Clarification on the DNP requirement of 2015

[umbdude]

Hi-

I'm a bit confused about the whole 2015 DNP requirement for APRNs. Does this mean a DNP, instead an MSN, is required in order to become a Nurse Practitioner starting 2015? Is this applied uniformly in all States or do States have their own "flexibility" on how this is handle? (I live in MA.)

If DNP is required, I wonder if MSN programs will be phased out and replaced by DNP programs or maybe integrated into the DNP programs. In a clinical setting, will the scope of practice expand for someone with a DNP vs someone with an MSN? Or are they moving to DNP because they believe that MSN programs are already very much a doctoral program relative to other health professions?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

umbdude

[PMNP]

Error

[PMNP]

Error...

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

I would add another dimension to consider is that the 3rd party payers may at some point start requiring a DNP for credentialing APNs-at which point it is really irrelevant what the states or certifying bodies 'require' for entry level into APN...if you cannot be credentialed w/3rd party payers you will not be employable. I suspect this may have something to do w/why an employer is already 'preferring DNPs' over MSNs. Just a thought from an MSN ARNP who decided to take the sage advice of someone who said if you plan on being in the workforce another 10 years or more it's in your best interest to obtain your DNP. After all, the state I am in (& came from) have eliminated their MSN programs. If you were an employer hiring an ARNP who would you hire-a DNP or MSN? P.S. all but 3 states require board certification to be licensed as an ARNP/APRN, so if your certifying agency (i.e. ANCC) requires the DNP to sit for the future exams the states by default will all 'require' the DNP if you think about it...like it or not the DNP is here to stay.

I would say it is unlikely that the degree would make a difference for 3rd party payers. We still have certificate, Bachelors, and Masters prepared APNs getting the same reimbursement rates.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

*** I was wondering about this so I have asked around at work the last 4-5 days. Turns out none of them were trained in the military. All 5 I asked about it (1 navy reserve, 1 AF reserve, 3 army reserve/NG) were trained here in local NA programs. However all were already nurse corps officers before going to CRNA school.

That is good to know. The only reserve CRNAs that I know of were AD and trained on AD before switching to the reserves. I will have to ask our USAF CRNA consultant about it sometime.

[PMNP]

Elkpark:

When I was asking for advice from a NP where I work whether I should go for the DNP or to a school for the Masters, she stressed DNP. My employer is already posing NP positions with a DNP degree preferred. So you are right, I don't know if states are changing, but employers may start pushing for the added degree.

I would add another dimension to consider is that the 3rd party payers may at some point start requiring a DNP for credentialing APNs-at which point it is really irrelevant what the states or certifying bodies 'require' for entry level into APN...if you cannot be credentialed w/3rd party payers you will not be employable. I suspect this may have something to do w/why an employer is already 'preferring DNPs' over MSNs. Just a thought from an MSN ARNP who decided to take the sage advice of someone who said if you plan on being in the workforce another 10 years or more it's in your best interest to obtain your DNP. After all, the state I am in (& came from) have eliminated their MSN programs. If you were an employer hiring an ARNP who would you hire-a DNP or MSN? P.S. all but 3 states require board certification to be licensed as an ARNP/APRN, so if your certifying agency (i.e. ANCC) requires the DNP to sit for the future exams the states by default will all 'require' the DNP if you think about it...like it or not the DNP is here to stay.

[PMNP]

Error

[PMNP]

I would say it is unlikely that the degree would make a difference for 3rd party payers. We still have certificate, Bachelors, and Masters prepared APNs getting the same reimbursement rates.

3rd party payers I dealt w/in private practice all required MSN & board certification (board certification required a minimum of an MSN) to bill as an independent practitioner. My point is that it's all tied together & board certification will for future nurses require the DNP. ANCC will require the DNP to sit for the exam once a certain % of applicants who apply have their DNP. If everyone phases out their MSN programs the schools will force that % to be reached quickly if you think about it...

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

3rd party payers I dealt w/in private practice all required MSN & board certification (board certification required a minimum of an MSN) to bill as an independent practitioner. My point is that it's all tied together & board certification will for future nurses require the DNP. ANCC will require the DNP to sit for the exam once a certain % of applicants who apply have their DNP. If everyone phases out their MSN programs the schools will force that % to be reached quickly if you think about it...

I totally agree, but from the CRNA standpoint I haven't heard of any problems with billing based on degree for CRNAs.

Where did you hear about the AANC changing to the DNP requirement once a certain percentage of NPs have their DNP?

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

I'm awaiting word of acceptance to a DNP program, but I came to this thread because one of the directors in my hospital is enrolled in a dual DNP/PhD program and she advised me to keep in mind that the DNP is the new MSN, and that a PhD will be the only terminal (nursing) degree. I told her that at this time, my goal is to go into advanced practice. I really don't have interest, currently, for a PhD. One thing I don't understand, though, is how a DNP is not terminal (if what she says is true). It is the terminal PRACTICE degree. Am I missing something?

[manusko]

I'm awaiting word of acceptance to a DNP program but I came to this thread because one of the directors in my hospital is enrolled in a dual DNP/PhD program and she advised me to keep in mind that the DNP is the new MSN, and that a PhD will be the only terminal (nursing) degree. I told her that at this time, my goal is to go into advanced practice. I really don't have interest, currently, for a PhD. One thing I don't understand, though, is how a DNP is not terminal (if what she says is true). It is the terminal PRACTICE degree. Am I missing something?[/quote']

My understanding was that a DNP was a clinical degree and PhD is a teaching degree. From my nursing theory courses I got the feeling that some of our PhD nursing instructors felt threatened by the emergence of the DNP.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

A DNP is a clinical doctorate. A PhD is a research degree. Both degrees are considered terminal degrees.

[Taylorguitars]

Would a PhD be for teaching? or what is the benefit?