DNP vs. PhD

I've wondered that myself. My hope is that the nursing profession finally settles on only 2 different types of doctoral degrees -- one oriented toward clinical practice and one oriented toward scholarly work. If that's the DNP and the PhD, that is fine with me. If it's the DNS and the PhD, that is fine with me too. I just don't like to see so many different programs and degrees that it confuses the profession and the public. Right now we have: PhD, DNSc, DNS, ND, DNP. That's too many.

llg, PhD, RN

From my limited knowledge of this matter, it appears that the DNP is being proposed as the clinical or practice doctorate and the DNSc and PhD will continue to be research-focused doctorate degrees in the field of nursing. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing proposed making the DNP the required degree for entry into advanced practice nursing disciplines by 2015. If that is to happen, it will mean that all NP programs will be awarding DNP's instead of MS or MSN by that timeline.

DNP programs across the country are increasing in numbers as more and more universities are jumping into the DNP bandwagon. There are pros and cons of the DNP. Personally, I am not sure I want the degree. The only DNP program in my state (offered only to practicing APN's who want to advance to a DNP) I was told is quite disorganized. I am also hearing that there is not any more clinical content added so I don't see the point in going through such program.

If I end up deciding on a doctorate, I would prefer the PhD.

If I were younger and still choosing a path for me, I wouldn't be interested in a DNP either. It's not because I don't approve of it, but because they all seem to be geared toward the Nurse Practitioner role. I was never interested in being a Nurse Practitioner. At the Master's level, I was always interested in the CNS role and in staff development roles instead.

What are the people who want careers in management, CNS, and staff development supposed to do at the Master's level? We need to be sure that those MSN programs don't disappear as more some MSN programs turn into DNP programs. We still need the traditional MSN option for people who don't want a NP role. And some of those people will also want to get a doctoral degree (like I did) even though they do not have careers in academia. I am a PhD prepared CNS and Staff Development Educator.

From my understanding, the AACN is proposing the DNP for all advanced practice nursing roles -- that will include CNS, CRNA, and CNM roles. That paints an even worse scenario because it would totally eliminate the MS option for nurses unless universities keep master's degrees for the nurse educator and nurse manager options.

I am still confused as to why there is a push for doctorates in the clinical arena not only in nursing but in other health related fields such as physical and occupational therapy. Pharmacy programs have successfully transitioned into the PharmD across the country from what I hear. I don't get it. Wouldn't this drive up the cost of health care? wouldn't this add more confusion among patients who wouldn't be able to tell which one is which since pretty much everyone is going to be addressed as doctor?

I doubt anyone will get paid more for the DNP. This is why I do not know why nurses are pushing for it. Is it going to better prepare a nurse to care for a patient? Is it going to be all pie-in-the-sky, nebulous theory? In the end, what is the real point of this "educational inflation?"

People with doctoral degrees working in the clinical setting DO get some benefits (and sometimes, better pay) than people with MSN's. There are an increasing number of nursing roles that are being developed for people with doctoral degrees. They are still few and far between, but they do exist. I have such a role at my hospital, where I work on special projects.

No one is suggesting that the bedside staff nurses be doctorally prepared -- but the possibilities for nursing roles in a hospital go far beyond the bedside. Research, research utilization, staff education, program design, program evaluation, etc. all benefit from the involvement of people who have been educated at the doctoral level.

If this plan becomes a reality in 2015, all certified and practicing APN's with master's degrees will be grandfathered and can still practice as APN's. There will be an option to return to school for a post-master's DNP for those that wish to earn the DNP credential. As a matter of fact, there's quite a few post-master's DNP programs that are in existence now.