For nurses looking to advance their careers and make a bigger impact in health care, earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree provides the skills and knowledge to take on leadership roles and drive improvements in patient care and health care systems. As the demand for highly skilled nursing professionals grows, a D.N.P. equips graduates with the expertise to design strategies for complex health care challenges, lead teams and  improve patient outcomes.

What is a D.N.P. degree?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is a terminal degree in nursing, representing the highest level of education in clinical nursing practice. Unlike a research-focused Ph.D. in nursing, the D.N.P. emphasizes using evidence-based practice to improve patient care. The program combines advanced clinical training with leadership, policy and health care management skills, preparing graduates to drive change—whether in direct care at the bedside, in executive roles, in academia or across entire health care systems.

As health care evolves—with new technology, policy shifts and a stronger focus on patient-centered care—nurses with a D.N.P. degree are equipped to address these challenges, improving care coordination, implementing evidence-based practices and influencing systems and policies to enhance health care quality and access. While D.N.P. prepared nurses can work in a variety of roles, many are working as direct care nurse practitioners in a variety of health care settings. For those who want to continue to engage in clinical practice as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), the D.N.P. degree provides an excellent pathway towards this role.

Is a D.N.P. right for you?

Ideal candidates for VCU’s D.N.P. program are forward-thinking, self-disciplined and collaborative nurses committed to expanding their skills and using research, data and innovation to solve health care’s most pressing challenges.

Our program is designed for nurses at all stages of their careers, including those early in their professional journey or those with many years of professional experience. Nurses who aspire to lead in advanced practice, patient care, health care systems, policy and more can find a niche at VCU. This degree prepares graduates to evaluate practice initiatives using outcomes data, apply evidence-based strategies to drive meaningful change and lead advanced decision-making to influence health policies and improve care delivery.

A key part of this preparation is VCU’s rigorous clinical education, which spans a variety of specialty areas and is led by faculty members who have years of expertise in their fields and are well-established local professionals. To further support hands-on training, the school pairs D.N.P. students in practice concentrations with experienced nurse practitioner preceptors, ensuring they gain real-world experience and mentorship in their chosen specialty.

Career advancement and professional growth

Completing a D.N.P. prepares nurses for leadership and advanced practice roles beyond traditional bedside nursing. Our graduates step into executive leadership positions, direct patient care as advanced practice nurses, lead quality improvement initiatives and shape health care policy at the organizational, state and national levels.

Our D.N.P. graduates take on high-impact leadership roles such as clinical educators, lead nurse practitioners, nurse managers, chief nursing officers, health care administrators, clinical directors and faculty positions. They lead interdisciplinary teams, redesign care models and shape policies that improve patient outcomes and promote health equity, thanks to the comprehensive training and hands-on experience provided by the VCU program.

Students at VCU benefit from education provided in collaboration with dynamic health care environments, including a strong partnership with VCU Health, a Magnet-designated academic medical center. These collaborations provide invaluable experience in patient care and health care delivery, preparing students to tackle complex challenges in real-world settings.

Ready to lead

Beyond career advancement, the D.N.P. cultivates advanced skills in critical thinking, strategic decision-making and problem-solving. With a strong focus on leadership development, the program equips nurses to address health care challenges at a systems level, foster collaboration across disciplines and ensure sustainable improvements in patient care and operational efficiency.