2015 DNP Requirement for APNs

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Hey everyone,

Is it true that all NPs and other APNs will have to finish off their DNP in order to achieve NP status after 2015? I'm currently applying for FNP school and I'm getting worried about this. I may or may not finish school before 2015 and I don't want to spend an extra 2 years for something I don't want at all. Can anyone give me some insight on this situation? Will I be grandfathered in if I start school before 2015 or will I have to finish before that. Thanks in advance.

Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.

So so long as implementation of EBP practice does not contradict in house standard operating procedure, the NP is good to go. 17 years seriously!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
So so long as implementation of EBP practice does not contradict in house standard operating procedure, the NP is good to go. 17 years seriously!

17-22yrs....

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
So in practice, the Doctorate level for NPs is just a suggestion. It actually caries absolutely zero weight in your practice. Which means the MSN for NP programs will still be able to live on and continue to build more NPs.

*** Yes exactly. Execept, thanks to some early advocates of the DNP who went around claiming they would be "physician equals", lots of doctors dislike the DNP.

When you say "experts in the utilization of EBPs" are you talking about evidence based papers?

*** Evidenced Based Practice = means somebody (usally a day shifter) went to a confrence and now want to change everything. At least until the next confrence and the "new" evidence contradicts last years EBP. EBP can also = latest nursing fad.

Quite obviously EBP has the potential to rapidly improve patient care and outcomes. But in realiety it's sort of like EMRs. The promis doesn't live up to the hype as currently implamented.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** Yes exactly. Execept, thanks to some early advocates of the DNP who went around claiming they would be "physician equals", lots of doctors dislike the DNP.

*** Evidenced Based Practice = means somebody (usally a day shifter) went to a confrence and now want to change everything. At least until the next confrence and the "new" evidence contradicts last years EBP. EBP can also = latest nursing fad.

Quite obviously EBP has the potential to rapidly improve patient care and outcomes. But in realiety it's sort of like EMRs. The promis doesn't live up to the hype as currently implamented.

If you think that is what EBP then you are mistaken. EBP for a provider should be how you are going to utilize research to help your patients most and your own individual practice. Most nurses do not know how to interpret research or determine hierarchy of evidence. It is funny that physicians in general have adopted EBP/EBM but nurses are still resisting it every step of the way. Anesthesiologists have even made implementing an EBP change into their own practice as a part of board recertification.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
If you think that is what EBP then you are mistaken.

*** No _I_ don't. I was making fun of a certain type of person I have worked with over the years. Seems to be few in every hospital I have ever worked in. I should have made that more clear.

It is funny that physicians in general have adopted EBP/EBM but nurses are still resisting it every step of the way.

*** As evidenced by?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** No _I_ don't. I was making fun of a certain type of person I have worked with over the years. Seems to be few in every hospital I have ever worked in. I should have made that more clear.

*** As evidenced by?

You're kidding right....if you don't think nurses in general don't fight every change including EBP there is nothing I can do to convince you.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
You're kidding right....if you don't think nurses in general don't fight every change including EBP there is nothing I can do to convince you.

*** I didn't give any indication of what I think on the subject. I was asking for some examples. If you don't wish to provide any its fine with me.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** I didn't give any indication of what I think on the subject. I was asking for some examples. If you don't wish to provide any its fine with me.

This whole thread. The BSN debate. American Association of Colleges of Nursing | The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice

Nurses in general balk at higher education at every turn. I don't agree with the DNP curriculum a 100%, but it is a step in the right direction for nurses IMO.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree with wtbcrna on this issue - for those of us APRNs educated at the MSN level, obtaining a DNP provides a terminal degree. My understanding from recent discussion at one of our states APN organization meetings, is that a DNP provides you with the tools with which to embrace EBP.

However, that said, I personally don't think that you need a DNP in order to embrace/practice EBP and incorporate it into your practice. Much depends on what you what do and where you practice.

My large nephrology practice has its own research dept and I've been fortunate to assist with that. It really brings home (at least for me) that research results in practice change.

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Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.

Remember when people were talking about having BSN as the minimum education requirement for an RN. Looking back we all see that it was just a suggestion. No actual legal ramification resulted in this suggestions. ADNs and some diploma prgrams are still churning out RNs that are legally able to practice.

Now even though everyone and their mom is talking about how the DNP is the new standard, I see now its just another suggestion. Its going to be the same story repeating itself. I do not expect any kind of legislative restrictions on an NP with an MSN.

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