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Discussion

DNP and further education

Any idea how the schools are going to shift with folks who want further education: Post DNP certificates?

Right now I can get two post masters certificates in less than two years.

Featured Replies

  • Admin

The DNP is not a certificate. It is a degree. So, there will be no post-DNP certificates.

Post-grad certificate=FNP, PNP, WHNP, etc.

  • Author

MSN with focus of FNP is a degree.

DNP will be a focus.

A masters degree is a degree. But once a person has a masters degree he/she can go back to school into almost any masters program and get a post masters certificate. Post masters certificates the course work to equal the training but without doing the redundant degree requirements.

Example: I am an FNP now. I can go back to school and 4 classes later along with fewer clinicals have a post masters certificate allowing me to sit for the ACNP... The reasons its a post masters certificate and not a degree??

  • Admin

That's right. But, the DNP is not a certificate; it is a degree.

Just as if you had a BSN and wanted an MSN, you could not do a "certifcate". You'd have to fulfill the requirements for the Masters.

Same if you have an MSN (degree) and want the DNP (degree) - you will have to fulfill the requirements for the doctorate.

  • Author

I think we have confusion here....

I understand to get any degree you have to at least to the minimum levels of educational work for that degree...

DNP is a general degree

A DNP that wants to focus on acute care certification: No post certificate DNP with acute care?

With the DNP programs taking over by the end of 2015 the masters degree training will be mute. But for the folks right now who go DNP whats their options for specialized training? By 2015 what will all the DNP options be?

  • Admin
I think we have confusion here....

Maybe so.

I understand to get any degree you have to at least to the minimum levels of educational work for that degree...
Correct.

A DNP that wants to focus on acute care certification: No post certificate DNP with acute care?
Again, correct. One can do a post-grad (post-DNP) certificate. But, one must first complete the requirements for the DNP (degree) before receiving a post-DNP certificate in any focused area.

With the DNP programs taking over by the end of 2015 the masters degree training will be mute. But for the folks right now who go DNP whats their options for specialized training? By 2015 what will all the DNP options be?

If the DNP becomes the terminal degree in 2015 for the NP, one can, after receiving the DNP, do a post-grad certificate as you are stating.

I was addressing your first post: Post DNP certificates - and, I must have erroneously thought that you were saying the DNP was a "certificate" and if so, I apologize for the misinterpretation.

  • Author

No problem.

All the degree options MSNs have I am curious how that will work with the DNP folks...

  • Admin

I would think that any post-grad certificate would still apply to the DNP. The DNP will not encompass all specialty areas for the NP. One would still have to do a post-grad certificate.

I think we have confusion here....

I understand to get any degree you have to at least to the minimum levels of educational work for that degree...

DNP is a general degree

A DNP that wants to focus on acute care certification: No post certificate DNP with acute care?

With the DNP programs taking over by the end of 2015 the masters degree training will be mute. But for the folks right now who go DNP whats their options for specialized training? By 2015 what will all the DNP options be?

DNPs specialize, just like MSNs do...So, I am guesssing, that you if you specialized as an FNP, and sat for the FNP boards, you could still go back, and take some classes, and sit or ACNP, but I'm not sure any one has thought of that. I sure hadn't...

I am still taking, "APN specialty _____" for ACNP...I think until the MSN is phased out, the specialty areas are still covered just like the MSN....that is my undersstndding (I'm hving keyboardd problems sorry for the cray typing)

  • Author

I just wonder what the time lag will be...

If Atlanta was closer I would sure be going back to school right now..

  • Experts
I think we have confusion here....

I understand to get any degree you have to at least to the minimum levels of educational work for that degree...

DNP is a general degree

A DNP that wants to focus on acute care certification: No post certificate DNP with acute care?

With the DNP programs taking over by the end of 2015 the masters degree training will be mute. But for the folks right now who go DNP whats their options for specialized training? By 2015 what will all the DNP options be?

I think here is where the confusion is:

No post certificate DNP with acute care?

Its a post Masters certificate in acute care not post certificate Masters for example. So if you get a post Masters certificate you don't get another Masters you just get the certificate not another degree. My understanding is that post - (pick your degree) certificates will continue to be available. Some programs that have already converted to DNP are reportedly not offering them to students who have not done a DNP but thats strictly anecdotal.

David Carpenter, PA-C

  • Author
I think here is where the confusion is:

No post certificate DNP with acute care?

Its a post Masters certificate in acute care not post certificate Masters for example. So if you get a post Masters certificate you don't get another Masters you just get the certificate not another degree. My understanding is that post - (pick your degree) certificates will continue to be available. Some programs that have already converted to DNP are reportedly not offering them to students who have not done a DNP but thats strictly anecdotal.

David Carpenter, PA-C

I know the certificates are not degrees but they do let you sit for boards....

I just wonder how long it will be before the DNP programs adjust to folks like me that want more.

If a DNP program is more intense than a MSN program I would guess they would make the post DNP certificate programs more intense....

  • Admin

I think the post-grad certificates will evolve as anything does, but I don't look for a post-grad certificate being any more stringent for the DNP educated NP than it is for the MSN educated NP.

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