Stay in the MSN+DNP or drop out after the MSN?

[HappierTimesAreComing]

Hello fellow AllNurses,

Long time reader of the forum, I totally appreciate all of the resources you have offered this past year or so. I've been struggling with a decision and I would really love any input that you guys can offer. I'm currently in an alternative-route MSN+DNP program that would allow for me to become an FNP at the end of the program. So a quick breakdown of the program, you get your MSN the first year, and then you're eligible to sit for your FNP boards two years after that, and then the school awards a DNP after another residency year (for a total of four years). The issue is, this program is notoriously expensive. The MSN portion alone is gonna cost around $100K in loans, and the DNP is probably gonna be another $100K, which is only compounding in interest by the second. I wanted to know if anyone thinks that there is substantial value in a DNP, or if people think that it's not worth the price they're asking for. I think the FNP certification is very much worth it, but I also wouldn't mind buckling down, working for a year or two as an RN before reapplying to a cheaper certification program. As much as I love the school, I'm finding it hard to justify the cost, and so I just wanted to hear from anyone who may have a better insight into the situation.

[Spadeforce]

Well, your DNP degree would cost as much as my md degree will end up costing me with much less earning power.

I would not finish the DNP, esp for 100k. Nobody is going to pay you more, care, anything that you have a DNP unless you want to teach or do research, and in that case i would get one for cheaper than 100k

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't want to sound harsh but what kind of a sales pitch did this school make to convince anyone to jump on board with such a bad deal of a program (in my opinion). I'd say leave after the MSN if you can sit for the FNP and start practicing especially if the school allows that option anyway. You can always start a DNP later in another school and may find less expensive options for it.

[HappierTimesAreComing]

7 hours ago, juan de la cruz said:

I don't want to sound harsh but what kind of a sales pitch did this school make to convince anyone to jump on board with such a bad deal of a program (in my opinion). I'd say leave after the MSN if you can sit for the FNP and start practicing especially if the school allows that option anyway. You can always start a DNP later in another school and may find less expensive options for it.

No worries, the school is geared more towards career-changers, and they are very, very well-known in the country. They also tout the fact that there is a push for doctorally-prepared NPs, so they are "ahead of the curve". And the school doesn't allow for you to sit for the FNP boards if you stop after the MSN, you would have to find a certification program after that on your own.

[MSNMPHPhdNMD]

The DNP does nothing for your NP career clinically.

[HappierTimesAreComing]

1 hour ago, SURGICALNURSE2NPORMD said:

The DNP does nothing for your NP career clinically.

Very true, I think the value would come in that you would be "qualified" to move up the career ladder easier, as you have that terminal degree. But I'm also a firm believer that a degree can never overpower true work/leadership experience. Thank you for your insight! ?

[HappierTimesAreComing]

I just noticed that someone in the poll voted to remain in the MSN+DNP program. If you can, I'd love to hear your reasoning if you're comfortable. ?

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I voted to drop out, but thinking more carefully, it's hard to say either way.

I think the biggest problem isn't so much the $100k DNP, but the $100k MSN that does not lead you to an FNP.

Question this: After you spent your $100k for the non-NP MSN, how much will it cost for you to get a post-master cert to become an FNP? If you ultimately will go back and get a DNP, how much would that DNP cost?

The post-master cert with a DNP later on might end up costing you around the same (~$100k), but it'll take you much longer. You also have to consider whether the post-master cert program will find you preceptors and if those programs would even allow post-MSN grads who aren't NPs to apply. A post-master cert from a decent school will likely cost you quite a bit of money. Look around for those programs now and see how much they'll cost you.

It might be financially painful to stay in your current program, but it might end up being the better option because you get higher earnings much sooner. You might also want to talk to your advisor and consult with other students or recent graduates.

[Spadeforce]

was there not a cheaper program. They say you can't put a price on your education but I assure you that you can.

How far along are you? There are lots of programs that are sub 50K out there.

200k for a DNP is outrageous and even the 100k for MSN is insane. Unless graduates from your school rake in big salaries.

Look for a cheaper school that tells you placement rate and salaries of recent grads. If they can't do that then run away

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I voted to drop out because you can definitely get a DNP for way less than $100k. If you really dig around, there are schools that offer full or partial funding for it since it’s a doctorate.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

On 1/15/2019 at 5:43 PM, HappierTimesAreComing said:

No worries, the school is geared more towards career-changers, and they are very, very well-known in the country. They also tout the fact that there is a push for doctorally-prepared NPs, so they are "ahead of the curve". And the school doesn't allow for you to sit for the FNP boards if you stop after the MSN, you would have to find a certification program after that on your own.

Huh? So $200k to be a floor nurse? I’m guessing they target non-nurses who don’t have a full grasp on nursing yet. How far along are you? Can you drop out now? What even is the point of getting that $100k MSN if you want to be a nurse practitioner and would have to do another program after it?

[HappierTimesAreComing]

19 hours ago, umbdude said:

I voted to drop out, but thinking more carefully, it's hard to say either way.

I think the biggest problem isn't so much the $100k DNP, but the $100k MSN that does not lead you to an FNP.

Question this: After you spent your $100k for the non-NP MSN, how much will it cost for you to get a post-master cert to become an FNP? If you ultimately will go back and get a DNP, how much would that DNP cost?

The post-master cert with a DNP later on might end up costing you around the same (~$100k), but it'll take you much longer. You also have to consider whether the post-master cert program will find you preceptors and if those programs would even allow post-MSN grads who aren't NPs to apply. A post-master cert from a decent school will likely cost you quite a bit of money. Look around for those programs now and see how much they'll cost you.

It might be financially painful to stay in your current program, but it might end up being the better option because you get higher earnings much sooner. You might also want to talk to your advisor and consult with other students or recent graduates.

Great insight! One thing that I'd like to clear up, is that if I did choose to go back to NP school later down the road, I would just go for the post-master's certification and not the DNP, which should be significantly cheaper based on my preliminary research. I wouldn't chase after the DNP with the certification just because all of the people that I know that are in the workforce as NPs don't really see the DNP creeping into the hospitals, and most NP programs have yet to push out doctorally-prepared NPs. And I think the thing about this process taking longer is bothering me less and less, because a lot of hospitals will help you pay for school if you work there long enough and I think the experience within itself will be so helpful in NP school.