BSN to DNP Programs: What You Should Know

The pace of change in healthcare isn’t slowing anytime soon. And that means healthcare systems across the country desperately need nursing professionals who hold advanced clinical skills and understand how to apply the latest research to improve processes and patient outcomes.  

According to Lightcast, a leading labor analytics firm, demand for nurse practitioners will grow 44% by 2032, and roles for medical and health services managers (a category of jobs that includes hospital administrators and executives) will increase by 30% in the same timeframe.

One way to move into these positions is to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to hold a master’s to get a DNP and move into highly impactful roles, thanks to the growth of BSN to DNP programs. 

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What Is a BSN to DNP Program?

A BSN to DNP program offers a direct pathway to the DNP degree for registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) but not a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or who have a BSN and a master’s in an unrelated subject. These programs typically offer “bridge” or prerequisite courses to catch students up on the essential takeaways of an MSN program but with less time commitment and expense. 

For example, Franklin University’s BSN to DNP program requires just two bridge courses: Principles of Advanced Nursing Practice and Transition to Doctor of Nursing Practice, which includes a built-in practicum. Students can complete those two courses in just eight months, compared to MSN programs that typically take around two years. 

After completing prerequisite courses, students enrolled in BSN to DNP programs move on to the same coursework and hands-on learning as all other DNP students. Ultimately, the outcome of the BSN to DNP program is the same as an MSN to DNP program. Students graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice, the most advanced clinical degree available to nurses. 

Since the DNP degree was formally adopted in 2004, BSN to DNP programs have grown much faster than traditional MSN to DNP options, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. In 2010, just 27% of students pursued a BSN to DNP program, while today 57% of graduates pursue the BSN to DNP pathway. 

What Do You Learn in a BSN to DNP Program?

The DNP degree focuses on healthcare leadership and quality improvement, with specialized tracks to help students meet their professional goals. 

In a BSN to DNP program, you’ll learn to: 

• Apply evidence-based findings to improve clinical practice and healthcare systems
• Analyze and evaluate healthcare organizations 
• Lead improvements in quality, health outcomes, safety and policy
• Develop effective healthcare delivery teams
• Integrate data to support clinical decision-making and population health. 

These programs also help you develop the broad capabilities you need to succeed as a nursing leader, including effective communication, ethical decision-making and critical thinking.

If you choose to pursue a clinical track within your DNP to prepare for work as a nurse practitioner or other advanced practice nurse, you’ll also gain specialized clinical skills and prepare for licensure examinations. 

What Focus Areas are Available in a BSN to DNP Program? 

The specific focus areas or academic tracks available in DNP program vary by school. However, once BSN-qualified students have completed their bridge courses, BSN to DNP programs have the same options and curriculum as MSN to DNP students.

At Franklin University, DNP tracks include:

Leadership Track
The DNP - Leadership Track helps nurses learn to synthesize research and information and improve healthcare quality, safety and outcomes. Electives in healthcare administration, health informatics and public administration allow students to tailor their degree to their professional goals.  

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Track
The DNP - AGPCNP track equips nurse practitioners to work with patients in populations ranging from adolescents to the elderly, with a special focus on geriatric and end-of-life care. 

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track
The DNP - FNP Track prepares nurse practitioners to work with patients across their lifespans in a primary care role. It emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction and disease detection. 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Track
The DNP - PMHNP Track equips nurse practitioners with the capabilities to diagnose acute, episodic and chronic mental health illnesses and provide treatment options that include medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

DNP programs at other institutions may offer additional tracks and specializations to prepare students for roles as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or certified nursing specialists (who can choose from several different specialties). Some schools also offer programs geared toward other nurse practitioner specialties, such as neonatal nurse practitioner, pediatric primary care nurse practitioner or women’s health nurse practitioner. Finally, some DNP programs focus on educational leadership. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of a BSN to DNP Program?

BSN to DNP programs offer a number of advantages. However, it’s always important to consider the specifics of your situation.

Pros of BSN to DNP Programs

BSN to DNP programs are typically faster and less expensive than completing an MSN and then moving on to a DNP. At Franklin University, for example, you can complete the BSN to DNP program in as few as three or four years, depending on the track you select.

There’s no need to earn an MSN before enrolling in a DNP program if your ultimate goal is to earn a DNP, notes Debbie Conner, Ph.D., MSN, ANP/FNP-BC, FAANP and chair of Franklin University’s DNP program.

If you want to earn a degree that will prepare you for leadership positions inside or outside of the clinic, skipping straight to the DNP degree can help you move into more advanced and potentially higher-paying roles sooner. It also makes sense to earn a DNP instead of an MSN if you wish to hold an advanced practice nursing role. Several major nursing organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), are working to move the entry-level requirement for APRN roles, including nurse practitioner, from the MSN to the DNP by 2025. 

Cons of BSN to DNP Programs

One reason to consider an MSN instead of a DNP, said Conner, is if you aren’t prepared to take on the rigor of a DNP program. 

“Not everyone is ready for doctoral education. If English is not your primary language and your writing skills are not great, then getting an MSN first might be beneficial,” she explained. 

Similarly, if you don’t aspire to a leadership role, you may not need the additional training that a DNP provides. And while many DNP programs are offered online with flexible scheduling, it’s also wise to consider how you’ll balance studying with your other commitments and responsibilities.

Explore BSN to DNP Programs

If you want to take your nursing education to the highest possible level – and to make a broader impact on the nursing profession by improving the quality of healthcare delivery – a Doctor of Nursing Practice might be right for you. And if you’re eager to get there without wasting time, you should consider BSN to DNP options. 

Many schools, including Franklin University, offer BSN to DNP programs online, allowing you to accelerate your learning without pausing your professional life. Plus, with Franklin’s built-in practicums and four focus areas, you can customize your degree to meet your career goals.

Learn more about Franklin’s BSN to DNP pathway. 

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