MSN or DNP as CRNA?

So I'm sure everyone here has their finger on the pulse of the ever changing medical field. The education requirements are increasing rapidly and by 2025 all CRNA and CRNP programs will be DNP.

I'm applying to CRNA school this year and it's time to make the decision, MSN or DNP? I have about 8 DNP programs that I would consider going to, they are only 3 years (or slightly less) from start to finish. Surprisingly these DNP programs are not much more cost than the MSN programs.

If I'm ever going to have my DNP I'd rather do it now and be done with it. I don't want to start practicing and in 15 years it's standard for all to have their DNP's with me still having my MSN. A good example is the current ADN vs BSN debate that is going on currently. Hospitals want all the RN's to be BSN prepared and are urging their ADN staff to get back in school. How long until magnet hospitals start to require their CRNA's to all be DNP's?

I have an Uncle who was a CRNA and he didn't even have a masters, it was a type of certificate education past BSN I believe. My point being I don't want to be the certificate CRNA in 15 years having to get back in school.

My friends are all in MSN CRNA programs and they insist I'm being silly and this will never come to pass. I'm curious what others think, especially those currently working as CRNA's. If you were in my place about to apply, which type of program would you chose?

1. All NA schools will have had to have made the switch to DNP/DNAP by 2025, which actually means that starting the admission year 2022 all NA will have had to have made the switch to a DNP/DNAP.

2. NPs currently have no requirement to switch to a DNP. It was suggested by the AACN that APNs would make the switch to DNP by 2015, but the NP credentialing association(s) never made the DNP a requirement.

3. All NA DNP/DNAP programs have to a minimum of 3 years per COA guidelines.

4. CRNAs without Doctorates will be grandfathered in. There are still a few certificate CRNAs that still practice, and d/t the complex nature of anesthesia departments it would be rare for the hospital to require the CRNAs to have a doctorate to practice even in 15-20+ years. This has a lot to do with politics, state associations, BON requirements, and the AANA too.

5. It is much easier to get your DNP/DNAP up front versus going back to school. It took me 2.5years for my MSN/CRNA and another 2 years of full-time study to get my DNAP. It also costs a lot more to do it that way.

6. The DNP/DNAP gives you a lot more latitude in what you can do outside the OR, especially if you want to teach in a CRNA program. A lot of CRNA programs are converting or have already converted to complete doctoral prepared teaching staff.

I agree with you on all the points you listed. I've decided to go for the DNP program and have narrowed it down to 7 programs that I feel fit my needs. The Mayo Clinic DNP program is top of my list and will be one of the three I apply to in July. I've always heard great things about The Mayo Clinic.

The website "allcrnaschools.com" runs an estimate of what the whole program should cost and it only estimates $55,000 roughly for the whole program, that's affordable in my book.

I don't know how reliable the "allcrnaschools.com" website information is. The last time I looked there were some incorrect information, but it is starting point. The information that is posted usually comes right off the schools websites.

I would focus on the attrition rates, board pass rates, clinical numbers, and clinical sites when looking for a school. It is important that you exceed all the minimum numbers required by COA, have a good regional rotation with US guidance, and have at least one rotation that has independent CRNA practice (that can be a military rotation or an all CRNA practice). The NA schools often have most or all of their clinical sites at ACT practices severely limiting your ability to do regional (PNBs/neuraxial), CVLs, and practice independently.

Does getting the DNP earn a higher pay rate? If you are not going to teach, what type of opportunities/benefits are gained by DNP?

1. How do you know going into NA school, if you are going to teach or not in the future? A lot of things change after a couple years of practice.

2. The DNP/DNAP does not change a CRNA's scope of practice and it is doubtful it will allow for a higher pay rate.

3. At some point you have to just decide if you want knowledge for the sake of knowledge itself or not and move on. Having an advanced education isn't just about money, but getting a DNP/DNAP combined with a CRNA is significantly cheaper than doing your CRNA than going back to get your DNP/DNAP.

4. The DNP/DNAP should give a CRNA more educational experience and knowledge on how to guide their future practice through utilization of EBP.