A DNP degree refers to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, which comes with several benefits after you earn one. DNP nurses are sought after by employers in the medical field and are leaders in the world of nursing.
If you’re considering earning your DNP degree, you’ll first want to know all the benefits. There are seven primary benefits to consider, which you can discover in the article below!
1. Have Increased Job Security
DNP nurses are more in demand, meaning you’ll have a higher level of job security. These professionals are essential during the nursing shortage because they act in leadership roles. Plus, you’ll have the edge over the competition when applying for advanced nursing positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that jobs for advanced practice nurses, including DNPs, will grow by 45% until 2030. This number is much higher than many other job positions in the United States.
Overall, job security is very important today. Any steps you can take to secure a reliable, stable job are essential— a DNP degree can help you do exactly that.
2. Access a Higher Salary
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Increasing your salary is another huge benefit that a DNP can provide. Since you have more training and expertise in the field, you can access higher salaries than you could with the undergraduate degree alone. As a DNP, you have more high-paying positions available to you.
Your salary as a nurse varies a lot based on your experience, and having a DNP shows that you have a ton of experience. With this degree, you can practice nursing at the highest level, bringing about higher pay.
Depending on location, experience, and specialty, DNP nurses average about $126,480 annually. That means you can make much more than that if you have more experience. DNPs also receive increases in their pay often after their first year working at a clinic, practice, or hospital.
In short, DNPs have access to an extremely high salary. If you want to earn more money as a nurse, then this degree is one of the best things you can pursue now.
3. Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
DNPs are many respected leadership positions, putting them in a unique place to educate and train new nurses from their hands-on experiences in the field. You can have a significant impact on those just starting on their career path.
Plus, DNP nurses can teach as educators. Your experiences allow you to teach nursing skills and theories to your students in a medical setting, which helps them to learn better.
Overall, nurses in all fields are very in demand now. You can help prepare the next generation of nurses by teaching them everything you know. DNPs can even have meaningful impacts on how schools handle the education of nurses, so it’s very fulfilling to act as an educator.
4. Gain More Expertise in Your Specialty
DNPs gain increased expertise in their specialties. No matter what you’ve chosen, you can benefit from applying more focus to your nursing concentration. You can take a deeper look into your specialty and further develop your skills in a specialty that interests you.
If you’re passionate about your specialty, you’ll enjoy learning as much as possible about it. Having a DNP degree demonstrates that you understand and know more about this specialty than others— making you a certified expert in that area.
Some specialties even have higher salaries or are more in demand than others so that you can benefit in those ways too.
So, if you’re passionate about your work, why not pursue your DNP? You’ll love learning more about your specialty and can demonstrate your deep knowledge of the field.
5. You Can Pursue a DNP While Working
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Next, you can pursue your DNP while working as a nurse and fit your classes around your busy schedule. Today, you can earn a DNP online, meaning you won’t have to move to attend education.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the nursing field. You learn from experience nurses and gain knowledge and insight that can only come from those who’ve worked as a nurse for many years. There’s a lot these experts can teach you from their experiences that you won’t find in books or online.
Pursuing a DNP online allows you to access these professionals and tailor your classes to your work schedule. Many nursing practices will even reimburse you for the tuition, so your schooling is free and flexible.
Finally, it doesn’t take as long to earn your DNP as you might think. While the American Nurses Association requires at least four years of education, but many accelerated programs can help you achieve your DNP faster than that.
6. Your Knowledge Stays Current
The medical field is constantly changing, so you’ll want to make sure you learn and grow with it. Otherwise, you can quickly grow out of touch with current medical information.
Getting your DNP allows you to stay connected with your education as medical practices advance and change. You’ll better understand several crucial factors that play into patient care.
Experts always keep DNP degree programs up-to-date, so you can trust that you’re learning important, current information in all of your classes.
7. Increase Opportunities
Lastly, more nursing opportunities will open up to you when you earn your DNP degree. You can move into a different specialty or move up within your current specialty. You can also qualify for many more advanced positions in your field.
You can even become your own boss with a DNP, as many states allow DNP nurses to run their own clinics. More and more nurses are taking advantage of these opportunities to open clinics of their own.
Start Your DNP Degree Today
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The sooner you start to work on earning your DNP degree, the sooner you’ll see the benefits. You’ll have a higher salary and a more secure job, and you can even pass your knowledge on to the next generation of professionals. So, there are plenty of reasons to set your DNP as your next career goal.
