Difference between doctoral program and nurse practitioner program

[iluvnoodles]

Hello everyone!

I am looking into going for a doctoral program in nursing. Originally, I was going to go for ARNP, however one of my colleagues at work is advising me to do doctorates. I am not really sure what the difference is in doctoral vs ARNP. Does one receive a masters degree with a docotorates as well? If any one can give clarify the two or refer me to a website, I would greatly appreciate it. I recently am certified in WOCN and I am looking for the "next". I know that I right now I don't care for research but who knows what I would want to do in nursing in 10years.

thank you!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Just like RNs have different entry levels, so too do NPs. There are MSN NP programs and DNP NP programs. Like with RNs pushing for BSNs, there is a push for NPs to have a DNP over an MSN.

Doctorates, like MSNs, can also be non-clinical. Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Just like RNs have different entry levels, so too do NPs. There are MSN NP programs and DNP NP programs. Like with RNs pushing for BSNs, there is a push for NPs to have a DNP over an MSN.

Doctorates, like MSNs, can also be non-clinical. Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.

This.

Just like the ADN, BSN, whatever is the degree you hold and the RN is the license, it's very similar with NP certifications.

The DNP (or MSN, whatever) is the degree one holds, and NP is the certification. There are a ton of different NP certs.

I wasn't married to the idea of getting my doctorate, but now that I'm done with it I love the idea of never having to go back to school if I don't want to. (And right now, I don't!) A new grad NP is a new grad NP. It doesn't make much of a difference in your clinical skills starting out, although I did do a residency before graduating, but there are some leadership and research hours that aren't part of a MSN.