Scope and Demand for Nurses and Healthcare Workers
There is an increasing demand for healthcare in the highly dynamic medical fields. Due to this, there is a demand for a doctoral nursing degree, as we know from witnessing the global COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, a novel medical situation can arise at any time. The more qualified and well-equipped medical professionals are. They can handle medical emergencies more effectively with hands-on experience in advanced technical skills.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) had expected demand for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) back in 2015. DNP is now a minimum educational requirement for all specialized nursing roles.
These roles include:
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Practitioner
Therefore, DNP will soon be the minimum educational standard in the US for all Registered Nurses (RN). The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) stated in 2018 that DNP would replace MSN degree as minimum required standard by 2025. Implementing this change across all nursing institutes and states might take time due to issuing licenses and delayed entry.
DNP underlies the need for advanced practice and administrative leaders for tomorrow. The program is translational research-based with practice improvement based on current systems. It will prove to be highly effective in the growth of a nursing career.
Career Paths for a Post-Grad in Nursing
Register yourself from a BSN to DNP program online to unlock various high-level and technical nursing career paths. A 40 months program, after which you will be prepared to advance to the next level.
Whether you are looking for a clinical role or a leading role in policymaking, various opportunities are available. Let us look at a few of them.
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
This is perhaps the highest-level executive role for a DNP in a hospital. They make policies for all the nursing units within a healthcare facility. They provide a vision and aim for all the nurses to follow. Then they communicate this vision in the form of goals and mission down the nursing hierarchy. In other words, a CNO creates a direction for all nurses to follow. This makes it easier for the nurses to focus on their objectives.
In addition, CNOs ensure high-quality caregiving for all the patients. To do this, they plan accordingly and oversee daily operations. It also becomes their job to communicate and coordinate with other high-level executives. CNOs are also a point of contact for hospital board members to assess the daily management of nurses’ tasks.
Chief Nursing Officers earn around $124,000 a year in the US. This compensation can even amount to $200,000 a year, including benefits like performance bonuses. Their typical workday involves operations management, during which they can liaison with any service unit.
Chief Nursing Researcher (CNR)
Researchers in the nursing field research novel medical conditions and offer treatment processes according to results generated. They uncover empirical medical evidence that can advance the practitioner field. Their discoveries bring advancement in the healthcare structures and policies. Their research can even influence legislative laws in the field.
A Chief Nursing Researcher may also collaborate with multidisciplinary sources for wholesome research. They also act as mentors to the nursing community, revealing their research findings. This brings the nursing community ahead of the nursing game. By implementing research-based results, nurses can bring about a real change in their fields.
The research is not limited to any specialized nursing field. It may even enter the academics field. On average, CNRs earn $65,000 annually. Even though this figure may differ in different states. The salary figure ranges between $51,000 and $95,000 a year throughout the US.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
ANPs are responsible for the organization of nursing tasks. They have the autonomy to work without physician supervision. This condition may vary in different states as per their laws. This role is highly advanced. Therefore, their responsibilities include overseeing daily tasks and operations by caregiving standards.
ANPs are also eligible to run nursing homes nursing clinics, deliver in-home services, work in community clinics or urgent care facilities across the US.
Advanced Nurse Practitioners earn $91,000 a year on average. This figure may be a lot higher than other advanced nursing jobs. However, this number only moderately increases over five to ten years.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators can opt to transition from clinical practice to academia. Nurses who pursue this role have a passion for both healing and teaching. They help other nurses earn their education credits in the nursing educational institutions. They even take part in teaching the curriculum of Doctor of Nursing Practice.
There is a high demand for nurse educators in nursing schools throughout the US. The reason is the need for quality education. Educators shape the young minds of professionals who will provide quality care in hospitals, clinics, etc. There is a shortage of nurse educators in some states, and rural areas as the AACN determined DNP as the standard nursing qualification. There is now an increased demand for this role. In addition, the US population’s need for healthcare continues to grow.
The salary of a nurse educator amounts to $75,000 in a year. Depending on the job location and setting, this range can vary annually between $41,000 and $117,000. Some junior colleges also employ a handful of nurse educators to teach the basic nursing courses to their student body.
Clinical Nurse Manager
The role of a nurse manager involves ensuring quality at all operational levels. They evaluate the employee performance and the facility’s initiatives and programs. If a program is not performing well, a nurse manager must liaison with other healthcare units to identify the problems and hurdles. They then provide solutions and implement them across all units. A Doctoral Nursing Program equips its candidates to deal with uncertain and novel situations. Therefore, a nurse manager is capable of handling such issues.
A clinical nurse manager earns $84,400 a year as per PayScale, a compensation website. They work in hospitals, nursing institutions, and clinics.
Ending Note
Earning a doctoral degree in nursing practice can unlock advanced career paths for registered nurses—a 40 months online program is now a minimum standard for the nurses in the US. The AACN made it mandatory in 2018. By 2025, its implementation will be across all US states. This states the urgent need for acquiring a DNP.
After completing the program, you can unlock high-level jobs with higher pay. This will give you a chance to grow your career and work in leadership roles. In addition, the demand for senior nurse positions will allow you to regulate policies and influence relative laws in your country. Therefore, acquiring a DNP qualification is only in your best interests.
