DNP part time

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jul 23, 2008

well i would like to do a PhD / DNP

but

I am worried that the DNP has this clinical requirement to it. I mean, I already did clinical. what's the difference now? and there are so few DnP's in my area... where the heck am I going to find a suitable nursing preceptor?

I'd rather slave away, honestly, to do a PhD since it is the terminal degree... both doctoral degrees, but a PhD is the terminal, scholarly degree in nursing.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 23, 2008

How long does it take to get a DNP part time?? my hospital just put out that they will provide education assistance ($8,000/yr) up to DNP (used to just be up to masters).
I'm a new nurse grad & just started on postpartum. I really want to be a WHNP. Due to few jobs available to whnps, i thought it might be a smart move to get my dnp....for marketability & flexability. I've considered FNP but I know i just really want whnp. if i do ultimately decided on whnp, i plan on going back next yr.
ps- do you think that being fluent in spanish would make me more competitive? we have spanish speaking ppl in my parts......just not a remarkable amount.

What I've been noticing is that there is a lot of inconsistencies in the way the DNP was conceptualized and in the way the existing programs were actually implemented. Like you, I initially thought the DNP was the answer to a generalist training for all NP's with an additional year of residency towards the specific NP specialization. But I've looked into a few post-BSN programs that lead to a DNP degree and the ones I found are actually very similar to the master's degree programs currently in existence with an additional year spent on epidemiology, leadership, research, and a scholarly project that covers more than one semester's worth of work.

With that in mind, it seems like the DNP is merely replacing the master's degree designation since a prospective NP student can get the DNP with a focused training as a WHNP, FNP, ANP, ACNP, PNP and so on. So I would be careful with assuming the expectation that a DNP will increase your marketability and flexibility in the clinical arena because if you decide to complete a DNP with a WHNP focus, you will still be bound by the education and training of a women's health NP and your scope of practice will still be bound by the limitations of a certification in women's health. It is advisable to pursue one's field of interest but do keep in consideration what the job market will offer.

Lastly, I would assume that part-time course work towards a DNP can be finished at your own pace but with a stipulation similar to most master's degree programs where you would have to complete the degree in six years.