What Is a DNP Degree? Advanced Nursing Degree Guide

If you’re looking to advance your nursing career and have a passion for patient care, you could find new and rewarding opportunities in the medical field by pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the US. Learn more about the degree programme, the cost, and the many career paths you can prepare for with a DNP.

What is a DNP degree?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) is a terminal degree that provides advanced training for nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN/BScN in the UK) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN/MSc Nursing in the UK). In the US, the DNP degree is a doctoral-level degree. That said, it is not the same qualification needed to become a medical doctor. Instead, this practical degree allows nurses to equip themselves with advanced skills and knowledge within the nursing field. 

DNP programme overview

When earning a DNP degree, you will learn core competencies called essentials. Defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and required by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, essentials help provide a guideline for accreditation in DNP degree programmes. 

In April 2021, the AACN adopted new core competencies pertaining to 10 specific domains that accredited nursing schools are making strides to integrate into their curricula through 2025. If the DNP programme you choose has not yet made the transition, your course content will focus on the following eight essentials, as defined by AACN [1]: 

• The scientific underpinnings of nursing practice

• Organisational and systems leadership skills

• Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice 

• Information systems and patient care technology 

• Healthcare policy for advocacy in healthcare

• Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health

• Clinical prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health 

• Advanced nursing practice

Additionally, specialty nursing organisations define their own focused competencies designed to prepare the DNP graduate for the practice and instructional experiences of a particular specialty. 

DNP programmes that have transitioned to the most current 2021 standards will offer coursework featuring essentials based on 10 domains, as defined by the AACN [2]:

• Knowledge for nursing practice

• Person-centred care

• Population health

• Scholarship for the nursing discipline

• Quality and safety

• Interprofessional partnerships

• Systems-based practice

• Informatics and healthcare technologies

• Professionalism

• Personal, professional, and leadership development

What are the routes to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree?

The requirements for admission to a DNP programme depend on the school you apply to, but the process may be rigorous. The most efficient route to a DNP involves having a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN/MSc Nursing) degree. However, you can qualify for many DNP programmes with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN/BScN). You can expect all DNP programmes to require you to have an active and unencumbered RN licence in the US state or territory where you’ll study. 

MSN/MSc Nursing to DNP

If you hold a Master of Science in Nursing, you could qualify for admission to most DNP programmes. Some programmes will allow you to have a master's in a health-related field—as long as you have a BSN/BScN. 

Each school has its own requirements, but typical entry criteria include licensure in the state where you’ll attend school, letters of recommendation, minimum hours of practice experience, grades that equate to a minimum US GPA (usually at least a 3.0 GPA), and an admission interview. 

You may also need to obtain APN certification (equivalent to APRN national certification in the US) for a specialised role—such as nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or nurse executive. If you attend full-time, you can expect to complete the programme in three to five years. Part-time options are also available.

BSN/BScN to DNP

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited programme is another common way to qualify for admission into a DNP programme. Some schools may accept a non-nursing bachelor's degree if you have a registered nurse (RN) licence. 

You will complete your master's level work while studying for your DNP. You can choose to specialise in an area of nursing, such as gerontology, healthcare leadership, paediatrics, or psychiatric mental health. 

To gain admission, you will likely need to meet a minimum GPA requirement, licensure, and have completed specific coursework, especially statistics. This route will typically take three to four years to complete when attending full-time.

How much does a DNP cost?

Earning a DNP through a BSN to DNP route will cost more than the MSN route since the programme is longer. Each programme cost varies depending on the type of school you attend. Specialising in a particular nursing field tends to cost more since extra credits are required for graduation.

A BSN to DNP programme can range from $26,490 to $254,260 USD, whereas an MSN to DNP programme might cost $17,660 to $169,510 USD, according to figures collated by NursingProcess.org [3]. 

In a BSN to DNP programme, the cost for in-state public school attendance averages $40,953 USD and out-of-state $70,664 USD, while a private school programme may cost an average of $74,752 USD [4]. Conversely, in an MSN to DNP programme, you can expect to pay $21,318 USD for in-state public school attendance and $36,784 USD for out-of-state, with private schools averaging $38,912 USD.

What does it take to earn a DNP?

Along with the DNP essentials listed above, graduation requirements include completing all graduate coursework, including your area of emphasis. You'll likely need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and supervised clinical hours typically totaling 1,000. A residency project is generally required as well.

How can a DNP degree benefit your career?

For experienced nursing professionals, earning a DNP can open new opportunities in a rewarding career. When you return to the UK, you could pursue a variety of positions as nurses holding a DNP are sought after for leadership roles. They are regarded as key contributors to the future of healthcare in the UK. 

What can you do with a DNP?

As a DNP graduate, you can advance your career in nursing, and, if you wish, pursue leadership positions, or roles in more clinical settings. If your goal involves teaching, you might pursue work as a nursing lecturer.

Nursing lecturer 

Median annual salary: £38,868 [5]

If you enjoy teaching others nursing skills, you might become a nursing lecturer with a DNP degree, which involves working in a classroom or vocational setting. 

Nurse midwife

Median annual salary: £38,287 [6] 

Nurse midwives provide services to expectant mothers. As a midwife, you’ll care for mothers before, during, and after childbirth, providing comprehensive care to both the mother and child following delivery.

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

Average annual salary: £40,742 [7] 

As a clinical nurse specialist, you’ll provide advanced patient care that addresses specific medical problems. A CNS can also work as a nursing advisor and support leader for a nursing team. 

Advanced nurse practitioner (ANP)

Average annual salary: £41,588 [8]

An advanced nurse practitioner provides advanced patient care. As an ANP, you can diagnose and treat patients and prescribe medications. 

Mental health nurse (RMN)

Average annual salary: £26,642 [9] 

As a mental health nurse (RMN), you'll work with patients of all ages and backgrounds to address mental health problems. Alternatively, you may choose to work with one specific group of individuals.

Are DNP degree holders in demand?

The career outlook for DNP degree holders looks very promising. The UK faces a shortage of over 100,000 healthcare professionals as of the third quarter of 2024-2025 [10]. Various factors affecting this shortage include:

• An inability for workers to migrate from the European Union due to Brexit

• Chronic illness and ageing in the UK, putting a strain on the healthcare system

• Challenging working conditions and relatively low wages

• Attrition due to worker burnout in healthcare 

Begin or advance your nursing career on Coursera

Getting a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in the United States ensures optimal education in the field of nursing and many career opportunities when you return to the UK.

If you’re interested in beginning or advancing your nursing career, explore courses from leading universities and institutions on Coursera. Options include Integrative Nursing Specialization and Nursing Informatics Leadership Specialization from the University of Minnesota, Anatomy Specialization from the University of Michigan, or Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). Join the global community and start learning today.