5 Reasons Why You Should Become a DNP Researcher

Nurse researchers are in high demand. Here’s why you should study to become one.

Being a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) researcher is a sterling example of leadership, safety and quality in action, leading to advancing healthcare outcomes across a variety of systems of care. It requires innovation, combining different skills and approaches—often from different fields and disciplines—and unifying ideas, all in the service of filling gaps and addressing existing needs to promote population health. Basically, you could make an impact on the whole medical community—and beyond.

If you’ve never considered becoming a DNP researcher, now’s the time! Here’s five reasons why you should consider it:

1) DNP researchers are in the heart of the action

Because they apply evidence-based intervention to improve on-the-ground practices, DNP researchers are at the forefront of quickly transforming health care fields. They’re trained and immersed in the science, principles, and practice of nursing in a multifaceted, multidimensional way, making them knowledgeable and experienced in research principles, evidence-based practice, and different theories of nursing.

With this rich and storied background, they apply their deep and diverse expertise to design, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions to promote improved health outcomes for everyone from patients to health care professionals and systems, and everyone in between. But there’s even more to it than that. DNP researchers help guide the growth of research discovery studies that help develop new evidence-based practices. That also means they teach and mentor students and colleagues in the field to continue encouraging positive change throughout every level of health care.

2) You’ll get to collaborate with a wide variety of healthcare professionals
You won’t just work with other physicians as a DNP researcher. You’ll also get to collaborate with pharmacists, social workers, and countless other health care professionals who are as passionate as you are about developing effective evidence-based practices.

DNP researchers also work with professionals from adjacent fields including psychology, sociology, and public health to help generate comprehensive and innovative solutions to complex health care problems. Plus, you’ll also get to collaborate with patients, families, and the communities they call home to develop interventions that are tailored to meet their needs, and bring supportive change.

The benefits of this collaborative environment are numerous, including having the opportunity to enhance the quality of your research by sharing your experiences with like-minded colleagues, working together to pool resources for funding and equipment, and building powerful professional networks. But the most important result of these collaborations is the ability to improve patient care by developing new interventions, policies, and guidelines that enhance patient care and promote health equity, quality of care, and improve health outcomes.

3) There are so many benefits associated with being a DNP researcher
Because DNP researchers have advanced nursing knowledge, they’re always in high demand throughout the health care industry—which means there’s tons of room for professional growth. As you develop your personal expertise and become a leader in your field, there’s always new opportunities to explore and new ways to expand your professional horizons. You could go from working in the field to taking a role in colleges or universities across the world, setting up shop at a research institution, taking a role at a government agency… there are many career opportunities that go beyond the medical setting, all of which create new chances for networking and growing your collaborative team.

One thing is for sure—you’ll never be bored as a DNP researcher. You’ll always have new and varied complex health issues to explore, and new ways you can contribute to the advancement of health and wellness, making a tangible impact on policies and practices. And though it’s not the only reason for DNP researchers to enter the field, it doesn’t hurt that they often earn higher salaries than other nursing roles.

4) There’s a big demand for DNP researchers
Because of their advanced education and expertise, DNP researchers are highly sought throughout the health care industry—which means there’s solid job security in the field. DNP research roles are still relatively new, but gained visibility and relevance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, DNP researchers had the rare skillset required to match scientific research findings with an intimate familiarity with on-the-ground realities, translating leading-edge research to applied best practices—and all in near real-time.

As the industry continues to evolve, DNP researchers will be at the forefront of contributing to evidence-based practices. Their research findings inform nursing practices, policies, and guidelines, ensuring that health care professionals use the most up-to-date and effective methods. They also expand our understanding of nursing, health care, and related fields, because their research addresses various aspects of health care including disease prevention, health promotion, and the management of chronic conditions. This knowledge is crucial for improving health care systems and patient experiences.

But DNP researchers are also key to addressing health care disparities, which has always been a growing concern, but is more crucial to address now than ever before. Their research helps inform policies and interventions that aim to reduce these disparities and promote health equity. This can include advocating for policies that support nursing and healthcare, which informs policymakers at the highest levels. Lastly, DNP researchers also help train the next generation of nurses and health care professionals. So there’s always e role for someone who chooses the DNP researcher path!

5) They’re challenged—but in a good way!
DNP researchers need to combine compassion, intense engagement with their work, sufficient higher-level awareness and analysis to see—and help redraw—the bigger picture. And that picture is always changing! Staying current with advances in the field means you’ll always need to stay on top of the latest research, methodologies and technologies. You’ll also have to find a way to juggle your clinical practice with your evidence-based practice research commitments.

Throughout your work, you’ll be translating research findings into clinical practice, which will require you to ensure that research findings are effectively communicated and implemented. And securing funding for research projects can be competitive and challenging—you’ll need to be skilled at writing grant proposals and requesting financial support from a variety of public and private organizations. And last but certainly not least, conducting DNP research involving people demands strict adherence to ethical guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of participants. Navigating ethical considerations, financial proposals, schedule balancing and more can be a challenge, but as a DNP researcher, you’ll never be bored!

What kind of education do I need to become a DNP researcher?
To become a DNP researcher, you’ll need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Then, students usually go on to obtain a DNP degree—one of the most powerful and prestigious academic achievements in nursing.

Western University of Health Sciences: a top choice for Doctor of Nursing Practice
Western University of Health Sciences College of Graduate Nursing offers students a multitude of academic, research, and professional growth opportunities. We have a variety of degree programs for those interested in the science of improvement, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Each of our programs are designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to become successful agents of change, capable of making an impact on a global scale. To learn more about how to become a DNP researcher with WesternU, sign up for one of our information seminars.