Which nursing degree is a doctoral degree for advanced clinical practice?

• A. DNP
• B. PhD in Nursing
• C. MSN
• D. MD

Answer: (A)

The degree designed for advanced clinical practice in nursing is the Doctor of Nursing Practice. This doctoral path is focused on applying evidence to patient care, leading clinical teams, and driving improvements in health outcomes and care delivery. It prepares nurses for high-level practice roles such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, with an emphasis on translating research into real-world practice, quality improvement, and system leadership. By contrast, a PhD in Nursing is a research doctorate aimed at generating new knowledge, not necessarily delivering direct patient care; a Master of Science in Nursing is a master’s degree and does not confer doctoral-level status; and an MD is the medical degree for physicians, not a nursing credential. So, for a doctoral degree that targets advanced clinical practice within nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice is the appropriate choice.