MSN vs. DNP?

Hi Everyone!

Long time no post, as you know I recently started in the MSN CRNA program at Columbia University in New York. Its been a smooth first two weeks so far, although I’ve already taken one exam to place out of a 3 credit Evidence- Based Practice class (would have cost me $4k, vs. the $375 I took to the test). Instead, I removed a class (Genetics) from my fall courses & decided to take it now to lighten my load later.

“The Nurse Anesthesia program is a 27-month, full-time, front-loaded program that includes a clinical anesthesia residency. The first year curriculum is devoted to advanced science courses, graduate core courses and specialty courses which form the basis for advanced specialty concepts later in the program.”

(http://nursing.columbia.edu/academics/academic-programs/master-s-and-post-master-s-programs/nurse-anesthesia-program-anes)

Basically, after the 27 months and taking the anesthesia boards you will have earned a Master’s (2.5yrs) degree in Nurse Anesthesia and can begin working and earn the same amount as someone with a DNP in nurse anesthesia like a lot of schools are offering. HOWEVER, by 2025 all advanced nurse practitioners are going to be required to get a DNP (~36months). So, the perk about getting your Master’s now is that you can start working right away, pay off your loans, and then get your institution to pay for the school you will need to get back into for your DNP. IF you do your DNP now, you just don’t have to worry about the additional schooling later on in your practice, for example, when you have a family and children. But, would have to take upon the burden of paying for it on your own.