A common question once students grasp that the 2021 Essentials unified three documents into one: if BSN, MSN, and DNP students all use the same domains, what's actually different? The answer is the competency level. Every competency is written at Level 1 (entry/baccalaureate) and Level 2 (advanced/master's and doctoral). Same domains, deeper expectations. This guide makes the difference concrete.
One framework, two levels
The 2021 Essentials apply across the whole education continuum. The ten domains and eight concepts are the same for everyone. What changes is the sub-competency level:
Level 1 vs. Level 2
Level 1 — entry-level professional nursing education. The competencies expected of a BSN graduate (or entry-level master's). Your BSN capstone demonstrates Level 1.
Level 2 — advanced-level nursing education. The deeper competencies expected of master's and DNP graduates. An MSN capstone and a DNP scholarly project demonstrate Level 2.
What changes from BSN to MSN to DNP
| BSN (Level 1) | MSN (Level 2) | DNP (Level 2) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Appraise & apply evidence | Evaluate & translate evidence | Lead evidence translation & sustained change |
| Scope | Unit / patient level | Population / role specialty | System / organizational level |
| Leadership | Emerging; team member | Specialty leadership | Systems leadership & influence |
| Capstone artifact | EBP capstone project | Specialty capstone | DNP scholarly/QI project |
| Outcome focus | Demonstrate improvement | Improve specialty outcomes | Sustain & disseminate change |
For a focused comparison of the capstones themselves, see BSN vs. MSN capstone differences and DNP capstone vs. PhD dissertation.
Same domain, different level — an example
Take the Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline domain across levels:
- BSN (Level 1): appraises existing evidence and applies it to a unit-level practice problem.
- MSN (Level 2): evaluates and translates evidence to improve outcomes within a specialty or population.
- DNP (Level 2): leads the translation of evidence into sustained, system-level practice change and disseminates results.
Notice the verbs escalate — appraise → translate → lead. That verb shift is the clearest signal of what your level expects.
Capstone written at the right level
Whether it's a BSN EBP project or a DNP scholarly project, our writers match the depth, scope, and leadership your level demands.
Get level-appropriate help DNP project helpWhy students get this wrong
Two common mistakes:
- Writing a DNP project at BSN depth — appraising evidence but stopping short of leading system change and demonstrating sustainability. DNP work must reach Level 2 verbs.
- Over-reaching at BSN level — attempting system-wide change a baccalaureate project can't feasibly demonstrate, when a tight unit-level improvement is exactly what Level 1 expects.
Matching your work to your level isn't about doing "more" — it's about demonstrating the right competencies for where you are.
Check your rubric's verbs
Your rubric encodes the level. If it asks you to "lead," "design a system-level change," or "disseminate," that's Level 2. If it asks you to "apply" or "appraise," that's Level 1. Reading the verbs tells you the depth expected far more reliably than the page count.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Yes — the 2021 edition unified them into one framework. The domains and concepts are shared; the difference is whether you demonstrate Level 1 (entry) or Level 2 (advanced) sub-competencies.
Level 2. Master's education is "advanced-level" in the framework, so MSN work demonstrates Level 2 competencies — deeper than BSN, with a specialty or population focus.
By your program (BSN = Level 1; MSN/DNP = Level 2) and by your rubric's verbs. "Apply/appraise" signals Level 1; "translate/lead/disseminate" signals Level 2.
It can be excellent, but it should still demonstrate Level 1 competencies — a unit-level, nurse-driven improvement. Reaching for Level 2 scope at BSN often creates feasibility problems rather than impressing faculty. Depth should match level.