CRNA - DNP?! What does everyone think about the current trend?

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I have been a CRNA for 25 years. I am 55 years old. Were it not for the bad economy I would have retirement on my mind. Instead at 55 years old I have decided to return to school to get my MSN. My school was not Master's level when I graduated. I figure I need to remain competitive and viable for a lot longer. There are a few CRNA' s I know that are thinking about going back for there DNP. I would like to know how CRNA's feel about this trend. Why? What would the higher degree and big school debt do for the career of a CRNA?

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Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.

Unless you prefer being called "Doctor" (actually being considered to be banned in some states for nurses to be called doctor) I don't see the point. I'm not going back. I have many CRNA friends that are in huge demand and I'm actually surprised you chose to go back. You need to consider travel for Locumsif your loca larea is CRNA heavy. I have a buddy that travels and goofs off all over the U.S. while getting per diem - good stuff.

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Specializes in critical care.

Banning being called doctor? Are they going to ban calling PhDs doctor as well? That's a bit silly. It's a doctoral degree!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.
Banning being called doctor? Are they going to ban calling PhDs doctor as well? That's a bit silly. It's a doctoral degree!

Silly or not, there are very powerful players who don't want you to ever tell a patient that you are a doctor - you better get an ear to the ground before they strip away your title:http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/health/policy/02docs.html?_r=2&ref=health#

AAFP (I read their articles and use their guides but they make me want to vomit as a professional body) is leading the way and New York is going to get the ball rolling.

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Specializes in critical care.

I just did some reading on this. There are 6 states that protect the title of doctor and 7 that ban it. What a load of BS! If I'm going to be in school for 8 years to obtain my DOCTORATE of nursing practice, I damn well better be allowed to retain my title. Ugh. I don't get the egocentricism of doctors. No matter what, we'll always "just" be nurses. It feels sexist, in a way, because I understand there are more and more men getting into nursing (which is awesome, I think), but nursing is still female dominated.

I'll keep the rest of my tantrum to myself. This is absurd.

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Specializes in critical care.

(I just realized I sound a bit full of myself. lol I'm not one of those that is going to school for the title. I haven't even made that choice to go for the DNP yet. I'm just annoyed by the idea of all of this.)

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Specializes in Family Practice, HIV specialist.

It is absurd that physicians feel they have a monopoly on an academic title. What about Psychologists, podiatrists, dentists, vets, etc. etc. etc. However, the AMA only goes after nurses having the title. They feel threatened I guess. They say it is too confusing for patients. As if patients are too stupid to understand that a nurse can attain a doctoral degree. Naturally, anyone using the title would introduce themselves as a nurse practitioner.

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Specializes in CVICU, Home Health, Pre/Post OP Recovery.
It is absurd that physicians feel they have a monopoly on an academic title. What about Psychologists, podiatrists, dentists, vets, etc. etc. etc. However, the AMA only goes after nurses having the title. They feel threatened I guess. They say it is too confusing for patients. As if patients are too stupid to understand that a nurse can attain a doctoral degree. Naturally, anyone using the title would introduce themselves as a nurse practitioner.

But unfortunately, there are some who would not introduce themselves as an NP. They are the same ones who overstep their bounds and give NPs a bad taste in the MDs mouths.

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