Information About Doctoral Degrees in Nursing
A nurse can earn an RN license and work in her profession with an associate degree (ADN) or bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing. Some nurses choose to pursue a doctoral degree in their specialty.
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Types
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Nurses may pursue a doctor of nursing (ND), doctor of nursing practice (DNP), doctor of nursing science (DNSc), or doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree.
Identification
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ND programs focus on the clinical role of the advanced practice nurse, while DNP coursework is aimed at preparing nursing leaders. DNSc grads are generally nurse scientists with clinical and administrative skills, and PhD programs prepare nurses for teaching and research roles in an academic setting.
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Features
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All doctoral programs in nursing include classes in research methods, philosophy of nursing science, and leadership skills. Nurses then use these knowledge bases to expand their career options.
Time Frame
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Doctoral programs can take anywhere from 3 to 6 years of full-time study. For example, it typically takes 3 to 5 years to earn a doctor of nursing degree, but only 3 years for a doctor of nursing practice.
Potential
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The demand for nurses with doctoral degrees is expected to grow over the next 10 years.
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References
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