DNP & MD :What's the Difference?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

I'd like to go all the way to DNP, but I want to know what the major differences are between a DNP and an MD?

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I'd like to go all the way to DNP, but I want to know what the major differences are between a DNP and an MD?

*** An MD is a graduate of medical school and a physician who completed a residency of 3-7 years. Lisenced physicians can treat patients, do surgery or any medical prodecure (depending on specialty) and are independant providers who are ultimatly responsible.

A DNP is a degree held by some nurses. Reguardless of degree an RN is an RN and the scope of practice is the same for all in any given state. Some DNP programs prepare RN to become nurse practitioners (NP) or other mid level health care provider. In those cases they can be lisenced to provide health care either independantly (even in states where this is allowed it seldom happens) or with supervision of a physician, depending on the state. Typical role for NPs is providing basic primary care. However like physicians and regular RNs they may specialize into other areas. In most cases an NP is not ultimatly responsible for the outcomes, though they may in some situations. Most advanced practice RNs do not have DNPs but do have masters degrees.

Some (many?) RNs who have earned DNPs are not advanced practice nurses like NPs. We have several RNs who hold DNPs working as staff nurses in my hospital.

*** An MD is a graduate of medical school and a physician who completed a residency of 3-7 years. Lisenced physicians can treat patients, do surgery or any medical prodecure (depending on specialty) and are independant providers who are ultimatly responsible.

A DNP is a degree held by some nurses. Reguardless of degree an RN is an RN and the scope of practice is the same for all in any given state. Some DNP programs prepare RN to become nurse practitioners (NP) or other mid level health care provider. In those cases they can be lisenced to provide health care either independantly (even in states where this is allowed it seldom happens) or with supervision of a physician, depending on the state. Typical role for NPs is providing basic primary care. However like physicians and regular RNs they may specialize into other areas. In most cases an NP is not ultimatly responsible for the outcomes, though they may in some situations. Most advanced practice RNs do not have DNPs but do have masters degrees.

Some (many?) RNs who have earned DNPs are not advanced practice nurses like NPs. We have several RNs who hold DNPs working as staff nurses in my hospital.

And what of FNP-DNPs? Is there more independence involved in their role?

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
And what of FNP-DNPs? Is there more independence involved in their role?

*** FNP-DNP = Family Nurse Practitioner - Doctor of Nurse Practice.

The FNP is a primary care nurse practitioner who can see patients of any age in the primary care area. In some states they can not see acute care (hospital) patients. Their independance depends on the state they practice in. An FNP is an FNP reguardless of their degree (most have masters). the DNP itself does not increase a FNPs scope of practice in any way and in no way are they compairable to a physician in training, scope of practice or pay.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I hope you understand that MD is a terminal professional degree and DNP is not. Some advanced practice nurses have DNPs and most do not. Some DNPs are advanced practice nurses and some are not. All MDs are physicians (assuming they have passed their USMLE and residency).

In some universities if you want to be an advanced practice nurse you must go throught their DNP program. Some universities train NPs at the masters level. There are also DNP programs that do not include training as as advanced practice nurses. There are also DNP programs for FNPs who currently hold MSNs who want to complete a DNP. Completeing the DNP in no way increased their scope of practice or increases their independance. You can find RN who have DNPs working as bedside RNs doing exactly the same job and paid the same as their co-workers who have associates degrees. Most of them I know are hoping to move up into managment but that hasn't happend for them yet.

Specializes in Oncology.

My understanding is that a DNP, along with all doctorate degrees, are considered terminal degrees. You can always do post doctorate work, but there's no degree higher than doctor.

Specializes in FNP, ONP.

PMFB misspoke above. The DNP is most certainly a terminal professional degree. I know this because I hold one, lol. I am a FNP in independent practice. My scope is determined by the state and is independent of the DNP. MSN NP providers here are also independent providers. Our (all NPs) scope of practice is equal to physicians, as is our base pay and bonus structure here (in our company). They way the salary structure is set up is a bit complicated to explain. The physicians do make a tad bit more, but they do because their residency is considered (rightly so) experience. A "new" medical doctor having completed a residency has 3 or 4 years experience. That puts them on the second tier of the salary schedule. A new NP doesn't have that and starts out on the first tier. In 3 years, that same MD/DO is still on the 2nd tier, and the NP moves up, and then they are earning the same base. Depending upon who earns more bonuses, it is possible for the NP then to 'out earn' the physician. Also, different specialties have different bases. Family practice does not earn the same base as dermatology, obviously. I can bonus my little heart out, I am never going to out earn the dermatologists, no matter how many doctorates I have. ;)

In this state FNPs are not restricted to primary care and many of my colleagues do work as hospitalists or as acute in-patient providers. All of the above is a luxury of location, location, location, lol. It would not be different for me, at this time, if I held the MSN instead. As I do hold a doctorate degree, I am eligible to run for office within my company after 5 years of service. I have zero interest in doing so, but providers with masters degrees are ineligible. There is money involved there, as much as an additional $75k a year depending upon the position, which may be a motivator to some. I feel I work enough hours as it is. I don't need what amounts to another part-time job, lol.

I understand some DNPs are not APNs, but I have never met one personally that is not a NP, CRNA or CNM. I am a Duke DNP graduate; of the 20 students in my class, all 20 were APNs, but quite a few were dual faculty/providers. I have a number of classmates who have secured tenure track positions at top tier schools with their DNP. I do not know how many Universities are doing so, but I believe we are beyond the tipping point and so if you have an interest in academia, it should prove helpful to you. Back in the day when I was in nursing administration, it was my MBA that was believed valuable. I think those are a dime a dozen now. I am really not 'in the know' about what the current capitol is in nursing administration land. Having been through a DNP program, I do not see it's applicability to administration myself, so I can see why people hoping to use the degree to parlay to a hospital administration career are frustrated. It seems like a poor choice; probably a degree in health care administration would have been more pragmatic. In any event, while versatile, it is (IMO) best suited to those with some active clinical practice.

Your question, specifically, is how does it differ from the MD. The easy answer is that MD is a Doctor of Medicine and a DNP is a Doctor of Nursing. The honest answer is complex. The best way to answer the question I think you are really asking: what is the difference in day to day practice? Answer: it depends. It depends where you are. Where I am, no difference at all. We are completely interchangeable. In, say, Alabama? A world of difference. I've never been to Alabama, but from what I have read, a DNP and $5 will buy you a latte. The role and scope of a APN are determined by the state practice act, not the degree. I think that is the most frequently misunderstood aspect.

If you are trying to choose a path for yourself, there are many variables to consider. I don't think one is a better career path than the other, but I do see good rationale for different people to choose one or the other in differing circumstances. I think you have to ask yourself what it is that you want to be doing, where and when you envision yourself doing it, and what obstacles are you aware of at the present time that have to be planned for immediately? What resources do you have? Those answers would frame the way I would make my initial choices.

I love my DNP. It is the smartest thing I ever did educationally speaking, and I feel tremendously enriched by the experience. I know I am a better NP because of the experience than I would have been without it, and I know that I am a better business person as well. Since I am running my own practice inside a consortium, this has been critically important. I am also an innovator and taking that leap, sticking my neck out there and doing something "outside the box," so radically different from what all of my colleagues do, especially as a new NP, is not something I would be confident enough to have attempted without the experience provided by my DNP work. I also had some extremely valuable experiences in school that prepared me for my current passion, which had me in front of my state legislature speaking about my innovation, it's successes (and failures) and advocating for it's implementation on a wider level. How many NPs with 3 years experience are primed to do that? Some perhaps, but lets be frank, not a lot. My DNP education equipped me and inspired me. I firmly believe I got an outstanding educational experience that has prepared me to do great things for my patients and community. I strongly recommend every NP consider it.

The DNP is controversial, and maybe it is not for everyone. It is not "fluff" (that characterization would be offensive if it were not so steeped in ignorance); it is both vastly more rigorous and rewarding than you could anticipate. The naysayers are correct in that it is not necessary for competent advanced practice, but IMO it is ideal for the actualization of the individual NP, as well as the profession as a whole. Good luck to you!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
My understanding is that a DNP, along with all doctorate degrees, are considered terminal degrees. You can always do post doctorate work, but there's no degree higher than doctor.

*** I understand doctorate is a termanal degree. However it was the terminal professional aspect I was refering to. Since a DNP does not mean you have been prepared for a particular profession in the way MD does. It MAY mean that but it may not. I work with several staff RNs who work in my hospital who got their DNP online from University of Phoenix and as far as I can tell they were not prepared for any particular profession. They certainly are not advanced practice nurses. Maybe I missunderstand. If so please enlighten me.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
PMFB misspoke above. The DNP is most certainly a terminal professional degree. I know this because I hold one,

*** Sorry for my misunderstanding. I thought that since DNP didn't necessarily prepare an nurse for any particular profession that it wasn't a terminal professional degree in the way an MD does.

BTW that is fantastic that years of experience for years of experience you are compensated the same as the physicians you work with. I am sure the NPs in the health system where I work would LOVE that. I thinks it's an unusual situation though?

The general public understands what an MD is.

If you are DNP, prepare to do a lot of explaining who you are and why you are here.

I work with several staff RNs who work in my hospital who got their DNP online from University of Phoenix and as far as I can tell they were not prepared for any particular profession. They certainly are not advanced practice nurses. Maybe I missunderstand. If so please enlighten me.

Not sure what you mean by this. Anyone who holds a doctorate in nursing has earned the highest degree you can take in nursing, which is the definition of "terminal degree," and they are certainly prepared for the "particular profession" of nursing, the same as someone who has earned an MD is prepared to practice medicine. Specialization or advanced practice nursing doesn't really enter into the question.

(However, I'm certainly not defending on-line proprietary nursing programs -- I think they make us all look bad ...)

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

It seems there is a lot of confusion over nursing doctorates. I know that the goal is to have a DNP or "practice doctorate" and a PhD or "research-oriented" doctorate.

My understanding is that a DNP is not specifically meant to indicate a doctorate-level NP only. An NP can be a DNP but you don't have to be a nurse practitioner to have a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Is that still correct? Anyway I got my info from this document.

The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice

+ Add a Comment