comment1 The main difference between a DNP and a PhD in nursing is one is research based and the other is more practice based.  “The Ph.D. is research- and science-oriented, and it prepares graduates to develop new, evidence-based knowledge for the nursing profession.

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The main difference between a DNP and a PhD in nursing is one is research based and the other is more practice based.  “The Ph.D. is research- and science-oriented, and it prepares graduates to develop new, evidence-based knowledge for the nursing profession. (There is also a DNS, which stands for doctor of nursing science, and it is roughly equivalent to a Ph.D. in terms of its scope and focus.) Ph.D. graduates can lead research teams and design and implement studies that address disease trajectories and care systems. They are well versed in statistics, data analysis, and scientific theory; and they will find jobs either in research or in education.  The DNP is focused on advancing an understanding of nursing practice. The curriculum emphasizes both clinical and leadership skills. Graduates will be poised to translate nursing research into evidence-based standards of care – allowing them to lead interdisciplinary care teams, improve care systems, and evaluate outcomes among specific patient populations” (The Sentinel Watch, 2014).

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The Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] is research and science-oriented, and it prepares graduates to develop new, evidence-based knowledge for the nursing profession. They are well versed in statistics, data analysis, and scientific theory; and they will find jobs either in research or in education. The Doctor of Nursing Practice [DNP] is focused on advancing an understanding of nursing practice. The curriculum emphasizes both clinical and leadership skills. Graduates will be poised to translate nursing research into evidence-based standards of care – allowing them to lead interdisciplinary care teams, improve care systems, and evaluate outcomes among specific patient populations (American Sentinel University, 2014).

The type of nursing that I am passionate about is direct contact with the patients and their families. Now that I have a better understanding between DNP and PhD, I would continue my education journey towards obtaining my DNP. While I appreciate what the PhD nurse will provide to the future of nursing through research, I feel that my strong suit is putting that research into practice to improve the delivery of health care. I chose nursing as a career to serve people in their suff