To Go for DNP or Not?

jer_sd · Oct 15, 2015

I was a certificate prepared NP. Eventually hit the point where I had less employment opportunities since I did not have a MSN. I eventually went back for a MSN.Ico p!etecmy DNP this year ad well.

My opinion you have 10+ years of work left you may want to eventually get a DNP but go MSN first. If you have 15+ years of work left you should get a DNP but if you can get a MSN with APN credential firstif possible.

babyNP., APRN · Oct 15, 2015

I got my MSN first so that I could start working (and I worked full-time for about 75% of it so I didn't really lose much in the way of wages). I'm doing my DNP now but on my own terms- getting my hospital to pay for it and applying for scholarships. I would like it to complete my education, but not at the expense of more debt.

reddgirl · Oct 15, 2015

I have seriously considered withdrawing from my DNP program. I'm tired of fighting at work and then have to come home and fight with professors sitting on their high horse is not gonna fly with me. I am often asking myself what are the benefits, what is the worth of this degree. The other NPs that are DNPs are still having to fight for respect and still end up seeing her load and the doctors load too! You hear the side bar conversations amongst your so called "colleagues" about the degree and wonder where is the respect. So what's the purpose and what's the point of obtaining this degree.

AndersRN · Oct 27, 2015

Lets be honest here! We all know the purpose of the degree... It has little to do with educating competent practitioners. It has more to do with using the terminal degree to expand scope of practice (which is a good thing) and somewhat gain parity with MD/DO...

Simplyroses · Oct 27, 2015

If I was 22 years old with a bachelor's degree, looking ahead to 3.5 years for a DNP, I would just apply to medical school. Some medical schools are going to 3 year programs. More hard-core learning and less fluff. More respect, more income.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 27, 2015

Lets be honest here! We all know the purpose of the degree... It has little to do with educating competent practitioners. It has more to do with using the terminal degree to expand scope of practice (which is a good thing) and somewhat gain parity with MD/DO...

I totally agree it has little to do with educating competent practitioners or it would include additional pharmacology,pathophysiology and clinical hours, which imo are in no way equivalent to working on a "capstone project". My opinion is the motivation behind the DNP is additional income for schools and an additional title for those nurses who feel more letters behind their name can somehow earn respect.

sauce · Oct 28, 2015

I have no idea in the world why anybody would get a dnp degree. Why not just go to medical school. What benefit does a DNP add in most cases.... none... People say leadership and stuff but you learn more leadership technique reading books on leadership (find them on amazon for 5-10 bucks) or if you really want to spend money at least go for an MBA at a reputable school. I know there are very competent people with DNP degrees and I am in no way downing them, but the degree itself is utter garbage. Sort of like the masters in respiratory therapy degree i saw some time back.

I am sorry folks but you can't make a doctorate out of everything..... Well... I guess you can but it doesn't mean its worth a flop.

Whats next, Phd in janitorial science?

Give me a break, its just a bunch of hogwash like jules is saying to provide more income to schools while making nurses feel more powerful, and lastly a sad attempt to align ones self with the title of MD or DO.

Ill stay here with my masters and earn the same as a DNP without the debt.

as one of my good friends said to me once. "paging doctor nurse doctor nurse, paging doctor nurse"