Exploring reasons for doctoral degree

[go-for-it]

Why there is so much trend in getting a DNP degree, is it doctors forcing MSN NP to study more or even academia not interested in hiring educators without DNP

[Jules A, MSN]

My theory is: cash cow for universities and it plays on nurses desire to have a "seat at the table" with physicians. While I'm all for additional education because I believe the nurse practitioner programs are light imo this tract needs serious adjustments if its going to be billed as clinical enhancement. That working on a project, aka a majority of the hours writing a paper, are called clinical hours is unbelievable to me.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

I think since DNP does not equate to Doctor of Nurse Practitioner, rather a Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP programs are structured correctly, in my opinion. On the other hand, I think many of you with NPs are correct in wanting a terminal degree that is similar in focus to the nurse practitioner education. In fact, way back when DNP was something people talked about rather than something that actually existed, I thought this was the direction the nursing profession was going. Thus, I am hopeful that our nursing profession will come up with something to satisfy the appetites of Master's prepared NPs that wish to have more of a nurse practitioner focused education at the doctorate level. Keep voicing your opinions and be sure to voice them at conferences and nursing organizational seminars! Someone that controls such matters may listen! :)

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Not all persons holding a DNP are advanced practice nurses. I am an academic- with both my MSN and DNP being education-focused.

[Jules A, MSN]

Not all persons holding a DNP are advanced practice nurses. I am an academic- with both my MSN and DNP being education-focused.

Excellent point and one I tend to forget as I'm looking at it solely from the NP view, where despite accepting it is the way things are now, I continue to believe it does little to nothing to advance a clinician's skills and that they call the time working the capstone "clinical hours" continues to bloggle my mind.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't see the value of a DNP to a practicing clinician who wants to enhance clinical skills and continue to provide direct patient care. I think the DNP programs are part of the "me, too" wave of degree inflation that is happening throughout healthcare. I don't necessarily see them as a conspiracy to get more cash out of students, although that's a nice little bonus for the universities. I might be interested in a DNP program that was truly clinically focused and enhanced my clinical knowledge and practice. Otherwise, no thanks.

[Jules A, MSN]

I don't see the value of a DNP to a practicing clinician who wants to enhance clinical skills and continue to provide direct patient care. I think the DNP programs are part of the "me, too" wave of degree inflation that is happening throughout healthcare. I don't necessarily see them as a conspiracy to get more cash out of students, although that's a nice little bonus for the universities. I might be interested in a DNP program that was truly clinically focused and enhanced my clinical knowledge and practice. Otherwise, no thanks.

Although no conspiracy from what I know this has been more than a little bonus to universities' bottom lines.

[3peas]

It's a professional doctorate where you do not generate new knowledge you apply current knowledge. Do I think it's necessary to practice as a APRN? No. I don't think it was created by universities for financial gain. My guess it was created because most nurses are not interested in creating new knowledge (PhD), and wanted an option to continue clinical practice and be able to fill plentiful nurse faculty positions with a doctorate. Nurses with a DNP most of the time are not eligible for tenure at universities, but Ph.D. nurse are not eligible for clinical practice at the higher if they have been out of the game. DNP does not equal PhD, but they are both needed in my opinion.