DNP required for NP?

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Hi guys I'm new here, does anyone know if they are requiring DNP now for NP because I'm planning to start my masters FNP this December.. Because I read in some articles that starting in 2015 they are supposed to be required? I'm from Nevada

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There is no requirement. The AACN has been pushing this idea for a long time now, but most of the professional groups are not jumping on the bandwagon. The only advanced practice group that has embraced the mandatory-DNP idea is the CRNAs,, and their target date is 2025, not 2015. If it were actually going to be required as of 2015, there would have been a lot more publicity about that long before now.

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Thank you very much for the reply. So lets say i finish my masters fnp 2017. Then say at 2025 they require DNP as entry level degree for np. What will happen to us who has masters degree? Do we need to go back to school again?

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So far, all the discussion has involved "grandfathering in" the existing, MSN-prepared NPs, but no one really knows what will happen, and it may vary from state to state.

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Thank you elkpark :)

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

A friend of mine fell for the hype and went to do her DNP which she regretted when she realized there was no requirement. She's stuck with $100,000 in loans now. She just graduated and has her doctorate and landed a good job, so she feels better about it now. My MSN will cost a fraction of her DNP. If they bring in the requirement after I've graduate I might consider a post grad certificate if I felt it was necessary. Right now I just want to get my NP.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
There is no requirement. The AACN has been pushing this idea for a long time now, but most of the professional groups are not jumping on the bandwagon. The only advanced practice group that has embraced the mandatory-DNP idea is the CRNAs,, and their target date is 2025, not 2015. If it were actually going to be required as of 2015, there would have been a lot more publicity about that long before now.

Good and informative reply elkpark. Just wanted to point out that CRNA will require a doctorate in 2025, not necessary a DNP. Most CRNA programs can't grant nursing degrees and so will grant other types of doctorates like doctor of nurse anesthesia.

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Specializes in Women's Health.

They are trying to push for the DNP for NP but it may take many more years. MSN is the minimal degree for NP at the moment. I don't know if its worth it to spend a whole lot of extra money for the DNP. I don't think many companies are really going to pay that much more. If you get your MSN now, its a really easy transition to get the DNP once you have a MSN.

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Thank you very much for the replies. I'm gonna start my msn fnp this december 11. goodluck to me!

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hi! I just got accepted at llu for the dnp program. I'm excited but at the same time worried abt how much it will cost me!! I'm actually thinking twice if I should do msn first - cheaper.. I'm in such dilemma!!

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Nursing.

Not only consider the extra money necessary to obtain your DNP, but also factor in the time involved for what you are getting back in return. Its the "opportunity cost" of what you are actively choosing to give up to devote to your DNP studies. Family time (spending time with kids, or aging parents sometimes can't wait because father time slows for no one) especially after already dedicating a lot of time to obtain your MSN, depending how old you are, might be worth much more to you than $ or the title of "Dr." This is not even factoring in whether the market will actually pay you more being a DNP versus a MSN prepared NP, which is definitely debatable.

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I def agree with you. Here's the thing, I'm only 24, no kids, and I do want to just get over with school by just going all the way to dnp rather doing msn then dnp. But then, I don't want to owe 100,000 + after. So it's really time vs money. It's like going to west coast univ for bsn spending 130K VS getting associates at a community college then getting the bsn degree for less than 10k in a private school. Also, Im not even sure if I will get paid more than those with MSN if I get my DNP later. So much to think about. Loma linda is such a beautiful university, its tempting but then again, way too expensive 😫

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