CRNA masters program versus doctorate

Nursing Students SRNA

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Specializes in Medical-Cardiac ICU.

Hi all! 
 

I have been accepted into a masters CRNA program and a DNAP program. I am trying to decide between the two. I would only graduate one semester sooner from the master’s and the DNAP is around 20 grand more. What are your thoughts? Will it make a difference in the workplace later if I have a masters versus DNAP? Limit my job options if I go with the masters? 
 

Logistically the masters program is better because my husband could keep his job and we wouldn’t have to move out of state. But if it is absolutely worth it to just get DNAP right off the bat, we are willing to do it.  

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Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.

Get your masters first then do dnap later if you feel the need. 
 

Especially if it means less in student loans. 

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

You will get a job regardless of which degree you get.  The only reason to go for the DNAP is if you plan on going into academics in the future.  The issue with a DNAP though, is you will only be able to teach in DNAP programs.  Most if not all DNP programs do not recognize the DNAP as a terminal degree like they do DNP which means you could not teach in those programs.  

So it totally depends on what you want in the future.  If you can see yourself ever teaching then you will need a terminal degree like a DNAP or DNP.

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Specializes in Medical-Cardiac ICU.

I settled on the master's program and begin this fall. I don't see myself teaching, but there are some short completion programs I may go back for later just in case.

Thank you both for the advice! It helped more than you know ? 

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