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For many nurses, education is truly a lifelong commitment, so the idea of a terminal degree may seem counterintuitive to your very nature. However, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is worthy of your consideration. In our new DNP-focused issue, Julia Quinn-Szcesuil provides an overview—from defining your own career goals to choosing the right program to overcoming the challenges. Admittedly, this career path is not for everyone. If your interests align more with research than clinical practice, for example, then you may want to focus on the PhD path instead. Like many nursing degrees, the DNP does offer you versatility in your career choices and there will be no lack of opportunities with the looming nurse faculty and nursing shortage, so the future is bright for DNPs.

If a role in leadership is your goal, you may want to opt for the DNP Executive Leadership track that many nursing programs offer, which emphasizes health care business principles and systems leadership for those pursuing Chief Nursing Officer type roles. Michele Wojciechowski talks with deans and directors of such programs to help you learn the difference and decide whether this particular path is right for you.

In any case, if you make the decision to pursue the DNP, you’ll want to pay attention to the seven attributes of a successful student from a fellow DNP. Jonathan V. Llamas, who received his DNP in 2019, shares his advice on making the most out of the program and setting yourself up for success.

The rewards of obtaining your DNP may not be as immediate as other degrees so you should weigh your options carefully depending on your current financial situation and career goals. But if you’re looking to blend academics and evidence-based practice to help make a real difference in patient care, look no further.

See also
A Day in the Life of a Nurse Educator: Thoughts from Deborah Dolan Hunt

To view the issue, visit our magazine site at https://issuu.com/minoritynursemagazine/docs/minority_nurse_dnp_special_issue_2022.

Daily Nurse Staff
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