I think you guys are focusing on the time commitment of MD vs DNP too much. Even if the MD route is long by just a few years, you're not factoring in how difficult the path is. If you know someone who is going through medical school or residency, you'll see how many hours they have to put in. Wake up at 4 or 5 AM, go to hospital, go home maybe at 8 PM, everyday. Then they have to study to pass all those tests. Medicine is very difficult intellectually, emotionally, and physically.