Post masters certificate or DNP program after Nursing Education degree?

[pinkiepieRN]

Hi. My undergrad GPA was only a 3.3 and I did not think I was competitive enough to get into a DNP or PhD program after I received my Bachelors degree. I was scared to pursue other programs so I took the Masters of Science in Nursing Education at my alma mater, thinking that it would be a stepping stone. I just graduated last week with a 3.4 GPA. I had some mental health issues during my MS program and my grades suffered. It took 6 years of part time (with a 2 year hiatus) to complete my degree.

I'm looking to get into a DNP program in psychiatric mental health nursing. A lot of programs I see offer post-masters certificates but to those nurses who already have advanced practice licenses. Did I waste my time getting the MS in Nursing Ed? Obviously I know I can teach at the university level with this degree but I would like to be an APRN with a terminal degree. I know I'll have to take more courses but will I be any closer with my MS than if I only had my BSN? I'm looking at professor positions and don't want to go back to school immediately but I do want to start continuing my education again within the next year or two.