DNP vs. PhD: Choosing Your Path in Doctoral Nursing at Georgetown

The main difference between a PhD in Nursing and a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is focus: A PhD prepares you for research and scholarship to generate new nursing knowledge to advance nursing science, while a DNP prepares you for advanced practice and healthcare leadership and advocacy to translate research into practice.

You’re ready to be a leader for change in nursing. You see health inequities that demand attention, questions that need answers, and policies that could transform care.

At Georgetown’s Berkley School of Nursing, both our PhD in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs prepare you to reach the highest levels of the profession fully prepared to be a nurse leader. Which doctoral path is the best fit for you and the change you want to make depends on how you want to create impact.

Both programs are grounded in Georgetown’s Jesuit values of cura personalis, or care of the whole person, and in the commitment to seek health equity. Whether you pursue research or practice leadership, you’ll work at the intersection of knowledge and action, where ideas transform into meaningful change.

PhD vs. DNP Degrees at a Glance

What is a PhD in Nursing? Understanding Georgetown’s Research-Focused Doctoral Program

Georgetown’s PhD in Nursing program is full-time and based at our Capitol Campus in downtown Washington, D.C. It’s designed for nurses who want to become nurse scientists and advance the nursing discipline through original research focused on ethics, policy and health equity.

What You’ll Study in the PhD Program

The PhD path immerses you in inquiry and knowledge development. Outstanding faculty leaders will mentor you as you design and conduct original research. The program typically takes four to five years to complete and requires full-time residency in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the program helps students develop a research plan for addressing the complex drivers of health at individual, group, organizational, systems and community levels. The program draws upon the interdisciplinary and intellectual richness of the globally recognized, values-based Georgetown community, connecting across disciplines such as ethics, law, philosophy, medicine and policy.

PhD Research Focus Areas

Research options are extensive, including such potential topics as violence prevention in vulnerable populations, perinatal mental health disparities in rural communities, cancer and palliative care, behavioral health and well-being, and the medical consequences of systemic inequities. The questions are yours to pursue, supported by faculty who view health equity, ethics and policy as the compass for nursing science.

PhD Career Paths

As nurse scientists, PhD graduates lead in research, scholarship and novel interventions to positively impact existing health inequities. With a PhD in nursing, student career paths can include:

• Academic positions training the next generation of nurses at universities
• Research at institutions discovering new knowledge through funded studies
• Roles in policy settings translating evidence into healthcare policy and action
• Community health organizations designing and implementing interventions grounded in science
• Healthcare consulting providing research-backed expertise to healthcare systems

According to various sources, nurse scientists with PhDs can earn between $90,000-$175,000+ depending on their experience, role, and institution or employment in industry.

What is a DNP? Understanding Georgetown’s Practice-Focused Doctoral Program

Georgetown’s DNP programs prepare you to translate research into practice through leadership in academia and healthcare organizations, and advocate for policies that improve population health. Georgetown offers two entry points:

1. Executive DNP (part-time) in health systems leadership and policy for nurses with graduate degrees (master’s or doctoral) already in advanced nursing roles
2. Clinical DNP (full-time and part-time options) for nurses with bachelor’s degrees who are pursuing an APRN role

What You’ll Study in the DNP Program

Led by faculty experts from practice and those steeped in effecting change, the DNP programs integrate evidence-based practice with organizational leadership and ethics to prepare you to improve patient care delivery in an increasingly complex healthcare system. You’ll develop expertise in implementing quality and safety initiatives, integrating economic and financial principles into practice, and evaluating ethical and legal challenges in healthcare.

DNP Scholarly Project vs. PhD Dissertation

Unlike the PhD dissertation that generates original research, DNP candidates complete a scholarly project that translates existing evidence into practice innovations. You might design an obstetrical emergency response system, implement a mentorship program that reduces burnout, or develop interventions that address care disparities in underserved communities.

DNP Career Paths

DNP graduates educate advanced nurses, lead in healthcare organizations and teams, implementing evidence-based care informed by the most current research. With a DNP, students advance from direct patient care into career roles where they shape systems, influence policy, and guide organizational change.

Executive DNP Graduate Roles:

• Academic and Health System Education Positions
• Executive-level Positions (Director and above)
• C-Suite Positions (Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Nurse Executive, Chief Operating Officer)
• Leader of Advanced Practice (Director, Chief, Vice President, Assistant/Associate Vice President)
• Consulting

Clinical DNP Graduates Roles:

Upon graduation:

• Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife

With Experience:

• Leader of Advanced Practice (Director, Chief, Vice President, Assistant/Associate Vice President)
• Academic and health system education positions
• Various leadership, advocacy, and consulting roles

With a DNP, you’ll improve health outcomes, implement systems-level change, and advocate for policies that improve population health.

According to various sources, a nurse executive can expect to earn $150,000-$350,000, with senior system executive leaders earning significantly more. Factors impacting salary include experience, work setting, location and demand.

DNP Program Format and Flexibility

Our distance-based, online DNP programs with on-campus intensives offer flexibility for practicing nurses and leaders.

The program offers two pathways:

• BSN to DNP; and
• Post-Master’s Executive DNP

The BSN to DNP program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN to DNP program is offered full time and part time. The full-time program can be completed in as few as 33 months and consists of eight 15-week terms. The part-time program consists of 11 15-week terms. Both schedules include in-person experiences.

The BSN to DNP includes clinical preparation for APRN certification in specialties like Midwifery, Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The Executive DNP focuses on systems leadership for those already in advanced roles, with on-campus executive sessions that deepen your Georgetown connection.

Through live, face-to-face classes delivered via video and through on campus visits to Washington, you’ll connect with a diverse cohort of healthcare administrators and nurse leaders.

How Do I Choose Between a PhD and DNP in Nursing?

The decision between a PhD and DNP depends on your career goals, preferred work environment, and how you want to impact healthcare.

Choose the PhD in Nursing if You:

• Want to generate original knowledge through research
• See yourself in academic or research settings
• Are drawn to inquiry, investigation, and the questions no one has answered yet
• Can commit to full-time study in Washington, D.C.
• Want to become a nurse scientist who advances the discipline itself
• Enjoy writing, analysis, and contributing to scientific literature
• Have a passion for dismantling health inequities and driving positive health outcomes

Choose the DNP if You:

• Want to translate evidence into practice, leadership and policy
• See themselves leading healthcare organizations or clinical teams
• Are energized by solving practical problems and implementing change
• Prefer the flexibility of pursuing degree while practicing and growing professionally
• Want to shape how care is delivered at the systems level
• Prefer hands-on leadership and direct impact on patient care
• Want to maintain clinical practice while advancing your career

Frequently Asked Questions About a PhD vs. DNP

Can you practice as a nurse with a PhD?

Yes, but a PhD does not provide clinical certification. PhD-prepared nurses often hold prior clinical credentials (RN, APRN) but focus primarily on research, teaching and scholarship rather than direct patient care.

Can you teach nursing with a DNP?

Yes, DNP-prepared nurses can teach, especially in clinical, leadership, and practice-focused courses. However, tenure-track research faculty positions at universities typically require a PhD.

Which is better, PhD or DNP?

Neither is “better” — they serve different purposes. Choose based on whether you want to generate new knowledge through research (PhD) or apply existing knowledge to improve practice and systems (DNP).

How long does each program take?

Georgetown’s PhD in Nursing typically takes four to five years full-time. DNP programs vary: BSN to DNP takes three to four years, while Post-Master’s Executive DNP can be completed in two to three years part-time.

Can I work while completing these programs?

The PhD requires full-time commitment while completing coursework. Students engaged in PhD studies can work a limited number of hours per week while in the program.  DNP programs are designed for working professional nurses and offer part-time, distance-based and hybrid formats with flexibility.

Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career at Georgetown

Whether you pursue a PhD or DNP, Georgetown prepares you to serve as an ethical leader with a deep commitment to health equity. We challenge your mind with intellectual rigor. Our faculty inspire empathy for those whose health is shaped by inequity and build resilience for the work required.

Ready to explore which doctoral path aligns with your vision for nursing leadership?

• Learn more about the PhD in Nursing program
• Explore our DNP programs
• Contact our admissions team to discuss your goals and determine the best fit
• Schedule an admissions appointment to discuss your plan forward