Any new NPs go directly for DNP?

Specialties Doctoral

Published

I am graduating in a few days, whoo hoo! Of course, I have no license and no job prospects, but have decided not to worry about that immediately. :lol2:

I am forging ahead and beginning the DNP coursework next semester, taking a DNP elective, the initial finance, and stats stuff. I"m planning to take the AANC exam in the spring. I'm taking the summer off because I'm going to Italy for a month for my 25th wedding anniversary :heartbeat and am also doing some medical mission work. It doesn't make any sense to look for a job when I know I'm going to be gone for 10 weeks, so I probably wont even look for a job until next fall. Question is, in the fall I will be in a cohort and into the throws of the DNP program, and my school expects to a large degree that one is working/has been working as a NP to do this level of work. There is a good chane I will not even have a job yet at that time. The doctorate work for the capstone requires that you design a protocol that will improve your practice and impact the profession. How can I improve a practice I don't have, or am only beginning t learn? Even if I have just secured a position as the semester begins, what will a NP of 2 weeks time, lol, know about impacting the profession?

I did have a sit down with the program director and she told me not to worry, but how can I not worry? I've read the course syllabi and I don't see how I'm going to have the background required to get the work done properly. Any thoughts or experience to share?

Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

This is about as unprofessional as I've seen.

Her opinion is spot on.

Ron

I've noticed from your other posts that you are a new RN and nursing may not have been the best choice for you as evidenced by your comments of working with patients, particularly in the southern US.

Perhaps after you have been a RN for more than year, get an idea of what it means to be a professional nurse, learn not to stereotype patients, then complete an advanced nursing degree, then attempt and even possibly complete a DNP program, you might have a different perspective on the DNP. Who knows---maybe at that time people might even care what you think.

Specializes in ER; CCT.
I agree. I will be finishing a DNP this spring and it was pretty much a total wasted of my time and money. If you want research, management, finance and such then you will enjoy it.. I would rather have more clinical education to enhance my skills, make me more competitive with the physicians.

Various residencies would be perfect; ER, intensivist, oath etc

Even better would make the first part of the DNP an FNP, then specialize into anesthesia, pees, womens health etc.

Just my two cents

Ron

I'm not sure I'm following your logic. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from your title, I presume you are a CRNA and you entered the DNP program as a CRNA, which means you were already certified as a clinical expert prior to going into the DNP program. Now, what you are saying is that you wish you had more clinical time and specifically clinical time outside of your area of expertise such as ER, womens health ect. within the DNP program. Were you made to believe that the DNP program was not a translation into practice program for previously established clinical experts?

I'm curious. Did your DNP program purport that it would make you a clinical expert outside of your area of expertise? Did your DNP program indicate that you would have additional clinical training within your present, and certified area of clinical expertise as a CRNA? If you feel you did not have enough clinical hours for your specialize area, is this a concern for your DNP program or for your MSN-CRNA program?

Specializes in FNP.

Tammy, is there perhaps a more professional environment in which for us to discuss some of these details? I have a lot of questions, but weeding through this nonsense is wasting both of our time.

Specializes in ER; CCT.
This is about as unprofessional as I've seen.

Her opinion is spot on.

Ron

Perhaps you stated in more on point, regarding non-nurse practitioner commenting on advanced nursing practice on another post.

That is just so ridiculous. Nurses truly are their own worst enemy. First off, why are non-nurse practitioners making decisions about advanced practice, no offense intended. :)

Secondly, why do nurses seem to fight to hold other nurses back..

Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Actually, I'm dual boarded as an FNP and CRNA.

Speaking from a CRNA perspective, a fellowship in pain, critical care, peds would be a nice start.

From an FNP perspective, a fellowship in ER, orthopedics, critical care, hospitalist would all be nice starts.

We really need to think outside the same box that we nurses have been stuck in for years. We need to step up to the plate and increase our basic education to better serve our patients and move our profession forward. You seem a bit defensive about the DNP. I'm all for it but the educators should listen to what the students want.

Many, many advanced practice nurses echo what I am saying.

Ron

I'm not sure I'm following your logic. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from your title, I presume you are a CRNA and you entered the DNP program as a CRNA, which means you were already certified as a clinical expert prior to going into the DNP program. Now, what you are saying is that you wish you had more clinical time and specifically clinical time outside of your area of expertise such as ER, womens health ect. within the DNP program. Were you made to believe that the DNP program was not a translation into practice program for previously established clinical experts?

I'm curious. Did your DNP program purport that it would make you a clinical expert outside of your area of expertise? Did your DNP program indicate that you would have additional clinical training within your present, and certified area of clinical expertise as a CRNA? If you feel you did not have enough clinical hours for your specialize area, is this a concern for your DNP program or for your MSN-CRNA program?

Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

There is a difference in decisions regarding actual practice issues and what you would like YOUR education to encompass.

It is ok to have different opinions but I'm at a loss about the nasty comments and defensive attitudes?

Discussion about these issues is good, IMHO.

Ron

Perhaps you stated in more on point, regarding non-nurse practitioner commenting on advanced nursing practice on another post.
Specializes in ER, Informatics, FNP.

I'm in a DNP program now and will finish May '11.

You could go straight in but I would say not if you plan to start working as a new NP at the same time. That first NP job is stressful.

Look at the programs carefully. We were required to have more clinical hours in addition to the classroom time which was a bit strange being an NP already but I have learned from my clinical time. We were able to select clinical experiences in areas where we felt we needed more expertise. For instance, I spent time putting in IUDs and working in a free clinic where I learned more about community resources and funding. I also made sure I spent time with a radiologist.

The finance classes were a bit rough but I can now hold my own in hospital management meetings. I didn't know how little I knew!

I love learning and am glad I decided to pursue the degree. It's a LOT of time and work though.

We have had some spirited discussions in class and I have gained faculty mentors so it's a win/win.

T

Specializes in FNP.

Thanks for the input. I communicated with the director again, and was reassured it would be fine. I'm only planning on working PT anyway. Maybe 1, Hopefully 2, but not to exceed 3 days a week. That should leave me time for residency, fellowship and classwork. I hope. Worst case, Ill have to get a live in governess for the kidlets, lol.

Look at the programs carefully. We were required to have more clinical hours in addition to the classroom time which was a bit strange being an NP already but I have learned from my clinical time. We were able to select clinical experiences in areas where we felt we needed more expertise. For instance, I spent time putting in IUDs and working in a free clinic where I learned more about community resources and funding. I also made sure I spent time with a radiologist.

T

I don't think the DNP is for me, especially since I now only want to see patients. I think an option for getting more clinical would be to add on more clinical hours in your NP program, after completing the required clinical, and make it in areas where you wanted more exposure.

Specializes in ER; CCT.
Thanks for the input. I communicated with the director again, and was reassured it would be fine. I'm only planning on working PT anyway. Maybe 1, Hopefully 2, but not to exceed 3 days a week. That should leave me time for residency, fellowship and classwork. I hope. Worst case, Ill have to get a live in governess for the kidlets, lol.

I wasn't able to do much in the way of any type of work during the last year, but then again, I kind of fast tracked it.

Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I honestly am happy I have waited until I have worked as an NP for 4 years and am now starting my post MSN DNP program. I feel I know the clinical part of my job quite well now, but it's only because I have been doing this job for 4 years that I realize my weak areas: health care policy, insurance, etc. This makes me appreciate the required DNP classes way more now that I understand why they are so important versus when I just graduated from NP school

Christine

Is it an "absolute" that a doctorate is going to required as the entry level into FNP come 2015 and if so is that the beginning or end of the year> I just read AACN's white paper ..not sure if its a recommendation or set in stone???

+ Add a Comment