How’s the best way to get that promotion you’ve been wanting for so long? That’s right… by earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Today’s job market is highly competitive. Earning your online degree will be convenient and provide the credentials you need to get the job you deserve.
The highest educational degree level in nursing that’s available is the DNP, therefore, when looking for an accredited online program, you will find that the prerequisites for entering may be substantial. Typically, you will need to have earned your master’s degree first, although, depending on the school, some might accept you with your bachelor’s degree.
The DNP curricula will build on the knowledge you gained while in your master’s program, so quite naturally, it is a good idea to have that degree under your belt before signing on to a doctorate program. In addition, you may also need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to enroll, as well as, hold a nursing license and have actual work experience as a registered nurse.
In most cases, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will take between three to six years to complete. You can expect to focus on data analysis and statistics, advanced clinical assessments, nursing philosophy and, of course, important leadership skills and health promotion techniques. Other coursework may include disease prevention and management, advanced evidence-based nursing concepts, budget planning, research methodologies, healthcare policy and systems, hospital administration duties, healthcare finance, as well as, healthcare quality improvement and patient safety.
While earning your online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, please keep in mind that there will be a clinical component to your program. Most likely, it will be up to you to locate a facility in which you can conduct your research and fulfill your clinical requirements. Depending on your program, you may be expected to complete up to 1000 hours in clinical practice to graduate.
Since your DNP degree is considered to be a terminal degree, you may want to expand on your education by earning certifications. If you would like to concentrate your efforts on a certain aspect of nursing, such as midwifery, you will need to obtain certification. And as in most certifications, continued education is a must to keep up-to-date on the latest trends in medical technology, treatment techniques and healthcare reform. You will need to check with your state’s board of nursing to inquire about their certification requirements.
As a graduate from a DNP program, you will focus on providing quality healthcare within your community. You will advocate for reasonable and affordable care, all while adhering to healthcare standards and regulations, in addition to, forming relationships with people from all walks of life to guarantee effective healthcare programs.
We have compiled a list of the Best Online Schools for Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs to review for your convenience. Good luck!
