End Goal CRNA: MSN, DNP or DNAP?

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Hey guys,

I am a non-traditional pre-nursing student.I am wrapping up my undergraduate studies in a non-nursing field, and have plans to enter a Master's Entry Program post graduation. I see my end goal being a CRNA. That being said, I am trying to make an informed decision about whether to pursue a MSN, DNP or DNAP as the end goal. Here's what I've heard about all of the degrees, for some insight:

MSN: Only 1-2 years, but I keep reading that MSNs for CRNAs will be phased on in 2022. I do plan on practicing for a couple of years before I apply to nurse anesthetist school, and so I am not entirely certain if I would make it to a Master's program before 2022.

DNP: Great degree, I love the idea that I am pursuing a terminal degree, and I also love how there is an opportunity to teach later in life (which I would like to do). More than likely to earn a MSN before this degree as well, so I would have a strong foundation of nursing. My only note for this degree is the comparison of having a DNAP in lieu of a DNP (because my end goal is CRNA, and I don't think that I would like to have to go back to school for another doctorate). I'm not too aware of the politics of having a DNP and then maybe having to go out of my way to get a DNAP after 2022, more school, more debt.

DNAP: It seems as though all signs are pointing to this degree. By 2025, all MSN programs for nurse anesthesia will be substituted for these programs. My only draw for this is that it does limit me in terms of opportunities outside of the OR. From what I've heard, tenure is a little bit more difficult to attain, since the degree is so new.

Any opinions or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

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1. The CRNA MSN programs aren't 1-2 years, they are 2-3 years (and the majority are 2.5ish yrs).

2. No one can give you a 100% answer on all of this because no one knows how this will all shake out. Will it be like the "required" BSN and still have plenty of ASN programs? Or will this be a hard deadline? One thing to consider is that if it ends up being a hard deadline, schools aren't going to wait until the deadline to switch. The amount of work needed to switch from MSN to DNP is huge and requires site visits, etc. That is why you have programs makin the change now, 5 years before the deadline. If that continues, I'd bet there won't be many MSN CRNA programs by 2021 (if the deadline is a "real" one)

3. The DNAP is not a DNP. It is a doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice. This is similar to the CRNA schools that offer a Masters in Anesthesia as opposed to a MSN. Clinically they are the same, but don't usually have the core classes to make them a "nursing" degree. I have heard of some "rare" issues of licensing problems when a state requires a "MSN" and the person has this other degree. The DNAP is focused more on anesthesia, but it may not fulfill the DNP requirement for teaching at some institutions. The DNP is more general but is "safer" in terms of being usable everywhere. Also, the majority of CRNA schools (the ones attached to Schools of Nursing) will be DNP, not DNAP. Again, all this might change and there may be more acceptance of the DNAP.

4. Lastly, nursing school is full of people that want to be CRNAs. Not many end up doing it. Have flexibility with your plan. Shadow different providers. You may hate the work a CRNA does when you see it, or you might love it (like I did). You may find out that you love pediatrics and pursue a NP degree. Just keep an open mind and get good grades in school (fixing a bad nursing GPA is really hard to do)!!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

The 2025 deadline for CRNA to switch to doctorate programs is a done deal. The COA and the AANA both support the transition, and most CRNA schools have either transitioned or made plans to transition to doctorate level programs.

The DNP for all other APRNs has not been mandated as of yet. It will probably just become a defacto standard as more and more schools make the switch. The initial recommendation was for all APRN programs to make the transition by 2015, but that obviously never happened.

COA Position Statements

AANA Announces Support of Doctorate for Entry into Nurse Anesthesia Practice by 2

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The 2025 deadline for CRNA to switch to doctorate programs is a done deal. The COA and the AANA both support the transition, and most CRNA schools have either transitioned or made plans to transition to doctorate level programs.

The DNP for all other APRNs has not been mandated as of yet. It will probably just become a defacto standard as more and more schools make the switch. The initial recommendation was for all APRN programs to make the transition by 2015, but that obviously never happened.

COA Position Statements

AANA Announces Support of Doctorate for Entry into Nurse Anesthesia Practice by 225

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | DNP Fact Sheet

As he said, this is a "done deal" and is not at all like some hospitals saying they prefer you to have your BSN over your ADN. Most programs have already transitioned or are in the process of transitioning to a doctorate right now. A doctorate will be entry level for practice in 2025, masters level nurses will be grandfathered in but I anticipate pressure to continue on and get their doctorate.

In reality, the DNP/DNAP CRNA program is the same thing, with a slight variation degree title. You'll learn everything you need to for CRNA practice and will be able to work wherever you want with either. Don't let the "a" in one of the degree titles throw you off, choose whichever doctorate CRNA program that you like, go for that one. I interviewed at a DNAP program and a DNP program and saw no difference at all in the clinical practice, course work or professors.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
As he said, this is a "done deal" and is not at all like some hospitals saying they prefer you to have your BSN over your ADN. Most programs have already transitioned or are in the process of transitioning to a doctorate right now. A doctorate will be entry level for practice in 2025, masters level nurses will be grandfathered in but I anticipate pressure to continue on and get their doctorate.

In reality, the DNP/DNAP CRNA program is the same thing, with a slight variation degree title. You'll learn everything you need to for CRNA practice and will be able to work wherever you want with either. Don't let the "a" in one of the degree titles throw you off, choose whichever doctorate CRNA program that you like, go for that one. I interviewed at a DNAP program and a DNP program and saw no difference at all in the clinical practice, course work or professors.

The difference in DNAP and DNP goes back to the beginnings of nurse anesthesia programs. Anesthesia programs started as short training programs (3 weeks) and were taught most often through the hospitals or initially by OJT. Then as time progressed the programs became integrated into academic institutions, but not all of the those institutions had schools of nursing. That was the start of the all the different degrees that one can have for nurse anesthesia school. The COA/AANA never made it a requirement for CRNA schools to be affiliated or housed in schools of nursing, and many schools have chosen, for whatever reason, to open CRNA schools outside schools of nursing. The end result of becoming a CRNA is the same, but there is some educational differences.

The biggest difference between the DNP and DNAP is that the DNAP does not have to follow DNP essentials and the other requirements set up by the AACN. I think the majority of the DNAP programs do address and/or follow the majority of the AACN essentials/requirements, but it isn't mandated and it gives those schools more leeway in classes that are and are not taught.

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Just keep an open mind and get good grades in school (fixing a bad nursing GPA is really hard to do)!!

I have heard that some NP programs are really ambigious when it comes to accepting students, some look at GPA, some look at experience - I will be graduating with my BSN this coming May but my GPA is not much to brag about (I had some family problems that impacted my performance my first year of nursing school and I've been playing catch up ever since).

However, I do know for certain that I want a Masters in the long run, unsure of whether I want it in NP or MSN/CRNA. My dream job is to be a scrub/circ. RN in the OR and am currently applying for an OR position. I really want my Masters to be surgery/OR oriented but not 100% sure if I want to pursue CRNA (I heard of too many of my classmates wanting to be CRNAs because of $$$ and I don't want to be like them).

I plan on pursuing my MSN in about 3-5 years - based on your experience, would you say 3-5 experience in the OR/ICU (if I end up transferring) can help cover up my ugly BSN GPA? Thanks!

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I plan on pursuing my MSN in about 3-5 years - based on your experience, would you say 3-5 experience in the OR/ICU (if I end up transferring) can help cover up my ugly BSN GPA? Thanks!

You'll need to work in the ICU to be capable of applying to CRNA school, the OR/PACU doesn't count as the required critical care experience. If you're dead set on not doing a doctorate than you may want to look into NP because CRNA programs are all switching to doctorate programs in the next few years. Many programs have already stopped offering thier masters and are doctorate only to comply with the new upcoming regulation. If you're looking at going back to grad school in 3-5 years you'll run into some difficulties trying to do a masters as a CRNA.

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I'm looking into obtaining my MSN first (time purposes) but ultimately want my DNP. Anyone hear anything of a bridge program at any schools?

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