Any MSN-FNP's here who decided to go back for DNP?

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Specializes in NP / USAFR Flight Nurse.

Maybe I am glutton for punishment, but I am thinking of going back to school to obtain a terminal degree. I am leaning towards Aspen Univ. DNP in Leadership as they offer some insight into the financial, business, and management side of practice.

Has any NP's here gone back for the DNP? Any advice?

( Background: I am currently working for the VA healthcare system in Vascular Surgery, but ideally some day would like to have my own clinic and feel that this would help prepare a little more than the current education I have. )

**I am also a USAF Reservist, so the cost is decent with Aspen ($16,000)

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

There are plenty of not-for-profit schools that have decent costs and give a good education. Aspen says they are CCNE and nationally accredited, but no regional. General rule of thumb is to avoid non-regionally accredited schools. Regional > national accreditation

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Know a dozen or so of them. First they wanted out of hassle and bussle of bedside, then they got tired of more of the same in offices/SNFs, they did not try things, did not find their niche, they got older. So now they want calm 8/5 M-F, no call, weekends or holidays and especially no patients. Academia, administration, teaching, etc. - and here they are in DNP school.

They really think that administrative, legal, financial, executive and educational roles for nurses are quiet and relaxing sinecure jobs. Poor naive things ?

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

I completed my DNP while working full time as a hospitalist. In fact, I passed boards and signed my current position's contract the same month I started my DNP.

Three years and a few months later, I am still a hospitalist, and I have a terminal degree. For me, it was a personal goal, but I also hope it makes me more marketable.

Plus, opportunities I hadn't considered are potentially on my radar, and I look forward to what the future brings.

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I would do it if I was forced too. At the juncture, I would find the quickest and easiest program possible. that's how little I care about a fluff degree.

I was thinking about pursuing the DNP last year, but decided to get a masters in something totally unrelated to healthcare instead (for my own personal development).

Between a traditional BSN/MSN, I have had enough "nursing model" education for my lifetime haha.

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On 12/26/2019 at 9:51 PM, KatieMI said:

Know a dozen or so of them. First they wanted out of hassle and bussle of bedside, then they got tired of more of the same in offices/SNFs, they did not try things, did not find their niche, they got older. So now they want calm 8/5 M-F, no call, weekends or holidays and especially no patients. Academia, administration, teaching, etc. - and here they are in DNP school.

They really think that administrative, legal, financial, executive and educational roles for nurses are quiet and relaxing sinecure jobs. Poor naive things ?

Hmm.... I am a NP that is getting my DNP. I still plan to have a clinical practice, just a personal goal so that I can also teach graduate students. I actually find some of course work to be applicable to my primary are role as well. I have no regrets.

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8 hours ago, Rnis said:

Hmm.... I am a NP that is getting my DNP. I still plan to have a clinical practice, just a personal goal so that I can also teach graduate students. I actually find some of course work to be applicable to my primary are role as well. I have no regrets.

That usefulness in coursework would be better served by another 1000 hours of clinicals

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