Finally found an 18-month doctorate without dissertation that fits my crazy schedule!

Gabriella

Gabriella

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Joined
Feb 18, 2026
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9
Hey everyone! I'm a nurse practitioner with 12 years of clinical experience, and I've been wanting to get my DNP for what feels like forever. But here's the thing—I work full-time, I have two kids, and the thought of spending 4-5 years on a doctorate plus writing a massive dissertation has kept me stuck in "someday" mode for way too long.

Then a colleague mentioned something that changed everything: there are actually legitimate 18-month doctorate without dissertation programs out there! I honestly didn't believe her at first. I thought all doctorates required years of research and a dissertation the size of a novel.

Well, I did my homework (because that's what we do, right? 😉), and I found some amazing options. I'm currently enrolled in Frontier Nursing University's online DNP program—it's 30 credit hours, can be completed in 18 months, and instead of a dissertation, we do a "rapid cycle quality improvement project" at our clinical site . It's practical, it's relevant to my actual job, and I don't have to become a full-time student to make it happen!

Here's what I've learned about these programs that I wish someone had told me years ago:
  1. They're called "professional doctorates" 🎯—degrees like DNP, EdD, DBA, DHA, DPT, and PsyD often offer alternatives to the traditional PhD dissertation . They focus on applying knowledge to real-world problems rather than producing theoretical research.
  2. Capstone projects are the secret sauce 🔍—instead of a 200-page dissertation, you do an applied project that actually matters in your workplace. For me, it's a quality improvement initiative at my clinic. For a DBA student, it might be a strategic business plan . You're still doing doctoral-level work, but it's practical!
  3. Your experience counts 💪—many of these programs accept transfer credits from your master's degree and value your professional experience. That's how they condense everything into 18 months .
  4. Accreditation matters most ✅—whether it's a dissertation or a capstone, what employers care about is that your degree comes from a regionally accredited institution. The diploma doesn't say "no dissertation" !
My question for the community: Has anyone else pursued an accelerated professional doctorate? What was your experience with the capstone project versus a traditional dissertation? I'd love to hear your stories! Also, if you're in healthcare, what DNP programs have you found that respect your time and experience? Let's share recommendations! 🏥💙
 
I'm an RN in a similar boat—two kids, night shifts, and a dream of getting my DNP that always felt impossible. The dissertation has been my biggest mental block. I literally had nightmares about defending a 200-page paper in front of a panel of judges while my toddler runs around the room. 😂

I had NO idea "professional doctorates" were a thing. I thought PhD was the only path. The fact that Frontier Nursing University has a 30-credit, 18-month option is life-changing information. I'm looking at their website right now.

Can I ask you a practical question? When you applied, did they care more about your clinical experience or your undergrad GPA? My grades from my BSN are... let's say "respectable but not stellar" because I was working full-time. 😅 Also, how flexible are the deadlines week-to-week? Some weeks I'm drowning in shifts.
 
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