Are there DNP specialties?

There are specialities...FNP, PNP, ACNP, etc. I'm not sure about midwife.

Most DNP build upon MSN specialies. The Essentials of Doctoral Nursing Education (the guidelines for the DNP) indicate that a DNP-prepared individual has completed a minumum of 1000 precepted hours in a specialty.

Most MSN APN certifications have 500+ hours. This means that you would likely need another 500 precepted hours for the DNP. If you wanted to switch practice areas (to NP), then you would likely need 1000 hours in that specialty.

I would encourage you to look for a DNP program at a school that hasa CNM program; such a program will have faculty who could mentor you in your capstone project.

So originally I just wanted to become a FNP (family nurse practitioner)... If i get my DNP, can I still be a FNP? I am still confused about the whole FNP title..

Ohtini:

You will need to graduate from a program that also covers all the material needed to sit for Family NP certification. This includes a MSN or DNP from a CCNE-accredited institution, at least 500 precepted hours in primary care settings, completing certain set courses (patho, pharm, assessment, APN role, research, etc).

If you are pursuing a BSN-DNP option (and not earning a MSN academic degree), you will want to be sure that that your school's DNP program has CCNE accreditation. Today, there are only 3 schools in the US that have CCNE accreditation for their DNP programs. In October 2009 when CCNE announces their updated list, there will likely be 10-15 universities with accredited DNP programs.

Thank you UVA GRAD!

Do you by any chance know what those three schools are? How can I find out if they are CCNE accredited? Do I just call and ask or will there be something on their school website?

I just checked the AACN website, and there are 4 programs accredited. These are Columbia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and the MGH School of Health Professions.

12 more schools had their site visits last spring, and will learn at the October 2009 CCNE Board Meeting if they are granted accreditation. My program at the University of Virginia is one of the 12 who are waiting.