If you dream of becoming a top-ranking nurse but don’t yet know what your career path or educational journey will look like, first things first: it’s time to get a little more specific. After all, a Doctor of Nursing Practice is a level of degree (known as a “terminal” degree, as it is the final step of a complete nursing educational pathway) and not a particular type of nursing.
Within the nursing field there are a variety of specialization options, also known in graduate school settings as concentrations and focus areas, that dictate the skills you’ll build, the populations you’ll serve, and the conditions you’ll treat in your nursing career.
Those who already hold MSN degrees who are now considering the next steps of their educational journey may have already figured out their chosen nursing focus area, and in some cases BSN-prepared nurses will have also pursued specialized skill sets. However, for many who are applying to DNP programs, the choice is yours about what DNP specialization pathway you’d like to pursue.
Choosing Your DNP Specialization Can Determine Your Future Career
As you think about applying for DNP degree programs, it can be helpful to try to envision what day-to-day life will look like in the field. One of the best ways to do this is by narrowing down your concentration options.
There are many different career paths for DNP-prepared nurses, and your choice of concentration in graduate school will lead you to the one that’s right for you.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the state of California is the #2 employer of Nurse Practitioners in the United States, with several counties offering the top salaries nationwide. This makes it an to find the job opportunities they’re looking for.
Take a look at our guides to get a sense of which DNP specialization makes the most sense for your interests, skills, and long-term career goals.
Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
Those interested in focusing on the care of adults and elderly people can find the career path they’re looking for as Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners. Their work includes comprehensive assessments, preventive care, and treatment planning for conditions prevalent among older populations. AGNPs can be employed in a variety of organizations, including primary care clinics, elder care facilities, nursing homes, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners salaries in California can average at around $161,540 per year.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
If you’re interested in pursuing a career path in the field of women’s health, you may find the opportunity you’re looking for as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). These nurses provide a full range of primary healthcare services to women, including but not limited to clinical practices related to pregnancy, such as prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum support. They also offer gynecological exams, family planning, and treatment for reproductive health issues. Working both independently and collaboratively, CNMs can be found in medical organizations as varied as hospitals, birthing centers, and private practices. The average Certified Nurse Midwife salary in California amounts to an impressive $146,300, according to the BLS.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
CRNAs administer anesthesia and oversee patient care before, during, and after procedures that require the use of anesthesia (namely, surgeries, diagnostic exams, and obstetric procedures). This role requires strong skills in chemistry and the ability to work in high-pressure environments, such as operating rooms. This is considered to be among the most advanced specializations in the nursing field and requires longer schooling than some other concentration pathways. But this hard work is guaranteed to pay off: the BLS reports that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist salaries in California are among the highest in the state, amounting to an average of $256,820 per year.
Family Nurse Practitioner
The field of family health is an expansive one, training professionals to address a wide variety of conditions across all ages. If this sounds like the career pathway that’s right for you, you’ll excel as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). This is a highly sought-after nursing specialization, and many in this field subspecialize on particular services or treatments. FNPs are employed in family practices, urgent care clinics, community health centers, and even school-based clinics. Across these organizations, Family Nurse Practitioner salaries in California average at $161,540 per year.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
Neonatal Nurse Practitioners primarily work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) caring for critically ill or premature newborns. In DNP programs, they build advanced skills such as managing ventilators, administering medications to infants, and supporting families during emotionally challenging times. Indeed, as anyone can imagine, this role steps up during painfully difficult moments for new parents, and as such it is a role that calls for great resilience, deep compassion, and excellent, empathetic communication skills. The BLS groups Neonatal Nurse Practitioner salaries in California alongside general NPs, reaching a mean annual income of $161,540 per year.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialization with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a rewarding and impactful career path, offering a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of children and their families. As an advanced practice nurse, a PNP works on the frontlines of pediatric healthcare, combining clinical expertise with compassionate care to address the complex health needs of children from infancy through adolescence.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Are you interested in focusing your nursing career on mental health and/or substance abuse issues? If so, you’ll thrive as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. PMHNPs offer advanced psychiatric care to those experiencing emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues, offering services including diagnostic evaluations, therapy, and medication management. They can be employed in wide-ranging settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, substance abuse centers, correctional facilities, private practices, and more. They also serve an important role in addressing California’s ongoing mental health crisis by improving access to psychiatric care statewide. The BLS reports that Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner salaries in California amount to $161,540 annually.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
In addition to CNMs, nursing students who are interested in working primarily with female patients can become Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners. This rising field expands upon the pregnancy-focused offerings of CNMs, with a broader scope that includes sexual health, chronic conditions, and wellness screenings. (In some cases, they also provide services related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.) WHNPs often serve in OB-GYN clinics, hospitals, reproductive health centers, family planning organizations, and private practices. The BLS groups WHNPs alongside other Nurse Practitioners, listing the average Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner salary in California as $161,540.
FAQs
Do I need to declare my concentration at the outset of my DNP program?
In most cases, yes – and in fact, you’re likely to have to apply directly for the concentration pathway of your choosing. This is because at many schools, different concentration pathways have vastly different program curricula from the start, meaning you should know what you’d like to study before you enroll.
Do all DNP specialization paths take the same amount of time to complete?
Not necessarily. Different pathways involve different coursework and clinical practicum hours. Generally speaking, BSN-DNP programs take three to five years to complete on a full-time schedule, while MSN-DNP programs typically take around two years to complete.
Do all schools offer all concentration options?
No. Some schools offer a wide array of specialization tracks, while others focus on just one or two. Some schools also have more general concentration options, such as Direct Care or Indirect Care, though in most of these cases students are likely to develop areas of specialization through their clinical field experiences.
Are these specialization options all open to both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses?
In most cases, those who hold MSNs will have already selected their specialization pathway in graduate school, meaning many MSN-DNP programs are generalist programs that allow students to continue with the subject they have been studying. BSN-DNP programs are more likely to offer specific concentration pathways.