The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine · Brigitte Sager, DNP

Thinking About Going Back to School as a Nurse? BSN, MSN, DNP vs PhD Explained

·27 min·2 clips

A nurse with an associate's degree was asked for research evidence to improve patient care—and it changed her entire perspective.

Host Bridget Sager, founder of the Institute for Functional Nursing, advises nurses considering further education. She addresses common questions about pursuing a BSN, MSN, DNP, or PhD. Sager emphasizes there is no universal right answer, as each nurse's goals and circumstances differ. Many nurses inquire about degrees while working in allopathic settings and contemplating a shift to functional medicine. Some nurses discover functional training fulfills their goals without needing a nurse practitioner credential. Conversely, some nurse practitioners wish they had found functional medicine before their costly advanced degrees. Sager notes benefits like prescribing authority and insurance billing for nurse practitioners. A key consideration is whether a degree expands one's scope of practice, as with nurse practitioners, or primarily deepens knowledge, as with educator roles. Sager shares her own educational path from an associate degree to a DNP. She recalls that her BSN introduced her to nursing theory, research, and holistic care, contrasting with her associate program's technical focus. An anecdote involves her early attempt to create an alcohol withdrawal protocol, where a doctoral-prepared educator asked for supporting research, highlighting different educational perspectives. For a Master's, Sager explains nurse practitioner programs expand scope, while degrees in education or leadership shift career paths. The distinction between a DNP and a PhD is a frequent query. Sager describes the DNP as a practice-focused doctorate, sharing her project on improving PPI prescription practices in a GI clinic. A PhD, in contrast, focuses on generating new knowledge through traditional research trials. She notes that projects during these degrees can lead to tangible improvements in clinical settings. Sager cautions that more education does not automatically lead to greater fulfillment, as burnout often stems from practice style, not credentials. She suggests functional medicine training or entrepreneurship as alternatives to formal degrees. The tone is conversational and advisory, drawn from personal and student experiences. This episode is ideal for nurses or nurse practitioners feeling stuck or considering their next career move. Listeners seeking a structured debate on academic merits or a quick list of degree requirements might find it less directly useful.

As heard by us

A practical guide for nurses choosing their next degree.

Bridget Sager treats the nursing degree choice as a career question first and a school decision second. She moves through the BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD with a clear eye on what each path changes: scope of practice, diagnosing and prescribing, the shift from bedside or inpatient…

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When the next nursing degree feels like four possible futures.

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