There are many good reasons why one may decide to pursue an online doctor of nursing practice degree. One of the most compelling reasons is that nurses with these degrees are currently in-demand, and it appears that this will be the case for the foreseeable future. As the baby boomer population ages and nurses in high-level positions begin to retire, there will be an increasing need for educated, qualified advanced nursing practitioners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment positions for those holding DNPs will grow by 31% in the next seven years.
Another reason to pursue an online doctor of nursing practice degree is that the credential will immediately increase your wage potential. Advanced nursing practitioners are among the highest paid professionals in the healthcare arena. According to the BLS, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners make over $107,000 per year whereas other health diagnosing and treating practitioners make less than $80,000 a year.
Finally, online DNP programs prepare nurses to make positive, meaningful contributions to their local communities. For nurses who want to make a difference on a larger scale, this is a compelling reason to pursue an online doctor of nursing practice degree program. Moreover, many of these programs specifically target underserved populations, so advanced nursing practitioners can contribute where the need is greatest.
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Top 10 Best Value Online Doctorate of Nursing (DNP) 2021
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Curriculum for Online Doctor of Nurse Practice ProgramsAs with any other program, the curriculum for online doctor of nursing practice degree programs can vary from school to school, but there is some significant overlap, at least for core courses. In addition to these core or foundational courses, students will be required to take higher-level classes in their chosen specialty area.
Below are some sample core courses comprising the curriculum for typical online DNP programs.
Transforming the Nation's Health
Best Practices in Nursing Specialties
Healthcare Policy and Advocacy
Health Care Information Systems
Health Care Economics
Epidemiology and Population Health
In addition to coursework, most online doctor of nurse practice programs require that students complete residencies. For this reason, not all of the program can be completed online. For the most part, you can assume that you will have to make a few visits to campus. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. The University of Alabama- Birmingham, for example, doesn't require campus visits but does require that the student arrange clinical experiences in their local areas. These sites must be approved beforehand by a mentor or faculty advisor.
Customization Options for Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree ProgramsNot all online doctor of nursing practice degree programs are alike, and many schools offer options for students to customize their program depending on their specific circumstances and career goals. For instance, students may choose to complete their degree plans on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on their current work and home responsibilities. Moreover, the curriculum for online DNP programs vary based on the student's current level of education. Students who hold Master's degrees in nursing may be eligible for an MSN to DNP program, for example. These programs tend to be much shorter than BSN to DNP programs since they can focus on the most advanced topics right away. Finally, many online doctor of nursing practice programs have different tracks for the various specializations nurses may wish to pursue such as tracks in executive nursing, academic leadership, and advanced clinical practice, for instance.
Career Information for Graduates of an Online Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) ProgramThere are many career options for graduates of online Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) programs, depending on the specialization they pursue while in graduate school. For the most part, these are in-demand and highly lucrative positions. Below are some of the job titles these graduates may hold.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwife
Since job duties, salary information, and career outlook data vary for each of these job titles, we'll discuss them separately.
Nurse PractitionersNurse practitioners (NP)s provide general care to patients as primary or specialty care providers. They may assess patients' symptoms, determine a diagnosis, and create a care plan. In this way, nurse practitioners perform many of the same duties as a primary or specialty care doctor. Of course, nurse practitioners work under the supervision of doctors and must consult with them regularly.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners earned a median annual wage of $100,910. Pay for nurse practitioners can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including their work environment. Nurse practitioners who work in hospitals tend to make more than those who work in doctors' offices, for instance.
The job outlook for nurse practitioners is very promising. According to the BLS, jobs for NPs are expected to grow by 35% by the year 2024. That means approximately 44,700 new positions for nurse practitioners across the United States. Many of these positions will be filled by graduates of online doctor of nursing practice programs such as those highlighted in this ranking.
Nurse AnesthetistsCertified nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery and other medical procedures. Although this is their primary function, CRNAs also educate patients about the risks of anesthesia prior to the procedure and answer any questions they may have. They will remain by the patient's side throughout the procedure to monitor them and to increase or decrease the anesthesia as needed.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that certified nurse anesthetists make a median annual wage of $160,270. This makes them the highest paid nurses holding the doctor of nurse practice distinction.
The job outlook for nurse anesthetists is not as promising, however. According to the BLS, jobs for nurse anesthetists will grow by 19% by the year 2024. Although this is still faster than average compared to all occupations, it is significantly slower compared to nurse practitioners and nurse midwives.
Certified nurse midwives—or CNMs—provide care to pregnant women before, during, and after labor. This includes performing gynecological examinations and delivering prenatal care, for instance. Nurse midwives also deliver babies and provide medical care to newborn babies.
Certified nurse midwives make significantly less than nurse anesthetists and slightly less than nurse practitioners, but they are still well-paid compared to all health practitioners. Nurse midwives earn an annual median wage of $99,770.
The job outlook for certified nurse midwives is positive. By the year 2024, jobs for CNMs will grow by 25%, which is faster than average compared to all occupations. Still, the number of midwives practicing in the United States remains relatively low, so this equates to only about 1,300 new jobs for nurse midwives.
Potential Work Environments/Conditions for Graduates of Online DNP ProgramsAdvanced nurse practitioners who graduate from online doctor of nursing practice programs may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, and outpatient care centers. Although its less common, some advanced nurse care practitioners—particularly—may perform their job duties at patients' homes.
Work conditions for advanced nursing practitioners can be challenging. Many work long hours and have to stand or walk for long periods at a time. Some must be on call and report to the hospital at odd hours of the day and night. These nursing professionals often work in high-risk environments as well and take the risk of coming into contact with infectious diseases. The job isn't just physically demanding either. Dealing with critically ill patients and making life-or-death decisions on a regular basis can be emotionally taxing as well.
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