Possible Jobs for Graduates with DNP Degrees
What are Some of the Jobs Available for nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree, being the highest level of nursing education exposes graduates to a variety of career opportunities including indirect and direct patient care in the healthcare industry, government agencies, own private practice, and other healthcare settings. DNP graduates may choose clinical or non-clinical job responsibilities and roles to enhance healthcare outcomes.
The American Bureau of labor statistics projected job growth for advanced practice registered nurses such as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by 45% from 2020 to 2030.
The growth is as a result of the emphasis on preventive care, care demands by the aging population, and changes in healthcare laws and regulations, thus, increasing the opportunities for nursing professionals with a DNP degree. Some of the possible jobs for graduates with DNP degrees include:
1. Certified nurse midwife
Certified nurse midwives attend births, provide prenatal and postnatal care, and educate pregnant women to promote mother-child health.
2. Healthcare executive /health services managers
DNP-prepared nurses who specialize as health services managers are responsible for healthcare administration, strategizing, coordinating, and directing services to ensure a smooth and effective running of systems. Healthcare executives work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or own private practices.
3. Clinical nurse specialists
A clinical nurse specialist makes use of evidence-based research in a specialty; serving as a researcher, educator, or consultant in interdisciplinary colleges. They also provide expert support to bedside nurses to improve patient outcomes and systems of care.
4. Advanced practice nurses
Advanced practice nurses are autonomous practitioners who commonly work in healthcare facilities to oversee operations and the adequacy of the number of practicing nurses at the facility. Learn more on how one can get assistance to write their capstone project and graduate with an MSN or DNP degree.
5. Clinical researchers
The specialists engage in clinical research using their expertise in the generation of evidence to support the current practice or initiate changes aimed at improving patient outcomes.
6. Primary care nurse practitioner
Primary care nurse practitioners provide direct care to individuals, families, and groups to promote their health and well-being. The specialists may work autonomously or in collaboration with other healthcare providers such as physicians.
7. Certified registered nurse anesthetists
A certified registered nurse anesthetist is responsible for administering local, regional, and general anesthesia and works with other practitioners in surgery, pain management, and trauma stabilization in specialty hospitals among other healthcare settings.
8. Nurse researchers
Nurse researchers specialize in finding empirical evidence to improve their practice field. The evidence may be used to shape the medical field through the ability to influence policies, procedures, and healthcare legislation.
9. Chief nursing officers
A chief nursing officer oversees the daily planning, coordination, and management of all the requirements for delivering positive treatment outcomes in a healthcare facility. Such officers liaise with other healthcare professionals, patients, and hospital executives.
10. Nurse educators
A nurse educator is responsible for teaching and imparting knowledge in nursing schools, colleges, and universities.
11. Family nurse practitioners
A family nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse trained in providing comprehensive and continuing care for individuals and families of all ages and gender. In most cases, a family nurse practitioner serves as the primary healthcare provider for the families and individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Doctor of Nursing Practice Jobs
Some of the frequently asked questions about job opportunities for graduates with DNP degrees include:
(a). How much do nurse practitioners with DNP earn?
The average annual salary for DNP-prepared nurses is estimated to be $6,000 more than that of registered nurses with a master of science in nursing (MSN), and $42,000 dollars more than those with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), according to 2019 Medscape statistics. However, the exact nursing salaries depend on factors such as the country, location, or specialty.
(b). What is the role of professional organizations for DNP nurses?
Professional organizations help DNP-prepared nurses in ways such as:
- Connecting with professional development or education advancement opportunities.
- Getting updates on significant changes and current trends in the nursing practice.
- Engaging with peers and securing networking opportunities.
- Becoming part of the collective voice for advocacy.
- Accessing professional resources such as publications and research tools.
(c). Is a DNP worth pursuing?
DNP graduates have the potential to make lasting and significant impacts in the nursing field, qualify for the best-paying clinical and non-clinical jobs, and earn recognition and respect from the interdisciplinary community of health service delivery and nursing care, thus, the degree is worth pursuing personal and professional fulfillment.
Learn more on how one can obtain help to write a DNP prospectus. In addition to exposing graduates to lucrative nursing careers, the DNP degree equips them with knowledge and skills for making lasting, significant, and relevant changes alongside exceptional patient care in different specialty areas.
