Comparing MSN and DNP Degrees: Finding the Right Fit for Your Nursing Future

Many nurses reach a point where experience sparks a new question: “What’s next?” If you’re comparing the difference between MSN and DNP programs, you’re really deciding how you want to lead and make an impact in healthcare.

Both degrees can advance your nursing career, but in different ways. Some nurses are drawn to leadership and administration — that means guiding teams, shaping policy, and improving operations. Others want to drive clinical change — they’re applying research, improving outcomes, and advancing evidence-based practice.

At NMSU Global Campus, you can choose between two online programs designed for working professional nurses: the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Leadership and Administration prepares graduates to lead teams and manage healthcare systems, while the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) focuses on applying research to real-world clinical challenges.

In this article, we’ll explore how the DNP and MSN degrees differ to help you find the path that best supports your career goals and the kind of nursing leader you want to become.

What to Expect in an Advanced Nursing Degree Program

Once you’ve decided to pursue an advanced nursing degree, the next step is understanding what that experience actually involves. Both the MSN in Leadership and Administration and the DNP are designed to move experienced nurses from strong clinicians to influential leaders, but they do so in distinct ways.

While the MSN emphasizes leadership, communication, and organizational strategy, the DNP builds on those same principles with advanced clinical practice and system-level improvement.

Before exploring what makes each path unique, it helps to understand why demand for nurses with graduate-level training has grown so rapidly and why so many nursing professionals are seeking leadership roles within healthcare today.

Why Nurse Leadership is in High Demand in Healthcare

Hospitals and healthcare systems are feeling the strain of staffing shortages that have been building for years. A wave of retirements among experienced nurses, combined with burnout and turnover accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has left many facilities struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels.

At the same time, patient needs have become more complex, with an aging U.S. population and rising rates of chronic illness adding new layers of demand. ¹ Tight operating budgets only amplify the pressure, forcing healthcare organizations to do more with fewer resources.

Recent research has found that improving nurse leadership could significantly reduce frontline nurse turnover —– a problem that currently costs healthcare systems an estimated $400 million to $700 million each year. ² Similarly, a 2025 nursing leadership insight study (PDF, page 4) reported that almost half of nurse leaders rank staff recruitment and retention as their top concern. ³

These findings highlight a growing reality in healthcare: effective leadership keeps critical systems running and teams thriving.

How many nurses are seeking advanced education for leadership roles?

Enrollment in advanced nursing programs is on the rise. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Doctor of Nursing Practice programs saw their enrollment increase by 2% to a total of 42,767 DNP students in 2024, which reflects the growing interest in doctoral-level leadership and practice roles. ⁴

Many registered nurses now view administrative and managerial positions as the natural next step in their careers. Per AACN’s 2024 survey, master’s-level nursing programs across the U.S. enjoyed nearly a 5% enrollment increase in 2024, with 136,656 students nationwide. Nursing leadership roles call for advanced skills in financial management, systems thinking, human resources, and operational oversight — all key areas of focus in MSN programs.

What Jobs Can You Get with an MSN in Leadership and Administration?

Nurses who complete an MSN in Leadership and Administration are prepared to take on pivotal management roles that influence how healthcare is delivered every day. They often focus on guiding teams, improving workflows, and ensuring that patient care aligns with organizational goals. MSN graduates may oversee departments, manage budgets, and help shape policies that directly affect patient safety and satisfaction.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations with an Online MSN

Common career outcomes for nurse leaders prepared with an online MSN include:

• Nurse Manager
• Director of Nursing
• Department Chair or Unit Lead
• Clinical Coordinator
• Quality Improvement Manager

In these positions, nurse leaders manage both people and processes. Their decisions on staffing, budgeting, and workflow design have a measurable impact on patient outcomes and organizational performance.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)?

Graduates of DNP programs often pursue advanced roles that combine clinical expertise with executive-level leadership. The DNP prepares nurses to use data, research, and evidence-based strategies to improve patient care delivery across systems. These professionals are well-positioned to lead quality improvement initiatives, guide healthcare policy, and influence how care is delivered at both the organizational and community level.

Explore Career Specialties with an Online DNP

Common career outcomes for nurse leaders prepared with an online DNP include:

• Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
• Director of Clinical Practice or Patient Care Services
• Healthcare Policy Advisor or Program Director
• Clinical Education Faculty Member
• Population Health or Systems Improvement Specialist

In these positions, DNP-prepared nurses work at the intersection of leadership, research, and practice. Their efforts drive innovation, enhance safety, and improve the overall effectiveness of healthcare systems.

Understanding the Difference Between a DNP and an MSN

Advancing your nursing career often means deciding how you want to lead.

For some, that means guiding teams and shaping policy. For others, it means applying research to clinical challenges and driving improvements in patient outcomes. Both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepare nurses to lead change. However, the way they get you there, and the kind of leadership they emphasize, differ in important ways.

Why Nurses Choose to Pursue an Advanced Degree

For many nurses, the decision to pursue an advanced degree starts with a desire to make a greater impact. Experience at the bedside often brings insights into how healthcare could work better for patients, teams, and systems. Turning those insights into action requires advanced preparation, and both the MSN and DNP help nurses do exactly that.

Both degrees open doors to leadership, education, and influence. They give nurses the ability to solve complex problems, improve outcomes, and strengthen healthcare delivery across all settings.

Where the DNP and MSN Paths Overlap

The DNP and MSN degrees both prepare nurses for leadership roles. Graduates of either program can expect to move into positions with greater responsibility in management, policy, education, or clinical practice. Each emphasizes evidence-based care, leadership development, and systems thinking — skills that have become essential in modern healthcare leadership.

How the DNP and MSN Degrees Differ

The MSN focuses on leadership and administration. It strengthens management, communication, and organizational strategy. MSN coursework prepares nurses to lead teams, manage resources, and create policies that support high-quality care.

The DNP builds on that foundation with advanced clinical training and applied research. In fact, DNP programs prepare nurses to translate research into practice, evaluate outcomes, and lead system-level change. ⁵ Coursework includes advanced study in evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and data analytics.

In short, both degrees prepare nurses to lead, but they do so in different ways. The MSN equips you to manage people and operations, while the DNP gives you the tools to transform systems and advance clinical practice.

What to Expect in an Online MSN in Leadership and Administration Program

The online MSN in Leadership and Administration at NMSU Global Campus is designed for experienced nurses who want to move from direct patient care into roles that shape how healthcare organizations operate. The program helps students build the leadership, communication, and business skills needed to manage teams and guide decision-making in complex healthcare settings.

Through a curriculum that integrates organizational theory, financial management, and strategic planning, you will learn how to manage people, budgets, and processes in ways that strengthen both care quality and operational efficiency. Coursework also emphasizes critical thinking and evidence-based leadership. Expect to study subjects such as healthcare policy, human resource management, and quality improvement.

Medical and health services managers earn a median annual salary of approximately $117,960 as of 2024, underscoring the growing demand for nursing professionals who can connect clinical insight with administrative expertise. ⁶

Graduates of an MSN program are well prepared for leadership roles such as nurse manager, director of nursing, or healthcare administrator. They guide teams, implement policy, and ensure that organizational goals align with high-quality patient care.

What to Expect in an Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at NMSU Global Campus prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical and organizational leadership. It builds on the MSN’s foundation by emphasizing applied research, systems improvement, and advanced clinical decision-making.

DNP students study areas such as population health, data-driven practice, and healthcare technology integration. Our DNP program culminates in a scholarly project that addresses a real-world healthcare challenge, teaching students to translate evidence into measurable outcomes.

Demand for nurses with doctoral-level preparation continues to grow as healthcare organizations increasingly prioritize outcomes-based practice and value-driven care. Graduates often move into roles such as chief nursing officer, director of clinical practice, or healthcare policy advisor.

Is a DNP or MSN Degree Worth It? Evaluating Return on Investment

Pursuing an advanced nursing degree is both a personal and professional investment. The time, effort, and tuition required are significant, but the rewards, such as career advancement, earning potential, and long-term job stability, are important to keep in mind.

Comparing Time and Commitment

The MSN in Nursing Administration generally takes less time to complete, typically about two years of full-time study or three years part-time. It allows nurses to move more quickly into management and leadership positions, building career momentum while continuing to work in the field.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) requires a deeper level of academic and clinical engagement. Students gain advanced expertise in evidence-based practice, health systems improvement, and data-driven leadership. Although the DNP may take longer to complete, it represents the highest level of preparation in nursing and positions graduates for top-tier roles in both clinical and executive settings.

Nursing Leadership: Career Growth and Salary Potential

Advanced practice nurses earn median annual salaries exceeding $132,050, with projected job growth of 38% from 2022 to 2032 — a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. ⁷ Leadership and administrative roles show similar strength, as healthcare organizations increasingly seek skilled nurse leaders to manage operations, policy, and workforce development.

Graduates with an MSN can expect to step into high-impact administrative positions relatively quickly. Meanwhile, DNP-prepared nurses often pursue senior leadership or advanced practice roles that offer greater long-term earning potential.

Long-Term Career Value

Both the MSN and DNP degrees deliver measurable returns that extend beyond salary. Advanced nursing education enhances your professional credibility, leadership confidence, and ability to shape meaningful change in healthcare. Choosing between the two depends on how quickly you want to advance, how much time you can invest, and how broadly you hope to influence patient outcomes and healthcare systems over time.

Shape the Future of Healthcare with NMSU Global Campus

Earning an advanced nursing degree is more than a professional achievement; it is a step toward lasting impact in healthcare. Whether you choose the MSN in Leadership and Administration or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), NMSU Global Campus offers the flexibility, academic rigor, and real-world relevance to help you lead with confidence.

Both programs are designed for working nurses who want to expand their influence, improve patient outcomes, and guide the next era of healthcare leadership. With the right education and support, you can advance your career and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nursing.

References

1. “Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States.” PRB, 9 January 2024.

2. “Strengthening nurse leadership.” McKinsey & Company, 24 June 2025.

3. “Nursing Leadership Insight Study.” American Organization for Nursing Leadership, March 2025.

4. “Schools of Nursing Enrollment Increases Across Most Program Levels, Signaling Strong Interest in Nursing Careers.” American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 17 June 2025.

5. “AACN Fact Sheet – DNP.” American Association of Colleges of Nursing, June 2025.

6. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and Health Services Manager.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated 28 August 2025.

7. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetics, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated 28 August 2025.