DNP requirements for APRN's

elkpark · Jan 3, 2015

What happened when NP programs went from certificate programs, and what is being discussed in the conversation about making the DNP mandatory, is that the existing practitioners get "grandfathered in" -- that is, they continue being NPs, with the same scope of practice. However, that doesn't guarantee that employers wouldn't prefer or require the higher degree; and it also doesn't guarantee that experienced NPs without the doctorate would be able to get licensed in a different state which would (at that time) require a DNP for state licensure. The old "certificate" NPs found themselves trapped in their current states after the MSN became mandatory -- they were able to continue practicing in their current state, but weren't able to get licensed in a new state once the MSN was required.

If the people pushing the mandatory-DNP idea weren't offering to "grandfather in" the existing NPs, the conversation wouldn't even have gotten off the ground. However, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Most of the larger nursing world is not jumping on the mandatory-DNP bandwagon. The only professional group that has embraced it is the CRNAs (their target date is 2025).

So many schools are switching their MSN programs to DNP programs that the question (requiring a DNP) is becoming a moot point in many parts of the country (there just aren't any more MSN programs available), and it's obvious that the trend over time is in the direction of the DNP. But I think it's going to be a long time before we see any states start talking about requiring the DNP.

Healthcare102 · Jan 3, 2015

What happened when NP programs went from certificate programs, and what is being discussed in the conversation about making the DNP mandatory, is that the existing practitioners get "grandfathered in" -- that is, they continue being NPs, with the same scope of practice. However, that doesn't guarantee that employers wouldn't prefer or require the higher degree; and it also doesn't guarantee that experienced NPs without the doctorate would be able to get licensed in a different state which would (at that time) require a DNP for state licensure. The old "certificate" NPs found themselves trapped in their current states after the MSN became mandatory -- they were able to continue practicing in their current state, but weren't able to get licensed in a new state once the MSN was required.
If the people pushing the mandatory-DNP idea weren't offering to "grandfather in" the existing NPs, the conversation wouldn't even have gotten off the ground. However, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Most of the larger nursing world is not jumping on the mandatory-DNP bandwagon. The only professional group that has embraced it is the CRNAs (their target date is 2025).
So many schools are switching their MSN programs to DNP programs that the question (requiring a DNP) is becoming a moot point in many parts of the country (there just aren't any more MSN programs available), and it's obvious that the trend over time is in the direction of the DNP. But I think it's going to be a long time before we see any states start talking about requiring the DNP.

Thanx for the reply, but I mean ONCE the mandate is already in place. If someone decides they don't want to go all the way to their doctorate and decide to just get an MSN. What will they be able to do with just the MSN. They obviously wont be able to be an APRN since they need the DNP but what else could they do with just the MSN?

elkpark · Jan 3, 2015

When it becomes a requirement, I would anticipate that the remaining advanced practice MSN programs will all either convert to DNP programs or just shut down. If a DNP is mandatory, there is no rationale for MSN programs offering education in the advanced practice roles. However, there are lots of other MSN concentrations that would not be affected -- management/leadership, education, policy, informatics, CNL, and probably others I can't think of.

You don't just get "an MSN" -- you get an MSN with a specific concentration, that prepares you for (and pretty much locks you into) a specific role and career path. The mandatory-DNP discussion is only in regard to the four advanced practice roles (CNS, NP, CNM, and CRNA).