Are you a registered nurse looking to reach the pinnacle of your profession and make a significant impact on healthcare? A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing degree can equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills to lead healthcare innovation, influence policy, and transform patient care. At Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, our doctoral programs are founded on the core principles of nursing science and theory, analytical thinking, evidence-based practice, and strong leadership, preparing you to excel at the highest organizational levels.
With unparalleled access to world-renowned nursing faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the prestigious Johns Hopkins network, you will gain the expertise to develop and implement your research and clinical aspirations, ultimately shaping the future of healthcare.
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is No. 1 for DNP, No. 1 (Tied) for Master’s in National Rankings
DNP Advanced Practice: Become an Expert Clinician
For nurses passionate about direct patient care and advanced clinical roles, the DNP Advanced Practice track offers specialized pathways to become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist. This program is designed to unlock your potential in advanced nursing, fostering strong mentorship relationships with our esteemed faculty. You will join a cohort of emerging nurse leaders, building a powerful network while preparing to revolutionize the healthcare system and advance the nursing profession.
Specializations include:
- PEDIATRIC DUAL PRIMARY/ACUTE CARE NP: Focus on providing comprehensive care to pediatric patients across various settings.
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Specialize in mental health care, addressing the complex needs of individuals and communities.
- Nurse Anesthesia: Master the skills to provide safe and effective anesthesia care in diverse clinical environments.
- DNP Advanced Practice/PHD : Combine advanced practice expertise with rigorous research training for a unique career trajectory.
DNP Executive: Lead Healthcare Innovation and Management
The DNP Executive track is tailored for nurses seeking leadership roles in healthcare administration and policy. This program provides you with the analytical skills and evidence-based practice principles necessary to tackle complex healthcare challenges within your practice setting. You will have the opportunity to define your intellectual path and culminate your studies with an intensive final project experience focused on real-world impact.
DNP Executive
PhD in Nursing: Advance Nursing Science Through Research
For nurses driven by scientific inquiry and the desire to expand the frontiers of nursing knowledge, a PhD in Nursing is the ideal path. At Johns Hopkins, our PhD program empowers you to advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery. You will collaborate with world-renowned faculty, utilize cutting-edge research facilities, and engage in interdisciplinary research with leading experts across Johns Hopkins University. By the time you graduate, you will be equipped to lead your own scientific research program and contribute significantly to the body of nursing knowledge, with many scholars securing grants to further their research careers.
PhD
Dual Degree Options: Expanding Your Expertise
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers exceptional dual degree programs that integrate advanced nursing practice with other critical disciplines. These programs, in collaboration with other top-ranked Johns Hopkins schools, position you for executive roles that require systems-level thinking to improve population health or lead patient care strategies at corporate levels. Explore options such as DNP/MBA and DNP/MPH to broaden your skillset and career opportunities.
DNP vs. PhD: Understanding the Difference
Choosing between a DNP and PhD program is a crucial decision. Here’s a comparison to help you determine the best fit for your career goals:
| Comparison | DNP | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Objectives | Prepares nurses at the highest level of nursing practice who will lead in applying and translating research into practice | Prepares nurses at the highest level of nursing science to conduct research that advances the empirical and theoretical foundations of nursing and health care globally |
| Competencies and Content | Knowledge and skills in applying and translating research into practice; leads dissemination and integration of new knowledge in health care organizations | Knowledge and skills in theoretical, methodological, and analytic approaches to the discovery and application of knowledge in nursing and health care |
| Program Outcome | Practice leaders such as an advanced practice nurse caring for individuals or other practice leadership positions in nursing such as health care administration | Nurse scientists prepared for a career in research in academia or other research-intensive environments focused on the design and testing of interventions to advance nursing and health care |
| Hopkins Program Hallmarks | An intense practice immersion experience with expert clinical faculty | An intense mentored research experience with a faculty investigator with an established funded program of research |
| Final Project | A practice application-oriented DNP capstone project | Completion and defense of an original research project |
Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career with a Doctor of Nursing degree program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing?
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