DNP: What did you get out of it?

[Aussierules1985]

I have a serious interest in furthering my education (have an MSN), and love the idea of the DNP with its clinical based focus. I orginally wanted to do the DNP for its potential future in teaching, but am starting to think it may not improve any teaching ability (obviously that would be a MSN Educator track or the like)...

Is it silly of me to go ahead and apply for the DNP even if teaching may be a goal down the road?

What did you guys/gals get out of it?

I feel a little awkward asking my professors; they seem to prod you to their school, and I already have two degrees from the same region. I want a little diversity!

[BCRNA]

Neither the DNP or PhD prepares you for teaching, but either would help secure a job doing it. If you want a teaching focus then you can do a DNP with an educator specialty, maybe even a certificate in education to go along with it. It academic settings you need to have a degree higher than the level you want to teach. If you want to do research then go PhD, but if you want to be primarily clinical then go DNP. DNP prepares you to be a consumer of research, the PhD makes you a producer of researcher. That is why the PhD is much longer, currently most DNP programs are degree completion (you have to already be a clinician with a master's degree). Also, it matters where you want to teach. Some universities will only give tenure to PhD nurses, though many will also give it to DNP nurses. Some PhD nurses do not regard clinical doctorates very highly (hence some universities will not grant tenure to DNPs). They also refer to DNP programs as a "summer flings" because they are much shorter than PhD programs. You will get experience implementing evidence based practices in the DNP, learn to be more comfortable reading research. You need to research how DNP's are used in the settings that you want to teach. If you are already a teacher with experience, then I seriously doubt that any program would make you a better teacher. A higher degree would pad your resume. I have a DNP and am in a PhD program, I chose to go into research.

[newtinmpls, BSN, RN]

The DNP is "doctor of nursing practice" it's meant as a practice degree. The Ph.D. is a research degree, seems like it would be more logically connected to teaching.

On the other hand, 1/2 way through my own course in getting my DNP, I've gotten hit up to teach a clinical class (this will be "fun", I'm working part time, going to school and now I'll be teaching a class - look for my brain to explode some time this spring).

Dian

[Aussierules1985]

Honestly i'm hoping to do exactly what you did, part time teaching while working as an NP. I love my clinic job, but I feel like teaching is just another area that I always had an interest in. It seems natural to me.

Honestly am not certain i'm really concerned about BCRNA's mentioning of the losing opportunities on tenure. My parents entire family are all college professors (with PhD's), the tenure of positions appears to be dying with a lot of old systems. I just want to teach and work! I really appreciate all your input! Thanks!!