Introduction
The contemporary field of nursing is highly diverse, with many roles in various healthcare settings being available for nursing practitioners. It should be noted that some of those roles require nurses to pursue further education, including advanced degrees such as Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing.
Main Body
A DNP and a PhD are highly advanced degrees, with the former requiring an average of 2-4 years to complete and the latter requiring a 4-6 years commitment (Post University, 2023). A DNP degree is practice-oriented and focuses on preparing nurses for clinical practice and performing different administrative roles within the hospital. Thus, DNP programs may offer courses on evaluating the needs of healthcare organizations, healthcare delivery, leadership, human resource management, and economic resources in healthcare facilities (Post University, 2023).
In contrast, a PhD in nursing is focused on research and offers classes on theory and the use of analysis and statistics in research and nursing education (Post University, 2023). Thus, when deciding on an advanced degree, nurses should consider their career aspirations and their role in an interdisciplinary healthcare setting.
Nurses with a DNP can accept the role of a healthcare executive within the hospital, while those who pursue a PhD can become nurse scientists. These roles emphasize the difference in the focus of these degrees. Thus, healthcare executives perform managerial duties, including allocating the facility’s budget and developing standards of care (Fulton, 2022). Meanwhile, medical nurse scientists focus on conducting research and distributing findings (Fowler, 2020).
Conclusion
Both of the discussed roles are crucial for the functioning of the healthcare system and within both clinical and non-clinical settings, as medical research conducted by nurse practitioners informs the practice and decisions made by hospital managers. In turn, healthcare executives are positioned to govern the work of healthcare facilities, serve the patients, and facilitate research. Overall, both a DNP and a PhD prepare nurses for leadership roles and the advancement of the nursing field.
References
Fowler, S. B. (2020). Nurse scientist. American Nurse. Web.
Fulton, D. (2022). Jobs you can pursue with a doctor of nursing practice. GCU. Web.
Post University. (2023). Exploring the differences between DNP vs PhD for your nursing career. Web.