DNP vs. DNAP: What’s the Difference?

Nursing Degrees & Schools / DNP vs. DNAP

Exploring your nursing career options can sometimes be confusing. Case in point: comparing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). What’s the difference and which is better suited to your goals?

A DNP is a terminal nursing degree, making it one of the highest nursing degrees you can earn. Nurses with DNPs are highly sought after because of their extensive leadership and medical knowledge. 

DNPs, while not doctors, have the same capabilities and standards as physicians. Their expertise can help fill the gap across all healthcare settings for highly-trained medical professionals. 

A DNAP also is an advanced doctorate degree specializing in nurse anesthesia. Nurse anesthetists provide anesthesia treatments that keep patients from feeling pain before, during, and after surgery and other medical procedures. 

However, unlike the DNP, some healthcare institutions don’t consider it a terminal degree since it focuses on anesthesia.

In this article, we break down the similarities and differences between DNP and DNAP nursing degrees. You’ll discover:

• What is a DNP?
• What is a DNAP?
• How do DNPs and DNAPs compare?

What is a DNP?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree in nursing designed to prepare nurses for leadership positions. It’s one of the highest degrees you can earn in nursing.  

If you’re interested in focusing on clinical practice, then a DNP is a good fit for an advanced nursing degree.  In this role, you can expect to influence healthcare outcomes through direct patient care, health policy, and organizational leadership.

While not doctors, DNPs have extensive medical knowledge. Nearly 84 million Americans live in areas where primary-care physicians are in short supply. DNPs can help fill the gap. 

Not only can you work in clinical leadership roles with a DNP, but you also can become a nurse educator with your degree. 

Salary and career outlook

Nursing professionals with DNPs are in high demand because of their expertise. A current nursing faculty shortage has contributed to the overall nursing shortage.

DNPs earn an average base salary of $108,000. Demand for nurses with this terminal degree is expected to increase by 40% from 2021 to 2031.

Scope of practice

Nursing professionals who become DNPs are qualified to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Some of the most common roles that fall under the scope of practice include:

• Directors of clinical programs
• Executive positions with healthcare organizations
• Faculty positions with nursing schools

Education

Becoming a DNP requires a high level of commitment to your studies. It takes one to two years of full-time coursework to earn your DNP. If you choose to work while you pursue a DNP, it can take even longer.

Before you can even apply to a DNP program, you must meet certain requirements. They include:

• A minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree
• A minimum of 240 eligible practice hours during MSN or post-MSN completion
• A registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure in good standing

Some DNP programs have additional requirements like letters of recommendation and goal statements. You can check with the program of your choice to ensure you meet all criteria before applying.

Licenses

DNPs must hold an active and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. Some DNPs have advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licenses, but it is not a requirement for becoming a DNP.

Certifications

DNPs who plan to focus on advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) and provide direct patient care must sit for the APRN certification exam.

What is a DNAP?

A Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) is the highest-level professional practice degree nurse anesthetists can earn.  Nurses who wish to work as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) must obtain a DNAP to practice.

DNAP jobs typically focus on research findings for evidence-based clinical practice, education, and administration. Nursing professionals with DNAPs can:

• Develop effective strategies for managing ethical dilemmas related to anesthesia.
• Enhance quality care. 
• Improve nurse anesthesia best practices.
• Promote patient safety.

The type of education and certification DNAPs obtain is slightly different from that of a DNP.

Once completed, a DNAP degree can be used in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Colleges and universities
• Critical access hospitals
• Hospital administration
• Mobile surgery centers
• Research facilities

Salary and career outlook

Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice nurses can expect to earn an average annual salary of $91,509. This number can rise by quite a bit depending on experience and location. Like DNPs, DNAPs are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a a growth of 40% from 2021 to 2031. In the U.S. alone, there is a need to fill an average 30,200 nurse anesthetist positions annually.

Scope of practice

CRNAs plan and deliver anesthesia, pain management, and related care to patients as part of their scope of practice. They can collaborate with other practitioners on a healthcare team to improve patient outcomes.

Some of the skills covered under the scope of practice include:

• Advanced airway management and intubation
• Administration of sedatives for mechanically-ventilated patients
• Paralytic drip management
• Vasopressor selection and management
• Ventilator management and troubleshooting

Education

After completing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, you must continue with your education to complete a DNAP program through an accredited college or university. Most doctoral nursing degrees take between 12 and 36 months to complete depending on whether you attend part-time or full-time.

DNAP programs include 30 to 40 credits and 1,000 clinical hours. Coursework includes in-depth study of topics like anesthesia biology and pharmacology.

Licenses

If you wish to earn your Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license, you must complete a Master of Science in Nursing degree.

Certifications

Specialty certifications for DNAPs can be obtained through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). To earn certification, you must pass an exam with 100 to 170 comprehensive questions. Renewal is required every four years.

How do DNPs and DNAPs compare?

To decide how DNPs and DNAPs compare, you must look closely at the responsibilities for each nursing role.

Next steps

Now that you know the similarities and differences between DNPs and DNAPs, you can make a more informed choice that matches your nursing career goals. If you still have questions, you can get advice from nurses currently working as DNPs and DNAPs.  

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