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If you’re a Nurse looking to further your career in the healthcare industry, you may have considered either pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
However, before you jump into one of these programs, it can be important to understand the differences between these two degrees. After all, no two Nurses are the same, and you’ll want to choose the degree that best suits your future career goals.
Fortunately, this article will outline all of the important differences between a DNP and MSN degree, as well as help you figure out which one would be better for you.
Before we dive into which degree is right for you, let’s explore what defines each degree. In general, both degrees serve to educate Nurses for advanced nursing roles.
Both degrees can help you become a better communicator, give you a better understanding of ethics, and allow you to become a more thoughtful and inspiring leader. In general, here are the definitions of each degree:
MSN Degree: a graduate degree that will allow you to learn specialized knowledge and further your skills. Examples of careers you can pursue with an MSN degree include nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator.
DNP Degree: a doctoral program that allows you to learn the leadership skills required for advanced nursing roles. One of the most common jobs taken by those who achieve a DNP is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
Regardless of which degree you choose, both an MSN and DNP will help you prepare for a more advanced nursing career. Overall, here are some of the key similarities between the two:
Education Requirements. MSN and DNP are both advanced programs that require you to have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as an up-to-date RN license to be admitted.
Leadership Skills. Both programs will hone your leadership skills in training you for specialized and advanced nursing roles. That way, you’ll be more prepared for triaging patients, communicating with other staff, and solving problems.
Specialized Study. Both degrees will provide you with specialized fields of study that wouldn’t be offered to you in your original Bachelor’s degree program.
Future Careers. Both degrees can be used to pursue similar fields. Some of the most common include: clinical nurse specialists, family nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, or nurse practitioners.
While there are many ways in which these two degrees are similar, there are also some key differences that can help you determine which one is right for you. To understand some of the crucial differences between MSN and DNP, here is a comprehensive list:
Versatility. In general, a DNP degree is considered more versatile than an MSN degree. That’s because, despite the fact that a DNP can prepare you for specialty areas, it also provides you with other opportunities.
For example, those with a DNP may be qualified for fields outside of nursing, such as becoming a clinical researcher or health care lobbyist.
On the other hand, an MSN degree is typically designed to help nurses along the path to gaining licensure and certification as an APRN. Therefore, MSN degrees could be considered a more linear education path.
Topics of Study. While some topics of study between the two degrees may be similar, there are also many that are very different. For example, MSN degrees generally focus on medical skills (e.g., working with mental diseases or preparing and administering anesthesia).
Conversely, DNP programs will touch on medical skills but also combine those skills with a heavy focus on leadership, statistical analysis, and employee management.
Terminal vs. Non-Terminal. A DNP is considered a terminal degree n the nursing field, meaning it’s the highest level of practice and studies a Nurse can achieve. While an MSN degree is still a Master’s degree, it’s usually a doorway to pursuing a career as an APRN rather than being the final educational destination.
Completion Time. The average MSN degree takes around two years of full-time study to earn, while the average DNP degree can take up to three years of full-time study to earn.
There are many benefits that come with earning an MSN degree, the most prominent of which is to advance your healthcare career. With this degree, you can become qualified for an advanced Nursing career specializing in pediatrics, psychiatry, gerontology, and other medical fields.
Plus, many programs can easily be completed online, which will help you manage your current nursing career while furthering your education. You’re also allowed to complete clinical in your current location, which is very convenient, and you won’t be required to take the GMAT or GRE to be admitted.
An MSN program is very focused and can help you pursue several different Nurse Practitioner specialties with focus. Some of the most common include:
Nurse Practitioner (NP). A general professional who works in a hospital or other health care settings. Generally speaking, NPs work with patients to help them stay healthy and may pursue certain specialties.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Similar to a physician, FNPs provide primary care and education for patients. They also typically collaborate with several other health care professionals.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP). These professionals work with a wide age range of patients to assess, diagnose and plan for their specific health needs.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). AGACNPs work specifically with adults and specialize in diseases, ailments, and illnesses that are life-threatening and worsen with age.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). These specialists generally work in hospitals and focus on treating children from birth through transition to adulthood. They often work with families and other healthcare professionals.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNPs specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with psychiatric disorders. As such, it’s common for these professionals to work in psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities, and other locations with a focus on mental health treatment.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). As the name might suggest, WHNPs specializes in women’s health. They usually work with women of all ages, providing gynecological treatments, prenatal services, and other forms of care.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). CNMs are even more specialized in women’s health, as they focus on aiding women throughout their pregnancies and help care for newborns.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): These professionals are trained to administer local anesthesia, sedation, epidurals, and nerve blocks. They can work in a variety of locations, from hospitals to dental offices.
While the salary you earn after you receive your MSN degree will vary based on your chosen career path, the overall average salary is $93,000 per year. However, here is some general information about what you might expect:
RN: $72,000
CRNA: $130,000
CNM: $70,000
NP: $104,000
That means that, at the very least, you can expect your MSN degree to increase your Nurse salary by 9%. While at most, your salary could increase by over 100%. Either way, you stand to advance your career and improve your salary.
Though DNP degrees do require a longer time commitment on average, there are many benefits that come with choosing to pursue one. For instance, Nurses who want to continue their education after receiving their degree or who want to specialize further would be a great fit for a DNP program.
Overall, DNP programs will provide you with the advanced knowledge of healthcare procedures and theories that you would need to qualify for prestigious Nursing positions.
However, unlike an MSN degree, you’ll learn all about the political, economic, and systemic landscape of the healthcare industry, which will make you a better leader. This will make you a great candidate for top administration roles, policy manager positions, and research or academic appointments.
The option of specializing in DNP-NP can also allow you to pursue a nurse practitioner specialty. That gives you more flexibility in where you want to go with your career.
Someone with a DNP-NP degree can pursue all of the same careers that were mentioned in the MSN section, so we won’t repeat them here. However, your general DNP degree can open up some incredible leadership roles for you, including:
Nurse Educator. Experts in understanding healthcare, Nurse Educators, play a crucial role in teaching the next generation of nurses. This role requires leadership, patience, and extensive knowledge of nursing.
Nurse Administrator. These professionals oversee the nursing staff at a hospital or any other healthcare facility. That means instead of working with patients regularly, Nurse Administrators will spend their days managing and directing other Nurses.
Research Nurse. Research Nurses work in hospitals, labs, and on campuses. As the name would suggest, they conduct scientific research and studies for medical development and healthcare.
The average DNP salary is $102,000 per year, which is 9.7% higher than the average MSN.
While the salary you earn after you receive your DNP degree will be similar to an MSN degree, because DNP degrees qualify you for more roles, the scope of your possible salary may be larger. Some career fields pay around $60,000-$70,000 per year, while others can reach over $130,000 per year.
Is MSN higher than DNP?
No, MSN degrees aren’t higher than DNP degrees; they are only different. An MSN is a Master's degree, while a DNP is a Doctorate level of education. In general, Master’s degrees are most focused on career-oriented knowledge and skills, while a Doctorate is heavily research-based. However, neither degree is technically higher than the other.
Overall, both degrees require a Bachelor’s degree level education to be admitted, and both can be used to acquire many of the same jobs.
What is the difference between MSN and DNP?
There are a few key differences between MSN and DNP degrees. These include:
Versatility. A DNP degree can be used to pursue administrative roles or NP roles, depending on what you choose to study. Comparatively, an MSN degree is a more linear path toward gaining licensure and certification as an APRN. In this way, DNP and DNP-NP degrees can be considered more versatile.
Topics of Study. MSN degrees generally focus on medical skills (e.g., working with mental diseases or preparing and administering anesthesia). Conversely, DNP programs will touch on medical skills but also combine those skills with a heavy focus on leadership, statistical analysis, and employee management.
Terminal vs. Non-Terminal. A DNP is considered a terminal degree in the nursing field, meaning it’s the highest level of practice and studies a Nurse can achieve. While an MSN degree is still a Master’s degree, it’s usually a doorway to pursuing a career as an APRN rather than being the final educational destination.
Completion Time. The average MSN degree takes around two years of full-time study to earn, while the average DNP degree can take up to three years of full-time study to earn.
Will DNP replace MSN?
Yes, DNP degrees may replace MSN degrees. As of May 2018, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) made the important announcement that all entry-level NP education programs will be required to shift from MSN to DNP by 2025. That means that DNP degrees may become more popular going forward.
Does DNP make more than MSN?
Yes, the average DNP makes more than the average MSN. The average DNP makes $102,000 per year, while the average MSN makes $93,000 per year. That means that, on average, those with a DNP degree make 9.7% more than those with an MSN degree.
However, it is worth noting that MSN degrees offer a more linear career path, meaning your average salary is more guaranteed. On the other hand, the jobs available to those with a DNP can have a wider range of salaries.
While MSN and DNP degrees have many similarities, in that they’re both advanced degrees geared toward Nurses, there are some crucial differences that can impact your decision to pursue one or the other.
DNP degrees are more versatile, will land you a higher pay on average, and provide you with valuable insight into the healthcare industry. However, the degree also takes longer to complete and will likely be the end of your education path.
On the other hand, MSN degrees are more focused and can easily provide you with everything you need to specialize as an APRN. But, your salary will be less on average, and you may have fewer opportunities.
Overall, the decision as to which degree is right for you will be based on your own interests and future goals. So take everything you’ve learned about MSN and DNP degrees and use that knowledge to start applying.