dont understan DNP

cd365c · Jan 12, 2015

There is only suggestion to move NP's to a DNP, but there are no laws in place as far as I am aware.

chare · Jan 12, 2015

There is no requirement to have a doctoral degree at this time to become an NP. If, or when, this ever becomes a reality those NPS with a master's degree will not be affected.

KellyRN2013 · Jan 13, 2015

Good evening! a DNP does earn more than a MSN NP in my state. The reason being is that NP is just a certification and DNP is actually an academic degree. As of right now, DNP's do not have different duties per say. A DNP program is longer but I have been doing my research because I am interested in becoming a Women's healthcare nurse practitioner through a DNP program. It is not longer by much though. It all depends if you will be starting the program with a BSN or a MSN. I haven't heard any complaints from a NP in regards to the DNP. It all depends on the career path you want to take as an individual. You can get two main doctorate degrees in nursing. A PhD in nursing is a "Research" doctorate degree and a DNP is more of a "Clinical practice" doctorate in nursing! I plan to go for my DNP. I try to encourage others to receive the highest education possible and I think the DNP is the way to go! You can always get your MSN-NP and then bridge to the DNP as well if you decide you want to take that route! Good luck to you :)

allnurses Guide · Jan 13, 2015

The reason being is that NP is just a certification and DNP is actually an academic degree.

Not sure I follow you on this one.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) must have an academic degree (MSN or DNP), have attended a accredited NP program, and have certification in their speciality through a national credentialing body (save for two states).

Remember, DNP stands for Doctor of Nursing Practice: not all DNPs are NPs, just like not all MSNs are NPs.

Sent from my iPhone.

KellyRN2013 · Jan 13, 2015

Sorry for the confusion. There may be more than 1 reply because my cell phone keeps messing up! Sorry but what I was trying to say is that any nurse can obtain a MSN and that does not automatically make them a NP. They must take a "certification" exam to become a NP. This is justified by your statement when you said that not every MSN is a NP. But when you go back for your doctorate, there is no certification exam for that. It is an academic program and you earn your doctorate by completing the course work not by an exam. Sorry to be unclear!!!

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Jan 13, 2015

"But when you go back for your doctorate, there is no certification exam for that. It is an academic program and you earn your doctorate by completing the course work not by an exam".

Sorry KellyRN2013, but whether a nurse practitioner has a MSN or DNP, to become "certified" and have the state issue an APRN license, except KS, CA, and NY, the applicant must pass a certification exam.

allnurses Guide · Jan 13, 2015

Sorry for the confusion. There may be more than 1 reply because my cell phone keeps messing up! Sorry but what I was trying to say is that any nurse can obtain a MSN and that does not automatically make them a NP. They must take a "certification" exam to become a NP. This is justified by your statement when you said that not every MSN is a NP. But when you go back for your doctorate, there is no certification exam for that. It is an academic program and you earn your doctorate by completing the course work not by an exam. Sorry to be unclear!!!

Just like not all MSNs are NPs, not all DNPs are NPs.

All NPs (save for three states) must pass a national certification exam, regardless of their academic degree (MSN or DNP). They also must complete an accredited NP program.

Sent from my iPhone.

KellyRN2013 · Jan 13, 2015

Correct! But what I am saying is that if you are a MSN NP and you go back for your doctorate you do not take another certification because the certification part is the NP but academically you either have a masters or doctorate degree. I apologize. Just like I can have a RN degree but I can take an exam and be a certified Critical care nurse but my actual academic degree would either be ASN, MSN, or BSN. It's kind of the same concept.

fivefeet05NP2B · Jan 13, 2015

You do not have to get your DNP to become a nurse practitioner. There are only recommendations at this time for the entry level for nurse practitioner to be the DNP. In my state, nurse practitioners with a DNP DO NOT make any more than Master's prepared nurse practitioner. I believe this is true for most other states at this time, I may be wrong though. The DNP usually takes longer than most MSN programs. The duties of a nurse practitioner with a DNP and a nurse practitioner with a MSN are exactly the same.

KellyRN2013 · Jan 14, 2015

ihflanurse you are correct. but what I mean for example is lets say I obtained my MSN and I sat for my certification boards for a NP and passed. I would then be a NP but when I go back and take the "doctorate" bridge I do not have to retake another exam because I am already a NP but I only had my masters. My "doctorate" part is obtained through completion of an academic program because I already have my NP certification. Now if someone takes a DNP program initially then yes they will have to take the NP certification and they will also take the academic classes to fulfill the "Doctorate" curriculum because they were not a NP prior to entering the doctorate program. I'm sorry I'm not making myself clear.

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Jan 14, 2015

KellyRN2013, thank you for clarifying your stance. You are correct. If a currently licensed MSN-NP returns for a DNP, they do not need to be "recertified" and it does not change the scope of practice or anything else at this point other than the highest degree is now a DNP.