Nurse Practitioner MSN vs. DNP vs. BSN

The nursing profession contains many career paths depending on your education level. Nurses work in various settings and care for different patient populations.

For example, you may enter the workplace as a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree in nursing (ADN). The ADN can be a doorway to many promising possibilities.

But other degrees can open up even more opportunities. Furthering your education could allow you to take on new responsibilities at work, see patients autonomously, teach at a university, conduct groundbreaking research, or serve as an administrator or executive.

In the nursing field, these degrees are the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), the master of science in nursing (MSN), and the doctor of nursing practice (DNP).

You may have questions about the differences among these degrees, and what they allow you to do once you’ve picked up your diploma. Let’s examine each of them and their potential impacts on your nursing career.

A BSN offers several advantages and prepares graduates for various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, research laboratories, and schools.

A full-time student typically completes a BSN program in four years. Many programs offer accelerated and part-time options as well as in-person, online, and hybrid learning models combining online and in-person coursework and clinical requirements.

The cost of a BSN degree depends on several factors, including geographical location, but ranges from $40,000 to more than $100,000. Financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available to help mitigate these expenses.

BSN-trained nurses have a broader scope of education compared to those completing an ADN program. BSN students complete coursework in leadership, management, research, and community health. They develop critical thinking, communication, and technical skills that equip them to handle complex clinical situations.

BSN nurses perform duties outside the scope of practice for ADN-prepared nurses. This includes leadership roles, case management, research, and public health. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are increasingly prioritizing BSN-prepared nurses, particularly hospitals seeking Magnet status.

The average salary depends on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, certifications, and healthcare settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for an RN in 2023 was $86,070. BSN-prepared nurses have a higher earning potential and are more likely to be considered for advancement than those with an ADN degree.

The MSN is a graduate-level degree. This degree allows nurses to pursue roles that demand a higher level of expertise, such as those in leadership, administration, and teaching positions, and more autonomy in patient care.

MSN programs generally last from 18 months to three years, depending on your educational background, program structure, and whether you are full- or part-time. Many MSN programs are built to accommodate working people.

Online and hybrid learning options provide the same level of education as a traditional in-person program but have greater flexibility. ADN-prepared nurses can advance directly to an MSN degree using an RN-to-MSN bridge program. The program is designed to streamline the educational pathway, saving time and money.

The cost of an MSN program depends on various factors like location and format (private schools also tend to be more expensive than public ones). The average tuition ranges from about $15,000-$80,000 for even the more affordable MSN programs. Students can offset these costs through financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement programs.

Graduates of an MSN program gain advanced clinical, leadership, and management skills well beyond the foundational practices taught in a BSN program. The curriculum depends on whether you prefer an administrative or clinical focus.

The demand is high for nurses with MSN degrees. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners (NP) is $126,260, while the median annual salary for medical and health services managers is $110,680. Exact salaries vary based on role, location, certifications, and experience, among other factors.

A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) is a terminal professional degree in nursing. It represents the highest level of education in nursing practice. Graduates focus on either clinical practice or leadership training. The program is designed for those seeking a more in-depth understanding of healthcare policy implementation, leadership, and improving patient care outcomes.

Unlike the Ph.D. in nursing, which is research-oriented, the DNP focuses on practice and application of research in clinical settings. The length of the program depends on the nurse’s entry point. For example, a BSN-to-DNP program typically requires 3-4 years of full-time study, while an MSN-to-DNP program can be completed in two years.

Many DNP programs offer flexible formats with in-person, online, or hybrid models. Total tuition for an average DNP program can range from $20,000-$50,000.

The DNP curriculum builds on what nurses learn in a BSN or MSN program. It focuses on clinical practice, leadership, policy, and quality improvement, culminating in a capstone project where students solve real-world clinical problems.

The average salary for a DNP-prepared nurse depends on the role and healthcare setting. As one example, according to the BLS, the average annual salary for a nurse anesthetist is $212,650.