DNP vs. NP: What’s the Difference?

Explore the differences between DNP and NP roles, including education paths, leadership opportunities and clinical responsibilities. Learn how GCU’s DNP programs prepare nurses for advanced practice and impactful healthcare careers.

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Read time 6 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Mar 21, 2025

The terms "Doctor of Nursing Practice" (DNP) and "Nurse Practitioner" (NP) are often used interchangeably but represent distinct roles and educational paths within the nursing profession. A Nurse Practitioner is a licensed healthcare provider with advanced clinical training who can diagnose, treat and prescribe medication. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree for nurses that focuses on advanced clinical practice, leadership, and policy, similar to the role of an NP.

While both contribute significantly to healthcare, many nurse practitioners hold DNP degrees, which represent a higher level of education and designation. The DNP emphasizes leadership, research and systems-level change, while the NP role primarily focuses on providing direct patient care. However, many NPs do hold DNP degrees, blending both advanced clinical practice and leadership expertise.

This guide compares the nurse practitioner vs. DNP designations and explores your potential career pathways in the nursing field. Keep reading to gain clarity as you reflect upon the next step to take in your career.

What Is a DNP?

There is a key difference between a DNP and an NP. An NP is a professional role requiring certification, while a DNP is a doctoral degree that many NPs may choose to pursue. However, a nurse can use the “DNP” academic designation after fully completing this degree program.

Unlike the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the DNP is a terminal degree, just like other doctorate degree, such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). In fact, a PhD in Nursing is an alternative to earning a DNP. A PhD in Nursing program is more research-focused role compared to a DNP, which is intended for nurses who wish to further their education and remain active in the field by providing direct patient care or pursuing managerial leadership roles.

Is a DNP a Nurse Practitioner?

A DNP is not always a nurse practitioner. It’s a degree program that a registered nurse (RN) can complete in pursuit of becoming an NP. Earning a DNP allows NPs to display the DNP designation next to their name or role as an NP. An RN might decide to apply to a DNP program after gaining some clinical work experience, although they might alternatively decide to earn an MSN instead.

What Is an NP?

NP refers to a nurse practitioner, which is different from the registered nurse designation.

An RN is a nurse who has completed either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. RNs must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain licensure in order to practice.¹ This role is considered to be an entry-level one.

RNs may decide to enhance their career qualifications by heading back to school. If an RN earns either a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, completes advanced clinical training and obtains board certification in their NP specialty area, then they can become a licensed NP.²

An NP is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). NPs may also be referred to as certified nurse practitioners (CNPs). The broader category of APRNs also includes the following non-NP designations:

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified nurse-midwife (CNM)

All certified NPs are trained to deliver healthcare at a high level. They are skilled clinicians who are authorized to independently provide patient care in various settings. NPs focus on health education and promotion, disease prevention, diagnostics and the management of acute and chronic medical conditions.

A nurse practitioner may specialize in a particular patient population. For example, they may focus on pediatrics, family practice or geriatrics. Women’s health and internal medicine are other specialization possibilities.

What Can a DNP Do That an NP Cannot?

When it comes to the differences between a nurse practitioner vs. Doctor of Nursing Practice designation, there is no difference in the scope of practice; an MSN-prepared NP has the same scope of practice and prescribing authority as a DNP-prepared NP. The difference lies in the degree level.

However, because the DNP may dive into topics like leadership, quality improvement and organizational change, an NP with a DNP may feel more confident about pursuing leadership positions within healthcare organizations.³ In addition, it’s possible that all aspiring NPs will at some point be required to earn a DNP as the minimum academic qualification rather than being able to choose between the MSN and DNP.⁴

Should You Earn a Master’s Degree or a Doctorate?

It’s currently possible to become an NP with either a master’s degree or a doctorate degree, along with advanced clinical training, APRN board certification and an APRN license.

It can be tempting to choose a master’s degree program because it requires fewer credits. However, think carefully before you opt for a master’s over a DNP. There are many compelling reasons to choose a doctorate instead, not the least of which is the potential that credentialing requirements may change, rendering a master’s degree insufficient.⁴

A task force with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) invested nearly four years of research into investigating the issue of whether APRNs should be required to earn a doctorate. That culminated with a vote by the AACN’s member-affiliated schools, which endorsed the move toward a doctorate requirement.⁵

Currently, a DNP is not yet a requirement. However, it may become a requirement at some point in the future, possibly before aspiring NPs have even completed their master’s degree and obtained certification as an APRN.⁴

In addition to these reasons, it’s worth noting that MSN-prepared NPs are also trained in leadership, research and systems-level change. While DNP programs provide further focus on these areas, MSN-prepared NPs may benefit from expanding their knowledge in the specific content areas of a DNP program.

Key reasons to pursue a doctorate in nursing include:

Quality patient outcomes: DNP programs enhance clinical skills, helping nurses deliver quality care, leading to favorable patient outcomes.⁵
Nursing leadership: Nurses with an MSN focus on clinical specialties, while DNP-prepared nurses often take on leadership roles alongside patient care.³
Furthering knowledge in the field: Terminal degree holders may initiate research to expand field of nursing.
Academic roles: DNP-prepared nurses can transition into teaching, contributing to the education of future healthcare professionals.³

While MSN-prepared NPs are well-trained for direct patient care, pursuing a DNP can help deepen your expertise in leadership and systems change, helping to address modern healthcare challenges. It’s worth noting that it’s not necessary to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prior to pursuing a doctorate. However, some nurses do indeed decide to earn an MSN first, particularly if they have been out of academia for a while.

What To Expect From Your DNP Program

Aspiring NPs may choose to pursue a general Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. It’s also possible to select a degree with a specialization. For example, if you think you might like to enter academia in order to teach future nurses, you could earn a DNP that has a specialization in education leadership.

The specific DNP curriculum will vary from one school to the next. In general, however, you may expect to examine topics such as the following:

Healthcare informatics, with a look at ethical, regulatory and legal requirements
Emerging challenges in human health
Fundamentals in evidence-based healthcare delivery, including literature reviews and the application of research in practical contexts
The development of strategies intended to improve patient outcomes and patient safety

Courses for your DNP program may be available in online formats, allowing you to learn from anywhere and fit courses around your work schedule. However, you’ll need access to a clinical site in order to complete the required practicum hours.

Learn More About the DNP Nursing Programs at GCU

Grand Canyon University aims to empower nurses to provide quality patient care while working toward their career goals. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers the Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to experienced clinicians. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your program options.

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GCE Editorial Team