MSN vs DNP: Comparing Differences Between The Two Degrees
Key Takeaways
- Both MSN and DNP are graduate nursing degrees.
- MSN prepares nurses for advanced clinical roles, while DNP is focused on leadership and improving healthcare systems.
- DNP graduates are positioned for executive leadership and top-tier clinical practice, making them highly sought after, and often earn higher compensation.
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are both graduate nursing degrees; however, the differences between them involve the required length of study and personal career goals.
An MSN or DNP degree will both prepare the nurse for an advanced practice career and provide opportunities for other roles including faculty nurse educator and leadership positions. The DNP is a terminal degree preparing registered nurses for advanced practice roles with additional emphasis on nursing leadership/administration, and analysis of evidence-based research for application into practice.
Nursing is a career that can lead to many opportunities with the right education. Some nurses begin in a diploma program, others obtain an Associate Degree, and some choose to invest in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree right from the start. The evolving healthcare system demands the highest level of scientific knowledge combined with expert practice for optimal patient outcomes.
Whether practicing as an essential BSN-prepared bedside nurse or seeking to pursue higher education, nurses can have a significant impact on high quality and safe patient care. Advanced nursing education is becoming more and more desirable since many nurses are seeking a career with greater influence and autonomy. If you are wanting to advance your degree, which will be most beneficial or applicable to your goals as a nurse?
What is the difference and what to consider when comparing an MSN vs DNP? Continue reading to learn more about each degree and the programs offered by Baylor University.
Benefits of an MSN Degree
A Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) opens the door to new opportunities for nurses in various settings. Based on the MSN degree pursued, the nurse's role is more advanced and specialized, and comes with greater responsibility.
The MSN-prepared nurse can pursue multiple career paths allowing the nurse to seek a degree in something they are passionate about.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Leadership
- Nurse Educator
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Midwife
Your degree directly influences your role as an MSN-prepared nurse. A nurse practitioner’s education prepares them to assess, diagnose and treat the patient through pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures. Practice is specific to certification in areas such as:
- Family practice
- Psychiatric mental health
- Pediatrics
- Adult gerontology
And while education prepares the nurse practitioner for clinical independence, scope of practice as prescribed by state boards of nursing determine the level of autonomy, which includes the ability to prescribe medications and treatment options for their patients.
The average MSN program takes 2-3 years of full-time coursework, which will include practicum hours. Coursework includes:
- Advanced nursing theory
- Management
- Research
- Social sciences
- Physical science
- Clinical practice
- Nursing informatics
- Advanced nursing theory
Why A Doctorate?
The DNP is the pinnacle of nursing degrees, and graduates are well-equipped to bring the science and art of nursing to current practice. It is one of two terminal degrees for nurses. While an MSN requires a two- to three-year commitment beyond BSN preparedness, the DNP adds additional year(s) of education, preparing nurses for leadership positions.
DNP curriculum builds on traditional master-level programs by including evidence-based practice, systems leadership, and quality improvement coursework. The American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN’s) Position Statement called for nursing leadership to have a base doctoral degree for all candidates.
Nurses stay on the frontlines of patient care and are at the leading edge of healthcare advancement. Nurses comprise the most substantial number of healthcare professionals, and their collective voices and expertise are essential in providing high-quality care and keeping healthcare patient centered.
Less than 2% of nurses in the United States have completed doctoral-level education, and less than 3% of bachelor’s-prepared RNs have progressed to a doctorate. In 2018, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) called for the DNP to be the entry degree for nurse practitioners by 2025.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COACRNA) supported the requirement of the DNP for CRNAs by 2025, and by 2022 if starting a CRNA program, requires entry into a doctoral program. As of June 2022, the AACN recommends and supports the DNP as entry level for advanced practice nurses.
Many healthcare professions are moving toward obtaining a doctorate before starting practice. The doctorate expands on knowledge acquired at the BSN level and builds on the MSN curriculum to develop highly qualified and competent providers in specific fields. Other healthcare professions that already offer or require practice doctorates include the following:
- Medicine (MD)
- Dentistry (DDS)
- Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Psychology (PsyD)
- Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Audiology (AuD)
Nursing as a profession continues to aspire to excellence, and that is ultimately the transition to the DNP for leadership, educators, and innovators, whether as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse-Midwife.
Healthcare is a whirlwind of change on even the calmest days. The nursing and physician shortage and an aging baby boomer population, compounded by health care reform have contributed to the need for advanced practice nurses.
Baylor University has an online DNP program that offers flexibility while achieving a terminal nursing degree.
MSN vs. DNP Side-by-Side
| Category |
MSN |
DNP |
|
Primary Focus |
Advanced clinical training to prepare nurses for APRN roles (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA) with emphasis on patient care and specialty practice. |
Highest level of clinical nursing practice; leadership, systems thinking, evidence-based practice implementation, healthcare outcomes improvement. Based practice implementation, healthcare outcomes improvement. |
|
Purpose |
Prepares students for direct patient care roles and specialty certification. |
Prepares clinicians to lead healthcare systems, influence policy, implement research into practice, and improve population outcomes. |
|
Typical Length of Study |
~2–3 years full-time (longer part-time) |
~3–4 years post-BSN or 1–2 years post-MSN (depending on program structure). |
|
Curriculum Emphasis |
Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, specialty-specific clinical courses. |
Leadership, healthcare policy, quality improvement, informatics, population health, advanced clinical immersion, DNP project. |
|
Ideal For |
Nurses seeking to become advanced practice clinicians with a focus on hands-on patient care. |
Nurses seeking both APRN practice and system-level leadership, teaching, or quality improvement roles. |
|
Career Pathways |
Nurse Practitioner (all specialties), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist (depending on program). |
Same APRN roles as MSN plus leadership roles: Clinical Director, Healthcare Executive, Policy Consultant, Quality Director, Faculty roles. |
|
Leadership Opportunities |
Limited to midlevel leadership; primarily patient care focused. |
Broad leadership potential at organizational, system, and policy levels. |
|
Earning Potential |
High—varies by specialty and location; competitive APRN salaries. |
Typically, higher than MSN due to leadership roles, expanded scope, and employer preference for doctorally trained clinicians. |
The Need for Highly Qualified Nurses at All Levels
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are in demand, including those with an MSN or DNP. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the projected job growth for APRNs is 35% through 2034 based on multiple factors. This projected job growth is excellent for the MSN- or DNP-prepared nurse, as it creates more opportunities for career growth.
The predicted physician shortage in primary and specialty care, and the aging and growing population indicate a strong need for APRNs. There is also a shortage of nursing faculty to teach in undergraduate and graduate programs—which may limit the number of students a program can admit. APRNs with an MSN or DNP can become faculty for nursing programs as either full-time or adjunct nurse educators, helping sculpt future nurses in our country.
Obtaining an MSN or DNP in nursing will lead to a higher salary, and the earning potential between the degrees is very comparable. As of May 2024, the average annual salary for an advanced practice nurse is $132,050. While the salary is similar between the two degrees, the DNP degree may provide more opportunities in leadership and prove more competitive in the career search.
Nurses committed to advocating and representing the nursing profession must look to the future and commit to learning what is necessary to lead the charge.
Ready to Lead at the Highest Level of Nursing?
Earning your DNP isn’t just about adding credentials; it’s about elevating your influence, expanding your career options, and positioning yourself at the forefront of a healthcare system that urgently needs advanced nurse leaders. As the profession accelerates toward doctoral preparation as the standard for APRN practice, now is the time to invest in the degree that opens doors to executive leadership, academic roles, and greater autonomy in clinical settings.
Baylor University’s online DNP programs are built for ambitious nurses who want flexibility without compromise. With a legacy of excellence in nursing education, nationally recognized faculty, and a curriculum intentionally designed for real-world impact, Baylor equips you with the clinical precision, leadership insight, and systems-level expertise required to drive meaningful change in patient care.
Whether you’re moving directly from BSN to DNP or advancing from an existing master’s degree, Baylor offers a pathway that fits your schedule and fuels your next chapter.
The program’s flexibility allows me to balance my studies with personal and professional responsibilities while ensuring I receive quality education and hands-on experience.
-Sarah Knake – DNP-PMHNP
If you’re ready to advance, lead, and make a lasting difference, Baylor’s DNP programs are designed to help you get there. Start your journey today and move confidently toward the next chapter of your nursing career.