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Online Doctor of Nursing Practice: Job Outlook

Begin a D.N.P. Program That Propels You to Executive Leadership

Flexible online courses

Competency-based curriculum

Discover a path to nursing leadership positions and a higher salary with the Doctor of Nurse Practice (D.N.P.) in Executive Leadership from Benedictine University. This online program imparts expertise and skills for improving the operations of health care organizations nationwide.

Each course is rooted in essential competencies established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), delivering in-demand qualifications for taking your nursing career to the next level.

  • Make valuable career connections by collaborating with members of your cohort
  • Prepare for executive-level roles that focus on improving patient care, population health and health care policy
  • Attain a credential that helps you stand out for job opportunities requiring a Doctor of Nursing Practice

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Doctor of Nursing Practice Job Opportunities

Chief Nursing Officer $147,532 average annual salary1

Clinical Operations Director $103,152 average annual salary2

Director of Patient Care Services $115,496 average annual salary3

Director of Patient Safety $97,557 average annual salary4

Transform Health Care as an Executive Nurse Leader

Acquire your D.N.P. in Executive Leadership online to position yourself for advanced nursing roles with impressive earning potential. In fact, the average Doctor of Nursing Practice salary in January 2025 was about 7.7% higher than M.S.N. salaries.5,6 Our curriculum equips students with the skills and knowledge that align with a wide range of job opportunities for Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates, including careers in executive leadership, nurse education and health care policy analysis.

Program Outcomes and Skills Acquired

What You’ll Learn

Skills You’ll Gain

  • Analytical skills
  • Civic engagement
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Cultural competence
  • Global awareness
  • Information fluency
  • Social responsibility
  • Stewardship

Reach Your Full Professional Potential

Your relationship with Benedictine University doesn’t end when you graduate. Our goal is to promote your lifelong personal and professional development by providing you with a foundation for becoming a self-directed learner. From resume assistance to comprehensive career assessment tools, we offer many ways to define and pursue your professional aspirations.

Resume and Cover Letter Review

Upload your resume and cover letter to have a career development team member provide tips and suggestions for improving it.

Career Search Assistance

Let us help you find the career of your dreams using our database and other tools.

Career Assessments

Our Career Development Center offers complimentary assessment tools to help you research and explore an array of career paths.

Alumni Networking

Connect with other graduates at one of our local or virtual events.

Sources

  1. Payscale. “Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Nursing_Officer_(CNO)/Salary.
  2. Payscale. “Average Director of Clinical Operations Salary.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Clinical_Operations/Salary.
  3. Payscale. “Average Director of Patient Care Services Salary.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Patient_Care_Services/Salary.
  4. Payscale. “Average Director of Patient Safety Salary.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Patient_Safety/Salary.
  5. Payscale. “Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctor_of_Nursing_Practice_(DNP)/Salary.
  6. Payscale. “Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Degree.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Science_in_Nursing_(M.S.N.)/Salary.
  7. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “AACN Fact Sheet – D.N.P..” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/dnp-fact-sheet.
  8. AMN Healthcare. “2024 Survey of Hospital Nurse Leaders.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.amnhealthcare.com/amn-insights/nursing/surveys/2024-survey-of-hospital-nurse-leaders/.