The history of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees can be traced back to the early 1900s when nursing education first began to emerge as a profession. In 1909, the diploma in nursing was established at the University of Minnesota, and in 1910, the first baccalaureate degree in nursing was offered at the University of Pittsburgh. It wasn't until 1965 that the first MSN degree was offered, also at the University of Pittsburgh. The DNP degree was first offered in 2001.
There is no clear-cut answer as to which is the better degree - it depends on what you hope to gain from your education and what you want to do with your career. Master of Science in Nursing degrees typically focus on clinical practice, while Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees often emphasize leadership and management skills.