NP, CRNA, or DNP

[gabbyj]

I am just curious as to what are the main differences between these three. Pros, cons, education, benefits, etc

[llg, PhD, RN]

You forgot the PhD possibility.

[hstutz86]

NP & DNP = the same thing... to be an NP you need to have finish doctoral practice study... you forgot to mention the PhD path in Nursing education

[chare]

NP & DNP = the same thing... to be an NP you need to have finish doctoral practice study... you forgot to mention the PhD path in Nursing education

Not true. There is no requirement for a doctoral degree to become an NP. Not only are there still many MSN NP programs, some programs that initially moved to DNP only have reinstituted their MSN programs.

To my knowledge, no NP certifying organization has endorsed the DNP for entry to practice. There is a pending requirement for a doctoral degree to become a CRNA, however this does not take effect until 2025. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists recently endorsed the DNP as entry to practice with a 2030 implementation date, however I am unsure whether they have the ability to enforce this.

[hstutz86]

.....

[hstutz86]

Not true. There is no requirement for a doctoral degree to become an NP. Not only are there still many MSN NP programs, some programs that initially moved to DNP only have reinstituted their MSN programs.

To my knowledge, no NP certifying organization has endorsed the DNP for entry to practice. There is a pending requirement for a doctoral degree to become a CRNA, however this does not take effect until 2025. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists recently endorsed the DNP as entry to practice with a 2030 implementation date, however I am unsure whether they have the ability to enforce this.

Thanks for clarifying... I only heard that DNP will be required soon and haven't researched much.. I came across universities offering DNP programs and assumed that DNP will be required soon...

[guest769224]

Not true. There is no requirement for a doctoral degree to become an NP. Not only are there still many MSN NP programs, some programs that initially moved to DNP only have reinstituted their MSN programs.

To my knowledge, no NP certifying organization has endorsed the DNP for entry to practice. There is a pending requirement for a doctoral degree to become a CRNA, however this does not take effect until 2025. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists recently endorsed the DNP as entry to practice with a 2030 implementation date, however I am unsure whether they have the ability to enforce this.

Interesting to read, chare. Do you have any theories on why some schools have dropped the DNP and gone back to MSN programs? Interesting on the CNS proposal as well, wonder if NP will follow suit.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

DNPs are generally NPs. Currently you can either be an MSN or DNP prepared NP.

[sailornurse]

DNPs are generally NPs. Currently you can either be an MSN or DNP prepared NP.

No, this is also incorrect. Originally the DNP was to be the terminal degree for NPs. But there DNP programs that one does not become an NP. I know someone who has a DNP in Informatics.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

For simplicity sake, there are two different things being discussed here:

1. Academic Degree: MSN, PhD, and DNP are all degrees. They do not confer APN status.

2. Advanced Practice Nursing (APN): There are four types of APNs: NP, CRNA, CNS, and CNMW. They do not confer degree.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

No, this is also incorrect. Originally the DNP was to be the terminal degree for NPs. But there DNP programs that one does not become an NP. I know someone who has a DNP in Informatics.

I said generally, not always. Most DNP programs are geared towards attaining NP status.