Discussion: Difference Between DNP and PhD in Nursing

Difference Between DNP and PhD in Nursing
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Difference Between DNP and PhD in Nursing
The primary difference between the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is that the former is research-focused, and the latter is practice-based. The DNP emphasizes leadership skills and clinical practice. People who study the DNP translate research into evidence-based practice, improve care systems, evaluate outcomes of specific patient populations, and lead interdisciplinary teams (Neal-Boylan, 2020). On the contrary, the PhD prepares caregivers to develop evidence-based knowledge and skills relevant to nursing. The PhD graduates work in research institutions, lead research teams, implement and design studies, and address illnesses’ trajectories.
If I decide to continue my education to the doctoral level, I will pursue DNP. The DNP will allow me to prioritize clinical practice since I like helping patients. Although nursing research is essential, the most significant thing is applying the knowledge and skills learned in real life. Therefore, pursuing the DNP will help me translate nursing studies into evidence-based practice, which clinicians can use to improve individuals’ living conditions (Giardino & Hickey, 2020). Today, the Internet has mad...