MSN vs DNP - Which is Better? (2023)

FAQs

Is it worth it to get DNP over MSN? ›

While the salary is similar between the two degrees, the DNP degree may provide more opportunities in leadership and prove more competitive in the career search. Nurses committed to advocating and representing the nursing profession must look to the future and commit to learning what is necessary to lead the charge.

In order to become a nurse practitioner, you'll need to obtain at least a BSN and MSN, pass certification exams, perform clinical research, and apply for licensure within the states you wish you to practice.

Earning an MSN takes about two years on a full-time basis. The DNP may take slightly longer, averaging two to three years.

While MSNs may practice as family nurse practitioners, DNPs bring the leadership and organizational experience to manage a multi-provider practice, open a business or move into other leadership roles.

More than 64% of today's nursing workforce is prepared at the baccalaureate and higher-degree level, but only 1.2% have a DNP degree and 0.6% a PhD, according to American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) statistics.

A nurse with a DNP degree can influence healthcare policies, take on administrative roles and provide clinical education for nursing programs. An NP without a DNP degree has not reached a terminal educational level that might be required for some roles.

Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

Right now, an MSN degree is sufficient, but you'll need a doctoral degree to earn APRN licensure in the field after 2025. While a DNP is a popular option, students can also choose to earn another doctoral degree, including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Doctor of Education (EdD)

What is the pay difference between MSN and DNP? ›

According to PayScale.com, individuals with a DNP earn a higher average income than those with the MSN: DNP: $102,000 average salary. MSN: $93,000 average salary.

To enroll in a DNP program, you must have completed a BSN or MSN degree. If you don't have a BSN degree, you can't take a direct path from RN to DNP.

Some of the many factors building momentum for change in nursing education at the graduate level include: the rapid expansion of knowledge underlying practice; increased complexity of patient care; national concerns about the quality of care and patient safety; shortages of nursing personnel which demands a higher ...

Nurses who've earned their MSN can take an even more direct route to their DNP degree, which is called a Post-MS to DNP track. This more direct pathway to a DNP degree takes only two years to complete for multiple reasons. For one, nurses at the master's-level typically have years of experience in the field.

The advanced skills acquired in a DNP program may also have a significant impact on a practical clinical level. DNP graduates can gain expertise in advanced clinical techniques that other nursing or medical professionals may not be able to undertake.

According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, registered nurses whose highest education was a DNP reported a median salary of about $100,000, 11% higher than the $90,000 median for those who had earned as much as a master's degree.

The average age of a nurse practitioner is 43.4 years old, but the nurse practitioner age range starts between 20 and 24 years to 65 years old and over. Most nurse practitioners are between 35 and 44 years old, equaling almost 39% of all nurse practitioners in the United States.

According to the BLS, Nurse Practitioners in California earn the highest salary. Their average salary is $151,830 per year or $72.99 per hour.

Critical Care Nurse Practitioner

Possibly one of the most difficult nurse practitioner specialties, a critical care nurse practitioner has to learn to deal with life and death situations daily due to treating the most acutely ill or traumatized patients.

Nurses With a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) Should Not Call Themselves “Doctor” in a Clinical Setting.

Does DNP make more money than NP? ›

Do DNPs make more money than NPs? DNP salaries are generally higher than NP salaries, reflecting their additional training. However, nurse anesthetists, even those with MSNs, often earn more than family practice DNPs. Individual salaries depend on specialty, location, experience, and many other factors.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and labor statistics, the most in-demand specialties for NP include: Family (70.3%) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (8.9%)

The lowest-paying states are Tennessee ($95,120), Alabama ($102,410), South Carolina ($102,850), Missouri ($103,490), and West Virginia ($104,750). NP salaries vary significantly across the country.

As a hospitalist NP, you can expect to have one of the highest-paying nurse practitioner jobs. The average yearly wage is about $117,880. And while hourly rates vary based on region and specific hospitals, it is $56.67 on average.

A DNP (doctor of nursing practice) and Ph. D. in Nursing are vastly different than an MD (doctor of medicine). The former are highly-trained nurses, and the latter is a physician, with all the scope of practice allowances that come with that title.

Those more interested in teaching or exploring theories and making analyses might choose a PhD in Nursing for a career path. If you're more interested in interacting with other nurses, healthcare professionals, and patients on a regular basis, a DNP might be a better fit for your career aspirations.

While the M.D. route leads to higher average salaries, it also often includes a more expensive education, so students who need loans are likely to graduate with more debt. While the DNP includes a lower average salary, it also allows you to work full time sooner while accruing fewer education costs.

Approximately 18% of nurses hold a graduate level degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Pharmacology: it even sounds scary

It shouldn't be too surprising that many nursing students consider Pharmacology to be the hardest class in nursing school. Honestly, the name of this course alone makes it sound challenging, and it is.

Is an MSN being phased out? ›

This marks a significant change from today's requirement of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). In May 2018, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) announced that all entry-level nurse practitioner education programs would shift from the MSN to the DNP by 2025.

The DNP is the highest professional degree in nursing, also called a terminal degree, and is considered the future of healthcare.

Well, there is no surprise in knowing that the process of obtaining admission into a good DNP school can be challenging and requires some serious hard work. But if you are prepared before you apply, you have a better chance of success at getting into a good DNP school.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who is educated at the master's level or higher, and represents a step up in responsibilities and autonomy compared to registered nurses.

Courses and content are more challenging. The level of knowledge you're required to have as a Nurse Practitioner is a huge step up from a RN. You'll take a lot of the same courses as you did with your BSN, but will go into each topic with a lot more depth because you'll be diagnosing and treating health problems soon.

We can intubate, insert chest thoracotomies, manage ventilators and pretty much any critical care infusion.”

Findings: We found that the completion rate of DNP students of the 2006-2015 matriculating cohorts was 77.3% and the attrition rate was 19.3%. On average, after matriculation, it took 3 years for the students to graduate and 1.9 years for students who left without graduating to drop out.

Many schools will require a 3.0 GPA to get into nurse practitioner school. Based on the type of NP program you are applying for (MSN or DNP), your GPA will be calculated from your bachelorly or master's degree coursework.

Nurses cannot perform surgical procedures independently. Nurses can fill many different roles before, during, and after surgical procedures. Consider additional training or education to get the job you are most interested in.

While programs across the country vary in length, most BSN-DNP programs take three to four years of full-time coursework, while MSN-DNP programs take about one to two years.

How long does it take to get a PHD in nursing? ›

D. nurse, of course, nurses must complete a Ph. D. in nursing program, which generally takes 4 to 6 years to finish.

Both provide advancements in your career, salary, and opportunities. With the DNP, which is a terminal degree, there are more opportunities for executive leadership roles, nurse faculty roles, and healthcare advocacy programs in the clinical setting, hospitals, and throughout many organizations.

While an MSN and a DNP can prepare nurses for some of the same advanced practice roles, more education typically results in a higher earning potential. According to EMSI, the median advertised salary for an RN with an MSN is $95.5K, compared to $117K for an RN with a DNP.

Nurses who've earned their MSN can take an even more direct route to their DNP degree, which is called a Post-MS to DNP track. This more direct pathway to a DNP degree takes only two years to complete for multiple reasons. For one, nurses at the master's-level typically have years of experience in the field.