Nurses with an MSN degree often take the next step to obtain a DNP or Doctor of Nursing Practice. This is the traditional path for students who want to earn the DNP. The DNP degree creates many opportunities for nurses, which we will go over in this post.
Specifically, this post will cover:
- What can a nurse do with a DNP?
- What are admission requirements?
- What is the DNP curriculum like?
- What are the top DNP programs?
- How do you pay for a DNP program?
What can a nurse do with a DNP?
Nurses who receive a DNP set themselves to move into a new field or gain a competitive advantage over the nurses in their respective fields. The two settings that most DNP graduates work in are:
- Leadership and administration
- Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
The difference in these two settings comes down to whether the nurse wants to work with or without patients..
Leadership and administrative roles
The DNP degree allows nurses to help nurses make overarching policy changes on an administrative level.
Specifically, DNPs with a leadership and administrative focus work in:
- Organizational leadership
- Health policy
- Health informatics systems
- Nurse management
Advanced Practice Nursing
This setting is for nurses who wish to work with patients directly. Now, it’s not necessary to obtain a DNP to work in specific APRN roles. Yet, earning a DNP can set nurses up for a raise or give them a competitive advantage over their peers.
DNPs who want to become an APRN need to take the APRN certification exam. They also may need to seek out advanced specialty certification.
The DNP typically works as a:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) – These are health care professionals who often work independently from a doctor’s supervision to help prevent illness and teach wellness practices to patients. They do not need a DNP degree, but by 2030 they could begin to need the DNP degree to practice.
- CRNA or Nurse Anesthetist – These are clinicians who work with nurses and physicians to administer anesthesia. Currently, it would help if you had a master’s degree in nursing (MSN). However, by 2025 that could change, and CRNAs may start needing a DNP.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist – These are clinicians who work with nurses and patients in the role of a nurse. Currently, you only need an MSN for this position.
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What are admission requirements?
Every DNP program will have different standards for admission. However, the general requirements are as followed:
- Having an MSN degree from an accredited university
- Having an active nursing license in the school’s state you want to attend
- Personal essay
- In-person interview
- Letters of recommendation
- Having a competitive GPA
What does the DNP curriculum look like?
The DNP aspect of the MSN to DNP program will include courses like:
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Health Policy and Advanced Nursing Practice
- Health Care Delivery Systems
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Clinical and DNP Project
- Leadership in Healthcare
- Project Management
- Clinical Informatics
DNP programs require 1,000 hours of practice experience (500 can be transferred from the MSN program).
After the DNP program, the student will have to submit a final project. They will have a chance to work with a mentor for the project.
Full-time students can complete the MSN to DNP program in one to two years.
What are some of the top MSN to DNP programs?
According to US News, the top five DNP universities are:
1. Rush University – A private school in Chicago, IL, has an application deadline of January 2, and an application fee of $115 for US residents.
2. Johns Hopkins University – A private school in Baltimore, MD, with an application deadline of January 1, and an application fee of $75 for US residents.
3. The University of Washington – A public school in Seattle, WA, with an application deadline of January 15, and an application fee of $85 for US residents.
4. Duke University – A private school in Durham, NC, with an application deadline of December 1, and an application fee of $50 for US residents.
5. Columbia University – A private school in New York, NY, with an application deadline of January 20, and an application fee of $75 for US residents.
How do I pay for an MSN to DNP program?
Once you pick a program, you need to decide if you’re going to apply for financial aid. DNP programs can cost a lot, so make sure you take an inventory of your finances to see if you need help.
If you need help, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The program you want to go to will use the FAFSA to determine your needs.
If you feel worried about taking on loans, some companies offer student loan forgiveness following graduation.
