DNP in 2015? Forreal?

decembergrad2011, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2010

My university recently eliminated their MSN program entirely in anticipation of this change. I'm guessing that those who were already in progress were grandfathered in to everything, but as it stands now, you can't even apply to an MSN program at my school. However, they have programs that you can enter as a BSN prepared RN to get your DNP. You do not need to have a Masters to apply to the DNP program at my school, only the BSN. I'm not sure if this is a nationwide thing or just at my school, but I thought I would share anyway.

UVA Grad Nursing · Oct 22, 2010

The American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN) set 2015 as a aspirational goal for entry into Advanced Practice. However, the AACN does not offer specialty certifications for NPs, CNS, CNRA, or CNMs. To make the DNP the required degree for advanced practice will require the agreement of all fifty Boards of Nursing, the advanced nursing professional agencies, and the certification boards. This will not happen in time for 2015.

The nurse anesthetists have come to an agreement that the DNP (or DNAP) will be required for entry into practice by 2025. Thus far the NP, CNM and CNS organizations have not come to consensus on a definitive date that every state board of nursing and every graduate nursing program will follow.

Murse901, MSN, RN · Oct 25, 2010

While I do have strong doubts that the DNP will be officially required by 2015, there are universities across the nation that have already "jumped ship" on the MSN/FNP. Here, UT Memphis has already abandoned their MSN/FNP program in favor of DNP. I have a sneaking suspicion that as we get closer to the 2015 date, more and more schools will have switched over to DNP.

AshleyPCA · Apr 1, 2011

I am in the exact same situation!! I wanted to apply to this entry level MSN program next year but I will be graduating from that particular program just when the switch to DNP is a requirement for NP. I am a non-nursing major so I do not have ANY kind of nursing degree or certificate, just experience as a PCA. I cannot find any entry-level DNP programs, which would help a lot! If anyone can find any that would be amazing!! Otherwise, would it be smart then to just get my LPN or RN and to an RN - DNP program or something??

PLEASE HELP!

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Apr 3, 2011

So far, all seven national NP organizations have signed off on the DNP by 2015. I'm not sure, however, how this is going to play out as far as mandating the DNP. I suspect it will be a regulation by default, versus a mandate for boards/state NP license, since most MSN programs have been or are presently being phased out. In other words, I think in a year or so, it will be highly unlikely that there will be any MSN NP programs out there accepting new applicants in significant numbers versus the various boards actually requiring a DNP to be eligible for national certification and subsequent state license.

ADEcstatic · Apr 4, 2011

I will be starting my master entry to nursing program in the fall. Afterward, I'm planning to work as an RN for a few years and continue my education to attain my DNP. Although the implementation of requiring a DNP by 2015 is not set, I think it's still a good idea to work towards that now. I decided to do a master entry instead of a bachelor because I believe the graduate degree will make me more competitive in today's economy. And since a master degree is more research based than a bachelor or associate program (at least for the program I'm joining), it will also help prepare me for when I finally decide to for a DNP.

Before you decide to enter a program, make sure you do a little research on the field you're planning to enter. It may even help to contact a nursing program coordinator to clarify the difference between programs and to help answer questions you may have regarding becoming an NP.

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 4, 2011

I posted this on the graduate forum as well.
So I am in the middle of finishing prereqs and applying to nursing school. At first, I wanted to apply to aBSN schools only. But I would like to become a NP eventually, after a few years working as an RN. I wanted to take the more traditional route i guess of having a BSN then an MSN (NP). But I've been reading about the possible change of requirement for a DNP in order be a practicing NP in 2015. I'm 21 right now, so chances are...I'm not going to be completing an NP program by 2015.
So my question is...is it better for me to apply to entry level MSN programs (allowing me to be an RN...possibly CNL)...since DNP programs will require a masters when it's time for me to apply? Gah~ this is all so complicated! Any advice? Is the RN with MSN more common these days? I think the worst thing that could happen is if I get a BSN..and can't even apply to an NP program because I had only have a BSN, not an MSN!!!!!

*** First DNP will NOT be required for NP in 2015. The nurse haters at ANA have proposed the DNP for NPs but it is far from realiety. What is realiety is that many schools have already done away with their MSN FP programs, in particular the larger state universities. There will be MSN NP programs accepting students in 2015, in particular the private programs.

No DNP NP or CRNA program I have ever seen requires an MSN to apply. They accept BSN (or at some schools other bachelors degrees). There is no reason or expectation that an MSN would ever be required. If you can go directly to MSN from ADN with no bachelors degree at all why wouldn't you be able to go from BSN to DNP.

ADEcstatic · Apr 4, 2011

"If you can go directly to MSN from ADN with no bachelors degree at all why wouldn't you be able to go from BSN to DNP."

I don't think you can go from ADN to MSN directly. The ADN-MSN bridge programs I know spent the first part of the program working towards the bachelor first, then continuing to a more specialized MSN program. Either way, you'll still need to have a bachelor degree. I don't think the same thing applys for DNP. You don't need to get a master prior to applying to a DNP program. I have seen BSN to DNP programs.

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 5, 2011

"If you can go directly to MSN from ADN with no bachelors degree at all why wouldn't you be able to go from BSN to DNP."
I don't think you can go from ADN to MSN directly. The ADN-MSN bridge programs I know spent the first part of the program working towards the bachelor first, then continuing to a more specialized MSN program. Either way, you'll still need to have a bachelor degree.

*** Many people think that too but it's not the case. There is no requirement for a BSN or any other bachelors degree to earn an MSN. There are many ADN to MSN programs were no bachelors degree is needed or earned in the program. Some of these like the one at the Frontier School Of Nursing are NP programs. Many more are MSN with education focus.

There are dozens of such programs out there.

Here are some examples:

http://www.frontierschool.edu/academics/adn-msn-bridge

http://info.aspen.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103:rn-msn-bridge-program&catid=3:masters-programs&Itemid=7

http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/prespecrn.html

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Apr 7, 2011

I'm curious. When the MSN gives way to DNP across the land, will that mean that Masters Entry Level Programs will turn into DNP entry level programs? That is, will someone without a lick of actual patient care experience with a BA degree in French Upholstery Design now be able to go from "never touched a patient in my life" to a RN-DNP prepared NP in 4-5 years?

gradnurse1983 · Apr 7, 2011

i was thinking the same thing. i don't want to get into that whole debate on whether or not a non-nurse should be able to earn a DNP, but it does seem scary!