MSN or DNP? Which would you choose and why?

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  1. MSN or DNP

    • 5
      MSN
    • 6
      DNP

11 members have participated

Hey fellow CRNA'S and SRNA's discussion panel. If you were offered acceptance to both a MSN CRNA program and a DNP CRNA program which would you choose and why?

Please state your reason and your status.

Thanks!

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Going to MSN program now and only considered applying to MSN programs. I figure I will gain much more relevant anesthesia experience in my first year of practice than if I was in school for that year. If DNP becomes more clinical/less expensive/required for practice I will go back in a few years and do it part time while still working. Everyone says that you really learn anesthesia after you get out of school so that's where I want to be.

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Specializes in ICU.

Same as PresG33, only thing I'd add would be I wanted to start practicing sooner/start getting a paycheck sooner so I can pay off the loans ASAP (and enjoy life a little bit lol). I can always go back to school part time while working, allowing me to incur less debt.

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Specializes in CCU, MICU, and GMF Liver.

Anyone think getting a DNP would be more rewarding than MSN? i.e. look back on your life and feel satisfied you went for it over the other.

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If your projected graduation date from your CRNA program is 2025 or after it is required to have your doctorate in order to take boards and practice anesthesia. If you can graduate and take boards by 2024 or before then you have the option of being one of the last graduating CRNAs who just obtain an MSN. In my doctorate CRNA program and from what I've been told by others in doctorate programs the research and leadership courses are added in with all the clinical anesthesia classes over 3 to 3.5 years. So you're spending 3 years learning anesthesia concepts and doing clinicals a majority of that time understanding how to implement your skills. If you opt to get your MSN quickly while you still can and later choose to get your doctorate than yes, your whole year or so of education for that will be research and leadership (non-clinical).

It also depends on your goals and aspirations in life. Do you ever want to be a professor or administrator, work in more leadership roles? Do you mind an anesthesiologist telling you you're just an educated masters level nurse (prepare for that one)? As you break into anesthesia you'll realize how political the field is and you'll understand why the governing bodies have mandated the standard for practice will be doctorate from 2025 onwards.

Back in the 70's you could get your BSN and do a certificate training and practice nurse anesthesia, I've even heard a few still practice in certain places today. I'm sure they say that an MSN is more didactic education than required to learn anesthesia. They'll grandfather you in with an MSN after 2025 and you can still practice, it just depends on where you want to stand in the future of healthcare.

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Specializes in CCU, MICU, and GMF Liver.
...As you break into anesthesia you'll realize how political the field is and you'll understand why the governing bodies have mandated the standard for practice will be doctorate from 2025 onwards...

Hmm this would be new info to me and I'd love to hear more about "how political the field is."

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Specializes in CRNA.

The fact that both APRNs and physicians practice anesthesia leads to conflict. That's the short story. A current area of political activity is the attempt by physicians to create the impression that Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs) are the same as CRNAs. CRNA practice is often limited by employers who also hire AAs so that the 2 groups can be interchangeable. You often hear "the AAs and CRNAs do the same thing", but what you don't hear is that the CRNAs have new limitations once AAs are hired. Some CRNAs buy into it. I've been shocked to read on forums that some CRNAs feel it is a negative to have their cases billed QZ, (independent practice). AAs cannot bill QZ, as they must be medically directed. Recently it has been attempted to start pushing that when Medicare regualtions state "CRNA" is also means "AA". Our profession organization - American Association of Nurse Anesthetists - AANA - monitors political issues such as this.

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Hmm this would be new info to me and I'd love to hear more about "how political the field is."

lovesanesthesia begins answering the question for you. It's just the tip of the iceberg. Just know that if you ever get into CRNA school you'll find the politics of anesthesia will be a big part of your career and practice.

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