Whether you’re looking for a hands-on clinical role or a role that leads or creates policy, there are many career paths for nurses with a DNP.
As a “terminal” degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the pinnacle of education in nursing practice. It also can put you at the forefront of nursing with skills that can take you in many directions.
Many of your career opportunities won’t necessarily have to do with hands-on nursing, and the type of doctorate you earn will factor into the work you do. For example, a nurse with a DNP might work as a nurse executive in a hospital or clinic, while a nurse with a Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (PhD) usually focuses on scholarly research.
“DNP graduates can consider advanced roles that perhaps they didn’t think they could pursue before,” says Daria L. Waszak, DNP, RN, CNE, COHN-S, CEN, associate dean and assistant professor at the Department of Graduate Nursing at Felician University in New Jersey. “They can become a leader, entrepreneur, consultant, policymaker, researcher, peer reviewer, writer, expert clinician, speaker, or educator. In many cases, it will be more than (one role) at the same time. The sky is the limit.”
Many nurses with DNPs continue to build their careers as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Others move out of direct care and into nonclinical roles.
All DNP programs provide a core curriculum, plus an opportunity to pursue your passion through specialized coursework. As part of the core, you’ll learn to evaluate evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes. Then you’ll choose one of two paths:
in which advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) continue to work directly with patients but with a specialty in assessing, diagnosing, and managing a specific type of patient care
in which advanced practice nurses use their expertise to lead and improve care at the institutional level
“I think that if someone is interested in the advanced clinical practice degree [DNP], whatever flavor that is, from there go into what you want to do whether it’s administration, academia, research, informatics, or patient care,” says David G. Campbell-O’Dell, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, president of the professional association Doctors of Nursing Practice Inc. “I think that those who do not get the advanced clinical practice degree are going to be limited in the long run.”
Advanced practice nurses in these clinical roles can have their own private practice, depending on the state. Otherwise, they generally work in:
Depending on their expertise, nurses with DNPs in clinical roles also may work in other settings. Here’s a look at clinical roles and additional workplaces.
While certified nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists are specialties in themselves, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists select a specialty to pursue.
The different ways of describing practice areas for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists reflect the subtle difference between these roles:
An APRN’s specialty will determine what certification exam they will need to take to be licensed. Here’s a look at the top specialties for nurse practitioners and required certification.
Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) opens up an exciting world of career opportunities. As one of the most advanced clinical degrees available the DNP prepares nurses to work at the very top of their profession as expert clinicians researchers, executives, professors, and more.
However, with so many potential career pathways after graduation, how do you decide what type of DNP job is right for you? This comprehensive guide examines the diverse roles and settings that DNP-educated nurses can pursue, along with tips for finding the perfect fit based on your skills, interests, and professional goals.
An Overview of Doctor of Nursing Practice Jobs
There is growing demand for DNP-prepared nurses in both traditional and emerging roles across all healthcare settings Here are some of the most common jobs you can obtain with a DNP degree
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) – Roles include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Certified Nurse-Midwife. APRNs diagnose, treat, prescribe, and take on other responsibilities previously assumed by physicians.
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Nurse Executive – As Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President of Nursing, or Department Director, they oversee nursing practice and operations for entire healthcare organizations.
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Academic Faculty – Lead nursing programs as professors, instructors, or academic deans at colleges and universities. Conduct research and educate future nurses.
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Clinical Specialists – Utilize expertise in areas like oncology, pediatrics, critical care, or emergency nursing to improve patient outcomes.
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Healthcare Consultant – Self-employed consultants who advise healthcare organizations on best practices related to quality, safety, technology implementation, and more.
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Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Officer – Develop and lead initiatives to enhance clinical processes and reduce risks that lead to patient harm.
As you can see, DNP nurses have diverse options when choosing a career. The key is pinpointing which role truly aligns with your aspirations.
Factors to Consider When Searching for DNP Jobs
Determining the right job for you entails careful self-reflection on what you hope to gain from your DNP education. Assess your professional objectives, skills, work style preferences, and clinical interests using these guiding points:
Personality Traits and Temperament
Do you gain energy from high-pressure situations and medical emergencies or do you prefer lower-stress environments? Are you an extrovert who loves collaborating with big teams or more introverted and inclined to work independently? Understanding your innate tendencies helps focus the job search.
Strongest Clinical Skills and Interests
What patient populations and health conditions are you most passionate about helping? Seek roles that allow you to utilize your finest clinical capabilities daily. For example, talent for labor and delivery could suit a nurse-midwife position.
Desire for Hands-On Care or Administration
Some nurses feel most fulfilled providing direct patient care. Others gain satisfaction by coordinating care delivery and influencing decision-making for entire organizations. Know whether you want to be on the frontlines, behind-the-scenes, or teaching others.
Interest in Academia vs. Clinical Practice
Academic nursing careers require scholarly writing, research, and teaching, whereas clinical practice emphasizes applying knowledge through patient care. While some roles blend both, mostincline strongly toward one side. Decide where your talents are best applied.
Financial Considerations
Salary expectations and compensation models can vary dramatically between nursing occupations. Research pay ranges typical for different DNP positions to make sure it aligns with your budget. Also consider educational loan repayment options.
Work-Life Balance Needs
Certain nursing roles like nurse practitioner allow schedule flexibility and independent work, while others such as hospital executive require long hours and on-call responsibilities. Evaluate jobs in terms of your work-life balance priorities.
By weighing each of these factors, you can narrow your DNP job search to 2-3 focus areas that offer the best personal fit.
Finding Open DNP Nursing Positions
Once you have clarity on the type of position you want, it’s time to start searching for and applying to open jobs. Here are productive ways to find the perfect DNP opportunity:
Utilize Your Alumni Career Services Office
Your nursing school wants to see alumni succeed and will promote job openings tailored for recent DNP graduates. Build connections with career counselors who can mentor you.
Join Professional Associations Like AANP
Membership in respected nursing associations provides access to national job boards with new openings daily. You can even create custom job alerts so you’re instantly notified when a desired role is posted.
Search Aggregator Sites Like Indeed
Indeed and similar large job boards compile DNP job listings from thousands of healthcare employers in one place. You can search by keywords like “DNP” or “nurse practitioner” and location.
Follow Healthcare Organizations on Social Media
Most hospitals, clinics, and medical companies highlight employment opportunities on their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. This provides up-to-date openings at facilities you may want to work for.
Attend DNP Nursing Conferences
Conferences offer an insider’s perspective on which organizations are hiring as executives deliver presentations and mingle with attendees. Many even host career fairs.
Check Individual Company Career Pages
Don’t underestimate going directly to the career site of hospital systems, medical groups, or other providers you’re interested in. New grad DNP positions may be posted there before making it to aggregators.
Connect with Your School’s DNP Alumni Network
Successful alums can provide insider advice on locating jobs and touchdown referrals for you at organizations where they have influence. They want to see the next generation succeed.
Being creative and persistent while searching through these channels will lead you to the perfect DNP job aligned with your goals.
Preparing a Strong DNP Nursing Resume
When you begin applying for positions, your resume will be essential for landing interviews. Follow these tips to craft a resume that highlights your fit for top DNP nursing roles:
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Emphasize Relevant Clinical Experience – Include details on patient populations you’ve worked with, specialized medical skills, leadership examples, and achievements. Hiring managers want to see your clinical capabilities.
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Tailor to Each Job – Although time-consuming, customizing your resume using keywords from each job posting improves your chances of getting through applicant tracking systems.
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Spotlight Your DNP Education – Feature your doctoral degree, DNP capstone research, clinical immersion hours, and other elements that distinguish you as a highly-educated nurse.
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Showcase Presentations and Publications – Academic and research accomplishments like scholarly journal articles and nursing conference lectures demonstrate well-rounded expertise.
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Demonstrate Leadership – Being promoted, managing teams, launching initiatives, and volunteering highlight leadership abilities valued in DNP nurses.
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Obtain Feedback From Mentors – Ask professors or nursing supervisors to review your resume draft and provide suggestions to make it stronger before submitting.
With a polished, professional resume reflecting your DNP qualifications, you’ll impress hiring teams and advance to the interview stage.
Acing the DNP Job Interview
Interviewing for nursing leadership, faculty, APRN, or other DNP-level roles requires confident presentation of your capabilities. Use these tips to master the art of the interview:
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Review Common DNP Interview Questions – Expect behavioral questions about communication, conflict resolution, project management, and other key nursing competencies. Prepare examples ahead of time using the STAR method.
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Articulate How You Achieve Outcomes – DNP nurses are outcome-driven leaders. Share measurable results you’ve achieved in past roles through data-informed decision-making.
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Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence – Discuss challenges you’ve faced interacting with colleagues and how you flexed your communication style to resolve issues and build consensus.
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Convey Up-to-Date Clinical Expertise – Speak intelligently about latest medical research, technologies, and best practices you can implement to elevate standards of care.
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Explain the Value of Your DNP – Share why you pursued your doctoral education and how it has expanded your impact and scope of practice as an advanced nurse leader.
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Ask Insightful Questions – Queries about mentoring programs, nursing specialty growth opportunities, and facility culture show your engagement as a candidate.
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Follow Up Professionally – Reiterate your interest and qualifications in a thoughtful thank you note to stand out after interviews conclude.
With preparation and practice, you can present yourself as the highly qualified DNP nurse candidate you are.
Choosing Between DNP Job Offers
The exciting moment will arrive when you have multiple DNP nursing job offers in-hand to evaluate. Compare options using these factors:
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Career Growth Potential – Which role allows you to keep expanding your skills and nursing impact over time? Is leadership advancement available?
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Work Culture and Environment – Do the facility’s values align with yours? What does the day-to-day workflow and team interaction look like? Make sure it’s a place you
Common Nonclinical Roles and Workplaces
Nonclinical DNP programs that emphasize leadership, management, policymaking, and other areas away from the bedside include:
Populations
Organizational management
Systems (including information systems)
State or national healthcare policy
Nurses with DNPs who pursue nonclinical roles may work in general medical hospitals, but they can work in many other settings as well.
Executive Nurse Leader
Role information:
- Designs and manages patient care processes
- Develops organizational policies and procedures
- Creates facility-wide budgets
- Collaborates with other healthcare professionals on organizational issues
Also works in:
- Outpatient care centers
- Nursing care centers
- Nursing schools
- Independent consulting practice
Nurse Manager
Role information:
- Oversees nursing staff in a healthcare facility
- Creates employee schedules
- Interviews and hires new nurses
- Manages budgets
- Collaborates with medical staff and other healthcare professionals
Also works in:
- Urgent care clinics
- Physicians’ offices
- Home health care services
- Nursing care centers
Nurse Informaticist
Role information:
- Integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals
- Analyses data to improve patient systems and outcomes
- Researches, manages, and shares health information and data
Also works in:
- Healthcare facilities
- Healthcare consulting firms
- Colleges and universities
- Healthcare product manufacturers
- Long-term care facilities
Clinical Trainer
Role information:
- Educates future and practicing nurses about theory and skills related to evidence-based practice
- Designs curriculum for clinical training
- Uses research on nursing practice to design course models
Also works in:
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools
- Junior colleges
- Technical and trade schools
- Educational support services
Certification for nonclinical roles like these can vary based on experience, a nurse’s specific position and workplace. Here are three common certifications for nonclinical roles:
Nurse Manager/Nurse Administrator
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) from American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
Clinical Trainer
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) from National League for Nursing (NLN)
Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl) from NLN
Top Specialties for Clinical Nurse Specialists
As you’ll see, the names of the top specialties for CNSs might sound similar to the names of NP specialties, but the job descriptions and required certification are very different.
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS)
Specialty Information
- Applies evidence-based research to nursing practice related to young adults through advanced age
- Diagnose and care for adult patients
- Serves as an educator, researcher, and consultant to interdisciplinary colleagues
- Provides expert consultation on system improvements and patient outcomes
Certification
One of the following, depending on state requirements:
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification (AGCNS-BC) from ANCC
- Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist—Adult Gerontology (ACCNS-AG) from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS)
Specialty Information
- Applies evidence-based research to nursing practice related to infants and children
- Cares for pediatric patients
- Serves as an educator, researcher, and consultant to interdisciplinary colleagues
- Provides expert consultation on system improvements and patient outcomes
Certification
- Acute Clinical Care Nurse Specialist—Pediatric (ACCNS-P) from AACN
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (NCNS)
Specialty Information
- Applies evidence-based research to nursing practice related sick or premature newborns in intensive care
- Cares for these newborns
- Serves as an educator, researcher, and consultant to interdisciplinary colleagues
- Provides expert consultation on system improvements and patient outcomes
Certification
- Acute Clinical Care Nurse Specialist – Neonatal (AACNS-N) from AACN
