Lesson 1.5 COMPARING THE DNP AND PHD

BACKGROUND

The DNP is an option for a terminal practice degree in nursing. The curriculum for the DNP degree is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2006) DNP Essentials. The DNP degree is different than other terminal degree options. Again, it is a practice-focused degree, not a research-focused degree (AACN, 2006). The DNP degree itself does not determine one’s nursing role. It ensures that nurses have a skill set to engage in practice at the highest levels of nursing (AACN, 2006). Ideally, DNP- and PhD-prepared nurses should collaborate to maximize health-related outcomes.

In this lesson, the DNP degree is compared to other terminal-degree options in nursing, specifically, the PhD. Being clear on this concept will add clarity to the DNP Project. A word of warning: This has historically been one of the most challenging concepts to explain since the inception of the DNP degree. Students are often unable to articulate the differences even as they applied for their degree program. For many students, the, “ah-ha!” moment does not come until later in their program of study. We want you to feel clear from the beginning so that you can be more successful.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

•Outline the components of the DNP degree and PhD degree.

•Compare and contrast the elements of the degrees.

Activities

At the most fundamental level, the AACN defines the DNP as a practice-focused degree and the PhD as a research-focused degree. Practice is broadly defined as “any form of nursing intervention that influences healthcare outcomes for individuals or populations” (AACN, 2004, p. 2). The DNP Essentials go on to discuss research focus as “knowledge-generating” (AACN, 2006, p. 3) and more intently focused on concepts of theory, methodology, and statistical precision (AACN, 2006).

Concepts related to the degrees are broken down in the following tables by category: DNP or PhD. Information from the AACN has been translated into each box for you. Use additional resources to add information to each concept. Suggested material can be found under “References and Resources” in this section. Make sure to write down questions for discussion with your faculty member.

CONCEPT	DNP (PRACTICE FOCUSED)	PhD (RESEARCH FOCUSED)
Purpose of degree	Prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing practice:
•Generate new knowledge via practice innovation or evidence-based QI*

•Translate research into practice†

Prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing science:
•Generate new knowledge via application of rigorous scientific methods

•Conduct research to advance nursing science

Students	Committed to a career in practice	Committed to a career in research
Program outcomes	Healthcare improvement by:
•Practice contributions

•Practice scholarship

•Policy changes

•Leadership in practice

Healthcare improvement by:
•Scientific contributions

•Scientific scholarship

•Scientific inquiry

•Leadership in research

Notes:	 	 
*QI, quality improvement. Remember that these are nursing degrees, and they are not nursing roles.

†All nurses will complete additional training to prepare them for their nursing roles.

Source: Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). DNP Essentials. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials; American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). The doctor of nursing practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations [White paper]. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/White-Papers/DNP-Implementation-TF-Report-8-15.pdf

CONCEPT	DNP (PRACTICE FOCUSED)	PhD (RESEARCH FOCUSED)
Final academic product	DNP scholarly project	Dissertation
Faculty/experts advising the student	DNP Team	Committee
Intention	The DNP Project is a learning experience.
The DNP Project is meant to improve outcomes in a local context/population:
•Transferrable outcomes

•One project cycle /degree

The PhD dissertation is a learning experience.
The PhD dissertation is meant to provide information that can be generalized to a larger context/population:
•Generalizable outcomes

•Multiple experiments/degree

Approach	Implement change and evaluate:
•Identify problems

•Gather/critique research

•Determine best practice

•Implement solutions

•Evaluate outcomes/process

•Adopt/abandon practice

•Repeat.

Scientific research methods:
•Formulate a question

•State hypothesis

•Conduct an experiment

•Record/interpret findings

•State the results

•Share outcomes for potential use in practice

•Repeat.

Source: Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). DNP Essentials. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials; American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). The doctor of nursing practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations [White paper]. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/White-Papers/DNP-Implementation-TF-Report-8-15.pdf; White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terhaar, M. F. (Eds.). (2020). Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

In reviewing this information, write down at least two thoughts or questions you have for your faculty.

1.__________________________________________

2.__________________________________________

Why DNP and PhD? Rachel Mack, PhD, DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE

Students, colleagues, and friends have asked me repeatedly why I have two doctoral degrees. My answer is twofold, and my response is always the same. I completed my DNP degree first, as I felt it was important for me to complete a terminal degree that was clinically focused. I am a practicing family nurse practitioner. However, I work not only as a family nurse practitioner but also as a nurse educator in academia. So I felt it was equally important for me to complete my PhD in nursing education.

I learned so much wonderful information in both programs, but they were very different. The DNP program track that I completed was specifically designed for advanced practice nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and national certification as an advanced practice nurse. The program was not focused on gaining content that would allow me to specialize in a specific nursing role, but to provide coursework that assisted me in growing as a clinical leader and aided in developing the skills that I needed to effect positive change in the healthcare system. The DNP program helped me improve my critical thinking skills, evaluate evidence-based research, and to translate my knowledge into practice.