Clarification needed for DNP needed to be NP in 2016?

[Summers3]

I hear that in 2016 it will be required to have an DNP to become an NP. Does anyone know when in 2016 specificially?

So if you are already in an NP program now or during 2016, is that okay with just MSN?

My situation is that, I will be done with my accelerated BSN in June 2016 and then supposedly, it is on to NP school to finish with a MSN (another few years down the road). So I think that students who are already in the NP program by 2016 should be okay with becoming a NP with an MSN (I was told this, please correct me if I'm wrong).

However......... I want to take a break/leave of absence to work for experience after I get my BSN before even going back for NP. I want a break up to say.... one year.

So my timeline: Complete BSN in June 2016, take possible up to one year break = June 2017..... so if I go back to NP school in June 2017, the law requires me now to pursue DNP for NP, right?

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you again and please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The ANA and AACN have been making recommendations for education levels for quite some time. As far as I am aware, there is no law whatsoever requiring a DNP for nurse practitioners. If it's anything like the BSN debate, it'll go on for decades without any final resolution.

However, the job market may be a different story. Have you researched your current area and/or area where you wish to work to see what job requirements are? Some job postings may state, as they do for BSN, that a DNP is preferred or required.

[Summers3]

Thank you for your reply! I was told that it was definitely going to happen so that was what I thought! Perhaps it's further down the road than I thought.

Thanks for your time!