MSN NP programs becoming obsolete?

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I'm not sure if this is the case across the whole country, but I have been hearing rumors that they are doing away with MSN nurse practitioner programs. It is going to be required to get your DNP to become a nurse practitioner and MSN will be reserved for education roles.

I was just wondering if this is true or if anyone has heard something similar? I did notice two local schools which offered MSN nurse practitioner programs only offer DNP now.

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I believe by 2015, all NP programs will be DNP. I am not 100% sure of that though. I know a lot of schools are transitioning their NP MSN programs to DNP. When I contacted my state's BON to inquire about the DNP, I was highly encouraged to apply for programs that offer BSN-DNP and not even consider the MSN programs. I believe that with the change to DNP, employers will prefer NPs with DNPs. I also think there has been a huge increase in applicants to MSN programs who are trying to beat that DNP date d/t the MSN route not taking as long/costing as much.

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Why someone at your states board or nursing would suggest foregoing a masters level nurse practitioner (NP) is a mystery, as there is no requirement by any state board of nursing requiring the DNP for licensure as an advance practiced nurse; nor is there likely to be any time soon. I agree, however, that employers might tend to prefer NPs with the DNP over a masters prepared NP.

There is no requirement by any organization that certifies APNs DNP beginning/after 2015. However, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) supports requiring a doctorate degree for entry to practice in 2025. As I am not a CRNA, I am unsure what position the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NCBRNA) has taken.

There are many schools that still offer masters level programs. And there have been postings here on allnurses.com regarding schools that have started implementation of the DNP and subsequently reversed this decision. My personal opinion remains that at some point in time, the agencies that accredit the programs are going to quit accrediting masters level programs, although they currently state otherwise.

Good luck with whichever decision you make.

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Specializes in critical care.

The reading I've done on this so far has indicated there is no official requirement for this change. I believe the require degree level is going to be mandated state to state, right? Maryland hasn't made any official mention of this change. In the meantime, I plan to enter a graduate program in the fall of 2014. My school says they are changing to BSN-DNP at some point, but being that their MSN-DNP program is brand new (starts this coming fall), they haven't even decided on a timeline for creating a timeline to change it yet (if that makes any sense). So, I just sit back and wait. I hope it doesn't change until after I'm in the MSN program so I can get grandfathered in. The DNP requirement would mean 2 more years in school before I could stretch my legs as an NP.

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Ahh...like I said, I wasn't 100% sure...for some reason 2015 somehow got stuck in my head lol. I believe the person from my state's BON was simply giving her opinion that going straight for the DNP would be beneficial...not necessarily advocating for it. There are still many schools that offer MSN NP programs which, like the above poster said, would have their graduates grandfathered in if/when MSN programs do become obsolete.

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