DNP grads

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2007

Thanks for starting this thread! I'm curious myself about the answer to this because the concept of the DNP is interesting and foreign. I'll be one of the grandfathered NPs so will not need to earn the doctorate. On the other hand, I am always looking at my options for future education. Decisions, decisions...

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Apr 7, 2007

A couple of the NP's in our group are seriously considering a DNP. There is only one such program in our state and because it is new, none of my peers want to be the guinea pigs for this particular program. However, we looked through the DNP program directory through AACN.
(web link: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPProgramList.htm)
As we went through the course offerings in a few of the programs, we thought that some of them are actually worth looking into especially those ones that are touting an intensive "residency" in the clinical area. Even I was somewhat convinced that I should not jump into conclusion that the DNP is not going to benefit APN's in strictly clinical practice. Some programs have actually produced graduates.
My question is, for those who have already completed their DNP, have you noticed any difference in the way you practice? any difference in your pay and/or stature in your practice environment? have you been able to obtain tenure-track faculty positions with your DNP? any other benefits that you can mention after having obtained your DNP degree?

I am not certain you are going to see many DNP graduates. The AACN recommendations for a DNP program was only approved in October of 2004. Most DNP programs actually began in 2005 and 2006. Of course - there are probably some that have finished. My DNP program at Geroge Washington University actually starts their first class in the DNP program in the fall of this year.

I think you ask some excellent questions though and I would be very interested in responses from those that may have already completed their Doctoral degree.

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2007

One of our state schools has just opened their DNP program with the first class entering this fall. I think that maybe Case Western or Columbia are the only two that MAY have graduates already. I would love to know the answers to those questions myself.

I will graduate my NP program in May of 08, so will be grandfathered in, but like a previous poster, I am always keeping my options open.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 7, 2007

I live in MA and know that UMASS-Amherst already has the DNP program operating right now. My grad school-UMASS Worcester is going to offer the DNP in the near future as well. Since I'll have my MSN from there in June 2008, if I wanted to do the DNP at my same school-it would only be one year longer-so if that is true, I'll probably do it. I think it will be worth it for me because I plan on doing some teaching at the university level in the future, and I know a lot of programs want professors (at the MSN level) to have doctorates in something.

GM2RN · Apr 28, 2011

A couple of the NP's in our group are seriously considering a DNP. There is only one such program in our state and because it is new, none of my peers want to be the guinea pigs for this particular program. However, we looked through the DNP program directory through AACN.
(web link: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPProgramList.htm)
As we went through the course offerings in a few of the programs, we thought that some of them are actually worth looking into especially those ones that are touting an intensive "residency" in the clinical area. Even I was somewhat convinced that I should not jump into conclusion that the DNP is not going to benefit APN's in strictly clinical practice. Some programs have actually produced graduates.
My question is, for those who have already completed their DNP, have you noticed any difference in the way you practice? any difference in your pay and/or stature in your practice environment? have you been able to obtain tenure-track faculty positions with your DNP? any other benefits that you can mention after having obtained your DNP degree?

This thread was started 4 years ago but is even more relevant now, and asks some questions that I would love to see answers to. Hopefully, bumping it up will generate some fresh discussion on the topic.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Apr 29, 2011

Four years later, some of the colleagues I was involved with in asking these questions have now graduated from their DNP. I never pursued the degree though. Two of my colleagues who have DNP's are teaching in a tenure track assistant professor capacity in non-research intensive universities. They still maintain clinical practice as lead NP's in their departments though they held these positions before they got the degree.

GM2RN · Apr 29, 2011

Four years later, some of the colleagues I was involved with in asking these questions have now graduated from their DNP. I never pursued the degree though. Two of my colleagues who have DNP's are teaching in a tenure track assistant professor capacity in non-research intensive universities. They still maintain clinical practice as lead NP's in their departments though they held these positions before they got the degree.

Thanks for the update.