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College of Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
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    • Doctor of Nursing Practice vs. Doctor of Philosophy
  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. College of Nursing
  3. Future Students
  4. Nursing Program Options
  5. Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
  6. Frequently Asked Questions About the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
  7. Doctor of Nursing Practice vs. Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Nursing Practice vs. Doctor of Philosophy

Program of Study

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Objectives — Prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice
  • Competencies — See AACN’s The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021)

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Objectives — Prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing science to conduct research to advance the science of nursing
  • Content — See The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence (2010)

Students

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Commitment to practice career
  • Oriented toward improving outcomes of patient care and population health

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Commitment to research career
  • Oriented toward developing new nursing knowledge and scientific inquiry

Program Faculty

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Practice or research doctorate in nursing, and expertise in area teaching
  • Leadership experience in area of role and population practice
  • High level of expertise in practice congruent with focus of academic program

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Research doctorate in nursing or related field
  • Leadership experience in area of sustained research funding
  • High level of expertise in research congruent with focus of academic program

Resources

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Mentors and/or preceptors in leadership positions across practice settings
  • Access to diverse practice settings with appropriate resources for areas of practice
  • Access to financial aid
  • Access to information and patient-care technology resources congruent with areas of study

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Mentors and/or preceptors in research settings
  • Access to research settings with appropriate resources
  • Access to dissertation support dollars and financial aid
  • Access to information and research technology resources congruent with program of research

Program Assessment and Evaluation

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Program Outcome — Health care improvements and contributions via practice, policy change, and practice scholarship
  • Receives accreditation by nursing accreditor

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Program Outcome — Contributes to health care improvements via the development of new knowledge and scholarly products that provide the foundation for the advancement of nursing science
  • Oversight by the institution’s authorized bodies (i.e., graduate school) and regional accreditors
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Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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