Your opinion of the DNP

[kayceeACNP]

I happened to be on my alma mater's website, and I noticed that they have completely gotten rid of all of their MSN level Nurse Practitioner programs and have turned them into a DNP. I'm assuming this is because of the recommendation of the AACN, however I was not under the impression it was required at this time. I quickly did some research of other local nursing schools and found that they are still offering the degree at an MSN level.

So, I can't help but look at this situation and think that this is just the school trying to get more tuition money from people. I personally have no desire to pursue a DNP and I think it's because I don't feel like it will make me a better bedside clinician. For lack of a better way to say this; the curriculum seems geared towards the 'academic type' and not the 'clinician type'. But, I think I need to do some more research so I have a few questions:

1. In your area are the nursing schools transitioning the NP from an MSN to a required DNP?

2. If you are an MSN prepared NP are you pursuing or considering pursuing a DNP? If yes, why?

I look forward to hearing others thoughts on this matter.

[SweettartRN]

I think they are jumping the shark with the DNP requirements.

They are going to find that once this new healthcare law takes effect and doctors are leaving private practices the need for Advanced Mid-Levels are going to go ever higher.

We'll see, but I think this DNP by 2015 business is hogwash.

[marty6001, EdD, EMT-P, APRN]

"If you are an MSN prepared NP are you pursuing or considering pursuing a DNP? If yes, why?"

With my current student loan burden and my position as an intensivist APRN locked down, there is no way I would go back to complete my DNP. I think grandfathering us all in would be a much easier, and cost effective route for us.

[hoosier guy]

none of the schools in indiana (at least none that i am aware of) even have a direct entry dnp yet. most of them have either recently came up with post-masters dnp programs or are planning to add them.

the dnp is just another example of degree inflation… plain and simple. the aacn said as much in their position statement. they cite “other professions” terminal degrees as examples and say that nursing needs parity with them… pt, ot, phamd, etc. for some reason americans think it takes a doctorate to be a professional. look at most of europe… to be a physician you do one year of prereqs and then do a 4-5 year bachelors of medicine degree. it’s the same deal for lawyers and pharmacists (or chemists as they call them). you really don’t need 4 undergraduate years (usually with little to do with your profession except for learning the basics) to get a foundation for some of these professions. ironically nursing is probably the only example where a undergraduate foundation (in nursing) would be helpful.

[Aymese]

I think Valparaiso University in Indiana has a BSN to DNP program.

none of the schools in indiana (at least none that i am aware of) even have a direct entry dnp yet. most of them have either recently came up with post-masters dnp programs or are planning to add them.

the dnp is just another example of degree inflation… plain and simple. the aacn said as much in their position statement. they cite “other professions” terminal degrees as examples and say that nursing needs parity with them… pt, ot, phamd, etc. for some reason americans think it takes a doctorate to be a professional. look at most of europe… to be a physician you do one year of prereqs and then do a 4-5 year bachelors of medicine degree. it’s the same deal for lawyers and pharmacists (or chemists as they call them). you really don’t need 4 undergraduate years (usually with little to do with your profession except for learning the basics) to get a foundation for some of these professions. ironically nursing is probably the only example where a undergraduate foundation (in nursing) would be helpful.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think Valparaiso University in Indiana has a BSN to DNP program.

I believe so does Purdue and IUPUI