrees, most nurses realize which one is ideal. Some questions to help you make the right decision will be:
- Are you focusing on fields related to academic research for your future? Do you want to learn about numerous research methodologies and how to evaluate scientific theories and data? Do you envision yourself as an expert in the research department (mainly qualitative or quantitative)? If yes, you should opt for Ph.D. as it suits your interests.
- Are you planning on being acquainted with evidence-based practice, systems leadership, healthcare policies, and quality improvement? Do you want to learn how to apply evidence-based knowledge to actual nursing settings or practices? Do you plan on building a career as an advanced nurse practitioner or healthcare leader? If yes, consider opting for DNP.
Key Features of the DNP
- It helps nurses learn about Information Technology
Most of the DNP programs emphasize assignments in information technology. The current healthcare system has evolved significantly. It has taken technology’s help to improve its patient care procedures, including advanced methods of different kinds. There are electronic medical records, decision support tools, telehealth technologies, and data mining systems. By graduating with the DNP, you will be accustomed to the latest technology as you have learned a great deal about it. Furthermore, it will make your job in healthcare much easier.
- It emphasizes different kinds of leadership
The four distinctive DNP areas of expertise revolve around meeting the needs of an upgraded healthcare system. It is why it is essential to train the DNP graduates about effective leadership. This degree discusses everything in detail, from learning about educational and organizational leadership to gaining knowledge about professional and informatics leadership.
Key Features of the Ph.D.
- It asks you to complete a dissertation project
After enrolling yourself in a Ph.D. program, you will have to finish a comprehensive exam after your assignments. This exam will lead you towards creating and presenting a dissertation proposal in the end. After getting approved, you have to finish your dissertation with relevant contributions to the nursing field. By creating or finding new knowledge, your dissertation will become prominent in current healthcare literature. Moreover, a dissertation defense is needed at the end of the degree, without which you cannot graduate.
- It helps students to excel in theoretical skills
By doing a Ph.D. in nursing, you will allow nurse practitioners and clinicians to gain much-needed research and theoretical skills. Such skills will later assist the nurses in developing and executing research initiatives. Typically, the Ph.D. program digs into the relative philosophy of nursing as a primary discipline. It explores the existing research work in both the healthcare and nursing sectors. Therefore, students should expect the Ph.D. programs to focus more on research methodologies, healthcare and nursing theory, healthcare policy, and similar domains.
The Bottom Line
All of the points mentioned above will guide you in the right direction. Both of these degrees hold a lot of worth in the healthcare sector. Therefore, choose wisely and stay committed to your field of choice. Soon, you will feel delighted to learn things that excite you. Instead of wasting any more time, do some research, and enroll in the ideal degree right away.