If you are currently a registered nurse and want to advance in your career, one of the options you may be considering is getting your doctor of nursing practice degree. Becoming a doctor of nursing can have many benefits in your education and your career. However, if you are like most people, you do not know much about a doctorate of nursing practice or what exactly this degree can do for your job prospects and career trajectory. Get to know some of the facts about the doctorate of nursing practice degree. Then, you can decide whether you should pursue being a doctor of nursing. 

A Doctorate of Nursing Practice Does Not Mean You Are a Physician

One of the common misconceptions about becoming a doctor of nursing is that it means you are a physician. This is not the case. Doctors of nursing have advanced degrees and skills in nursing. A medical degree to become a physician is a very different program. 

That is not to say that one option is better than the other. A doctor of nursing can become an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) such as nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. These roles are challenging and important in the medical field, some would say just as challenging as being a physician. 

Getting a Doctorate of Nursing Practice Can Lead to Leadership Roles

If you have always wanted to go beyond just being a nurse and wanted to go into organizational leadership and nurse management positions, then pursuing a doctorate of nursing practice may be the right option for you. Many graduates with this degree assume such roles because they have the educational background to best suit leadership positions. 

Becoming a doctor of nursing, therefore, opens a lot of doors to you in your career path, whether you want to continue practicing nursing as an APRN or you want to go into a management position (or both). 

Getting a Doctorate of Nursing Practice Can Boost Your Salary

Whether you choose to assume a leadership role or not, one of the biggest benefits of getting a doctorate or nursing practice is that you will be able to get a boost in your salary, and a significant one at that. Your lifetime earning potential will grow exponentially when you are a doctor of nursing. So, if you are looking to see growth in your earnings throughout your years in the nursing field, definitely consider becoming a doctor of nursing. 

Now that you know more about pursuing a doctorate of nursing practice, you can find a program near you and apply to it as soon as possible.