ADVICE HELP - Considering dropping programs from FNP-DNP to MSN-DNP

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Hi all, 

Looking for some advice. My goals are to become and APRN with FNP specialty.  Currently BSN prepared & working in a Surgical ICU for about 5 years.

I originally started a DNP program at my school (in first semester currently) but I think I want to drop down to the MSN - FNP to make it a year or so quicker to graduation (will probably still ultimately get the DNP). My school wants a paper submitted explaining my rationale??? 

Thoughts? ANy and all are welcome. 

Thanks,

MX

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Time or financial constraints is a good reason to give them.  Also, if you're just unsure, you can be honest and tell them your doubts.  You can always go back later for a DNP, but keep in mind most programs are at least 2 years.  

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2 hours ago, Rabbit111 said:

Time or financial constraints is a good reason to give them.  Also, if you're just unsure, you can be honest and tell them your doubts.  You can always go back later for a DNP, but keep in mind most programs are at least 2 years.  

Thanks, these are good reasons to reference! 
I know the DNP will be more time later, just don’t see the need for it at this point in my career, you know? 

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
1 hour ago, xmarbear said:

Thanks, these are good reasons to reference! 
I know the DNP will be more time later, just don’t see the need for it at this point in my career, you know? 

I totally get that.  Just focus on establishing your career more now...then later you'll have no doubt about what you want to do.  Good luck to you!

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I actually think the DNP should be something that is obtained later.   It's more about global health and leadership....  you can't really be a leader when you aren't even hardly a novice in the field/role you are learning .   I found it more meaningful to get my DNP with a few years of experience under my belt. Good luck

 

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.
On 11/2/2021 at 9:25 PM, Rnis said:

I actually think the DNP should be something that is obtained later.   It's more about global health and leadership....  you can't really be a leader when you aren't even hardly a novice in the field/role you are learning .   I found it more meaningful to get my DNP with a few years of experience under my belt. Good luck

 

Although I don’t know your situation, there’s a reason why you chose the DNP route initially. I really suggest you continuing with your current program. It may be challenging but it will be worth it in the end. We need doctorate prepared APRNs. 

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Specializes in oncology.
On 10/29/2021 at 12:16 PM, xmarbear said:

I think I want to drop down to the MSN - FNP to make it a year or so quicker to graduation (will probably still ultimately get the DNP).

 

On 10/29/2021 at 4:41 PM, xmarbear said:

I know the DNP will be more time later, just don’t see the need for it at this point in my career, you know?

 

On 11/2/2021 at 11:25 PM, Rnis said:

I actually think the DNP should be something that is obtained later.

The DNP as it stands is not a terminal degree with the same academic achievements as a pHD or EdD or MPH.  Instead it was developed and accredited (CCNE) to generate money and enrollment for the tail end of the baby boomers. 'Gather ye rosebuds while you may'. Eventually getting a DNP will be as common as getting the common cold with no discernable (or measurable) outcome besides a runny nose/student loans to pay back.

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.
1 hour ago, londonflo said:

 

 

The DNP as it stands is not a terminal degree with the same academic achievements as a pHD or EdD or MPH.  Instead it was developed and accredited (CCNE) to generate money and enrollment for the tail end of the baby boomers. 'Gather ye rosebuds while you may'. Eventually getting a DNP will be as common as getting the common cold with no discernable (or measurable) outcome besides a runny nose/student loans to pay back.

Oh cool, do you have a doctoral degree in nursing? I think it’s that kind of crab mentality within our profession that degrades the DNP. Please just be the best nurse you can be without criticizing other peoples degrees. 

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Specializes in oncology.
4 hours ago, matthewandrew said:

. Please just be the best nurse you can be without criticizing other peoples degrees. 

What I was saying is the DNP is an artificial degree that colleges created and the CCNE endorsed for $$$. Before the DNP there was not a terminal degree in nursing, rightly so. If a nurse with an MSN wanted to build on their education they went on to a PhD or EDD. The same with history, English, biology, Microbiology etc. Some physicians expanded their knowledge/education with an MPH. 

Having been a professor in established colleges that included a nursing major with a ranking system (instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor),  I have directly heard dismay when a new DNP presents their 'capstone' project at a colloquium. My MSN thesis on nursing diagnoses which created the 'at risk' label did  more for making nursing a profession that could stand on it's on feet than

Quote

taking a tool from a hospital pharmacy and having students fill in the blanks as to why they gave the wrong medication to a patient:  misread the label; didn't scan the wrist bracelet; went into the wrong room; thought I should give only one pill instead of two etc.. And in conclusion summarizing what we should teach in the future: Check the name band, read the pill label, scan the bracelet: (This is an actual DNP capstone presentation  and study conclusion I attended)

I know that nursing diagnoses is now passé but it did try to define what was uniquely nursing.  When those of us in nursing in the 70s and 80s worked to develop the role of nursing that you now enjoy, into a profession., we all worked hard ... Margery Gordan developed functional health patterns versus the medical model. A sophisticated system of home health care was created. Nursing research developed respect.... We solidified the foundation of the respect from other professions (when I started we had to give our chairs to MDs in the station)  and increased YOUR salary. And we didn't do it by developing some mediocre clinical DNP. If you want a doctorate go the same route as other respective disciplines instead of "we grow our own."

I am not trying to degrade the degree....I want the doctorate degree to develop the profession (tell we where and when and I will enroll)  let us take a fresh look at what we do, take nursing into the future.......don't you want this too?

 

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2 hours ago, londonflo said:

What I was saying is the DNP is an artificial degree that colleges created and the CCNE endorsed for $$$. Before the DNP there was not a terminal degree in nursing, rightly so. If a nurse with an MSN wanted to build on their education they went on to a PhD or EDD. The same with history, English, biology, Microbiology etc. Some physicians expanded their knowledge/education with an MPH. 

Having been a professor in established colleges that included a nursing major with a ranking system (instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor),  I have directly heard dismay when a new DNP presents their 'capstone' project at a colloquium. My MSN thesis on nursing diagnoses which created the 'at risk' label did  more for making nursing a profession that could stand on it's on feet than

I know that nursing diagnoses is now passé but it did try to define what was uniquely nursing.  When those of us in nursing in the 70s and 80s worked to develop the role of nursing that you now enjoy, into a profession., we all worked hard ... Margery Gordan developed functional health patterns versus the medical model. A sophisticated system of home health care was created. Nursing research developed respect.... We solidified the foundation of the respect from other professions (when I started we had to give our chairs to MDs in the station)  and increased YOUR salary. And we didn't do it by developing some mediocre clinical DNP. If you want a doctorate go the same route as other respective disciplines instead of "we grow our own."

I am not trying to degrade the degree....I want the doctorate degree to develop the profession (tell we where and when and I will enroll)  let us take a fresh look at what we do, take nursing into the future.......don't you want this too?

 

I am not exactly sure what you are saying.  My DNP project was developed over 2 years with the support of both DNP and PHD professors and was selected for publication in a nursing journal.  There was certainly rigor. A PHD would not have served me well as I don't have a desire to work in academia,  the courses and education I received for my DNP........... I am able to apply to current role and I find that to be valuable.  I certainly appreciate the work of the nurses that came before us (yourself included),  but please know that we area also making our mark and helping to further develop and grow the profession of nursing. 

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Specializes in oncology.
21 hours ago, Rnis said:

I am not exactly sure what you are saying. 

I am saying we need a terminal degree that has rigor and supports the development of nursing as a profession.

21 hours ago, Rnis said:

A PHD would not have served me well as I don't have a desire to work in academia, 

A PhD is NOT only for academia. Rather it ensures that you are extremely knowledgeable in your discipline wherever you work.   A PhD degree certifies you as an expert in your chosen field.

Developing an idea into a rigorously tested study, guarantees you are the expert in that area. And then, wherever you work you know how to structure a study that will be scientifically based and be more than "I found this tool, will it work? well, it looks good to me".

There is collateral learning that comes a long with a PhD. Learning the validity and reliability that is necessary for outcome data to be used to effect change...

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