DNP Role Specifications?

Specialties Doctoral

Published

Specializes in ICU, PCU, Cardiology.

Hi all, I was wondering if there were any current DNPs or DNP students out there that could help me out. I am interviewing with my university this next week to enter their DNP program. I have general idea of this role and it is something I know I definitely want to pursue but I have a few questions:

1) How do you explain the role (specifically) of APRNs compare to DNP?

2) What are some of the major healthcare changes and challenges you see that affect DNPs in our country?

3) How much do you incorporate business in DNP and how does it influence your practice?

I want to be as prepared as I can. I have been an RN almost 3 years and really want to improve my career even further. Thank you in advance for your assistance :)

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The DNP is a degree, not a professional role or title. So far (who knows what changes make occur in the future), there is no role or scope distinction between MSN-prepared APRNs and DNP-prepared APRNs. They take the same certification exams. They have the same scope of practice.

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Specializes in ICU, PCU, Cardiology.

Yes. I am well aware that it is a degree...so your comment does not answer my question.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello

It could be the way you outlined your original post why we are having difficulty answering your questions.

Are you wanting to compare different types of APRN?: CRNA, NP, CNM, CNS

Are you wanting to compare different types of NP's like Acute Care, Women's Health, Neonatal, Family, etc.?

Are you wanting to discuss the differences in MSN-prepared (degree) and/or DNP-prepared (degree) APRN's?

Are you wanting to discuss some of the health-related and/or business-related issues that APRNs face in their practices?

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I have general idea of this role and it is something I know I definitely want to pursue but I have a few questions:

The DNP is not a "role." Are you talking about becoming (via a DNP program) an NP, a CNS, a CRNA, or a CNM? Those are the "roles."

1) How do you explain the role (specifically) of APRNs compare to DNP?

There is no comparison of the role of APRNS to the role of DNP because the DNP is not a "role." It is a degree. Perhaps what you mean to ask is how do you explain the role of the MSN-prepared APRN compared to the DNP-prepared APRN, and the answer to that question is that, at this time, there is no difference. The roles and scopes of practice are the same.

2) What are some of the major healthcare changes and challenges you see that affect DNPs in our country?

There are many healthcare challenges and changes happening, many involving the ACA, which affect APRNs. Many believe that full implementation of the ACA and increased demand for healthcare services will create a broader demand for advanced practice nursing (whether those individuals are MSN- or DNP-prepared), esp. in primary care. If you're applying for an advanced practice graduate program, I hope that you are already somewhat informed about, and keeping up with, the news about what's happening in healthcare and your understanding of that has informed your decision to apply for grad school. That information is freely available. Are you asking these questions to prepare for your school interview? I would think that, if you are at the point of applying to DNP programs and pursuing graduate work in nursing, you would already have answers to these questions.

3) How much do you incorporate business in DNP and how does it influence your practice?

I'll leave this one for someone who has a DNP. I've gotten along just fine with my MSN all these years and have no interest in getting involved in the "business" end of healthcare (although I've managed to be well-informed about the business aspects of healthcare all these years without needing an additional graduate degree to do so).

Best wishes.

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