FNP MSN vs DNP school help

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Specializes in operating room, surgical services.

Hello,

I have been accepted into two schools and awaiting to hear from Azusa Pacific University. One is MSN FNP at Cal Baptist University and the other is DNP FNP at University of California Irvine. I would love to graduate from UC Irvine- love their mission and diversity stance, however getting my DNP means more $$. The length of all of them are 3 years to complete. Is it worth to get more student loans to pay for the DNP? California is flooded with NP grads so there is a lot of competition, however most jobs require MSN. Eventually I would like a terminal degree. This is tough decision. If anyone has a any suggestions that would be great.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

Considering that you eventually want a terminal degree and they both take 3 years, UC-Irvine seems to be a more reasonable choice. Can you pay in-state tuition and how much more is it? Keep in mind that a post-MSN DNP program can cost anywhere from $30k to $70k if you go back after getting your MSN from Cal Baptist, and it will be another 2 years at the minimum (not fun).

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Specializes in operating room, surgical services.
47 minutes ago, umbdude said:

Considering that you eventually want a terminal degree and they both take 3 years, UC-Irvine seems to be a more reasonable choice. Can you pay in-state tuition and how much more is it? Keep in mind that a post-MSN DNP program can cost anywhere from $30k to $70k if you go back after getting your MSN from Cal Baptist, and it will be another 2 years at the minimum (not fun).

I live in California, so yes, I will be paying in-state tuition for 3 schools I applied to. So, Azusa Pacific University and Cal Baptist Uni BSN to MSN/FNP will cost about $50k whereas UC Irvine's DNP/FNP is $100k.

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Specializes in CARN.
3 hours ago, stephadler82 said:

Hello,

I have been accepted into two schools and awaiting to hear from Azusa Pacific University. One is MSN FNP at Cal Baptist University and the other is DNP FNP at University of California Irvine. I would love to graduate from UC Irvine- love their mission and diversity stance, however getting my DNP means more $$. The length of all of them are 3 years to complete. Is it worth to get more student loans to pay for the DNP? California is flooded with NP grads so there is a lot of competition, however most jobs require MSN. Eventually I would like a terminal degree. This is tough decision. If anyone has a any suggestions that would be great.

You should check out Frontier Nursing University They have a great history ! Their FNP program as a DNP option at the end which is one reason I choose them.

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Specializes in operating room, surgical services.
12 minutes ago, PMHP61 said:

You should check out Frontier Nursing University They have a great history ! Their FNP program as a DNP option at the end which is one reason I choose them.

Thank you but I am not interested in schools outside of California; only local brick and mortar schools.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
13 hours ago, stephadler82 said:

I live in California, so yes, I will be paying in-state tuition for 3 schools I applied to. So, Azusa Pacific University and Cal Baptist Uni BSN to MSN/FNP will cost about $50k whereas UC Irvine's DNP/FNP is $100k.

UCI costs $50k more, but you will have your DNP completely done in 3 years. If you get a MSN now and go back to get your DNP later, it'll be another 2-3 years. Most Post-MSN DNP degrees from reputable programs cost $60k or more.

Take a careful look at the curriculum. Often a highly-reputable DNP programs will provide more clinical hours at better medical facilities. It looks like UCI will offer 1,000+ hours and probably has great connections to medical facilities in the area.

Sounds like you have some great choices and a lot to think about. CONGRATS and good luck with your decision!

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DNP is a non-factor in my opinion unless you are talking to ivory tower nursing academic types and not actual HR/employers. However, UCI is a better school objectively.

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Specializes in operating room, surgical services.
1 hour ago, Numenor said:

DNP is a non-factor in my opinion unless you are talking to ivory tower nursing academic types and not actual HR/employers. However, UCI is a better school objectively.

Thank you for your comment. When it comes to hiring, does it really matter where you went to school? An NP told me the other day that employers do look at where you went to school and where you did your clinical rotations.

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4 minutes ago, stephadler82 said:

Thank you for your comment. When it comes to hiring, does it really matter where you went to school? An NP told me the other day that employers do look at where you went to school and where you did your clinical rotations.

In general no (aside from glaringly based on line schools or maybe coming from a local school), they primarily care about experience. Can you do the job? Docs and HR barely even know there are different NP specialties.

The school I went to (brick and mortar state school), never came into the convo.

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Specializes in operating room, surgical services.

Thank you for all your comments. The other thing that I have been wondering, is how much more rigorous is the DNP compared to MSN? I have a family and will be working part time (2- 12s) so I have be honest about time commitment. UCI DNP is so new that I can't ask any alumni what their honest experience is.

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Just wondering what did you end up going with? I have my MSN in education and thinking a couple routes:

Post MSN-FNP or DNP-FNP

 

I'm also from california for trying to find schools..

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