My current organization does not recognize DNP in any special way. No additional compensation as far as I am aware of.

Great question. Yes, my organization does recognize DNPs as educators and leaders in the clinical setting. However, I’m unsure, if someone were to obtain their DNP license, in a leadership role, if they would receive additional compensation within that same position. I would assume the answer is yes, but that would be naïve. Theoretically, it makes sense– that the higher the degree, the more certifications, the better the job opportunity and salary. Nevertheless, salary range has many factors, not limited to only level of education; such as: experience, level of seniority, specialty, location, etc. But, it’s not all about the money- right?

Hi Colleen,
Thank you for posting this question in the forum and allowing for a community response. In my personal organization DNP graduates are compensated based on their level of education and experience. When the RN or MSN nurse graduates from a specific degree, management or HR is notified and the paygrade is then increased. When it comes to certifications my current facility gives one time bonuses for these certifications instead of an hourly raise. I think DNP’s should be appropriately compensated when they receive a higher level degree even if they hold a leadership position beforehand. The student has taken the time and effort and resources in order to earn the degree and should be adequately repaid for their work. DNPs in my organization are also recognized for their work in advancing the implementation of EBP and translating research into practice.

To my knowledge, my organization does not compensate specifically for obtaining an academic DNP degree. However, they compensate if an individual earns a degree higher than what is required for their position. So, if a BSN is required for a specific nursing position and the nurse earns an MSN degree, that nurse will be compensated with one additional step in their pay for their over-achievement. Additionally, my organization has generous tuition reimbursement for nurses pursuing higher education and many opportunities to earn educational scholarships. For those of us that have spent a large portion of our career paying off loans for our undergraduate work, this is a wonderful perk. In general, positions in my organization are compensated for the skills and knowledge (education level) needed to complete the work at hand. Nurses that have earned their APRN license along with a DNP degree will certainly be compensated higher than an RN with a BSN degree. These positions would be on completely different pay scales. Ultimately, if I am working at an organization that fosters a culture of support by offering financial assistance for advancement endeavors then that is what is most important to me as I seek professional growth.

My organization recognizes APRNs with MSN and DNP degrees. However, there are no significant differences in autonomy and scope of practice. Their roles overlap and have limitations on what they can do without psychiatrists. The DNPs earn more money than MSNs, but all depend on their experiences. If an individual with an MSN degree has more experience than a less experienced DNP degree, they will have a higher salary. Both NPs with MSN and DNP are not allowed to admit patients without a psychiatrist’s order. They both have to work under the supervision of a psychiatrist. There is additional compensation, such as tuition fee reimbursement and loan forgiveness, for earning the DNP if someone is in a leadership role before higher education. The compensation is awarded to all employees in general, not just specific to those in leadership roles.