Steps to Become a DNP in California

If you have dreams of becoming a nurse and the drive to take on the most responsibilities you possibly can, you’ll set yourself up for the career you want by becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). This practice-focused degree is one of the highest degree levels possible for nurses, qualifying you for leadership roles and advanced clinical responsibilities in the field. It is an excellent choice for those who are passionate about nursing and ambitious in their long-term career goals.

Since a DNP is a terminal degree, it requires the maximum schooling possible for nurses. But your hard work will pay off in the form of high-ranking nursing roles with impressive salaries to match your extensive expertise.

So why become a DNP, and what does it take to do it? Read on to learn everything you need to know to launch a thriving and long-lasting career as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Roles and responsibilities of a DNP

There’s no reason to mince words about it: becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice is no small amount of work. As one of the highest levels of nursing degree, it requires more time in school than almost any other path in the world of nursing. So why do people do it?

The answer is advanced responsibilities, and in turn, specialist or leadership roles in medical institutions with salaries to match. This is the path for those who want to do the very most they can do as a nurse, whether by leading teams or by developing a key area of expertise that makes them stand alone in their field.

There’s no one career path for DNPs to take, but rather a wide variety of roles and institutions that can benefit from their expertise.

This means as a DNP, you’ll have a good amount of control over your career path, tailoring your work experience to match your long-term goals.

Some examples of DNP jobs in California include (but are not limited to):

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Director of Nursing
Clinical Operations Director
Nursing Education Consultant
Medical Science Liaison

There are also DNP positions in every specialization area of medicine, including (but also not limited to) the following:

In other words, if there’s an area of medicine you’re particularly interested in working in, you’ll find the opportunity to do so as a DNP.

Understanding the nursing shortage in California

It’s no secret that the state of California is in need of more nurses. According to a recent report by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), there are national nursing shortages projected through at least the year 2036. Indeed, within California alone, lawmakers estimate a shortage of 36,000 nurses, with some regions in the state being particularly hard hit. There is also a lack of diversity among nurses, with only 9% of working nurses identifying as LatinX and only 5% identifying as Black.

In short, the nursing profession is in need of more practitioners, meaning your contributions as a DNP will be of even greater value to your patients, to the clinic where you work, and to the health of the State of California overall.

So what are the factors that have led to this shortage, and what is the State of California doing about it? The most overt reason for the nursing shortage the U.S. faces today is the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a crisis-level shortage of nurses as institutions that employ nurses – such as hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, Bureau of Prisons facilities, and Veterans Health Administration facilities – were stretched thin by the highly contagious virus.

Fortunately, reports suggest that enrollments for nursing programs are projected to grow over the next few years as employment opportunities continue to rise for licensed nurses in the state. In turn, states including California have taken measures to make nursing school more affordable and accessible for all.

All this means that if you’re considering taking the next steps to become a nurse, you’ll play an invaluable role in making our state’s health care system as strong as it can be during a moment when we need it the most.

Follow these steps to make your DNP dreams a reality

If you’re just at the outset of your higher education experience, you may feel daunted by the many different parts of the DNP education and licensing process that await you. However, by breaking up your journey into smaller, more approachable steps, you’ll be able to see your goals through to the finish line.

The following steps to becoming a DNP in California are written for those who have not yet completed any part of the nursing schooling process. If you already hold your BSN and your RN license, you can skip over to Step Three.

Step One. Obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal degree, meaning it signifies the completion of all stages of nursing school. This means that if you’re just breaking into the field, you’ll need to complete the preliminary stages of education before you move up to the highest degree level.

It is possible in California to obtain RN certification without attending a BSN program, but it may limit your academic options down the line (take a look at step four to see how this may impact your plans). For those who are interested in obtaining their BSN at the outset of their nursing careers, there are numerous excellent BSN programs in California and across the nation.

A standard BSN program takes four years to complete. Accelerated BSN programs can be completed in as quickly as 16 months.

It’s worth noting that you can obtain your BSN in any state to qualify for a DNP in California down the line, so those who don’t live in the state have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate degrees at local schools before relocating for their graduate programs.

Step Two. Pass the NCELX-RN exam and obtain your state RN license

Upon graduating from your BSN program, your next step is to obtain your registered nurse license by passing the National Council Licensure Exam (known as the NCELX-RN exam). This test covers a range of topics included in your BSN program, from nursing ethics to problem-solving methods and more.

The NCELX-RN exam is the same in every state, meaning you do not need to take the test in California in order to obtain your California state nursing license.

Those who pass the NCELX-RN exam are then eligible to apply to the state where they would like to hold their RN license (in this case, California). Licensure applications must be sent to the California Board of Registered Nursing. Those who are qualified for licensure can expect the application process to take 10-12 weeks total.

(It’s worth noting that for those who hold RN licenses in other states who are moving to California, it is possible to apply for licensure by endorsement – another name for license-transferring – which also will require you to have passed the NCELX-RN exam.)

Step Three. Build Work Experience as an RN

While it is technically possible to go straight to graduate-level schooling after completing your BSN, most students choose to spend a year or more gaining work experience in the field. This can make you a more attractive applicant to graduate programs and is also an excellent way for you to refine your own goals for your nursing career.

The day to day responsibilities of a nurse can vary greatly depending on their area of specialty and where they are employed.

For this reason, spending some time working in the field can paint a clearer picture of the nursing roles that most appeal to you, allowing you to direct your graduate studies toward the career path you really want.

Step Four. Choose your educational path to a DNP – see options below

There are several ways to pursue a DNP degree in California that vary depending on your degree level and long-term academic goals.

Earn a Master of Nursing (MSN) degree, followed by a DNP

The most popular of these is to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at a program accredited by the National League of Nursing. This is partly because this route can help accelerate your DNP program down the line, offering you the quickest route to completing your education overall.

Your MSN program is also where you are likely to select and build expertise in your area of specialization as a nurse. This can be an exciting step in the educational journey for nurses, allowing them to give shape to their future ambitions and begin to focus on the area of nursing that is most interesting to them.

MSN program durations can vary, averaging at around two years to complete. Some accelerated programs can offer your master’s degree even more quickly, while part-time programs can take three to four years. These are especially popular because many RNs decide to pursue their education part-time as they continue to work as nurses.

If you hold an MSN, your DNP program will typically only take one more year to complete when taken on a full-time schedule. This is why this path tends to be the most popular option for nursing students, breaking up your graduate studies into a more succinct and approachable schedule.

Earn another type of master’s degree, followed by a DNP

For students who are interested in topics like Public Health, Public Administration, or Business Administration, it is possible to earn master’s degrees in these subjects (i.e., MPH, MPA, or MBA degrees) and then pursue a DNP afterward, using applicable course credits to bypass repetitive coursework. It is expected that these master’s programs will bear a meaningful relationship to your nursing career, offering you unique professional specialization to tailor your career toward your particular focus. This is a less common option than pursuing an MSN, but it is one that motivated students can benefit from tremendously.

Earn a BSN-to-DNP degree

Another popular option is a BSN to DNP program, which allows students who hold BSNs to “bypass” an MSN program by combining it with a DNP program. (In other words, students in these programs don’t actually skip over the material from an MSN program, but rather take on MSN coursework as the first part of their DNP studies.) There are several excellent BSN to DNP programs in California.

Taken full time, a BSN to DNP program usually takes three to five years to complete. Like MSN programs, many RNs decide to take classes on a part-time schedule so that they can continue to work while they are in school, extending their program duration to four to six years.

Earn an RN-to-DNP degree (direct entry programs)

For those who have obtained RN certification without attending a BSN program – or for those who hold bachelor’s degrees in subjects outside of the nursing field – there are some California-based programs that make it possible to begin working toward a DNP without attending a BSN program first.

It’s worth noting that there are many fewer options of nursing programs for students in this position, and schooling will take longer, as it will include some coursework included in BSN programs. These programs can take three to six years to complete.

Planning for your DNP program: What you need to know

As you consider DNP options, it’s crucial to look into the following information at the outset of the application process to be sure you’re selecting a program suited to your needs:

Degree and license levels are required to enter the program. As outlined above, there are numerous points of entry to DNP programs possible, meaning you should be able to find the appropriate one for your needs. It’s important to make sure you are applying to California DNP programs that are intended for students with the same educational background as you.
Nursing specializations offered within the program. Since this will help dictate the future of your career, it’s important that the programs you apply to will help train you in the area of specialty where you’d like to focus as a nurse.
Prerequisite courses, if any. Some DNP programs have particular course requirements that all students need to meet. In some cases, students may have to add these requisite courses into their first-year DNP academic work to fulfill the program’s expectations.
The school’s accreditation. This is non-negotiable, as only graduates of accredited programs will be eligible for DNP positions in California. Make sure to eliminate any non-accredited DNP program from your list before applying to schools.

There are stellar DNP programs in California, giving a variety of excellent options to nursing students throughout the state.

Applying to DNP programs

Applications to DNP programs typically call for the following materials:

Many programs also conduct one-on-one interviews with applicants – both in-person and virtually – to get a more individualized sense of each student. These can be a great opportunity for you to share your unique passions, setting yourself apart from other program applicants.

Timeline for becoming a DNP

Because of the many different educational routes to becoming a DNP, there’s no standard timeline for obtaining a DNP degree. Timelines can also vary depending on if students decide to complete their education on a full-time or part-time schedule, the latter of which can be a popular option as it allows RNs to continue working in the field as they pursue higher degrees.

In other words, anyone considering pursuing a DNP degree needs to do their own math on the length of time they can expect their program to take. That said, to consolidate the information above and help you calculate the amount of time your unique track will take, see the info below:

BSN programs: Typically four years to complete (full time)
MSN programs: Typically two years to complete (full time)
DNP programs (after MSN): Typically one year to complete (full time)
BSN to DNP programs: Typically three to five years to complete (full time)
RN to DNP programs: Typically three to six years to complete (full time)

It’s always worth looking at the academic requirements for the specific schools on your list, as specific program timelines may depart from the information outlined above.

What to keep in mind as you prepare to become a DNP

If you’re just embarking on your journey into nursing, the amount of time in school required (as well as the sheer number of options available) may make your decision daunting. That said, there are many reasons to stay in the game, keep your head high, and do the work to take your nursing career to the next level.

DNPs have professional opportunities that can earn them significant authority in medical organizations with higher compensation than other nursing professionals.

This is a path that is likely to transform your careers, giving you the most choice in your future work life and the opportunity to see great growth in your skill and expertise. If you have ambitions to rise in the ranks as a nurse, obtaining a DNP is the way to do it.

This can provide motivation for those who are concerned about the amount of time and work it will take to pursue your DNP degree. Though it will be challenging, you’re likely to see real results from your work that will carry your career in the long term.

Your hard work will pay off in your career opportunities down the line

Those who hold DNPs are eligible for positions that those with lesser degrees are not (see the list earlier in the article for some leading examples of jobs exclusively available for DNPs). Since these positions are highly skilled and entrusted with great responsibilities – whether over nursing teams or involving high-level clinical services – they are often paid considerably more than lower-ranking roles in clinics and other medical organizations. This is one of the top reasons why many working nurses decide to continue their education and pursue DNPs.

Indeed, DNP salaries in California can be quite impressive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is the top-paying state for nurse practitioners, who in 2023 earned a mean annual wage of $161,540. The state also boasts the second-highest employment level of nurse practitioners in the country, which – paired with soaring job growth projections – means aspiring DNPs can expect bountiful professional opportunities when they are ready to enter the field.

This is worth keeping in mind as you take on the difficult work of pursuing your DNP, as these figures are a major jump up from registered nurses in California, who earn a (still impressive, but significantly lower) mean annual salary of $137,690.

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for nurse practitioners reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2024.

A DNP will help you open up the career path you want

If you’re ready to take the next steps toward obtaining your DNP and leveling up significantly in the nursing profession, take a look at our guide to DNP programs in California to find the school that will help your career take flight.

FAQs

How many years does it take to become a DNP?

The amount of time it will take to become a DNP depends on your level of schooling, the particular educational path you wish to take toward your terminal degree, and if you plan to take classes on a part-time or full-time schedule. The range for students who hold BSNs can be anywhere between three to six years. Take a look at the itemized list above to get a sense of how long each degree path is likely to take.

What degree do I need to become a DNP in California?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice is its own degree, and is a terminal degree for nurses. There are several ways students can qualify for DNP programs. Students can pursue DNP degrees holding either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); those who only hold BSNs will enter longer-term programs, completing their MSN education in their first years of school. It is also possible in some cases for RNs who only hold ASN degrees to enroll in specific DNP programs that incorporate some of the work from BSN programs so that all students are up to speed.

Are there BSN to DNP programs in California?

Yes, as mentioned above, there are several BSN to DNP California programs that can be an excellent, streamlined choice for BSNs who have their sights set on taking on leadership positions as nurses down the line.

Can a DNP be called a doctor in California?

No. In the state of California, as with most other states, only physicians and surgeons are qualified to call themselves doctors, as stated by the California Medical Practice Act. This is to ensure that patients clearly understand the clinical background of any and all health care workers they may see. In fact, violating this law can have grave consequences for DNPs, including loss of one’s license and fines.

How much do DNPs make in California?

A DNP degree can help you rise to a new salary bracket. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earned a mean annual salary of $161,540 in California in 2023, an impressive figure that can provide motivation to those who are committing to the intensive schooling the degree requires.