DNP vs MSN: Which Nursing Degree Is Right for Your Nursing Career?

Nursing education doesn't hit a dead end when you get your master's. But let's be real - sometimes the path forward isn't crystal clear. You might find yourself at a point where you're scratching your head, unsure about your next move. 

Don't worry, that's pretty common.

Many nurses who hit this roadblock think about pushing ahead to get their doctorate. Maybe you've toyed with the idea, but you're on the fence. And that's okay. You might be wondering, "Why should I even bother with a DNP?"

Well, in this post, we'll lay out some solid reasons why getting a DNP might be a smart move for you. We'll also dig into what a DNP is and how to get one. We'll also chat about MSN degrees - they've got their own perks. Let's dive in.

What is a DNP?

When you go to college, normally, the first degree you can get is an undergraduate degree. This is the basic 4-year diploma that allows you to become a professional. After this, there are post-graduate degrees that you can choose to pursue.

The most common path for anyone who goes to college is getting their undergraduate degree, then a master’s degree, and then a doctorate degree, or PhD. For nursing students, this can be a little different. Nurses have two types of terminal degrees that they can get:

• A DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
• A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Nursing

Though they might look similar, they are not the same. The main difference is this: A DNP prepares you to practice at the highest level of nursing education. This is the primary focus. A PhD, on the other hand, prepares you not for practice but (usually) for academic research.

There is some overlap between the two degrees. You can also do research with a DNP.

The path of the PhD student is very important. After all, academic research helps us provide better patient care. However, in this article, we’ll focus on the DNP since that degree tends to be the one most students have questions about.

After reading this, you might wonder: Which one is better? Can I get both?

The short answer is that neither is better than the other. It depends on what you want to do as a nurse. And yes, you can get both titles if you choose to do so (which is very ambitious, so kudos!)

If you want to learn more about the differences between a Nursing PhD and a DNP degree, check out this article by the School of Nursing at Duke University.

Who can get a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree?

As we wrote above, a doctoral degree is a terminal degree that people get once they have completed their master’s degree. It’s usually a three-step process. However, the path to a doctoral degree differs for nurses.

Any nurse who has a bachelor’s degree has the opportunity to get a DNP, even if they don’t have their master’s degree. There are some programs out there that will lead you straight into the DNP title.

This is why many nurses ask themselves: which degree should I get? An MSN or a DNP? Is it worth it to get a DNP if I’m already a nurse practitioner with a master’s degree?

To answer this, it’s important to know the difference between the two, so let’s talk more about what exactly you can get with a doctorate in nursing.

What are the benefits of getting a DNP?

Higher salary: Nurses pursuing a DNP earn more than nurses with just a master’s degree. The difference is not really that much, but it can pay off. Most online sources say DNP nurses earn about $8,000 more annually.

More job opportunities: Some hospitals look for nurses with a DNP because having them on board can help them achieve Magnet status, which ends up giving them more recognition, more patients, and more revenue. Pursuing a DNP also prepares you for leadership and managerial positions, such as:

• Chief Nursing Officer
• Nurse Educator
• College Professor
• CEO at a Healthcare Organization
• Director of Nursing Services
• Chief Nurse Anesthetist

We cover some of these positions in previous articles we have written, such as:

• The highest-paying nurse practitioner specialties
• 7 unconventional nursing jobs that might interest you

Job security and independence: Becoming a DNP makes you a better-qualified nurse in many respects, which means that you might become even more important to your employer. At the same time, having a doctoral degree might help you become more independent in your career. It’s a good choice if you’re considering opening your own practice.

These are only three examples of where a DNP can take you. To see the bigger picture, we need to explain the differences between the MSN and the DNP.

What is an MSN?

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced degree in nursing that builds upon the knowledge and skills gained in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. It's designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice roles, specialized clinical positions, and leadership opportunities in healthcare.

Key Features of MSN Programs:

• Focus: MSN programs emphasize advanced clinical skills, specialized knowledge, and a deeper understanding of nursing theory and research. They prepare nurses for roles in direct patient care, nursing education, and healthcare management.
• Duration: Typically, an MSN program takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether you're studying full-time or part-time.

Benefits of Getting an MSN Degree:

1. Career Advancement: An MSN opens doors to advanced practice nursing roles and leadership positions in healthcare.
2. Increased Salary: MSN-prepared nurses typically earn higher salaries than those with a BSN. On average, nurses with an MSN earn more than the average RN salary of $78,430 annually, with some specialized roles earning well over $100,000 per year.
3. Specialization: MSN programs allow nurses to specialize in a particular area of practice, developing expertise in their chosen field.
4. Improved Patient Care: The advanced knowledge and skills gained in an MSN program can lead to better patient outcomes.
5. Pathway to Doctoral Studies: An MSN can serve as a stepping stone to doctoral programs like the DNP or PhD in Nursing.

The DNP vs the MSN

Both the MSN and DNP are advanced degrees that allow you to practice as a nurse practitioner or in other advanced practice roles. However, there are significant differences:

1. Depth of Study: DNP programs delve deeper into advanced nursing theory and practice than MSN programs.
2. Focus: While MSN programs primarily focus on clinical skills and specialization, DNP programs emphasize leadership, healthcare policy, and systems-level thinking.
3. Duration: Typically, an MSN program takes 2-3 years, while a DNP program usually requires 3-4 years of full-time study.
4. Career Opportunities: Both degrees open doors to advanced nursing roles, but a DNP may provide more opportunities for leadership positions and roles in healthcare administration.
5. Salary Potential: On average, DNP graduates earn slightly more than MSN graduates. According to various sources, DNP nurses earn about $8,000 more per year than those with an MSN degree.

While both the MSN and the DNP prepare you for high-level practice as a nurse practitioner in your chosen specialization, the DNP curriculum offers additional skills that can broaden your career prospects. These include:

• Preparation for leadership and academic positions
• In-depth training in healthcare policy
• Enhanced interprofessional collaboration skills
• Comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems
• Advanced education in evidence-based practice

These skills are some of the reasons why some organizations are pushing for all advanced-practice nurses to get a DNP. Right now, an MSN is the entry-level degree you need to get to become an APRN, but there is an intention and motivation to raise this standard to the doctoral level.

This doesn’t mean that your job title will become obsolete; don’t be afraid. With your master's degree, you will still be able to practice as an NP.

You might not know this, but 10 years ago, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) wanted to phase out MSN programs by 2015. They set some guidelines intended to push nurses to earn a DNP instead of just sticking with the MSN. However, as you can see, that didn’t really work out. So don’t worry.

The best reason for getting a DNP right now is to get into a more advanced type of healthcare position. One that leaves patient work a little behind and trains you to enter other aspects of the healthcare process, such as the ones we explained earlier.

Choosing Between DNP and MSN

When considering advanced nursing degrees, choosing between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can be challenging. Both degrees offer unique benefits and can significantly impact your nursing career. Here are some factors to consider and questions to ask yourself before committing to a program:

Factors to Consider:

• Career Goals: Do you aspire to clinical leadership roles, or are you more interested in direct patient care? DNP programs often focus more on leadership and systems-level thinking, while MSN programs typically emphasize advanced clinical skills.
• Time Commitment: DNP programs usually require 3-4 years of full-time study, compared to 2-3 years for most MSN programs. Consider how this fits with your current work and personal commitments.
• Financial Investment: While both degrees can lead to higher salaries, DNP programs generally cost more due to their longer duration. Research scholarship opportunities and compare the potential return on investment for each degree.
• Interest in Research: If you're passionate about conducting nursing research, a DNP program might be more aligned with your interests, as it emphasizes evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects.
• Desire for Terminal Degree: A DNP is a terminal degree in nursing practice. If having the highest level of education in clinical nursing is important to you, this might influence your decision.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What are my long-term career aspirations in nursing?
• Am I more interested in direct patient care or in influencing healthcare systems and policy?
• How much time and money am I willing to invest in my education at this point in my career?
• Do I see myself in academia or in high-level administrative roles in the future?
• How important is conducting research to my career goals?
• Am I interested in potentially opening my own practice as a nurse practitioner?

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Both MSN and DNP degrees can lead to rewarding careers in advanced practice nursing. Consider speaking with nurses who hold each degree and, if possible, shadow them to get a better sense of their day-to-day work.

What do you need to get a DNP?

If you're reading this, you're likely a nurse practitioner student or a registered nurse considering advanced nursing degrees. You might already be on your way to earning an MSN degree or contemplating the next step in your nursing education journey.

To enter a DNP program, you typically need:

1. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an MSN degree from an accredited nursing program
2. An active nursing license
3. A minimum undergraduate GPA (usually 3.0 or higher)
4. Clinical experience (requirements vary by program)

Many DNP programs offer flexible options for working nursing professionals, including part-time and online nursing programs. These distance learning opportunities have become increasingly relevant and popular, allowing nurses to balance their education with their current nursing practice.

DNP programs typically take 3-4 years to complete if you're starting with a BSN or about 1-2 years if you already have an MSN degree. The duration can vary based on whether you're studying full-time or part-time.

According to resources like Online FNP Programs, DNP programs often offer two main concentrations:

1. Advanced Clinical Practice: Focuses on direct patient care and advanced practice nursing roles.
2. Nursing Leadership: Emphasizes healthcare administration, policy, and systems-level practice.

While the core curriculum is often similar, the specific courses may differ based on your chosen concentration.

A key requirement of DNP programs is the completion of clinical practice hours. You'll need to accumulate at least 1000 hours of post-baccalaureate clinical practice. However, if you're entering with an MSN degree, you can typically apply up to 500 clinical hours from your master's program toward this requirement.

Some DNP programs also offer specialized tracks, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. These specialized DNP degree programs prepare you for specific advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles while also providing doctoral-level education.

Remember, while the DNP is becoming increasingly popular, it's not the only path to advanced nursing practice. Some nurses choose to pursue a PhD in nursing instead, especially if they're more interested in nursing research and academia than clinical practice and leadership.

What will you learn in the DNP program?

The AACN has a set of essential curricular elements that all DNP programs must have. Again, some subjects might vary depending on where you are studying, but you can be sure that you will learn the following eight core competencies:

1. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
2. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
3. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
4. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
5. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
6. Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
7. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
8. Advanced Nursing Practice

The titles of these competencies might seem a little complicated, but there is an easy way to look at them. The keywords here are leadership, advocacy, innovation, and improvement of healthcare systems. That’s what a DNP degree is all about.

Take a moment to look at these competencies, and the job positions we wrote about earlier. Then you should be ready to decide if the DNP is right for you.

Conclusion

Choosing between a DNP and an MSN is a significant decision that can shape your nursing career. Both degrees offer valuable opportunities for advanced nursing practice, leadership roles, and improved patient care outcomes.

Key points to remember:

• MSN programs typically focus on advanced clinical skills and specialization, taking 2-3 years to complete.
• DNP programs offer a more comprehensive curriculum, including leadership, healthcare policy, and systems-level thinking. They usually require 3-4 years of study.
• Both degrees can lead to careers as nurse practitioners, but DNP programs may provide more opportunities for leadership positions and roles in healthcare administration.
• DNP-prepared nurses often earn slightly more than those with an MSN, but both degrees can lead to significant salary increases compared to RN wages.
• The choice between DNP and MSN should align with your career goals, interests, and personal circumstances.

Remember, pursuing either an MSN or DNP is a significant step in advancing your nursing career and enhancing your ability to provide high-quality patient care. Whichever path you choose, you'll be contributing to the ever-evolving field of nursing and making a meaningful impact on healthcare delivery.