Question: what is the difference between a masters and a doctorate in nursing?
Answer: A major differentiating factor between a MSN degree and a DNP degree is that the DNP degree is a doctoral degree. Though one does not need to have an MSN to pursue a DNP—there are both ADN- and BSN-to-DNP pathways—a DNP degree is in fact a terminal degree, meaning there is no higher nursing degree one can earn.