what is dnp

DNP stands for Doctor of Nursing Practice, which is a professional degree in nursing. It is a terminal degree in nursing, meaning that there is no higher level of education available for practice. The DNP program is designed to prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice. The DNP program may include additional clinical/residency hours, some as many as 500, as well as a DNP Capstone/Final project which is usually a clinical practice research project that is often implemented through direct clinical nursing care in an effort to improve healthcare outcomes. The DNP degree is a pathway for both experienced registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) to advance their nursing careers; a DNP is not a career in and of itself. Nurses with DNP degrees possess the highest level of nursing expertise and work either in a clinical setting or leadership role upon obtaining the required credentials.