By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Lisa Kreeger, PhD, RN, Executive Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Nursing can be a highly fulfilling profession that offers the opportunity to drive meaningful change.
It also offers unique career progression pathways from earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to advancing to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
An MSN can open the doors to more advanced clinical practice and specialties, while a DNP expands on that foundation and prepares you to pursue leadership roles that can influence healthcare policy decisions.
Understanding how the two degrees complement each other can help you plan your educational journey and career trajectory. The DNP is a doctoral-level program that follows master’s-level study.
An MSN is a graduate-level degree designed to prepare registered nurses (RNs) for roles in advanced practice, leadership and specialized medicine.
MSN degrees can help nurses who are looking to take the next big step in their career, and there are MSN specializations that enable them to sharpen their focus on developing advanced skills in particular areas.
An MSN can enhance your clinical skills giving registered nurses the opportunity to extend their scope of practice and develop the leadership and policy skills needed to help guide healthcare organizations. It can also offer nurse practitioner specializations designed to help you gain skills and knowledge to diagnose, treat patients and prescribe medications
MSN coursework blends advanced clinical training, research, health policy and leadership skills. An MSN program also enable nurses to specialize in specific fields.
Capella University offers the following specializations:
All of Capella’s MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The duration of an MSN program depends on a number of variables including enrollment status, program requirements and transfer credits. With FlexPath, you can earn your RN-to-MSN in as little as 15 months. This timing is based on the fastest 25% of students. Keep in mind your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies and other fees apply.
If you’re an RN with an associate degree, an RN-to-BSN program can help streamline your path to a master’s degree. Note that Capella does not award the bachelor’s degree in nursing as part of the RN-to-MSN program nor upon completion.
Some institutions also offer different entry points depending on previous credits earned, which could potentially help you earn your nursing degree faster.
Let’s say you’re starting your MSN in Care Coordination at Capella. This program comprises 54 credits. But you’ve already taken several accredited continuing professional development (CPD) courses elsewhere. Capella may allow you to transfer up to 8 relevant credits from other accredited institutions to count toward your new degree.
With FlexPath, you can earn your MSN in 14 months and under $15,000. (Based on fastest 25% of students. Your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies and other fees apply.) FlexPath enables you to set your own deadlines and work at your own pace. Capella offers FlexPath for MSN specializations in:
MSN programs are designed to help nurses pursue their professional and personal goals. As a result, earning an MSN enables nurses to pursue more advanced roles. Job titles vary by MSN specialization, but here are examples of roles graduates may pursue:
These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella can’t guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
If you’re ready to build on your MSN and lead at the highest level of practice, a DNP may be the next step.
A DNP is a terminal, practice-focused degree in nursing that prepares nurses to apply advanced clinical knowledge, leadership and research translation to improve patient outcomes and healthcare systems.
Unlike a PhD in Nursing, which emphasizes original research and academic scholarship, the DNP focuses on applying evidence-based interventions to real-world practice. It equips nurses with the skills to lead at the highest level of clinical and organizational practice, from designing quality improvement initiatives and shaping health policy to leading interprofessional teams.
DNP programs are ideal for experienced nurses who want to apply advanced clinical knowledge to improve patient outcomes and influence healthcare practice.
Earning a DNP can help you pursue leadership opportunities and allow you to better advocate for patients and drive improvement across healthcare settings.
DNP programs focus on a core curriculum that emphasizes:
Potential roles you can access with a DNP include:
These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella can’t guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
The master’s-level MSN and doctoral-level DNP differ in purpose, scope of practice, study duration and career opportunities.
Understanding these differences can help you decide which degree aligns best with where you are in your academic journey, your professional goals and your lifestyle.
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella can't guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Here’s what you need to think about:
Capella MSN alumni also use our master’s program as a springboard to future doctoral study.
“Capella University and my employer’s partnership removed barriers between me and higher education. Earning my MSN Ed has improved my work as a part-time adjunct nursing instructor while preparing me to earn a nursing PhD,” explains MSN graduate Cameron Herbst.
No matter where you are in your nursing career, advancing your education can expand your expertise and open new opportunities. Choose the program that fits your goals, schedule and vision for the future.
Whether your goal is to advance your clinical practice or lead change across the healthcare system, both the MSN and DNP can help you move forward with purpose.
An MSN equips you with specialized clinical and leadership skills to help make an impact at the point of care. A DNP prepares you to influence decisions, shape policy and drive improvement across health organizations.
Your next step depends on your long-term goals, current experience and the balance you want to maintain between your education and your life. At Capella University, you can pursue either path on your terms through the FlexPath learning format, designed to help you learn at your own pace while continuing to meet your personal and professional commitments.
Both degrees can help you expand your influence and shape the future of healthcare.
Ready to take the next step? Explore Capella’s range of MSN specializations or DNP program.
Yes. A DNP is a higher-level degree than an MSN. It builds on master’s-level knowledge and focuses on advanced clinical practice, leadership and healthcare system impact.
A DNP graduate can lead healthcare systems, shape policy and implement evidence-based practice initiatives. An MSN generally focuses on advanced clinical practice or specialty expertise.
Yes. You can progress from an MSN to a DNP.
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