RN vs NP vs DNP

[Wrangler156]

Hello All,

I am trying to decide if I should go straight into school after my RN to get my DNP, or if I should work for 1-2 years as a RN then go get my DNP?

Anyone have any opinions on FNP vs DNP? I want to be on top, I do not want to be at the bottom any longer than I have to. I have big plans for my future.

Anyone had any luck with the DNP program ?

What are the pay differences of DNP vs FNP and job responsibilities?

Everything I read on DNP is very vague, so I would like to know soem more information on the program.

Do any of you think I should have any problems getting a job as an DNP or FNP?

I believe it would be better to work as a RN for 1-2 years then go back to school , but just wanted to hear you all's thoughts on the matter and the FNP vs DNP.

Thanks so much!

Also, if you guys have any recommendations for other ways to get to the top professionally with different rooutes I would gladly take them into consideration.

I will graduate RN school with my BSN

[ACNP-Ray]

Well I too am in a BSN program and I too was curious on the difference between a DNP and an FNP. Instead of receiving valuable insight on the differences, I had to read negative comments about your post. One thing I know for sure is that there is a difference between being a nurse and one who has the ability to diagnose and precribe medications. However, I do feel that bedside experience is important, I also feel that you can gain bedside experience while also going to school to further your education. I also know that "nurses eat their young." I hate this concept and in no way want to be a part of it. I feel that everyone is of value to quality patient outcomes regardless of education. Just because you want to do more than what a registered nurse can do does not make you on a "power trip." I know what you meant by having big plans. Also, in my last year of nursing school, I would fret if I received a "B" and no one understood why. It was because you have to maintain a certain GPA to be accepted into a nurse practitioner program after completeing a BSN. I am certain I want to be nurse practitioner and not just an RN. If I wanted to only be a registered nurse I would have just done the Associates program, because from what I hear there is not a difference in the salary. The only difference is being able to excel up the ladder in nursing management etc. Which I guess would provide more salary, but may take a while to earn that privledge. What I am trying to say is that if you are devoted to becoming a nurse practitioner and not a nurse, then that is perfectly fine, because there is a difference between the two.

If you and the OP are doing this only for the money, then Admin is the way to go and not bedside nursing or NP route. According to all the nursing salary surveys I'm in the top 5-10% for NP's, but I don't make anywhere near what CNO's make. One of my recommenders for NP school was our Vice CNO and he told me flat out what he made and told me I was going into the wrong field. But I enjoy patient care and actually making the decisions that will affect my patients lives...That is why I went the NP route...not to get rich, or "be on top" Lord knows I have an attending I answer to and to the big boss of our group and I'm also answerable to my patients....I do work for them after all.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Just remember that whatever degree you pick, you will be a mid-level provider. You will deal with as much crap from patients as a floor nurse (not always literally, but definitely in stress level), but with a greater level of responsibility.

If an NP is a "midlevel" provider, who is the low level provider? I assume physicians are the high level providers?