Doctor of Philososphy [Ph.D] [Nursing Practice] From Western Carolina University

The D.N.P. is a 42-semester hour (post-master level) program that also includes 1,000 clinical practice hours (including 500 from MSN program). The classroom curriculum will focus on subjects like Health Care Policy and Ethics; Global Health and Social Justice; Economics of the Health Care System; and other 800-level courses. During your clinical residency you will also complete a Scholarly Project that will address complex issues affecting groups of patients, health care organizations or health care systems. The Scholarly Project utilizes a student’s understanding of informatics, technology, and in-depth knowledge of the clinical and behavioral sciences.

A D.N.P. gives you the opportunity to continue clinical work at a public hospital or private practice, advance to administrative roles in the health care system, teach postsecondary courses to the next generation of nurses, research best practice policies or pursue other professional opportunities. According to NursingLink.com the average salary for D.N.P. degree holders is $95,000. If you’re looking to explore teaching, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing states there is a shortage of qualified nursing faculty with doctoral-level degrees.