AACN Position paper on DNP

cgfnp · Apr 6, 2005

If you haven't already looked at it, go out to the AACN web site and review the DNP proposition paper. This effects everyone of us working as an ANP. I;d like to hear comments on it. I have some of my own but will hold back to see if this generates any concern or interest. In a nut shell, the AACN has decided that we need a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. CNP
PS, no grand "mothering" clauses in there

I haven't seen the paper yet, but unless they have some grandfather clause for the practicing NPs, it'll never fly. There'd be a lot of pissed off NPs out there, including me, if our livelihood was taking away so we could write papers on how many times Martha Rogers washed her hands for 3 more years.

CatskillNP · Apr 6, 2005

:) LOL I think the record was something like 837 in a 6 week period

Keep em coming!!!

smile123 · Apr 7, 2005

If you haven't already looked at it, go out to the AACN web site and review the DNP proposition paper. This effects everyone of us working as an ANP. I;d like to hear comments on it. I have some of my own but will hold back to see if this generates any concern or interest. In a nut shell, the AACN has decided that we need a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. CNP
PS, no grand "mothering" clauses in there

Here is the link to the AACN DNP proposition paper:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNP.pdf

Here are FAQs about this proposed change:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPFAQ.htm

Here are the schools that offer a DNP degree:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPProgramList.htm

One of the FAQs:

Does implementation of the DNP mean advanced practice nurses will no longer be permitted to practice without a doctorate?

No. Nurses with master's degrees will continue to practice in their current capacities. Recommendations will be forthcoming from the Roadmap task force on how to facilitate rapid transition to the DNP for master's-level nurses seeking this credential.

What I did not see addressed: If you only get a NP degree (masters) now, do you HAVE to get a DNP in order to continue practicing? Or is it an optional thing?

Another FAQ:

I'm starting a new master's program, should I continue?

Yes. The availability of master's prepared clinicians is essential to the health of our nation. The transition date of 2015 for the DNP was set far enough in the future to give programs enough time to make a smooth transition.

It does not say whether the masters degree is "good" enough to practice or whether all the graduate students will be caught in "undesirable" degrees with the Masters NP degree; that is will they have to get a DNP later to practice? That is, is the Masters NP degree a stopgap measure to 2015?

This really needs to be addressed so future nursing students can make appropriate decisions for their careers!

Smile123

FNP/DNP · Apr 9, 2005

I haven't seen the paper yet, but unless they have some grandfather clause for the practicing NPs, it'll never fly. There'd be a lot of pissed off NPs out there, including me, if our livelihood was taking away so we could write papers on how many times Martha Rogers washed her hands for 3 more years.

I have a DNP and have been following this closely. They will not require anyone to get the DNP who has been practicing unless the individual wants to. I think the intention is to transition the Masters programs into doctorate programs over the next 10 years. They are trying to prepare people for the nurse educator role as there is such a shortage of nursing faculty, as well as put advanced practice nurses on the same educational level as other disciplines, such as PT's, PharmD's, PsyD's, etc.

CatskillNP · Apr 9, 2005

FNP/DNP I don't disagree, we have seen most of the other professions go to a Doctorate level of preparation, but I think we are in a unique position. First, we're nursing, and nursing has always had a specific role in medicine, and the last 35 years has really started to expand that role. I also believe the other professions represent an area of medicine not already "owned" by someone. What do I mean...there aren't already physicians in the role of PT or audiology and the like. So I belive the "upgrade" of education can take place easily, quickly, (in fact I've known several audiologists that upgraded online for a minimal amont of time and moneies), and with little risk to the reimbursement mechanisms in place.

My concern is that there are many variables unaccounted for. In addition there are several large NP organization in this country which had no input to this document. What are NP's in states where they have no prescritptive privileges going to do? Run right out to get a doctorate that they still won't be able to presribe with. What about states with reimbursment battles going on. HMO "XYZ" decides that they will reimburse the MS NP at a rate of 65%, but DNP at 85%? That'll make the MSNP undesirable on many levels. Where are the educational institutions to provide this education in a reasonably expedient manner that allows the practicing NP a way to gain the degree while continuing to practice?

I certainly am not blaming you, I'm glad you posted. I just think that in nursing we tend to be so scattered, non-directional and half thought out in process. In NY, the State Ed Department(SED) has mandated the BSN as entry level for Nursing. We were asked and we agreed, because there was scientific evidence to support the Four year nurse as less error producing than the two year nurse. There were evidence based studies that supported that role. There is also a huge grandmothering clause in there for current RN's.

While no SED has to adopt the recommendation for DNP to level of practice. I believe many will look at it very closely. As NP's in practice we need to be sure to present a unified voice about how to progress with this. We need to see some form of grandmothering in this recommendation. I've heard the "well you have so many credits with your Masters...." but I want to see it in writing. I do believe there is certainly a component of this proposal by educators that mandate education to fil seats in schools that are runing our of pupils. why didn't the practitioners say they neeed more education rather than the acadamia mandating it?????

We are in the infancy of ths proposal but if we are not diligent, we will be ram-rodded again by our own "parents" perpetuating the fact that nurses eat their young. We are a profession that is currently very dependent on the Physicians in most states. Signs of confusion, disorganization, in-fighting can be seen as weakness and then the ugliness could happen. We could be the victims of our own goal at furthering ourselves and end up with no role in health care. Not probably, but we have to understand that everyday around this country there are medical communities that see us as threats to their practices. If they didn't we would be providing health care across the country without all the battles.

The positive outcome could be we all end up with dctorates doing exactly what we are doing right now. Why not focus all this energy at rehabbing the health system of this country, maybe this role has a place in a newer health care delivery model as a role of Practitioner, and all disciplines adequate education could be titles as one. Ahhhhh but to dream

Let's here further discussion on this topic. Catskill NP