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Doctor of Nursing

Today's nurse has greater educational advancement opportunities than ever before. Not only can a nurse go on to graduate school to earn a master's degree in nursing, but he/she can also take their education one step further to doctorate level.

The Doctor of Nursing (N.D.) degree and the Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc.) degree provide a clinical focus with emphasis on patient care. The N.D. graduate is prepared as an expert clinician, leader and decision maker with extensive scientific and highly specialized knowledge which is necessary for a career as an advanced clinical specialist, nurse practitioner, teacher, consultant or manager of a clinical practice.

The Doctor of Nursing Science program places additional emphasis on research. Clinical research is needed to influence health care systems and develop health care policies. Specialization at the advanced-practice level is offered in areas of medical/ surgical nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, parent/child health nursing, oncology (cancer) nursing, community health nursing, gerontological nursing (elderly care) and rehabilitation nursing.

Job Outlook
As medical technology continues to advance, nurses with higher levels of education will be in greater demand.

Educational Requirements
Depending on the university, there may be several ways to enter a doctor of nursing program such as: