Should I Get A DNP Degree?

In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, expert clinical leaders and doctoral-prepared nurses have a crucial role to play. Today’s nurses need to be leaders, clinical experts, and work with a deeper understanding of healthcare systems' operation.

As a result, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is becoming the preferred credential for advanced practice and leadership roles across the industry. More healthcare organizations are seeking nurses who can improve outcomes, lead teams, and influence care at a systems level.

If you’re a nurse or student considering your next step, a DNP could be a strategic path toward greater responsibility and long-term career growth, the ultimate launching pad for nursing leadership.

What is a DNP? Defining the Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree designed for nurses who want to lead in clinical practice. The DNP curriculum prepares nurses to apply advanced knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. 

As a practice-based degree, the program builds expertise in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, healthcare leadership, and systems thinking. The goal is not just to understand research, but to use it to solve complex challenges, implement better processes, and drive meaningful change across organizations.

This focus sets the DNP apart from the PhD—while both are doctoral degrees, they serve different purposes. A PhD in nursing is centered on generating new research and advancing academic knowledge. A DNP, on the other hand, is focused on translating that research into clinical excellence, where nurses can directly impact patients and communities.

Both paths are valuable, but for nurses who want to stay close to patient care while expanding their influence, the DNP is your best option.

Is a DNP Worth It? Preparing for a High-Level Nursing Career

While the nursing field is becoming more competitive, especially for advanced practice and leadership roles, a DNP can provide a clear advantage. Nurses with a DNP degree have the credentials and experience to step into high-impact positions and contribute to decisions about patient care, organizational strategy, and even healthcare policy.

Let’s explore the specific value propositions of the DNP, focusing on both the professional gain and patient impact that this degree can have on your career.

#1. Future-Proofing Your Career Against Entry-to-Practice Shifts

There is a growing push from organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to make the DNP the standard entry-level degree for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

Earning a DNP now could future-proof your career ahead of these changes. Rather than reacting to new expectations later, you’re preparing proactively to ensure that your credentials remain relevant as the profession continues to raise the bar.

#2. Mastery of Systems-Level Change and Patient Outcomes

DNP-prepared nurses are trained to look beyond individual cases and address challenges at the systems level. They identify gaps in care, analyze outcomes, and implement evidence-based solutions that improve both patient experiences and organizational performance.

The heart of a DNP role is about impact. Whether addressing health disparities, improving care delivery models, or leading quality improvement initiatives, DNP graduates create lasting change in the communities they serve.

#3. Expanded Earning Potential and Leadership Authority

A DNP can also open the door to higher earning potential and greater professional influence. Many leadership, executive, and specialized clinical roles either prefer or require doctoral preparation, which can translate into increased compensation over time.

Just as important, the degree helps position nurses for leadership at the highest levels, whether that means guiding clinical teams, shaping organizational strategy, or teaching and mentoring the next generation. The DNP degree secures a seat at the executive table for long-term career growth in the boardroom or the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions About DNP Degrees

How does a DNP compare to other nursing degrees?

A DNP is the highest level of clinical nursing education, designed for those who want to lead in practice rather than research. Compared to an MSN, it goes further in building expertise in systems leadership, evidence-based practice, and healthcare innovation. While BSN and MSN degrees prepare nurses for entry and advanced roles, the DNP prepares them to shape patient care at a broader level.

Is a DNP degree online as respected as a traditional one?

An online DNP degree is just as good as an in-person one. What matters most is the quality and accreditation of the program. An online DNP from Mount Saint Mary's University carries the same academic rigor and recognition as its on-campus counterpart, backed by the Mount’s long-standing reputation in nursing education. Employers focus on the credential itself and the skills you bring, not the format in which you earned it.

What types of fields can a DNP work in?

DNP graduates work across a wide range of settings, from hospitals and leadership roles to education and policy. Increasingly, many are also stepping into growing areas like medical aesthetics, wellness, and preventive health. This can include owning or operating medical spas, offering treatments like injectables or laser therapies, leading lifestyle medicine programs focused on nutrition and chronic disease prevention, or opening independent practices that emphasize women’s health and holistic care.

How much does a DNP make compared to an MSN?

DNP-prepared nurses often earn higher salaries than their MSN-prepared counterparts, largely due to access to leadership roles, specialized clinical positions, and executive opportunities. While salaries vary by role and region, the doctoral credential can create stronger long-term earning potential and advancement opportunities over the course of a career.

How long is MSMU’s DNP program, and can I work while I study?

Mount Saint Mary's University’s DNP program is designed with working nurses in mind. Many students continue working while enrolled, balancing their studies with professional responsibilities through a flexible structure designed to be completed in 2 years.

Discover An Online DNP Program for Visionary Leaders

MSMU’s flexible, fully online DNP is built around 8-week courses, making it possible to stay engaged in your work while progressing steadily toward your degree. For MSN-prepared nurses, the streamlined 37-unit curriculum can be completed in as little as two years.

What sets the Mount apart is its mission. Founded on the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the program emphasizes service to the “dear neighbor,” teaching compassionate nursing while actively addressing health disparities and real-world challenges.

MSMU is also committed to affordability. Employees of Catholic-affiliated hospitals may be eligible for a 25% tuition reduction, helping make a doctoral education more accessible for those already serving in mission-driven healthcare settings.

If you’re looking for a program that combines flexibility, purpose, and professional growth, the Mount’s online DNP could be a great next step for you. Learn more about the program or connect with our admissions team.