Discussing academic pathways to specific careers is often complicated—for liberal arts majors, the routes to a career are circuitous and rarely definitive. Pathways in healthcare are typically more clear cut. Lately, however, I’ve heard conflicting statements from academics about the credential needed to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. On closer examination, it appears academia’s enthusiasm for the DNP degree, while admirable, is not a necessity for nurses looking to become FNPs. Like driving a Porsche to get groceries, the DNP is attractive but hardly necessary.