How do you become a nurse researcher?
A nurse researcher is a nurse who designs and runs studies to improve patient care. Most hold a research doctorate (PhD in nursing), and clinical or practice doctorates (DNP) prepare nurses to apply research.
PhD or DNP
A PhD prepares you to generate new knowledge. A DNP prepares you to put evidence into practice, see Doctor of Nursing Practice. In 2025, AACN counted 4,077 students enrolled in PhD programs and 44,976 in DNP programs: practice doctorates outnumber research doctorates by a wide margin.
Where they work
Universities, hospitals, research institutes and government agencies. Studies are often funded by grants, including from the National Institute of Nursing Research.
Pay
The BLS reports postsecondary teachers and medical scientists in separate categories. We do not report them here.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.