DNP required by 2015???

[Cindy-20]

I am a BSN-prepared RN that has worked in Labor Delivery x 5 years and now in Quality x 3 years. With this said, I miss the human element of bedside nursing and have started researching FNP program in Massachusetts. I was startled today to see the push for a DNP come 2015...The information that I've read is quite confusing. Is it a suggestions? When will this actually be a requirement? The program I am looking into is an MSN program, so I'm a bit confused why they would be offering an MSN track if the goal is the DNP. Help!! Any information you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

I am currently finishing up a Master in Management program, so I'm afraid I may only be able to start this FNP program in 2014, maybe 2015.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

This has been discussed here extensively. As of this writing no state nor national NP board have released a mandatory requirement for DNP as entry to practice after 2015. Many AACN member schools have adopted the recommendation for transitioning to DNP and there are states where DNP programs now outnumber Master's programs. However, there are institutions that are up to now still at various planning stages of the DNP transition. I am confident that Master's graduates from these programs will not be hung out to dry if they graduate with a Master's after 2105. Can you imagine NP grads from schools like Penn, UCSF, UCLA, Boston College, UNC, Emory, and UT Austin, schools that do not even offer a DNP yet, being disqualified from certification?