CRNA Masters vs DNP programs?

YourFaveNurse · Apr 26, 2016

Masters is a shorter program, but i am wondering if it makes a difference in the job force. Eager to find out..

Alor14582 · Apr 26, 2016

Just my opinion on the topic not research to back me up. The price of tuition is going up every semester and every year so it would be cheaper to do it all now in two ways. One the overall per credit price will be cheaper the sooner you start. Two the program I got into is 8 months longer now to do the dnp vs if you go back after doing the MSN that is 12 full time or 24 months part time and the cost of the going back is more credits that the all dnp to begin with, which will further raise the overall cost. Maybe the dnp will never come in handy for anything ever because of the fact that all MSN will be grandfathered in BUT. Here are a few ways it can, you will be able to teach and be able to help the profession in that way if you like. The program staff at my school all had to get a some kind of doctorate (look at the titles of the program directors). It may or may not help with getting a job but wouldn't it help if you want to advance up in the workplace, it helps in most professions. All the prior one are very subjective at best because there are teachers with out doctorates and program directors but at what percentage? What happens if years later in one's career you want to move to another state and they raise the minimal degree requirement to the doctorate level as I heard they did with the masters in some states. These are all the thought I had before applying and I decided to go to a dnp program because it may just help me in the future if not I set a example for my younger extended family members as my older cousins set for me. They all ended up getting their masters in different fields but they all said it help them in the long run. There are more great reason to pick a dnp now over later and there are reasons to do the MSN now and just be grandfathered in. It's a personal choice best of luck deciding end of rant

Bluebolt · Apr 26, 2016

It's way too early in the transition process to tell for sure. Anything someone told you now would be attempting to predict the future. Currently it makes no difference in hiring, considering there are very few DNP CRNA's in the workforce at this time anyway.

Now how will it go in 5-8 years when everyone graduating have doctorates, who knows.

allnurses Guide · Apr 27, 2016

I don't think it will matter for decades to come whether you have a Masters or Doctorate since there are still a few Bachelor and certificate CRNAs that are gainfully employed.