What is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree focused on clinical practice and leadership, as opposed to the research focus of a nursing PhD. Fall 2025 DNP enrollment was 44,976 students.
DNP or PhD
A DNP prepares nurses to apply evidence in practice, lead quality projects and run health programs. A PhD prepares researchers who generate new knowledge, and PhD enrollment was only 4,077 in fall 2025.
Do you need one?
Most advanced practice nurses are still licensed with a master’s degree, but some schools now offer nurse practitioner training only at the doctoral level, and nurse anesthesia programs are already doctoral. Check the requirements of the certifying body and your state board.
Length
A DNP takes about three to four years beyond a bachelor’s degree, or one to two years for nurses who already hold a master’s degree.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.