PhD and DNP Comparison

• To prepare nurse researchers to design, conduct and lead research projects
• To generate nursing knowledge aimed at changing nursing science or practice

• To prepare leaders with expertise in specialty practice who can utilize research evidence to effect practice change

• Scientific research methodologies and statistics
• Philosophy of science 
• Cognates and electives from other Schools and the University relating to a student's research focus

• Nursing specialty practice
• Evidence based practice
• Ethics for advanced practice
• Information technology

• Philosophy of science
• Theory construction & analysis
• Statistics
• Research methods – qualitative and quantitative
• History of health care and historical methods
• Instrumentation and measurement

• Expanding practice expertise to the highest level
• Theory related to practice
• Health care delivery systems
• Research methods – applied
• Health Policy
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Leadership

• BSN (student earns a Master’s degree in the BSN-to-PHD program)
• MSN

• MSN with a specialty focus

  46 credits after MSN

  39 credits after MSN

none

a minimum of 1000 hours of post-BSN, supervised practica in a specialty area

• UVA provides 2 years of full instate  scholarship to all students.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant positions available (full scholarship plus stipend).
• Loan forgiveness programs for those who will become nursing faculty after graduation

• Graduate Teaching Assistant positions available (full scholarship plus stipend). 
• Some partial scholarships available.
• Loan forgiveness programs for those who will become nursing faculty after graduation

• Academic faculty positions 
• Eligible to be Primary Investigator for research grants.
• Directors of research at health systems.
• Leadership positions in health organizations
• Academic and leadership positions emphasizing research and teaching

• APNs with an enhanced skill set
• Academic and leadership positions emphasizing evidence-based clinical practice and teaching. Tenure status will vary with type of university/college.
• Leadership positions in health organizations
• Directors of clinical nursing at health facilities, systems.