Updated 2026 · 7 min read

DNP vs PhD in Nursing

Both are nursing doctorates. Both require serious commitment. But they prepare you for fundamentally different careers. Here is how to decide which is right for you.

Quick answer

✓ DNP — for clinical leaders, advanced-practice nurses, and health systems executives
✓ PhD — for nurse scientists, primary investigators, and research faculty
✓ Not sure? Most nurses who want to keep practicing choose the DNP

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	DNP	PhD in Nursing
Degree type	Practice doctorate	Research doctorate
Primary focus	Clinical leadership, evidence application, systems	Original research, theory, knowledge generation
Final requirement	Scholarly capstone / practice project	Original dissertation
Duration from BSN	36–48 months	4–6+ years
Duration from MSN	18–24 months	3–5 years
Funding	Usually self-funded; loans, tuition reimbursement	Often funded via stipend + tuition waiver at R1 schools
Career paths	NP, CRNA, CNM, CNO, system leadership, faculty	Nurse scientist, PI, tenure-track researcher, dean
Research role	Evidence synthesis, QI, implementation science	Primary investigation, grants, publications
Which is more common?	More common by volume (400+ DNP programs)	Fewer programs, higher selectivity

How to Choose

Choose the DNP if: you want to continue in clinical practice at the highest level, lead nursing systems, pursue APRN roles (FNP, PMHNP, CRNA, CNM), become a CNO or health system executive, or teach at institutions focused on professional nursing education.

Choose the PhD if: you want to build an academic research career, generate new scientific knowledge through funded research programs, become a principal investigator, or lead a research lab or center at a research-intensive university. Many PhD programs in nursing provide full funding (stipend + tuition waiver) — making them free, but highly selective and time-intensive.

Can you do both? Some nurses complete a DNP followed by a PhD, or vice versa. This is uncommon due to time and cost, but some roles — particularly clinical research leadership — benefit from both credentials. Most nurses choose one.

Explore DNP Programs

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What is the core difference between a DNP and a PhD in nursing?

The DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is a practice doctorate — it prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, systems leadership, and evidence application. The PhD in nursing is a research doctorate — it prepares nurses to generate original scientific knowledge through research, serve as principal investigators, and build the evidence base that clinical nurses use. Both are doctoral degrees; the difference is in their purpose and career outcomes.

Which doctoral degree in nursing is more common?

The DNP is now the more common nursing doctorate by volume. DNP programs have grown from fewer than 20 in 2004 to over 400 today, and DNP-prepared nurses now outnumber PhD-prepared nurses. This reflects the AACN's recommendation of the DNP as the practice terminal degree and the large demand from clinically-oriented nurses seeking doctoral credentials.

Do DNP or PhD nurses earn more?

It depends on the role. In clinical advanced-practice roles (NP, CRNA, CNM), compensation is driven by specialty, setting, and market — not degree type. In academic roles, PhD-prepared faculty at research universities typically command higher salaries and research funding that increases total compensation. In health system leadership roles (CNO, VP), the DNP is often the more applicable credential.

Can a DNP graduate work as a researcher?

Yes, but with a different orientation than a PhD. DNP-prepared nurses engage in evidence synthesis, quality improvement research, implementation science, and practice-focused scholarship — not primary bench or epidemiological research. A DNP can be a co-investigator on grants and lead practice improvement projects. For roles as principal investigator on NIH-funded research programs, the PhD in nursing is typically the expected credential.

Which is harder to get into, DNP or PhD?

Both are competitive, but PhD programs in nursing are typically more selective and require research experience, a clear research focus, and often a thesis or undergraduate research background. DNP programs are competitive but more commonly admit clinically experienced RNs transitioning to advanced practice or doctoral-level leadership. The PhD is longer (4–6+ years) and fully funded at some research-intensive universities; DNP programs are typically 18–48 months and self-funded.

Which degree is better for nursing school faculty?

It depends on the institution. Community colleges and some universities hire MSN-prepared faculty. DNP-prepared faculty are preferred or required at many universities offering baccalaureate and master's programs. Research-intensive universities (R1, R2) prefer or require PhD-prepared faculty for tenure-track research positions. Both degrees qualify for clinical faculty and adjunct positions. Know your target institution type before choosing your doctoral path.

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