DNP
Doctor of Nursing Practice

DNP

Career exploration guide

This guide provides tools to help you explore careers related to this specialization. Use this information to start researching this field and the opportunities in it. This research can help you make a transition into positions related to this field. Start by gaining an overview of this program and learning about the field, jobs, and employment settings that are related.

About this program

The accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses who want to move into administrative positions, nurse administrators who want to expand their leadership responsibilities, or nurse leaders who want to design and implement healthcare delivery programs. The curriculum emphasizes effective healthcare delivery; patient advocacy; and healthcare policy development, implementation and reform.

Throughout the program, learners gain competency in assessing and applying theory, building professional relationships, implementing evidence-based interventions, and leading and managing in the healthcare environment. Upon successful completion of this degree program, learners will be prepared to apply the knowledge and skills required to meet patient needs and improve healthcare delivery. Registered nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing may pursue Capella’s DNP. This degree program is not designed or intended to meet licensure requirements for any licensed profession.

Skills gained through this program:

This program was designed to help you gain the following skills related to this field:

  • Evaluate and implement evidence-based health promotion, prevention and intervention practices to improve health care outcomes for individuals, aggregates and populations
  • Employ interprofessional collaboration and communication skills to improve patient and population health
  • Learn to lead interprofessional teams in implementing quality and safety improvement initiatives
  • Integrate best evidence and clinical judgment with the core values of nursing to deliver equitable, inclusive person-centered care
  • Apply the advanced communication skills needed to create scholarly products and lead in professional and academic endeavors

Explore this field

Professional associations, social networks, and other industry-specific resources can provide a wealth of information about a specific field or industry, including best practices, career overviews, trends and access to industry professionals. By reviewing website information, attending events, and connecting with people in the field, you can deepen your knowledge about the field. 

Professional associations

Industry information

Explore jobs and employers

In addition to exploring the field, take some time to research specific jobs and employment settings related to this program. Consider how these jobs and settings fit with your experience, skills, interests and values. This is a sample list of job titles and employment settings related to this field. To learn more, review job postings and talk with people who have these roles or work in these settings. You can find these professionals through LinkedIn, family, friends, schools, employers and community groups. Spend time researching your industry and prospective employers to decide whether this type of degree will help advance your career.

Related job titles to explore*

  • Director of clinical development
  • Director of clinical services
  • Director of nursing
  • Global medical affairs leader
  • Medical affairs director

Employment settings to explore*

  • Administration of Veterans’ Affairs
  • Colleges, universities and professional schools
  • General medical and surgical hospitals
  • Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

Job boards

This is a sample of jobs boards with positions related to this field. Use them in your research to identify additional job titles, common hiring requirements and local employers. 

Further exploration

There are a lot of factors that influence whether a career is a fit or not. These can include monetary compensation, benefits, work environment, organization culture, work/life balance, etc. As you consider your career, think about what is important to you in your employer, role and setting. These resources can help you perform this additional exploration.

For a more detailed guide on career exploration, review Capella’s Career Exploration YouTube series that helps you identify what is important to you in your career and how that aligns with the world of work. 

Accreditation

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.