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The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP or DrNP) degree is similar to a Doctor of Nursing Science but with an emphasis on clinical practice rather than research, teaching, or theory. See the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Stance on the Doctor of Nursing Practice [Doctor of Nursing Practice]. The Position Statement from October 2006 provides background information, program listings, frequently asked questions and talking points about the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree [1]. The DNP is more than a leadership role in the discipline of nursing, and for the certified and licensed nurse practitioner, may become the required level of training for practice at that level.

A Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc.) is an advanced-level academic degree in Nursing. When first introduced in the 1970s, the Doctor of Nursing Science was intended to be the "clinical," or practice, based doctorate. However, upon further comparison, the DNSc curriculum was notably similar to that of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which is traditionally a research or education based doctorate. Like the Ph.D., the D.N.Sc. requires writing and defending a dissertation for successful completion and graduation of the program. The Doctor of Nursing Science degree, due in part to its great similarity with the Ph.D. and with the introduction of the DNP, has started being phased out as a doctoral-degree option. For example, the prestigious Yale University School of Nursing, which formerly offered the DNSc, has now begun offering only the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

A master's-level degree is a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education. This type of degree is required for advanced practice nursing roles Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife; and is preferred for nurse educators and nurses in leadership positions.

Persons holding a nursing doctorate, whether D.N.P., Ph.D., D.N.Sc., Dr.NP, Ed.D., or the many other doctorates nurses can attain, are not licensed as Physicians. Only those licensed and certified as an Advanced Practice Nurse (i.e., Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist) may provide care in the medical arena; i.e. Nurse Practitioners have assumed many roles previously held by physicians. The state of licensure dictates the rules and regulations and these vary greatly. Other roles held by doctorate prepared nurses include nursing education, nursing research, executive and non-executive management, and clinical instruction.

• Diploma in Nursing
• Associate of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Nurse education
• Nursing school

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