What do you guys think?

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

I was accepted to a local DNP program for the fall 2016 semester. I'm already a practicing NP, so I'd be doing this as a hybrid program, online. I am already having doubts about enrolling in it.

It's not very science focused, and many of the classes seem like I could accomplish them with an MBA, which I am already planning on getting anyway. And right now, only 2 of us are in classes for the fall (I was told they need 4 students to run the program at all). I would feel awful if my not doing it would cause someone else to not be able to do the program, but I just don't see what exactly it'll do for my career that an MBA won't do, and I feel an MBA would make more sense since my eventual goal is moving up in management. Any practicing NPs have their DNPs for a while and see it bring benefit to their careers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My personal opinion (and I preface this with I do NOT have a DNP) is get the MBA.

I was originally (11 years ago) in an MSN/MBA dual program and I kick myself each and everyday that I didn't stick out the MBA part. That would have made me more marketable.

DNP - no additional clinical duties, abilities IMHO.

MBA - lots of new business knowledge which is where the $$ is at and where healthcare is at.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

DNP - no additional clinical duties, abilities IMHO.

MBA - lots of new business knowledge which is where the $$ is at and where healthcare is at.

Especially for someone who doesn't want to practice as a NP. For me there is no financial incentive and the lack of additional practical, clinical knowledge makes the DNP as it stands now would be relatively worthless for my situation. I will have retired before the hiring advantages of having a DNP come to fruition. For now I'm still able to teach with only my Masters and none of the docs who employ me could give a rats ass about a DNP.

Something I think is important to consider with regard to investment return is our shelf life. OP talks about getting older but my guess is they aren't all that old yet. I recently met a NP who got their DNP at 62. I'm hoping it was for personal enrichment because seriously how much longer is it going to be safe and practical to prescribe? Although thats a whole nother topic, lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

I'm glad you two replied because I respect the heck out of both of you and follow you religiously around here.

I think you're both right. I think the feeling I have in the pit of my stomach is right and that I shouldn't do it; 2 of the accepted students haven't even enrolled in classes yet and I applied sort of out of guilt initially anyway (I really, really like the program coordinator and she was one of my favorite professors and she said if they didn't have at least 4 students they couldn't run the program).

I think you're right: the MBA is the way to go. I'm currently 30 (I'll be 31 next month). I also was thinking of adding on a PMHNP cert as well since I do want to practice at least some even if I move into a management role, but I haven't found out if I've been accepted to the cert yet or not (I was told it was pretty much a slam dunk though). I think that plus the MBA over the next 4-5 years will be more than enough and maybe the DNP will eventually be worth it with curriculum changes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would probably get a post masters psych cert, or read online about business stuff. MBAs tend to teach a lot of outdated business methodology (school dependent). Of course if it is a foot in the door it would be worth it.

I would not do a DNP though, no added benefit. I thought about getting a DNP for a while, but chose to do med school since I'm in my 20s still. Cost a lot but the added knowledge, pay increase, ability to benefit patients is a no brainer. Of course ill have no life for all eternity but i enjoy working so oh well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had started a DNP program and kinda sorta dropped out quietly. It seemed that at one point the DNP was going to become mandatory, but I now doubt that that will ever happen. I have a doctoral degree in another health discipline and the two don't compare in any way. A real doctoral degree is value-added education. You're supposed to be able to use it to step up to other things like teaching, or high-level research, or upper level administrative positions in your field if you want to. The DNP degree doesn't really qualify you to do any of these things. Even nursing schools prefer PhDs as instructors rather than DNPs. Also, earning a DNP will not bring you more income as a practitioner. No employer who hires you as a nurse practitioner cares whether you have a DNP degree or not.

Midway my DNP program (which I liked, btw) I realized that I was just wasting my time and money. Its definitely not for everyone. If you want to pursue management then without a doubt you should do the MBA. Even if you change employers or transition to an entirely different field an MBA is undoubtedly value-added education in management across all industries. Outside of nursing academia having a DNP degree doesn't really mean anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Agree with previous posters. I'd get MBA or, actually, Masters in Healthcare Administration or Policy if I wanted to go on to management.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Gilbert, sorry pal I would have to disagree with u. If i were u I wouldn't do MPH (health policy) route, if u look at the pay scale, they make less then NPs. I actually have MPH(My focus was health management & policy _HMP) but I'm not using it now, cause I get paid more just by working as FNP.

Just do ur due-diligence, see what fits u better, we all might have different experiences from our current roles & positions we work in. But at the end of the day u will look at the end result, what u want to get, what's ur ultimate goal? How can u get there faster? How much money & time ur going to invest? End result is it Woth it or not?

I would say connections, connrctions, connections... That's what's gonna get u where u want to be. In the hospital I work, managers don't have masters degree they just have their BSNs. The CFO who was there for the past 6 yr's is still trying to finish her mph which she hasn't. So don't kill urself to jump into obtaining higher degrees, I would suggest increase ur circle of connections. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.
Gilbert, sorry pal I would have to disagree with u. If i were u I wouldn't do MPH (health policy) route, if u look at the pay scale, they make less then NPs. I actually have MPH(My focus was health management & policy _HMP) but I'm not using it now, cause I get paid more just by working as FNP.

Just do ur due-diligence, see what fits u better, we all might have different experiences from our current roles & positions we work in. But at the end of the day u will look at the end result, what u want to get, what's ur ultimate goal? How can u get there faster? How much money & time ur going to invest? End result is it Woth it or not?

I would say connections, connrctions, connections... That's what's gonna get u where u want to be. In the hospital I work, managers don't have masters degree they just have their BSNs. The CFO who was there for the past 6 yr's is still trying to finish her mph which she hasn't. So don't kill urself to jump into obtaining higher degrees, I would suggest increase ur circle of connections. Good luck!

I am sorry, but I cannot read this in text speech.

Not to pick on you, Tori, but this type of communication really grates my nerves. It's a reflection of laziness or lack of education. However, you are working as an FNP, which implies you have plenty of education. Please take that into consideration when you address colleagues and peers, even on an online forum.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment