DNP requirement question?

No one can guarantee anything in the future. But the scenario you describe is HIGHLY unlikely for the following reasons:

1. There is no consensus on the issue and still plenty of MSN programs for practitioners around.

2. That sort of change in licensing requirements takes years to happen

3. When change does occur, people are almost always given a warning of several years so that educational programs can make the necessary changes to avoid graduating people who can't get a license.

4. When that sort of change in requirements happen, there is almost always a "grandfather" period or some other plan to accommodate those who have the "old degree."

So it is highly unlikely that you would see the states changing its Nurse Practice Acts to require DNP's quickly and without any plans in place for those who already have MSN's and those who were currently in MSN programs.

That said ... the long-term trend seems to be moving toward a preference for DNP's. If you are young enough to have more than a few career years left, you need to consider that the DNP may become the preferred degree in your lifetime -- and that not having it may limit your professional opportunities. Plan accordingly.