PMHNP programs all going from MSN to DNP?

[shannarini71]

Hi,

FIU's PMHNP program recently came off moratorium for their PMHNP program--however, they apparently are changing from a master's degree program in 2013 to a BSN-DNP program in 2014! Is this the "norm" for other PMHNP programs? I have my heart set on becoming a psych NP (I'm about to graduate from ADN school) but the thought of additional expense and schooling to get a doctorate for this is a little disheartening. Anyone have any input on if this is the norm across the board for things to come?

[l150]

I think this absolutely nuts. I looked at what a PAs education and salary is . I wonder why they can have still only a masters degree and a nurse has to get to back to get a DNP, but the same or nearly the same pay. I am all for education and professionalism , but I find this outrageous and so should any fellow nurse.

[myelin]

I think the DNP as entry to practice is absurd.

[Elinor]

Why will an DNP be inherently more expensive and harder to attain? I'm honestly wondering. Don't master's and doctoral classes usually cost about the same per credit hour, on average* (with some variation from school to school)? I thought programs were generally just converting their pre-existing MSN programs to DNP programs. Same education, different degree.

Also, I can't speak specifically for these nursing degrees, but isn't it generally a lot easier to get financial aid for a doctorate than a master's?

If all the above is true, I personally would be all for it. The NP curriculum already resembles a doctorate program more than a typical master's program. So it's just giving NP's the more appropriate title, with a more accurate recognition of their level of expertise.

*random examples of MSN vs. DNP cost per credit hour from a google search, except jefferson which I specifically searched for: jefferson (same), university of colorado (same), cleveland state university (same), duke (were same, now DNP is more), vanderbilt (where the DNP is weirdly way cheaper than the MSN), frontier (dnp is cheaper), MUSC (same)...

[Elinor]

Oh, and I don't think anyone is proposing that NP's with MSN's would have to go back to school for a DNP.

[Elinor]

All the schools in my area are still offering the MSN for all NP specialties. They have the DNP as a post-masters option but I haven't seen any BSN-DNP programs yet.

Now that is a huge ripoff.

[harmonizer]

Oh, and I don't think anyone is proposing that NP's with MSN's would have to go back to school for a DNP.

That's not the point of the argument. No. Nobody proposing that all MSN have to go back to school. They are already NPs. I am sure most of them don't want to. Nothing they can do with that. I am talking about the DNP being the new entry level for NP. I support for the elimination of BSN-MSN and the change to BSN-DNP. It may not become law but I hope more and more schools will follow this route. I am sure that the online diploma mills will be the last to follow because they wants student to enroll.

Just like they do not force BS Pharm/MS Pharm to get PharmD. Master DPT does not have to go back for DPT either.

[Elinor]

Nobody proposing that all MSN have to go back to school. They are already NPs.

harmonizer, l150 just did. That was in response to her post, to clarify.

[mzaur]

Why will an DNP be inherently more expensive and harder to attain? I'm honestly wondering. Don't master's and doctoral classes usually cost about the same per credit hour, on average* (with some variation from school to school)? I thought programs were generally just converting their pre-existing MSN programs to DNP programs. Same education, different degree.

Also, I can't speak specifically for these nursing degrees, but isn't it generally a lot easier to get financial aid for a doctorate than a master's?

If all the above is true, I personally would be all for it. The NP curriculum already resembles a doctorate program more than a typical master's program. So it's just giving NP's the more appropriate title, with a more accurate recognition of their level of expertise.

*random examples of MSN vs. DNP cost per credit hour from a google search, except jefferson which I specifically searched for: jefferson (same), university of colorado (same), cleveland state university (same), duke (were same, now DNP is more), vanderbilt (where the DNP is weirdly way cheaper than the MSN), frontier (dnp is cheaper), MUSC (same)...

Perhaps you're forgetting that a DNP, as a doctorate, will require more credit hours than an MSN, which is a masters. In the end, of course it'll be more expensive...

As for financial aid, it's quite easy to get grad plus loans for any graduate program, masters or doctorate. The degree does not make a difference.

[Elinor]

Isn't there a lot of variation in the number of credit hours required for degrees at different schools, and for different specialties, etc.?

[nursing_student93]

Isn't there a lot of variation in the number of credit hours required for degrees at different schools, and for different specialties, etc.?

I can't speak to DNP programs, but there are 5 different MSN programs I plan to apply to. One is 3 semesters in length (12 mos total) and one is 7 quarters (fall-winter-spring-summer-fall-winter-spring), or the equivalent of 5 semester. I definitely think there is a range!

[_zoubisoubisou_]

I realize this is an old thread, but I have a question...or two.

What is the difference in time of a MSN/DNP for PMHNP?

What are the salary differences for those two titles?

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I realize this is an old thread, but I have a question...or two.

What is the difference in time of a MSN/DNP for PMHNP?

What are the salary differences for those two titles?

The difference in time varies among programs. The schools I've looked at in my area will require anywhere between 27 to 44 (typically around 30) additional credits for DNP (2-3 additional years). There is no salary differences that I know of.