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What do you do with a PhD in nursing?

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What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Nursing?

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A doctorate degree is the pinnacle of nursing education, opening doors to a wealth of career opportunities. Whether you’re aiming to become a top-level practitioner, an influential educator, or a healthcare innovator, this advanced training will prepare you to be a driving force in shaping the future of nursing.

But what can you do with a doctorate in nursing, exactly? In this article, we’ll explore the diverse career paths available to those with this expert-level training, address potential salaries, and cover some frequently asked questions.

What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Nursing ? A Snapshot

With a doctorate in nursing, you unlock countless career options. Depending on your passion, here’s a quick overview of what you can go after.

• Advanced clinical roles: You can become an advanced practice registered nurse and work as a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner (NP) in a range of specialty areas , such as family practice or dermatology .
• Education: You can teach future nurses at universities and colleges, or take on a leadership role as a dean, ensuring academic excellence in nursing schools.
• Research: You can conduct academic or clinical research, working to improve patient outcomes and healthcare practices.
• Leadership and administration: You can become a nurse executive or administrator, leading healthcare organizations or hospital departments.
• Public health and community care: You can work with governmental organizations, implementing programs that address population health concerns.
• Consulting and advisory roles: You can provide strategic insights to healthcare organizations on best practices and quality improvement initiatives .
• Healthcare innovation: You can help develop new healthcare models, services, or technologies.

What Is a Doctorate in Nursing ?

A doctorate in nursing is an advanced academic degree that prepares nursing professionals for leadership roles in clinical practice, education, and research. The two main types of doctorate degrees in nursing are:

What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Nursing ? 7 Career Paths.

Earning a doctorate in nursing can open doors to a range of rewarding career paths, far beyond traditional bedside roles. Let’s dive into the exciting opportunities that come with this advanced degree.

1. Advanced Clinical Roles

With a doctorate in nursing, you can become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who diagnoses conditions and even prescribes medications. Here are some examples of APRN roles you can explore:

• Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA): Take the lead in administering anesthesia and monitoring patients during surgical procedures.
• Certified nurse midwife (CNM): Provide prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, guiding women through their pregnancy and childbirth journeys.
• Clinical nurse specialist (CNS): Focus on improving the quality of care at your facility by providing expert clinical support, educating nursing teams, conducting research, and implementing evidence-based practices.
• Nurse practitioner (NP): Provide primary care, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage treatment plans. You’ll also be able to specialize in a variety of areas, like family practice , mental health, women’s health , adult gerontology, and more.

Keep in mind that the level of autonomy in your NP practice will largely be determined by the state in which you work.

2. Education

If you’re passionate about teaching, a doctorate in nursing opens doors to impactful roles in education. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the next generation of nurses while contributing to the advancement of nursing knowledge.

• Nursing instructor : Teach nursing courses at colleges or universities, guiding students through their academic journey.
• Dean or director of nursing : Oversee nursing programs, manage faculty, and ensure academic excellence in nursing schools.
• Clinical educator : Train nursing staff within healthcare facilities, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide excellent patient care.

3. Research

If you’re drawn to research, a doctorate in nursing opens the door to roles that contribute to advancing nursing science. So, what can you do with a doctorate in nursing in the field of research? Here are a few ideas:

• Nurse scientist : Conduct clinical or health system research, working to improve healthcare practices, patient outcomes, or public health initiatives. These roles can be in universities, hospitals, or government health agencies.
• Medical writer : Help healthcare companies translate research and policy into publications, clinical protocols, and other patient- or provider-facing education materials. You may also assist in writing grants to obtain funding for research.
• Research professor: Establish an independent program of research at an academic university. Apply for grants, lead studies and trials, and publish research that influences policymakers and stakeholders with your evidence-based insights.

4. Leadership and Administration

A doctorate in nursing also prepares you for key administrative roles within healthcare settings. These positions allow you to influence healthcare delivery and improve operational efficiency:

• Chief nursing officer (CNO): Oversee nursing practices within a healthcare organization. You’ll set standards for patient care, lead nursing staff, and collaborate with other healthcare leaders to implement strategic initiatives.
• Hospital administrator : Manage healthcare facilities or departments, focusing on budget management, staffing, and compliance with regulations.
• Healthcare manager : Assess and enhance healthcare services to ensure high standards of patient care. You’ll analyze data, develop improvement plans, and lead initiatives to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
• Director of nursing : Manage nursing staff and oversee the delivery of care in a healthcare facility, focusing on policy development, staff training, and ensuring that best practices are followed.
• Clinical nurse leader : Oversee care coordination, ensuring that evidence-based practices are implemented and evaluating care processes to enhance efficiency and quality.

5. Public Health and Community Care

What can you do with a doctorate in nursing if your ambition is to work in public health? This degree can help you take on leadership roles in public health agencies, where you’ll develop and implement health programs and advocate for health policy changes.

• Health policy specialist : Analyze and develop healthcare policies, ensuring they address the needs of communities and improve health access and quality.
• Global health educator : Work with international organizations, like the World Health Organization ( WHO ), to address health disparities, focusing on disease prevention and health education in underserved communities around the world.
• Global health consultant : Help design and implement health programs in developing countries, tailoring strategies to local needs and challenges.

6. Consulting and Advisory Roles

With your advanced nursing knowledge, you can provide expertise and strategic insights to healthcare organizations and stakeholders. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Clinical consultant : Work with healthcare organizations to develop strategies that align with industry best practices, optimize resources, and improve patient outcomes.
• Health information consultant : Advise on the integration of technology in healthcare settings. Your expertise will help organizations leverage electronic health records and other technologies to improve patient care and data management.
• Legal nurse consultant : Advise legal professionals on medical issues in cases involving healthcare malpractice , worker’s compensation, or personal injury claims.

7. Healthcare Innovation

What can you do with a doctorate in nursing besides traditional roles? If you have a passion for entrepreneurship and strive to transform healthcare through innovation, you can focus your work on developing new solutions and technologies. Nurses have been behind many groundbreaking healthcare inventions . Your advanced knowledge can guide you in developing solutions that solve specific problems in the industry.

How to Get a Doctorate in Nursing : 5 Steps

Start by exploring the career paths available to you. After reviewing your options, consider whether your passion is in clinical practice, research, or administration. This will help you decide whether to pursue a DNP or a PhD.

Here are the general steps to follow to get your doctorate in nursing:

• Step 1: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited program.
• Step 2: Obtain your registered nurse (RN) license and gain clinical experience in one of the various nursing specialties . Most DNP programs require applicants to have practical nursing experience, but this is less common for PhD programs.
• Step 3: Choose a doctoral program that fits your goals and meet the admission requirements. Keep in mind that while some programs offer a direct path from a BSN to a DNP or PhD, you may need to complete an MSN before applying.
• Step 4: Complete all the required coursework.Programs typically take 2–4 years for a DNP and 3–6 years for a PhD, with a combination of coursework, clinical hours (DNP), or dissertation research (PhD).
• Step 5: Graduate and obtain licensure or certification. If you plan to work in a clinical specialty, such as cardiac care or pediatrics , you’ll need to apply for professional certification.

How Much Does a Doctorate in Nursing Make ?

When considering a career in nursing, it’s essential to look into the potential doctorate in nursing salary ranges. Nurses with a DNP or PhD have plenty of career choices, which is why salaries can vary widely.

Plus, your pay can change based on your experience, education, certifications, and where you live. Here’s a look at average annual salaries for jobs that you might pursue with a doctorate degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Nurse practitioner salary : $128,490
• Nurse anesthetist salary : $214,200
• Certified nurse midwife salary : $131,570
• Top nursing executive salary : $103,840
• Chief nursing executive salary : $258,900
• Nursing professor salary : $86,530
• Medical scientist salary : $112,380
• Nurse writer salary : $86,620
• Healthcare manager salary : $110,680

FAQs: What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Nursing?

What can a dnp do that an np cannot do.

While both DNPs and NPs can provide advanced clinical care, the DNP’s additional training equips them for roles that involve healthcare strategy, organizational leadership , and implementing large-scale quality improvements.

Are there BSN to doctorate in nursing programs?

Yes, there are BSN to doctorate in nursing practice programs, allowing students to earn their doctorate without first obtaining a master’s degree. Here are some examples of such programs:

• University of Florida – BSN to DNP program
• University of San Diego – BSN to PhD Program
• Illinois State University – BSN to DNP

Can I work remotely with a doctorate in nursing?

What can you do with a doctorate in nursing when it comes to remote roles? There are plenty of career paths that offer remote or hybrid options, especially those focused on education, research, and policy. Some clinical roles, such as psychiatric nurse practitioner , can also be performed remotely, along with positions like nurse coder and nurse coach .

What are top paying states for nurses with doctoral degrees?

Your salary will mostly depend on the role you choose with your doctorate — like NP, nursing professor, or hospital administrator. To give you an idea, here are the top-paying states for NPs:

Want to Upgrade Your Nursing Career?

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Top Careers for RNs with a Doctorate in Nursing

Home » PhD and DNP Degrees » Top Careers for RNs with a Doctorate in Nursing

Nursing is a calling for most RNs , and many want to continue their education to further their careers and take an even greater leadership role in the field. A doctorate in nursing is the terminal degree for nurses who want to expand their current roles, move into management and leadership positions, conduct clinical research or pursue employment in higher education.

A number of career possibilities exist for nurses with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Here are some of the top jobs that are available for nurses with a doctorate in nursing.

Nurse faculty

A career in nursing education is a great option for nurses who want to prepare future nurses and are interested in nursing research. The shortage of qualified nursing faculty has been well documented by nursing organizations and in professional research.

A survey released by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in October 2018 found a total of 1,715 vacant faculty positions at 872 nursing schools, with a national vacancy rate of 7.9%. More than 90% of those vacancies were for faculty positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree, the survey found.

A PhD in Nursing is a research-focused degree and is generally the most common doctoral degree for nurse faculty, although some nurse educators hold a DNP in nursing. The average salary for nursing instructors and teachers in higher education was $81,300 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while those on the higher end of the pay scale can make $130,000 or more.

While salaries for nurse educators may not go as high as some occupations with advanced nursing degrees, faculty members typically work shorter hours and may face less stress than most practicing nurses.

Nurse anesthetist

One of the more lucrative career options for advanced practice registered nurses with a doctoral degree is that of nurse anesthetist. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia to patients for surgical and other medical procedures and are the sole anesthesia providers in nearly all rural hospitals, according to the AACN.

The average annual salary for nurse anesthetists was nearly $175,000 in 2018. In several states, such as Montana, California, Iowa, Oregon and Wisconsin, average annual wages for CRNAs top $200,000, according to BLS.

The most common doctoral degrees for nurse anesthetists are the DNP or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). By 2025, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs , which accredits nurse anesthesia programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, will require all new CRNAs to have doctoral degrees.

Nurse practitioner

A doctorate in nursing also is very valuable to those who are looking to become nurse practitioners . NPs are “clinicians who assess, diagnose and treat acute chronic illnesses, as well as counsel, coordinate care and educate patients regarding their illnesses,” according to the website of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners .

NPs work in a variety of settings , including private practice, hospital outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital units, emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Working as a nurse practitioner comes with many benefits. NPs have greater authority in diagnosing and treating patients and prescribing medications, and many states now allow nurse practitioners to practice independently without physician oversight.

Nurse practitioners also make significantly higher salaries than other nurses, with average annual earnings of about $110,000. While a doctorate in nursing is not required to become a nurse practitioner, the AACN supports moving the standard preparation level for advanced nursing practice from a master’s to a doctoral degree. A growing number of students that are considering careers as NPs are enrolling in DNP programs.

Nurse leader

Nurses who want to move into top management and leadership roles in hospitals, nursing homes and other health systems can benefit from a doctorate in nursing.

Some of those positions include CNO, chief nurse executive, director of nursing, nursing administrator, nurse manager and health system president or CEO. A 2019 survey of nurse leaders conducted by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership found that most nursing leaders’ annual salaries ranged from $90,000 to $169,000, with those at the top end of the pay scale earning more than $250,000 a year.

While a doctorate in nursing may not be required for all of these positions, it can certainly help improve a nurse’s chances of moving into leadership or management roles.

Nurse scientist/researcher

Nurse scientists or nurse researchers are dedicated to the study of nursing research. They conduct scientific studies, collect data and present their findings, often partnering with researchers from other fields, such as medicine, pharmacy and nutrition to address complex healthcare questions or problems, according to an article .

While nurse researchers often work as faculty at colleges and universities, they also can work at hospitals, research laboratories or other healthcare facilities. Many of these jobs require a PhD in Nursing or DNP degree. The average salary for a nurse scientist is about $95,000.

Nurse informatics

For nurses with an interest in information technology and analytics, a career in nurse informatics may be a good option. Nursing informatics is “a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing practice,” according to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society .

A doctorate in nursing is not required for all nurse informatics roles, but it could be beneficial when applying for higher-level positions such as chief nurse informatics officer. Salaries vary for nursing informatics roles depending upon skill level and geographic area, but the average salary for a chief nursing informatics officer is $109,072, with those in some areas of the country making upward of $200,000.

While these are some of the potential roles for nurses with doctoral degrees, many other career options are available. Some of the other roles that can benefit from an advanced nursing degree include clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and public health and public policy nurses.

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What Can You Do with a Doctorate in Nursing?

October 29, 2021

View all blog posts under Articles | View all blog posts under Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nursing is a diverse field, with occupations ranging from clinical roles to more management-oriented positions, to education and research. With so many different opportunities for employment, there is also an array of different avenues for skill development and higher education. After completing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, some students may be wondering where their educational path should end. They may even ponder the question, “What can you do with a doctorate in nursing?” Earning either a PhD in nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) through a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program can open the door to very different career advancement opportunities.

What Is a Doctor of Nursing Practice?

BSN graduates are usually licensed as registered nurses after earning their degrees. After amassing several years of experience and possibly even a few professional certifications, they may notice the rate of their career progression has slowed. The DNP is a degree designed to close the gap between the patients’ needs and the nurses’ capacity to sufficiently tend to those needs. In that sense, the degree is best suited for nurses who wish to advance their clinical skill set.

What Skills Can Be Learned Through Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice?

Prospective students often wonder what you can do with a doctorate in nursing and what DNP programs entail. DNP programs expose students to a multitude of advanced concepts in the nursing field. The following are a few key areas of study for DNP students:

Advanced Clinical Skills

DNP students hone their general clinical skills through courses such as advanced health assessment and advanced clinical pharmacology. Through the health assessment coursework, they learn how to better evaluate patients’ states of health using diagnostic tools and techniques. Pharmacology classes teach students how to prescribe medications and then educate patients on how to use them safely. Beyond these general skills, DNP programs also offer students the opportunity to concentrate their studies in a specialized field of practice. Some options include:

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Treating babies, children, adolescents, and young adults
• Family Nurse Practitioner—Teaching families how to live healthier lives and administering advanced health care treatments when necessary
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner—Providing health care services to women of all ages, including pre-, post-, and perinatal care
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner—Counseling those who suffer from mental illness and prescribing medications or other treatments when necessary
• Adult Gerontology—Caring for adult patients, especially senior citizens

Nursing Informatics

Patient data is an essential asset to health care institutions, and nurses play a central role in ensuring this data is properly recorded, analyzed, and shared. Through doctorate-level nursing informatics coursework, student nurses learn what types of information are the most important to improving patient health outcomes, as well as how to communicate that data in the most efficient way possible. They also learn how technology can be used to save lives, to educate patients or other providers, and to increase the overall operating efficiency of a health care institution.

Health Promotion

Nurses are also responsible for helping reduce the number of people who need health services by promoting health education in their communities. The DNP program shows students how to interact with patients and general community members to teach both populations about healthy behaviors, disease prevention, wellness, and management of chronic conditions. Health promotion coursework positions students to help increase the general public’s control over their own health, thereby reducing the number of people who may become dependent on the health care system.

Health Policy

Health policy determines how health care institutions are run at the local, state, and national levels. By gaining knowledge of how health policy is created, implemented, and managed over time, students can learn how to contribute to these processes. This could entail consulting government officials to amend a current national health policy, or working with colleagues to determine the best way to adhere to current health policies and regulations.

What Is a PhD in Nursing?

Nurses who want to know what you can do with a doctorate in nursing may also consider comparing the benefits of a DNP and a PhD in nursing. While the Doctor of Nursing Practice is primarily a clinical practice degree, the PhD in nursing emphasizes scientific research.

PhD programs are meant to prepare students to develop new innovations in nursing science rather than focus on patient care. The curriculum will vary slightly, but PhD in nursing programs often enable students to study advanced research methods that can be used to tackle pressing issues in the modern health care environment. The coursework highlights the importance of utilizing hard evidence when performing health research, then explains how to find that evidence and translate it into actionable knowledge. The PhD in nursing offers a unique means to contribute to the advancement of nursing practice.

What Can a Doctorate in Nursing Do for Your Career?

Nurse scientists apply research and data to learn how nurses can more effectively manage patients in various situations, ranging from patients who cope with chronic pain, to populations who struggle with substance abuse issues, to young women who want to break the cycle of domestic violence. Graduates with a PhD in nursing often go on to make breakthroughs in disease management, patient care, and health care policy. They are likely to lead health care organizations and create the clinical treatment methods that thousands of nurses and nurse practitioners use to treat patients every day.

DNP Salaries

Nurses pursuing a doctorate may wonder what a DNP graduate’s earning potential is. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides the annual median salaries for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with terminal degrees, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. According to the BLS, APRNs across the United States earn an annual median salary of $115,800. This amount can change based on experience, job facility, nurse practitioner specialty, and state. The BLS notes that the lowest 10% of nurse practitioners earn an annual median salary of $82,460, while the top 10% earn $184,180.

Which Option Is Best for You?

What can you do with a doctorate in nursing? The answer includes a wide variety of career options. For passionate, career-driven nurses, earning a doctoral degree has a high potential to advance their skills and expand their career opportunities. The outcome, however, depends entirely on the degree path they choose: PhD or DNP.

Creating new knowledge as a nurse researcher helps keep the discipline moving forward, but some nurses crave a more hands-on role in the health care process. For student nurses who prefer work that is centered on actively delivering health care services to patients, the DNP is the most fitting terminal degree to pursue.

Nurses who are passionate about nursing and want to know what you can do with a doctorate in nursing can explore BSN to DNP programs. Regis College prepares nurse practitioners to take the next step in their careers with the online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice . RNs with a bachelor’s degree who enroll in the program complete the same rigorous courses as traditional students, but the online course delivery offers greater flexibility.

Recommended Reading: FNP vs. PNP Careers: What’s the Difference? Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Exploring the Field of Pediatric Nursing What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

Sources: American Association of Colleges of Nursing, DNP Education American Association of Colleges of Nursing, PhD Education Career Cast Nursing, “5 Career Benefits of a PhD in Nursing” Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, “Advancing Scholarship Through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

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What Can You Do With A Doctorate In Nursing?

The practice of nursing has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Nurses must now take on an expanded scope of practice that includes serving as educators, researchers, and leaders within their organizations.

A doctorate in nursing, also known as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, is the highest achievement in nursing education. DNP programs represent advanced practice education and are designed to prepare nurses to improve health system performance at the local, state and national levels.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the skills and career options for nursing professionals with a doctorate in nursing. We hope this takes the guesswork out of preparing for your DNP degree so you can go on to have a successful career as an advanced practice nurse in clinical or administrative roles.

What Will A DNP Prepare You For?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice has many applications. Whether you want to work as a Nurse Practitioner, become a clinical leader or affect change in an administrative capacity, a DNP will put you on the path to career advancement.

Here are 5 practical ways a DNP will help you meet personal and professionals goals and put you at the top of the nursing profession:

• Improve the quality and safety of patient care using principles of evidence-based practice.
• Develop and manage interprofessional teams that meet the highest standards of quality and safety. 
• Analyze and evaluate the local and global impacts of a healthcare organization’s policies, practice, and funding.
• Become a change agent and accelerate transformation  to improve complex healthcare delivery systems.
• Educate the next generation of nurses to provide safe and effective patient care.

DNP programs typically focus on two different career paths—advanced patient care roles or organizational leadership roles. Let’s look at different careers in both clinical and non-clinical settings for nurses who earn a DNP.

Clinical Career Options For Nurses With A Doctorate In Nursing

Many nurses choose to pursue a career in nursing because they want to provide direct patient care. For those who find a clinical career path rewarding, there are many opportunities in advanced practice roles for nurses who earn a DNP.

Let’s look at some of the top professions for DNP graduates and how much you can expect to make on a yearly basis.

Certified Nurse Practitioner | Average Salary (EMSI): $111,675

While a DNP is not the same thing as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), this degree provides excellent preparation for a career as an NP. 

Nurse practitioners help with all aspects of patient care— including diagnosis, treatments and consultations. Nurse practitioners typically work in a primary care setting, managed care organizations or hospitals. 

According to labor market analytics firm EMSI, jobs for nurse practitioners are expected to grow by an astounding 43.4% by 2031 . This is largely due to a shortage of primary care providers. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners , nearly 80 million people live in Health Professional Shortage Areas. This shortage means no prevention, screening, immunizations or basic care for infections and illnesses, and patients in rural areas are hit especially hard.

To become a nurse practitioner, you’ll also need to earn a national NP certification, which typically requires meeting academic requirements (which a DNP satisfies), evidence of clinical work, an application fee, and a standardized examination.

Certified Nurse-Midwife | Average Salary (EMSI): $111,134

A nurse-midwife is a licensed advanced practice nurse who specializes in women’s reproductive health and childbirth. They provide gynecological care to women, as well as care for expectant mothers and their newborn babies during pregnancy, labor and post-delivery.

Certified nurse midwives are essential members of healthcare teams and, in some cases, operate independent practices. According to EMSI, jobs for nurse midwives are expected to grow by 11.2% by 2031. 

Aspiring nurse-midwives must also pass the national certification exam offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) .

Nurse Anesthetists | Average Salary (EMSI): $183,581

A nurse anesthetist is responsible for providing pain medication (anesthesia) for patients before, during, and after surgery. They administer medications that keep patients asleep or pain-free during their surgery and continuously monitor all biological functions of the patient's body. According to EMSI, by 2031, job growth for nurse anesthetists is expected to grow by 13.2%. 

To qualify for this career, a doctorate will soon be required. According to the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, all CRNA degree programs must include a doctoral degree by January 1, 2022. You will also need to pass the CRNA certification to become a nurse anesthetist.

Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) | Average Salary ( Salary.com ): $91,715

Clinical nurse leaders are responsible for developing, administering and evaluating patient care at the clinical level, as opposed to the administrative level. These professionals coordinate, delegate and supervise the care provided by an interdisciplinary healthcare team—including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists.

A doctorate in nursing is ideal for clinical nurse leaders. DNP programs focus on teaching methods of evidence-based practice, which aligns with the primary role of CNLs—ensuring patients receive the best care by making full use of the latest innovations in care delivery.

Get a FREE guide to help you advance your career, featuring helpful advice and thoughtful insights from nursing experts.

Non-clinical career options for nurses with a doctorate in nursing.

Although nursing is a career where many job opportunities are in the clinical setting, there are many non-clinical options available to nurses with a doctorate in nursing degree. Let’s look at some of the top positions you can qualify for if you earn a DNP degree.

Chief Nursing Officer | Average Salary ( Payscale.com ): $133,623 

A chief nursing officer (CNO) is responsible for managing the overall operation of all aspects of a healthcare facility. This can include everything from hiring employees to managing budgets. 

The job outlook, according to Payscale, is strong. There are currently only 1,000 positions in the United States classified as CNOs, making it a competitive field. As a result, nurses with doctorates in nursing can find employment in hospitals and other such facilities as a CNO.

Nursing Informatics Manager | Average Salary ( Payscale.com ): $109,773

Nursing informatics managers work in the interdisciplinary area of healthcare information technology and focus on using technology to improve healthcare delivery. Nursing informatics managers organize patient care software and electronic medical records, using their clinical experience to optimize these systems. 

A doctorate in nursing with a concentration in leadership can provide the opportunity to gain cross-disciplinary skills in health informatics to prepare you for this thriving career.

Medical Policy Manager | Average Salary ( Salary.com ): $118,991

In a healthcare setting, a medical policy manager is responsible for formulating and implementing policies that meet the goals of health system administrators. This process usually begins with detailed research on current trends, regulations, and legislation. A medical policy manager then uses this information to develop a comprehensive plan of action that will enhance the quality of patient safety and care provided by nurses in the organization.

A doctorate in nursing will enable these professionals to understand how policies impact the health and effectiveness of an organization. They will also be able to analyze competing options with a comprehensive understanding of their consequences on patient outcomes.

Nurse Educator | Average Salary ( Payscale.com ): $77,303

Nurse educators are responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating teaching strategies to prepare students for their roles as nurses in various healthcare settings. They must develop and implement learning objectives that meet the needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. 

A Doctor of Nursing Practice is ideal for nurse educators because it provides the advanced knowledge needed to develop an effective learning environment. A DNP program will provide nurses with the skills and resources needed to implement instructional strategies that are both evidence-based and focus on student and organizational outcomes.

Open Doors to New Opportunities With a DNP Degree

Many nurses see a doctorate as the next step in their nursing career. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree will allow you to become a nurse leader that is able to achieve new levels of understanding, expertise, and recognition. 

When you choose Franklin University for your DNP degree we provide two paths that prepare you for both clinical and nonclinical advanced nursing roles—one in family practice and one in leadership . Through our innovative curriculum and built-in practicum courses, you will gain both theoretical understanding and practical experience in advanced practice nursing.

See how our online Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees can help you advance your career to new heights.

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