A Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree helps you get the skills necessary for the highest level of practice.
As practice leaders transforming the system, DNPs ensure that patients receive the best quality of care.
Here are the top 7 reasons why you should consider pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) today:
1 – The Doctorate in Nursing Practice Is the Standard
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and its member institutions encourage all advanced practice nurses and advanced administrators to achieve the DNP degree. This underscores the widespread belief that raising the educational standard (from a master’s to a doctorate degree) will provide nurses in advanced practice or administrative roles with improved skills, based on the best evidence, to lead the profession in providing better health outcomes for patients and populations.
2 – Use Research, Don’t Just Do It
A DNP degree is practice-based rather than the research-based focus you would find in a PhD program. In this regard, a DNP degree will prepare you to apply evidence-based findings to transform nursing practices to meet the challenges of a constantly changing health care world and improve patient outcomes. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice program focuses on practical application of scientific discoveries, translating research into practice.
3 – Be Part of the Solution to Complex Healthcare Issues
Health care is increasingly complex and ever-changing. Therefore, advanced practice nurses and administrators play an integral role in solving health care issues. DNP students gain industry-leading knowledge of best practices for nursing practice and administration. Nurses today must invent, establish, and innovate solutions to bring about real-world change.
4 – Shape the Profession
It has always been your calling to help people, which is why you became a nurse. But you are ready to expand your reach even further. With a DNP degree, you can shape the profession with evidence-based approaches to patient care and leadership. With advanced education following the DNP Essentials, you will lead change that directly improves the lives of patients, populations, and health care systems.
5 – Become a Leader in Your Field
You love nursing, but feel you have even more to offer. As an advanced practice nurse or administrator, you are already a vital part of the health care team. Become an undisputed leader in your specialty. Nurses with DNP degrees are leaders in the profession, contributing solutions to the complex demands of the current health care environment.
6 – Learn from the Highest Quality Professionals
Nursing is an ever-changing, vital part of the health care equation. The best way to understand the complexities of the professional nursing landscape is to learn from instructors that are proven leaders. Faculty in quality DNP programs are of exceptional caliber and experience. Your interactions with these instructors leads to confidence you can bring with you throughout your entire career.
7 – Learn to Apply Information Technology
An increasingly critical component of the nursing profession is the application of key technologies to enhance practice. A DNP program includes the necessary skills to utilize technologies that promote a more efficient, data-driven, and evidence-based practice. This contributes to improved patient care, more efficient systems, and better quality of work.
Convinced that getting your Doctorate in Nursing Practice is worth it? We have a 100% online DNP program, with remarkable faculty, ambitious students, and a reputation for quality. You can learn more by exploring the program page or connecting with a counselor. If you already know you want to pursue this degree, you can get started on your application today!
— Vanessa Lane is the Content Marketing Lead at Concordia University and can be reached at vanessa.lane@cuaa.edu. When she's not at work, she can be found playing with her kids or watching NBA basketball with her husband.
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