Are you ready to elevate your nursing career and become a leader in healthcare? Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are designed for nurses seeking the highest level of practice expertise. At Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, our DNP programs prepare you to lead healthcare innovation and influence policy, grounded in nursing science, evidence-based practice, and strong leadership principles.
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing ranked #1 for DNP programs by US News & World Report 2024
With unparalleled access to world-renowned nursing faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and unique interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities across the Johns Hopkins network, you will gain the advanced skills to translate research into practice and drive meaningful change in healthcare.
DNP Advanced Practice Programs: Become a Nurse Leader at the Forefront of Patient Care
Our DNP Advanced Practice programs are tailored for nurses aspiring to become nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists. This track focuses on developing your expertise in specialized clinical areas, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to provide advanced patient care and improve health outcomes. You will build strong professional relationships with our esteemed faculty and collaborate with fellow emerging nurse leaders, graduating ready to transform the healthcare system and advance the nursing profession.
DNP Advanced Practice program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, preparing nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists
Specializations within the DNP Advanced Practice track include:
- Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care NP: Specialize in the comprehensive care of pediatric patients across primary and acute care settings.
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Focus on providing advanced mental health care across the lifespan.
- Nurse Anesthesia: Become an expert in anesthesia administration, ensuring patient safety and comfort during medical procedures.
- DNP Advanced Practice/PhD: Combine advanced practice expertise with rigorous research training for a career that bridges clinical leadership and scientific inquiry.
DNP Executive Programs: Leading Healthcare Systems and Policy
The DNP Executive track is designed for experienced nurses seeking to lead at the organizational and policy levels. This program emphasizes the analytical skills and evidence-based practice principles necessary to address complex healthcare challenges. You will delve into significant healthcare problems aligned with your interests and professional experience, applying your learning in real-time within your practice setting. The curriculum culminates in an intensive final project, allowing you to forge your own intellectual path and make a tangible impact on healthcare delivery.
DNP Executive track at Johns Hopkins, developing healthcare leaders with analytical and evidence-based practice skills
PhD in Nursing: Advancing the Science of Nursing
While our DNP programs focus on practice leadership, we also offer a PhD in Nursing for those interested in advancing the theoretical foundations of nursing practice and healthcare delivery through research. The PhD program at Johns Hopkins provides access to world-renowned faculty and cutting-edge resources to develop and implement a scientific research program. Graduates are prepared for research-intensive careers in academia and beyond, contributing to the expanding body of nursing knowledge.
PhD in Nursing at Johns Hopkins, advancing nursing science and healthcare delivery through research
Dual Degree DNP Options: Expanding Your Leadership Potential
For nurses seeking to broaden their expertise and leadership capabilities, our dual degree programs integrate the DNP with advanced training in business or public health. These programs, offered in collaboration with other top-ranked Johns Hopkins schools, position you for executive roles requiring systems-level thinking to improve population health and lead patient care initiatives at corporate levels.
Dual degree DNP programs at Johns Hopkins, combining nursing with MBA or MPH for executive leadership roles
DNP vs. PhD: Understanding the Difference
Choosing between a DNP and a PhD depends on your career aspirations. The DNP is a practice-focused doctorate, preparing you for leadership roles in clinical settings and healthcare organizations. The PhD is a research-focused doctorate, preparing you for a career in scientific discovery and academic research.
| Comparison | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Objectives | Prepare expert practice leaders to apply research to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. | Prepare nurse scientists to conduct original research that expands the scientific foundation of nursing. |
| Competencies and Content | Focus on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems leadership, and healthcare policy. | Focus on research methodology, statistical analysis, theory development, and scientific inquiry. |
| Program Outcome | Practice leaders in advanced clinical roles, healthcare administration, executive leadership, and health policy. | Nurse scientists, researchers, and academics contributing to nursing science and healthcare innovation through research. |
| Hopkins Program Hallmarks | Intensive practice immersion experiences with expert clinical faculty, applying evidence-based solutions in real-world settings. | Intensive mentored research experiences with established faculty investigators and funded research programs. |
| Final Project | A DNP capstone project focused on implementing and evaluating evidence-based practice improvements. | A PhD dissertation involving original research, contributing new knowledge to the field of nursing. |
“Prior to joining the PhD program, I felt like I was spinning my wheels. Now I feel empowered to advocate for what I know will help patients and have the tools and soon will have the credentials to do that.”
Testimonial from Emily Hoppe, PhD student at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, highlighting program empowerment
Emily Hoppe
If you are driven to lead practice innovation and improve healthcare outcomes, a Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is your path to achieving your professional goals.
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