[sirI]

The vision is for 2015.

Here are position/vision statements/DNP programs:


American Association of Colleges of Nursing Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing ~ October 2004

American Association of Colleges of Nursing ~ Frequently Asked Questions ~ Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing

List of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

[masstudent]

I just came across this thread and found it very interesting. I am looking at 2nd degree BSN program and combined BSN/MSN programs and I am wondering if I should just do the BSN progam. I just looked at several doctorate programs courtesy of the link posted by Siri (thanks!!) and some are accepting BSN students. I am feeling more confused. Part of the reason I decided not to go to med school at this time, as several others have noted, is the time and financial committment. Also I have seen most NP programs offer concentrations in certain fields but several of the doctorate programs I looked at are more generalized. Are most doctorate programs specialized or generalized and what happens to nurses who obtains an MSN or DNP in the generalized programs, what are they prepared to do? Are they go to make them all generalized and then make nurses do "residency" like doctors do when they pick their specialization?

I have to agree with the posting of other people that I am against the doctorate degree. With the current nursing shortage, they are going to increase it and not decrease it, although as someone else noted there is not a shortage of NPs (I know a nurse who received who NP but still practices as a nurse because she can't find a NP job). Also the talk about creating a doctorate degree because of the advances in nursing doesn't make sense to me. They are saying nurses need BSNs over associates degrees for the same reason but the difference in education for a BSN over an associates is general ed classes. Yes, the general ed classes might make you a more well rounded person and help you think more critically but that doesn't make you a better nurse. I have no doubt that when I graduate from my BSN progam, the nurse who has an associate degree and has been practicing for years will be able to do circles around me.

[nursprac]

I am currently a nurse practitioner, with ten years' experience in clinical practice. I shutter to think that I must return to school to obtain a doctorate just to do what I now do and have done for ten years. Does that make sense to anyone?

Originally Posted by VickyRN

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is calling for the requirement of doctorate in nursing for advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists. This new degree will be called a Doctor of Nursing Practice and, if the AACN has its way, will become the entry level for advanced nursing practice.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/News.../DNPRelease.htm

[98.6]

In my area there is already a difficulty finding MSNs & PhDs to teach the ASN & BSN programs... Who the heck are "they" going to have as faculty for these DNP programs????

There is a saying... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

[NOLA-ROB]

Nursprac, read the comment posted before your comment by gauge14iv:

They arent going to change it for those who are already there. MS level NP's will be grandfathered in and right now its more of a wish (on the part of certain parties) than a requirement.

In addition, if you want the DNP later you can go through Case Westerns bridge program and do the DNP in about 30 hours.

The quote you posted says the entry level for NP would be...a doctorate. I believe since you have practiced for 10 yrs you are Not an entry level NP. The goal is 2015 for this proposed requirement it is still 2006.

[Cyndee, MSN, NP]

I'm happy I'll be grandfathered in, but what about all those NP's who only have an Associates or Bachelors degree (there are lots of them still practicing). Will they be grandfathered in?

Also, I'm GLAD they are planning on requiring a doctorate because I'm sick and tired of being compared to a P.A. and being referred to as a "mid-level." We're not "mid" anything...we are a separate entity as far as I'm concerned. I have a friend who is a NP with a doctorate degree and the doc she works with loves it because patients don't feel like they are getting "jipped" when they pay the doctor rate.

[Cyndee, MSN, NP]

Originally Posted by NOLA-ROB

Nursprac, read the comment posted before your comment by gauge14iv:

They arent going to change it for those who are already there. MS level NP's will be grandfathered in and right now its more of a wish (on the part of certain parties) than a requirement.

In addition, if you want the DNP later you can go through Case Westerns bridge program and do the DNP in about 30 hours.

The quote you posted says the entry level for NP would be...a doctorate. I believe since you have practiced for 10 yrs you are Not an entry level NP. The goal is 2015 for this proposed requirement it is still 2006.

What will happen to all the NP's who have an associates or bachelors degree? They have 20 years + experience...it's gonna be hard for them to go back to school!

[prairienp]

Originally Posted by Cyndee, MSN, NP

What will happen to all the NP's who have an associates or bachelors degree? They have 20 years + experience...it's gonna be hard for them to go back to school!

They will all be grandfathered in, if your a NP they will not take your ability to practice away. The same idea was suggested when the masters became the standard educational process for the NP.

[ML_FNP]

That's correct the the Doctorate in Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is now being offered so that APNs have the option of advancing their career for a doctorate degree which is geared more so for clinical nursing. The D.N.P can take about 2-3 years or so depending on the SON's program. But before applying to a DNP program, you must have a MSN. APNs will not be grandfathered into a DNP. The DNP is another educational pathway to prepare APN to practice clinically at the "doctorate" level, utilizing up to date research on disease/illness management, health promo, etc... There is a prospective growth of programs that will be offering the DNP. To find out more info google AACN (American Assoc. of Colleges of Nursing) and from there (AACN website) there will be a national list of current schools offering the DNP program. Good luck!

[gauge14iv]

Current APN's will be grandfathered if some state or certifying body decides to require the DNP for licensure or certification - just as non MS degree holding APN's are presently.