Both master's and doctoral degree programs typically accept students who hold a bachelor's degree and a current Registered Nursing license. Most master's degree programs require two years of full-time study. Doctoral programs award a Doctor of Nursing Practice -- or DPN -- degree. DPN programs vary in length but typically take three-to-five years to complete.
Tuition for master's and doctorate programs vary by institution. Although DPN programs take longer to complete than master's degree programs, schools often offer assistantships and tuition waivers for doctoral candidates. Some master's degree programs offer financial aid, but others require students to pay the full cost of tuition upfront. Potential applicants should also consider the costs associated with lost wages for the duration of a program. Although DPN programs may provide some financial support, it is significantly less than the salary of a full-time RN nurse.
The primary focus of master's degree programs is to train advanced practice nurses who can work effectively in a clinical setting. Doctoral degree programs, on the other hand, emphasize a broader range of skills required by advanced practice nurses. DPN programs require students to master patient care technology, leadership skills, health care policy and evidence-based medicine in addition to direct-patient care. Both master's and doctoral training programs expect students to accrue hundreds of supervised clinical hours to hone their practical skills.
Graduate degree programs prepare students for advanced practice nursing, including careers as nurse practitioners, certified nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists or certified nurse midwives. DPN programs develop a student's specialized skills through additional coursework and clinical training. A DPN degree prepares a nurse for a career in academia, public health policy, nursing practice or other medical fields.