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Discussion

DNP for educator

Background: I will be completing a MSN in nursing education August 2017 (two semesters). My background is in OB/perinatal nursing (currently focused on L&D) but my passion and reason for pursuing MSN ed track was because I think there is no market for nurse-midwives where I live and a lot that experienced OB nurses teach each other that is outside of what I have seen CNMs or WHNPs usually do. I figured a solid foundation in nursing education would be a good way to help staff guide future clinical practice projects and also provide a pathway to teach maternal-neonatal nursing for undergrad nursing students. So...

*begin rant* now I am learning that I will not be able to teach in academia without a terminal degree of some kind, there are no jobs for nurse educators in staff development in my area and because I am not interested in research, have been looking for a (primarily online) DNP program that would allow me to focus on a project that puts research into practice within my clinical setting. To be clear, I could (and will) sit for the CNE at the completion of the MSN program but as with all educators (thanks ANCC), am not nor will be ever be considered an APRN.

I am only posting in case there's someone out there who can commiserate with me. I am really disappointed in the lack of prospects my MSN will yield (as in, none- two years for a degree I can't use?). I just heard back from an "Executive Leadership" DNP program that I am not a candidate because ANCC says the DNP is for APRNs- sorrynotsorry, if I had wanted to practice as a WHNP or CNM, I would have pursued those tracks in the first place. They encouraged me to "check out" their DNP-CNS program, but again, why? There is no perinatal CNS exam. The CNS is not recognized in my state. Hospitals and OBs don't want to collaborate with CNMs because: malpractice. There is no room at the decision-making table for APRNs in women's health where I live and work. Why can't I be "just a labor nurse" who uses research to lead the way in evidence-based practice changes for the good of our patient population? I know I sound petulant but why, if the DNP is supposed to be practice focused, can't I continue and become an expert in my area of clinical practice and have a chance of earning those letters? *end rant*

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    • Admin

    What kind of programs have you been looking into for teaching? Many of my local colleges that are ADN are quite happy to take instructors with an MSN. Several of the BSN programs in surrounding counties will accept MSN prepared educators for clinical instructors. Maybe try broadening your search?

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    • Author

    My area is saturated with nursing schools AND Magnet hospitals (can count 6 off the top of my head) in a midwest metro area with a population of approx 2 million. Result: all ADN programs are being phased out since so many area hospitals are only hiring BSN RNs, and new faculty must have terminal degrees. I might repost this on the educator forum to see if there are any leads with online nursing schools, but really I am mostly bummed that it's been so difficult to find a program that will help me transform my preferred clinical path to a DNP.

    Thanks, Rose_Queen!

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    I completed a DNP degree with a focus in Educational Leadership earlier this year. I am not an advanced practice nurse. My MSN is in Education as well. I ledt the bedside and work full time in aademia now.

    Touro University Nevada

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    I completed a DNP degree with a focus in Educational Leadership earlier this year. I am not an advanced practice nurse. My MSN is in Education as well. I ledt the bedside and work full time in aademia now.

    Touro University Nevada

    I believe they modified their curriculum this year to be more leadership, but not educator focused.

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    • Experts

    I think you are blaming ANCC (American Nurses Certification Corporttion) for some of the decisions made by the AACN (American Association of Collegiate Nurses). It's the AACN that has been calling the shots on the DNP degree. And it's the AACN that doesn't seem to realize that there are other advanced roles in practice other than NP, CNM, CNS, and CRNA.

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    I think you should be more clear about what you exactly want to do. From what I'm gathering, granted I'm super sleep deprived and about ready to sleep for the first time in two days, is that you want to stay working in the clinical realm, do some research and education right? Sounds like a CNS role to me. Even if they aren't recognized as an APRN in your state, why would you not do it? Do you really need to have the APRN designation? I get that there is no perinatal CNS, however when I was first looking into APRN programs I strongly considered the CNS role. I could pick and choose my clinical rotations and really make it (cardiac) focused if I wanted to since that is my background. I wouldn't count the CNS out yet, but that's just me.

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    I think you should do an online DNP program, and do your capstone project over a perinatal research topic. There are tons of online DNP programs that are less than 18 months to finish.

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    Hi Satisfied, unfortunately I am right there with you. I have had my MSNed for over 8 yrs and have taught online and clinical. I am at the point of wanting a DNP, but hit the same brick wall as you.

    I really don't want to go back for a NP.

    I share your misery.

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