DOCTORATE as Required Entry Level for Advance Practice Nurses?

Published

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

The American Association of the Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is now calling for a doctorate in nursing for advanced nursing practice roles, 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 required entry level for advanced nursing practice.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/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.

To facilitate this sweeping change in nursing education, the AACN Board of Directors created two task forces with diverse representation from both large and small nursing institutions. The first task force is charged with creating an "Essentials" document for practice doctorates which outlines the basic competencies that must be built into these educational programs. This document will be similar in nature to the other Essentials documents originated by AACN for baccalaureate and master's degree education. The second task force will focus on implementation of the new position statement and will address issues related to moving existing APN programs to the doctoral level and providing efficient bridge programs for master's prepared nurses interested in pursuing a DNP degree.

As part of its work, AACN will continue its collaboration and consensus development with a variety of stakeholders, including advanced practice nursing groups, the higher education community and healthcare providers. "The transition to the practice doctorate will take careful planning and require the collective efforts of all AACN member institutions and the larger nursing community," said Dr. Bartels. "Nursing education has a unique opportunity here to rally around a shared vision for the future and work together to move the profession forward."

AACN's Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing may be downloaded at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNP.pdf. To further clarify its position and address constituent concerns, AACN has developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet to further explain the move toward the practice doctorate. The FAQs may be accessed online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPFAQ.htm. Please direct any questions, concerns or comments related to this AACN action to [email protected].

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is the national voice for university and four-year-college education programs in nursing. Representing more than 570 member schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide, AACN's educational, research, governmental advocacy, data collection, publications, and other programs work to establish quality standards for bachelor's- and graduate-degree nursing education, assist deans and directors to implement those standards, influence the nursing profession to improve health care, and promote public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu.

CONTACT: Robert Rosseter

(202) 463-6930, x231

[email protected]

# # #

Up Vote Up Vote ×

first pharmacy BS to PharmD then audiology MA to AuD then physical therapy MPT to DPT and now nursing MSN to DNP

soon every health professional will be a Dr and everyone can feel good about calling themselves Dr. so and so :p

jk....seriously...i dont have anything against it...i think the residency is a good idea though....the major difficulty will be getting state laws changed to allow 100% autonomous practice. Its already happened for master's level APNs in select states...i think either Washington or Oregon and maybe another

It'll be strange if in ten years if you can see a MD, DO, or DNP....

It's really pretty interesting how the scope of practices expand and entry-level requirements are increased for each individual health profession in the US

My theory as to why we have such a diversity among health professional scopes in the US is because we are highly capitalistic....i realize capitalism reigns in many modernized nations; however, we have 0 % socialized medicine (unlike Canada, Australia, etc.) Allied health professions that can survive in the marketplace can also thrive and essentially the same services can be offered by two heterogenous groups

I believe it will be interesting to see how it unfolds

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't see the value in this. What's wrong with master's prepared practitionners? I personally couldn't imagine investing in a doctorate degree to be a CNS when a lot of staff nurses with their ADNs are better compensated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

For THE PROFESSION of nursing, I'm for it and can see the rationale. However, it will be another long hard journey for those currently in it. If this should become our reality, I also believe the BSN will also then become the reality for entry...this may be its push. The question here is will the healthcare market embrace it and compensate for it? It may become a hard sell or may be it won't. We will just have to see. The problem I see with this is two fold, however. 1) If the BSN becomes the point of entry, it may very well be too pricey for folks wanting to become a nurse...4 yrs and no alternative

2) Is nursing putting itself in a spot down the road where it will be too pricey for employers and start hiring more folks with less education to make up the difference, like UAP, CNAs, etc with the expectation to do more. This may be a boon for LPNs who may also benefit because they are hired cheaper (so no, LPNs would not be phased out, but be worked harder as well). It certainly is something to think about. One thing is for certain. By this one change, it would, I believe, totally change the face of nursing...in all aspects.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel that this will be an awesome advancement for not only the APRN community but also the nursing community as a whole.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

What about the basic premis of APRN that you didn't need to be a Dr. to treat patients? If we let credential creep set in, what is that going to accomplish other than make it harder and then possibly start to releave some of the APRN glut in places.

If I'm going to spend that much time in school, then just go to med school and get it over with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

If you have a Doctorate why work for what an ARNP makes? Seems to me that they would want more money for that level of education, and I sure don't see that happening. I have worked with many NP's, and love working with them, but if they have that level of education then they should be paid for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I have been a patient for both CNMs & NPs, and I have found them to be wonderful, compassionate, and caring--even though they are "only" educated at the Master's level. I don't see how throwing another obstacle in the way of becoming an advanced practice nurse will better serve anyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you have a Doctorate why work for what an ARNP makes? Seems to me that they would want more money for that level of education, and I sure don't see that happening. I have worked with many NP's, and love working with them, but if they have that level of education then they should be paid for it.

Many doctoral level professionals make similar salaries compared to a master's level ARNP. Physical therapists, audiologists, and psychologists all make similar wages; consequently, it's not much of a stretch to think a doctoral prepared ARNP will still make about 60 k. However, on the bright side, if state laws are changed to allow complete autonomous practice then DNPs will be in the money. That means private practice may thrive. Increased wages in the private practice arena will force hospitals to increase their salary offerings. I think the increased investment in education will pay off in the long run. Christ! What other profession can boast that their students can work their way through school making what RNs make! I think any complaining about how much more it'll cost is a bunch of crap! Look at how much ODs and PharmDs not to mentioned physicians invest in schooling in comparison. It's not like nursing will suffer the astronomical prices for education that the aforementioned professional schools impose. Students should be grateful that nursing (doctoral) is housed in the graduate colleges of universities rather than stand-alone professional schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Chicoborja, you make some very strong points. We won't know until things kick in gear and how things shake out. One thing is for certain, though. Things are going to shake!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, ICU, PACU.

Do MDs have a doctorate? I was under the impression they just had a medical degree. If the MD isn't doctorate prepared, why should a MSN prepared nurse have to get a Doctorate if the MD doesn't?

I may be off track here on my info. Some one please correct me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

The degree of M.D. is Medical Doctor. MDs have a doctorate in medicine. If they wish to combine it with a PhD, it requires additional coursework that adds another year to their medical education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion