What Each One Is
An FNP is a nurse practitioner who specializes in family practice, treating patients of all ages as a primary care provider. FNPs must hold at least an MSN and pass board certification to practice. Some hold a DNP, but it is not required.
A DNP is the highest practice-focused degree in nursing. DNPs work across the field: direct patient care, administration, research, and teaching. A DNP can specialize in family practice, pass board certification, and work as an FNP, but the degree itself opens many other doors.
Duties and Responsibilities
FNPs provide care in hospitals, independent practices, emergency rooms, clinics, and settings like military bases or prisons. Their work includes assessing patient health, ordering tests, diagnosing conditions, prescribing treatments, educating patients and families, and supervising RNs and other staff.
A DNP's work depends on the path. Many four-year colleges and universities prefer DNPs as nursing faculty, and many administrators at academic medical centers hold the degree. DNPs also practice clinically. New nurse anesthetists must now hold a doctoral degree, which makes the DNP central to that role. Common DNP careers include nurse faculty, nursing administration such as chief nursing officer, nurse anesthetist, and nursing research.
Education and Certification
Both FNP licensure and DNP programs build on an MSN-level education and a current RN license. The key difference: becoming an FNP requires passing board certification, while not every DNP specialty does.
To become an FNP, earn an MSN through an on-campus, hybrid, or online program. The standard prerequisite is a BSN, though RN-to-MSN bridge programs exist for nurses with an associate degree. Programs generally require a GPA of at least 3.0, and most full-time MSN programs take two years. The American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board both issue FNP certification to graduates of accredited programs, each through a multiple-choice exam.
A DNP is available on campus, hybrid, or online, though many programs include some on-campus requirements. DNP programs run longer than an MSN, with some lasting three or more years, and include a doctoral project or multisemester research project that you write and defend. Most require at least a 3.0 GPA. The curriculum covers research methods, statistics, advanced clinical topics, and extensive clinical hours. Like MSN students, DNP students pick a specialty, such as nurse leadership, nursing practice, nursing education, or a specific NP field like family practice or nurse anesthesia.
Salary and Career Outlook
The median nurse practitioner wage was $129,210 a year in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (the combined median for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $132,050). Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow about 40 percent from 2024 to 2034, one of the fastest rates of any occupation. That combination of pay and demand makes FNP programs a strong investment.
DNP earnings vary more widely because the degree leads to a wider range of careers, from chief nursing officers to nurse anesthetists, who earn a median of $223,210 (BLS, May 2024). The roughly 40 percent growth in the nurse practitioner field and the high ceiling on doctoral-level roles make the DNP a rewarding option for the right goals.
Should You Become an FNP or Earn a DNP?
Both paths have strong career and earning prospects, and you do not have to choose now. You can earn an MSN, practice as an FNP, and decide on a doctorate later.
DNP programs are demanding and expensive, though financial aid for nurses exists. The degree pays off if you want to work at a high level in an academic medical center, especially as a chief nursing officer or in other leadership roles, or to teach at a four-year university nursing school, where it may be required. It is mandatory for new nurse anesthetists, the highest-earning APRN role. For most FNP jobs, the DNP is valuable but not required. The decision comes down to where you want to end up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FNP a degree or a job? The FNP is a role, not a degree. You qualify for it by completing an MSN or DNP with a family practice focus and passing national certification. A DNP is the terminal practice degree, and one of the things you can do with it is become an FNP.
Do you need a DNP to become a nurse practitioner? No. An MSN plus board certification is enough to practice as an FNP today. A DNP is required for new nurse anesthetists and is increasingly preferred for faculty and senior leadership roles, but it is optional for most NP jobs.
Which pays more, an FNP or a DNP-prepared nurse? It depends on the role, not the credential alone. The median nurse practitioner wage was $129,210 in May 2024 (BLS). DNP holders in roles like chief nursing officer or nurse anesthetist (median $223,210) can earn considerably more, but a DNP does not automatically raise an FNP's pay.
Can I earn an FNP now and a DNP later? Yes. Many nurses complete an MSN, practice as an FNP, then return for a post-master's DNP once they decide they want leadership, faculty, or anesthesia roles.
How long does each take? A full-time MSN typically runs about two years after a BSN. A DNP runs longer, often three or more years, and includes a scholarly doctoral project you write and defend.
Is the job outlook strong? Yes. The BLS projects about 40% growth for nurse practitioners from 2024 to 2034, one of the fastest rates of any occupation, which supports demand for both MSN-prepared and DNP-prepared nurses.