There are two terminal doctorate-level degrees in nursing: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Previous doctorate level degrees have been, or are in the process of being, phased out and converted to one of the two terminal degrees. The Doctor of Nursing (ND) and the (DrNP) have transitioned into the DNP and the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc, DNS or DSN) has transitioned into the PhD. The PhD in nursing is generally considered the academic and research-oriented degree, whereas the DNP is the practice-oriented or professional terminal degree.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is an advanced-level practice degree that focuses on the clinical aspects of nursing rather than academic research. The curriculum for the DNP degree generally includes advanced practice, leadership, and application of clinical research. The DNP is intended primarily to prepare registered nurses to become advanced practice nurses. Advanced practice roles in nursing include the nurse practitioner (NP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse midwife (CNM), and the clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Nurse anesthetist programs may use the title Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) for their terminal degree.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing has been the terminal academic degree to prepare candidates for both research and teaching positions since the 1950's. An alternate doctorate level degree, the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc, DNS, DSN), was introduced in the 1970's with the initial intent for it to be the "clinical" or practice based doctorate. However, the DNSc curriculum became very similar to the research based PhD program, including the writing and defending a dissertation or completing a substantial project for graduation. With the introduction of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as the practice focused doctorate, schools of nursing have begun to phase out the Doctor of Nursing Science programs and converting those pathways to the PhD degree. The Nursing programs at Yale University and Rush University, for example, which formerly offered the DNSc now only offer the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
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