Nursing is a deeply meaningful field of work with a variety of accessible entry points.
Having a DNP degree is a strong way to pursue higher-level work in the medical field, which can come with impressive salaries and meaningful responsibilities.
As of 2024, the average annual salary for a DNP in California is approximately $121,098, which translates to about $58.22 per hour. Top earners in the 90th percentile can make up to $181,157 annually.
The following article will illuminate what prospective applicants to DNP programs in California can expect, breaking down the difference between on-campus and online DNP degrees, as well as the costs you can anticipate as a student. We’ll also touch on BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to DNP programs, which are one path – but certainly not the only path – to establishing a career in this line of work.
What Is A DNP?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest level of qualification you can reach in practical nursing.
While a Ph.D. is all about research, the DNP focuses on real-world practice, leadership, and the use of research to make patient care better. DNP nurses often take hands-on roles in healthcare, from taking care of patients and managing healthcare teams to shaping policies and even teaching.
In a DNP program, students dive into advanced courses on topics like health policy, nursing informatics, and quality improvement. Students also practice the critical skill of collaboration and teamwork, a cornerstone of healthcare occupations, learning how to work with other medical professionals to ensure that patients get the best care possible.
Prior to graduating, students will often have the chance to tackle a clinical project that solves a real-world healthcare problem, a means of demonstrating to instructors that the DNP candidate is capable of putting theory into practice.
The field of medicine is evolving faster than ever before. Between groundbreaking technology that continues to develop by the day, changing policies, and an aging population in the United States, top-notch nursing pros play a critical role in the deeply meaningful work of providing healthcare. While there are many ways to become a nurse, having the additional qualification of a DNP helps ambitious nurses tackle these challenges with confidence, giving them the skills to lead and innovate. It doesn’t hurt that healthcare organizations understand just how valuable DNPs are, with the possibility of better job offers, higher pay, and more senior-level responsibilities.
Is A DNP The Same As A Medical Doctor?
In California, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can technically be referred to as “doctor” due to their doctoral-level education – but that doesn’t legally mean that DNPs are medical doctors (MDs).
In fact, state laws in California actually impose restrictions on this usage in clinical settings to prevent confusion among patients who might mistake a DNP for an MD. In general, DNPs are widely prohibited in California from using the title “doctor” in a clinical environment, in order to ensure clarity about the provider’s qualifications and role for patients.
Despite these restrictions, some DNPs have challenged the law, arguing that their advanced level of education and expertise warrants the use of the title “doctor.” Some believe that allowing DNPs to use the title can enhance patient trust and recognition of their qualifications, while others argue that it can lead to confusion and misrepresentation.
How Long Does It Take to Become a DNP?
Becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in California is a commitment of around three to four years, depending on your prior education and the program you choose.
Typically, if you already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a BSN to DNP program takes about three to four years full-time. Part-time options are available too, but they’ll stretch the timeline a bit longer. If you have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the MSN to DNP route usually takes about two to three years.
Do I Need a BSN to Become a DNP?
To become a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), you will typically need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as a starting point, especially if you’re entering a BSN to DNP program.
However, there are also MSN to DNP programs available for those who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs allow registered nurses with an MSN to advance to a DNP more quickly.
For applicants who do not already have advanced-level degrees in nursing, the BSN-to-DNP pathway is more comprehensive, covering advanced practice, leadership, and clinical skills from the ground up. Having a BSN ensures that you have the foundational nursing education required to tackle the advanced coursework and clinical components of a DNP program.
BSN to DNP Programs: An Overview
A BSN to DNP program is a pathway for registered nurses who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and want to take their careers to the highest level by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Think of it as an all-in-one journey that skips the intermediate Master’s step and goes straight to the top.
Over the course of your studies, you’ll dive deep into advanced clinical practice, leadership, and healthcare policy. These programs typically blend coursework with clinical experience, so you’ll be learning the latest about patient care while also getting hands-on practice. It’s an intensive but rewarding route that equips you with the expertise to lead in the nursing field, make significant changes in healthcare systems, and improve patient outcomes on a larger scale.
BSN to DNP Programs in California
There are several BSN to DNP programs in California that cater to various specializations and offer flexible learning options. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of the best-known BSN to DNP programs in California, touching on what prospective applicants can expect in terms of each program’s length, tuition cost, format, and unique offerings.
University of San Francisco (USF)
- Program Length: 3 to 4 years (full-time)
- Format: Hybrid (online and on-campus)
- Specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Tuition: Approximately $1,480 per unit
- Details: USF combines online courses with on-campus sessions to prepare nurses for leadership roles in healthcare. Students engage in interprofessional collaborations and must complete clinical hours and a scholarly project.
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
- Program Length: 3 years (full-time)
- Format: In-person
- Specializations: Various tracks including Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Tuition: Approximately $17,000 per year for in-state students
- Details: The program includes a mix of advanced clinical practice, leadership training, and healthcare policy. Students complete a doctoral project and engage in extensive clinical practice.
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
- Format: Hybrid (online and on-campus)
- Specializations: Multiple, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health
- Tuition: Around $12,000 per quarter
- Details: UCSF’s program emphasizes hands-on clinical training at renowned hospitals and clinics throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, along with online coursework.
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)
- Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
- Format: Online with occasional in-person sessions
- Specializations: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner
- Tuition: Approximately $1,000 per unit
- Details: PLNU offers a flexible online format with two in-person intensive weekends. The program includes 1,000 clinical hours and a DNP project.
University of San Diego (USD)
- Program Length: 3 years (full-time)
- Format: Hybrid (online and on-campus)
- Specializations: Various including Nurse Anesthesia
- Tuition: Approximately $1,535 per unit
- Details: USD’s DNP program is designed for advanced practice nurses and includes both coursework and extensive clinical practice. The program culminates with a doctoral project and prepares students for national certification exams.
These programs provide robust training and flexible learning options to accommodate the needs of working nurses while preparing them for advanced practice and leadership roles in healthcare.
DNP Programs in California, from On-Campus to Online
More broadly, if you’re considering pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in California that is not necessarily a BSN to DNP program, there are several options available that vary in cost, format, and specializations.
From the University of San Diego’s high-cost hybrid program to more affordable state university options, you’ll find a range of opportunities tailored to fit different needs. Programs like those at the University of San Francisco and Point Loma Nazarene University offer hybrid or primarily online formats, while California State University, Long Beach, and the University of California, San Francisco provide comprehensive in-person or hybrid experiences.
Here’s a closer look at some of these programs, organized from the most to least expensive options.
- University of San Diego (USD): The University of San Diego offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program that is primarily hybrid, blending online coursework with on-campus intensives. The program covers various specializations, including Nurse Anesthesia and Family Nurse Practitioner. Tuition is approximately $1,535 per unit, making it one of the more expensive options available in the Golden State. USD emphasizes advanced practice, leadership, and clinical skills, culminating in a doctoral project designed to address real-world healthcare issues.
- University of San Francisco (USF): USF's DNP program is another high-cost option, with tuition costing around $1,480 per unit. The program is hybrid, combining online and on-campus classes, and offers specializations like Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum focuses on interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and advanced clinical practice, preparing nurses for senior-level roles in healthcare.
- Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU): PLNU offers a DNP program that is primarily online, with tuition costs approximately $1,000 per unit. The program includes asynchronous online learning with two in-person intensive weekends. Specializations include Clinical Nurse Specialist and Family Nurse Practitioner. Students must complete 1,000 clinical hours, including a significant DNP project.
- California State University, Long Beach (CSULB): CSULB’s DNP program, which costs around $17,000 per year for in-state students, is primarily in-person. The program offers various tracks, such as Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The curriculum includes advanced clinical practice, leadership training, and healthcare policy, and requires students to complete a doctoral project and extensive clinical practice.
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF): UCSF offers a hybrid DNP program with tuition around $12,000 per quarter. The program includes a mix of in-person and online courses, with hands-on training at renowned hospitals and clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. Specializations include Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health, among others. The program prepares nurses for advanced practice and leadership roles in healthcare.
These programs offer diverse formats and specializations to accommodate different needs and career goals, from intensive on-campus experiences to flexible online options.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2024.