Second degree MS-RN to DNP

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Hi everyone,

I am entering nursing through a master's entry to nursing program at the University of Arizona. My bachelor's degree was in another field. When I am licensed I will be an MS-RN, NOT a MSN. From there I hope to become an NP, most likely through a DNP program.

I am curious to hear if anyone else has taken a path similar to this, or any non-traditional route? As I've begun looking at DNP programs, they seem to be 'marketed' towards nurses who either have a BSN, MSN, or integrate one of those into a longer program. I am wondering how something somewhat in-between the two will transition to the next level.

Thanks for the input!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Should you decide to pursue a Nurse Practitioner track with a DNP program, your entry path will not be much different than someone entering a Nurse Practitioner program from a BSN which is typically 3 years or more. As a Master's Entry student, you may already be taking a few of the graduate courses that can be credited towards an Advanced Practice DNP and this is really up to individual schools to evaluate.

The shorter MSN to DNP programs that are typically 2 years are tailored to Advanced Practice Nurses with Master's degrees who want to complete a DNP. There are typically no requirement for additional clinical courses, instead, focused courses on leadership, translational research, health policy, etc are offered and finished off with a Capstone Project in the end.

Also, there isn't much difference between an MS (in Nursing) vs an MSN nowadays. The MS (in Nursing) are offered in research oriented schools of nursing in larger universities such as Arizona (other schools with this degree instead of an MSN are Michigan, UCSF, UIC). That said, you would also be eligible to enter a post-Master's certificate NP program instead of a DNP.

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Thank you for your response, that definitely makes sense and clears things up a bit. I did not know that the MS-RN and MSN were looked at so similarly. The way it has been explained to me is that MSNs are advanced practice, focused in a particular field or area of nursing and the MS in nursing is simply a RN pre licensure masters of science. I will look into post masters programs I may be eligible for as well!

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You could try looking at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN. They have an online/hybrid program for the DNP.

Since they also offer a first licensure Masters program as well as the DNP for advanced practice, they have DNP courses of study specifically designed for people in your situation - a Masters degree but no advanced practice licensure/certification.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Thank you for your response, that definitely makes sense and clears things up a bit. I did not know that the MS-RN and MSN were looked at so similarly. The way it has been explained to me is that MSNs are advanced practice, focused in a particular field or area of nursing and the MS in nursing is simply a RN pre licensure masters of science. I will look into post masters programs I may be eligible for as well!

Actually that isn't true. At UCSF, all Advanced Practice Nursing degrees are awarded as MS (in Nursing). They do not offer the DNP yet but have a PhD in Nursing which is research focused. There are similar degrees in other schools that lead to APN roles.

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You could try looking at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN. They have an online/hybrid program for the DNP.

Since they also offer a first licensure Masters program as well as the DNP for advanced practice, they have DNP courses of study specifically designed for people in your situation - a Masters degree but no advanced practice licensure/certification.

Thank you! I came across Vanderbilt University and will be considering their program, they offer programs similar to University of Tennessee, I will look there as well!

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