DNP vs NP: Doctor of Nursing Practice vs Nurse Practitioner

12 Min Read Published January 9, 2024
Doctor in lab coat looking at forms and computer

When it comes to career paths, nurses have no shortage of opportunities for advancement. But how do you decide which is right for you? In this guide, we'll be digging into the difference between an NP and a DNP, both the NP and DNP salary potentials, and how to decide which degree you should pursue.

Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs

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Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Purdue Global

Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.

NP VS DNP: What's the Difference?

An NP stands for nurse practitioner, which is a job title registered nurses can achieve by pursuing an advanced degree. Nurse practitioners can earn this role through either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Essentially, a DNP is a degree option to become an NP. 

As an aspiring nurse practitioner, you'll need to choose whether you want to attend an MSN program or a DNP program. 

NP: MSN vs DNP Degrees Compared

  MSN Degree DNP Degree
Length of Program

ADN-to-MSN: 3-5 years

BSN-to-MSN: 2 years

ADN-to-DNP: 5-6 years

BSN-to-DNP: 3-4 years

MSN-to-DNP: 2 years

Average Salary $102K  / year  $112K / year
Certification

Renewal: 1-5 years

Depends on NP specialty

CEUs depend on specialty and state

Renewal: 5 years

Retake the exam or provide proof of at least 1,000 clinical practice hours and 75 CE units

Work Environments

Hospitals

Physicians' Offices

Educational Services

Office of Other Health Practitioners

Long-Term Care Facilities

Community Clinics

Universities

Public Health Offices

Hospitals

Specialty Practices

Autonomous Practices

Healthcare Administration Settings

Health Care Policy Advocacy Organizations

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What is the Role of a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners deliver advanced care to a variety of patients in the clinical setting. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), NPs work “autonomously and in collaboration with healthcare professionals and other individuals, to provide a full range of primary, acute, and specialty health care services.”

These services include:

  • Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests
  • Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
  • Record and examine medical history, diagnoses, and symptoms
  • Prescribe medications
  • Manage patients’ overall care
  • Counsel
  • Educate patients and families on disease prevention and plan of care
  • Monitor and operate medical equipment
  • Perform physical examinations and patient observations
  • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
  • Detect changes in a patient’s health and change the treatment plan if necessary

>> Related: Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

In 28 states, nurse practitioners have “full practice authority,” which means they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor. Full practice states include Oregon, Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and Iowa. In states with reduced practice (Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Alabama) and restricted practice (Texas, California, and Florida), NPs must have a medical doctor sign certain medical patient care decisions. NPs have prescriptive privileges in all 50 states and can administer controlled substances in 49 states.

Map depicting practice authority for nurse practitioners in US

Nurse Practitioner Specialties

For those considering advancing their nursing career, it is important to research all possibilities before choosing the best-suited program. Differences between programs may be subtle and only noticeable upon further investigation. All programs are a combination of clinical application and didactic coursework. The didactic coursework can be offered in an online format. Depending on the program, some students might have to find their own placement for NP clinical, while others will assist students in finding suitable arrangements. This is important to consider depending on your location, as clinical locations may be limited or reserved for only specific local universities.

Nurse Practitioners have a master’s degree, known as an MSN, as well as board certification in a specialty. Nurse practitioner specialties are determined before applying to a program. It is important to note that not all specialties are offered at schools, so determining a specialty before researching programs is key. Once accepted into a specific program, it can be difficult to switch, and not all coursework will be transferable.

>> Related: Top Online DNP Programs

Specialties include:

  • Family – Primary or Acute
  • Pediatric – Primary or Acute
  • Neonatal
  • Adult-Gerontology – Primary or Acute
  • Trauma
  • Women’s Health/Gender-Related
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health

Not sure which specialty to focus on? Generally, nurses use prior work experience to determine the NP path they will take. The differences between specialties will determine the course load. Nurses specializing as a neonatal nurse practitioner will focus specifically on neonates and the management of neonatal diseases. They will not have to take courses in geriatric medicine. Programs often require a certain number of years of experience in a specialty before acceptance into the program. 

Some specialties cover a broad spectrum, such as family and trauma, and these nurses will have to take a wide variety of courses. Individuals should expect to take courses ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics, even if they plan to only work with one specific age group.

Nurse practitioners can specialize even further with additional classes and certification exams. Classes for these are generally done online and might require individuals to contact other NP programs to obtain needed requirements. Nurse Practitioners can often complete on-the-job training in subspecialties.

Not all NPs have to work in a subspecialty. This is an individual decision and does not have to be based on past nursing experience. Nurse practitioner subspecialties are focused on a specific condition, body organ, clinical focus, environment, or sub-population.

The subspecialties include:

  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Cardiac
  • Dermatology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Holistic Care
  • Hospice
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Occupational and Environmental Health
  • Oncology
  • Orthopedics
  • Palliative Care
  • Pain Management
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Pulmonology
  • Sleep Management
  • Sports Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Travel
  • Urology

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What is a Doctor Of Nursing Practice (DNP?)

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) deliver high-quality advanced nursing care in a clinical setting, similarly to an NP; however, these individuals have taken their careers a step further. A DNP is a terminal degree for advanced practice nurses.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), states that transitioning from advanced practice NP degrees to the doctoral level is a “…response to changes in health care delivery and emerging healthcare 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.”

Essentially, DNP graduates are leaders in advanced nursing practice who bring evidence-based knowledge into the clinical setting to help improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen the leadership role of nurses in both the clinical and academic setting. 

DNP Roles and Responsibilities

Individuals with a doctorate degree can function in a provider capacity but most work to generate new scientific and clinical knowledge in nursing and healthcare. Conversely, NPs practice primarily in clinical settings and do not focus on scientific and academic research in their practice. For this reason, most DNPs work in academia, as administrators, and/or researchers. 

DNP Salary

According to Payscale, nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree earned an average base salary of $112K as of November 2023. The key determining factor for salary is the career nurses pursue after obtaining an advanced degree. A Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) will earn more than a Nursing Professor. Ultimately, additional advanced education is reflective of higher annual salary earnings.

The benefits of a DNP program according to the AACN are,

  • Enhanced knowledge to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes
  • Enhanced leadership skills 
  • Increased supply of faculty for clinical instruction
  • Development of needed advanced competencies for increasingly complex clinical, faculty and leadership role

>> Show Me DNP Programs

Top 5 DNP Programs 2025

The top DNP programs in 2025 are:

  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. Columbia University
  3. Duke University
  4. Rush University
  5. University of Washington

Johns Hopkins, Duke, and Rush have consistently been in the top 5 DNP schools over the last several years.

Types of DNP Programs

To pursue a DNP, individuals already would have completed a traditional or accelerated BSN program and have an MSN. There are only a handful of programs that accept students into the DNP program without an MSN. These programs are bridge programs that offer BSN-DNP programs. Students will work to complete coursework for an MSN and then continue directly into the DNP curriculum. An MSN program takes approximately 2 years full time while a DNP program can vary between 1-4 years. Overall it takes approximately a decade for a new nursing student to obtain all three degrees (BSN, MSN, DNP).

Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs

Sponsored
Walden University

Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Purdue Global

Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.

Should You Choose a Master's Degree or Doctorate Degree to Become an NP?

In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nurses developed a position statement suggesting that all schools move towards DNP programs in combination with an MSN degree for advanced practice nurses. Pre-existing advanced practice registered nurses would enroll in fast-track programs to obtain their DNP. 

While this goal has not been achieved, major universities are graduating an increasing number of DNPs each year. The AACN felt that this was important because nurses often work with other healthcare professionals in their field who have more training and education, and a DNP can provide nurses with a comparatively advanced education. As of right now, the plan continues to be re-evaluated each year.

Similarities Between a DNP and an MSN

  • Both a DNP and MSN are advanced nursing degrees, giving NPs the advantage of having an advanced understanding of diseases, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. 
  • Both a DNP and MSN degree allow NPs to practice and teach. 

Differences Between a DNP and an MSN

  • While both are advanced degrees, an MSN degree focuses on developing nursing skills needed to become an NP while a DNP focuses more on policy, leadership, and administration. 
  • NPs holding a DNP usually hold higher-level positions such as Nursing Director or Chief Nursing Officer. 
  • Finally, a DNP is considered a terminal degree and most nurses end their education after completing a doctoral. 

Find Nursing Programs

NP vs DNP FAQs

  • Should I Pursue an MSN or DNP to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

    • First, start with obtaining your MSN and sitting for the NP boards. DNP school will often be paid for by your employer if it is relevant to your current job. Plus, you can work as an NP without having a DNP.
  • Are DNPs Paid More than an NP With an MSN?

    • According to Payscale, nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree earned an average base salary of $112K as of November 2023. Nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, on the other hand, earned an average salary of $102k, $10k less per year than the DNP degree.
  • Is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) the Same as a Nurse Practitioner?

    • Yes! In order to be a nurse practitioner, you must have your MSN. After graduating from an accredited NP program, you will have earned your MSN and then once you sit for your state NP boards you will earn the title of a nurse practitioner in your specialty.
  • Is a DNP a More Advanced Degree Than an MSN?

    • A DNP is a terminal degree. This means that it is the highest degree that can be earned in that specialty. An MSN is NOT a terminal degree.
  • How Long are MSN to DNP Programs?

    • Programs can be completed in 1-2 years of full-time study or 3-4 years of part-time study. Most DNP programs will allow students five years to complete the degree.
  • Are DNPs Called Doctors?

    • Technically, nurse practitioners who have earned a DNP are doctors but are not called this in the clinical setting. Those that teach in academia will be referred to as Dr. but those that practice solely in a hospital or outpatient setting will be referred to as a nurse practitioner. Referring to an NP as Dr. can confuse patients. Most patients, when meeting someone with the title of doctor, will assume the person is an MD. Certain states have rules that indicate a nurse practitioner with a DNP must inform patients they are a doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner. Certain healthcare organizations may also restrict the use of the term doctor for NPs.

 

Infographic depicting different salaries and roles for nurse practitioners

Kathleen Gaines
MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Kathleen Gaines
News and Education Editor

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

Education:
MSN Nursing Education - Loyola University New Orleans
BSN - Villanova University
BA- University  of Mary Washington

Expertise:
Pediatric Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Nursing Education, Women’s Health, Intensive Care, Nurse Journalism, Cardiac Nursing 

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