MSN to DNP?

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Hi everyone,

I will be graduating this year with my M.S. in nursing through a direct-entry masters program. When I finish, I am eligible to sit for the NCLEX, and get my RN. I want to keep going and get my Neonatal NP (which around the Chicago area seems to take another 18 months or so) ...but with all the talk of NPs needing to have a DNP in 2015, I am wondering if I should just skip to that? I really don't have much interest in the leadership/administrative/teaching side of nursing at this point, but am thinking down the road it may be a good thing to have to: A) stay competitive with those getting their DNPs, and B) give me more career path options.

Is it possible to get your DNP while specializing for my NNP? Can you do both at the same time? If I can save an extra year or two of having to be in school that would be great! :)

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Specializes in CTICU.

You know you need 2 years of NICU experience to apply to NNP courses?

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Yes, I do know I need that experience to apply for the NP programs. I'm just asking that after I do that, is there such a thing that allows for me to do the NNP and DNP together?

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Specializes in CTICU.

Just checking - thought you said "keep going and get NNP" which sounds like not taking a break to work in NICU for the required time :)

Well, since the NNP is a masters degree, I imagine you'd have to do that, then complete the additional coursework afterwards to get the DNP. I'm not sure if you could do a post-masters NNP and DNP simultaneously though.

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Tnisgrl:

More and more schools are launching DNP programs every month. Although most of these today (Jan 2009) are post-Masters programs, more BSN-DNP programs will be opened in the coming years. My own University is waiting until our DNP program is accredited (our site visit is in 6 weeks) before we develop a BSN-to-DNP curriculum. This is because inviduals seeking Advanced Practice Nursing certification need to have graduated from an accredited program.

As more DNP programs become accredited, there will be more BSN-DNP programs.

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Specializes in Long Term Care; Skilled Nursing.

I think this is a great opportunity for nurses, but I also think that hospitals will stop hiring doctors and hire more nurses, I hope that isn't so. I think NP's are great but I also think doctors are great people.

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, Med/Surg, ER, Private Duty.

so will the master degree phase out?

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From what I understand, the MSN will phase out. My local university is already starting this process. They should have the DNP only and no MSN in 2012. They also will have a BSN-DNP program and it takes roughly 3 years.

The DNP is an extra year on top of an MSN, I don't think you can do both, and I wouldn't suggest it.

I don't think hospitals will stop hiring nurses. MD's still have more training and are taught in a different manner than nurses. I think it just gives NP's more opportunities for advancement.

I would say continue with the NP, and when the time comes, if you want, go for the DNP. I wouldn't hop into the DNP right away since it seems most of the programs are still working out the kinks.

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The DNP 'roadmap' calls for the advancement of Advanced Practice Nursing education only (CNS, NP, CRNA, CNM). It does not involve all of nursing education. Even if the DNP comes to pass (and that is still an IF since many schools, professional nursing organizations, and State Boards of Nursing have not signed on), there will still be MSNs offered in other areas --administration, education, informatics, CNL, public health, forensics, etc.

The only nursing specialty organization that has embraced the DNP today is the anesthetists. After 2022, there will be no more MSN graduates from nurse anesthetist programs; the DNP (or DNAP) will be the degree for entry into practice as a CRNA.

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, Med/Surg, ER, Private Duty.
Tnisgrl:

More and more schools are launching DNP programs every month. Although most of these today (Jan 2009) are post-Masters programs, more BSN-DNP programs will be opened in the coming years. My own University is waiting until our DNP program is accredited (our site visit is in 6 weeks) before we develop a BSN-to-DNP curriculum. This is because inviduals seeking Advanced Practice Nursing certification need to have graduated from an accredited program.

As more DNP programs become accredited, there will be more BSN-DNP programs.

I dont get it.. I look into alot of program! and the time fram of BSN-DNP is the same ... 3 to 4 years.. for BSN to DNP... and the MSN to DNP 3 to 4 years doesn't MSN count for anything..

dang

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GreatGirl:

Most MSN-DNP programs are 35-45 credits is you have a specialty MSN (NP, CNS, etc). At UVa, a fulltime Masters-prepared APN can expect to complete the DNP in 24 months. The 2 years fulltime (3-4 years parttime) is common at most post-MSN DNP programs.

In our our DNP program, a person who wants to combine the DNP with an additional APN certification will take 3-4 years (1-2 years part-time for the Post-Masters Certificate, then 2 years fulltime for the DNP)

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The only nursing specialty organization that has embraced the DNP today is the anesthetists. After 2022, there will be no more MSN graduates from nurse anesthetist programs; the DNP (or DNAP) will be the degree for entry into practice as a CRNA.

Does that mean that you graduate the anesthetist program with a DNP; granted that you start the anesthetist program with a Masters?

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