DOCTORATE for CRNA's?

[VickyRN]

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is calling for the requirement of doctorate in nursing for advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists. This new degree will be called a Doctor of Nursing Practice and, if the AACN has its way, will become the entry level for advanced nursing practice.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/News.../DNPRelease.htm

AACN Adopts a New Vision for the Future of Nursing Education and Practice

Position on the Practice Doctorate Approved by AACN Member Schools

WASHINGTON, DC, October 27, 2004: In a historic move to help shape the future of nursing education and practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has adopted a new position which recognizes the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as the highest level of preparation for clinical practice. At its Fall Semiannual Meeting held October 25, 2004, AACN member institutions voted to move the current level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice roles from the master's degree to the doctorate level by the year 2015.

"This courageous move on the part of nursing education represents a milestone in the evolution of the nursing profession," said AACN President Jean E. Bartels. "This bold first step puts in motion a future that recognizes and validates the unique expertise of nurses engaged in clinical practice at the highest level."

Currently, advanced practice nurses (APNs), including Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Mid-Wives, and Nurse Anesthetists, are prepared in master's degree programs that often carry a credit load equivalent to doctoral degrees in the other health professions. AACN's newly adopted Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing calls for educating APNs and other nurses seeking top clinical roles in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The changing demands of this nation's complex health care environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure high quality patient outcomes.

The Practice Doctorate is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice, and offers an alternative to research focused doctoral programs (i.e. PhD programs). Though only a handful of practice doctorates currently exist, more than a dozen new programs are taking shape nationwide, and several have expressed interest in seeking accreditation. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the nation's premier accrediting agency for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, has agreed to initiate a process for the accreditation of practice doctorates.

[mwbeah]

I am just contradicting the posters uninformed statement that MDAs need to be present. He obviously does not know about the 12 states that have opted out or how a CRNA practices........CRNAs can practice in the absence of an MDA... And in the military our scope is even broader (especially in wartime)

I just wish he/she would make informed posts, thats all.

Mike

[mwbeah]

I am sorry you are a "frustrated CCRN from TX...." but you should make informed statements about anesthesia if you are to post to this board. We all know our scope of practice and "who makes the rules". We have been practitioners for quite awhile.

Mike

[mwbeah]

Just wanted to let Squinky know that I am also a doctoral candidate in Neuroscience. His posting was very poor and inflammatory and I just couldn't resist responding.

Also, Squinky is way off base about the TX legislation, it is going nowhere..... and will remain that way (research it for yourself if you don't believe me).

[Citadel Sam]

What exactly is an ologist?

Sorry if this may seem like a mundane question, but i'm new to the forum and was just wondering who they are and what relationship do they have with CRNA's. Thanks.

[sway]

What exactly is an ologist? .

Anesthesiologist

[squinkybear1]

Just wanted to let Squinky know that I am also a doctoral candidate in Neuroscience. His posting was very poor and inflammatory and I just couldn't resist responding.

Also, Squinky is way off base about the TX legislation, it is going nowhere..... and will remain that way (research it for yourself if you don't believe me).

I wish I had the time to reply to you, Mike. But I don't really care to get into an on-line argument, given that I'm a "frustrated CRNA from Texas" and you're a doctoral candidate in neuroscience and all. I can see that you're way smarter and better informed than I. So I'll just terminate my connection to this chat subject now and curl up into a corner and feel inferior to you. NOT. Catch cha later, dude. CHILL!

[squinkybear1]

Just wanted to let Squinky know that I am also a doctoral candidate in Neuroscience. His posting was very poor and inflammatory and I just couldn't resist responding.

Also, Squinky is way off base about the TX legislation, it is going nowhere..... and will remain that way (research it for yourself if you don't believe me).

I wish I had the time to reply to you, Mike. But I don't really care to get into an on-line argument, given that I'm a "frustrated CRNA from Texas" and you're a doctoral candidate in neuroscience and all. I can see that you're way smarter and better informed than I. So I'll just terminate my connection to this chat subject now and curl up into a corner and feel inferior to you. NOT. Catch cha later, dude. CHILL!

[mwbeah]

I'm Squinky, a frustrated RN, CCRN new to South Texas.

This is your own quote from a previous thread. I don't know what your major malfunction is, but your previous post in this thread was not very well stated or informed (see above if you forgot what you wrote)

Mike

[sonessrna]

I'm thinking about pursuing a PhD after I get done with nurse anesthesia school. I just haven't decided what might be the best choices for me. I am considering a management PhD, informatics, and possibly a DNSC. What do you guys think?

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

I don't really understand what the disagreement is about.

[mwbeah]

So, even in states where CRNA's have independent practices, the head of the anesthesia department might require that an ologist be in attendance when an anesthetist intubates, for example.

Texas is cooking up some new legislation to take away the independent practice of CRNA's and they have already accomodated Anesthesiology Assistants in the practice laws.

As it stands, the A.A. programs are rigorous and require prereqs that resemble premed curriculae. There are only a couple of programs, however, that are exclusively designed to train Anesthesiology Assitants. The programs require about the same time commitment (after prereq and/or bachelors degree are satisfied) as the CRNA programs: 28-33 months. Prereqs are heavier in physics, organic and math.

These statements do not sound CRNA friendly to me. That is what the disagreement is about.

[air]

I'm thinking about pursuing a PhD after I get done with nurse anesthesia school. I just haven't decided what might be the best choices for me. I am considering a management PhD, informatics, and possibly a DNSC. What do you guys think?

It depends upon what your objectives are.

A PhD is universal. If you are planning on doing some teaching or participating on lecturing, somehow I think a PhD would be best. There are just plenty of opportunities out there, first you have ask yourself the reason you want a doctorate and the choice to make should come easily. Let's wait for further input on this one.