Are you ready to elevate your nursing career and become a leader in healthcare innovation and policy? A Nursing Doctorate from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing provides the highest level of education, preparing you to influence the future of healthcare. Built on a foundation of nursing science and theory, analytical principles, and evidence-based practice, our doctoral programs empower you to lead at the highest organizational levels.
With unparalleled access to world-renowned nursing faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and rich interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities within the Johns Hopkins network, you will gain the expertise to develop and implement impactful research and clinical goals. Discover how a nursing doctorate can transform your career and enable you to shape the future of healthcare.
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Top Ranked for DNP and Master's Programs
Explore Your Doctoral Path in Nursing
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers several pathways to earn your nursing doctorate, each designed to meet diverse career aspirations and professional goals. Whether you are an advanced practice nurse seeking to deepen your clinical expertise or a nurse leader aiming to influence healthcare systems, we have a program for you.
DNP Advanced Practice: Become a Clinical Expert
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Advanced Practice track is designed for nurses seeking to become nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists. This program allows you to unlock your full potential in advanced nursing, fostering close mentorship relationships with our esteemed faculty. You will join a cohort of emerging nurse leaders, graduating prepared to transform the healthcare system and advance the nursing profession through direct patient care.
DNP Advanced Practice
- Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care NP
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Nurse Anesthesia
- DNP Advanced Practice/PhD
DNP Executive: Lead Healthcare Innovation
The DNP Executive track is tailored for experienced nurses who want to lead healthcare organizations and systems. This program equips you with the analytical skills and evidence-based practice principles necessary to address complex healthcare challenges. You will focus on significant healthcare problems relevant to your interests and practice setting, developing real-time solutions and forging your unique intellectual path. The curriculum culminates in an intensive final project experience, allowing you to apply your learning to a significant issue in healthcare leadership.
DNP Executive
PhD in Nursing: Advance Nursing Science
For nurses passionate about research and advancing the scientific foundations of nursing, the PhD in Nursing program at Johns Hopkins is the ideal choice. This program prepares nurse scientists to conduct rigorous research that expands the empirical and theoretical knowledge base of nursing practice and healthcare delivery. You will collaborate with world-renowned faculty, utilize cutting-edge facilities, and engage in interdisciplinary research across Johns Hopkins University. By graduation, our PhD scholars are well-prepared for successful research careers in academia and beyond, often having secured grants to continue their vital work.
PhD
Dual Degree Nursing Doctorate Options
Expand your career horizons with our dual degree programs, which combine a nursing doctorate with another advanced degree from Johns Hopkins University. These innovative programs integrate cutting-edge nursing knowledge with disciplines such as business and public health, positioning you for executive roles that require systems-level thinking to improve population health and lead patient care strategies at the corporate level.
[Dual Degree Options]( )
DNP vs. PhD: Understanding the Difference
Choosing between a DNP and a PhD in nursing is a crucial decision. Here’s a comparison to help you determine which nursing doctorate aligns best with your career aspirations:
| Comparison | DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) | PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing) |
|---|---|---|
| Objectives | To prepare expert practice leaders who can apply and translate research into clinical practice, improving healthcare outcomes. | To prepare nurse scientists and scholars who will conduct original research to expand the scientific foundations of nursing and healthcare. |
| Competencies and Content | Focuses on advanced clinical skills, evidence-based practice implementation, quality improvement, and healthcare systems leadership. | Emphasizes research methodology, theory development, statistical analysis, and the generation of new knowledge in nursing science. |
| Program Outcome | Graduates are prepared for roles such as advanced practice registered nurses (NPs, CRNAs, CNMs, CNSs), executive nurse leaders, and healthcare administrators. | Graduates are prepared for careers as nurse scientists, researchers, and faculty in academic and research-intensive settings. |
| Hopkins Program Hallmarks | Features an intensive practice immersion experience with leading clinical faculty, allowing for real-world application of knowledge. | Offers an intense mentored research experience with established faculty investigators, fostering independent research skills. |
| Final Project | Culminates in a practice-focused DNP capstone project that addresses a real-world healthcare problem through evidence-based solutions. | Requires the completion and defense of an original, independent research dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field of nursing. |
Real-World Impact: Hear From Our PhD Graduates
“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.”
Emily Hoppe
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Journey
Are you ready to advance your career with a nursing doctorate from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing? Connect with our admissions team to get your questions answered and learn more about our programs.
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