Future of nurse practitioners

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Hey, this is my first thread

I am 16 years old and intend on per suing a BSN after high school, however I am not planning on staying a RN for more than 2 years i originally wanted to become a Nurse practitioner but now I'm hearing things about MSN being phased out and being turned in to a DNP which i have no interest in per suing. SO naturally I told my self I would attempt to go in to a PA program.

So my primary question is do you think in 6 years when im done my BSN (cause im 16 right now) there will be and MSN programs around because I really wanted to follow in my uncles foot steps who is a Nurse practitioner who has employed a medical director and owns his own clinic in Texas, Any other advice for me or things you wish you would have done while you were younger will be much appreciated.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

Your uncle is an NP and owns his own practice? If you want to follow in his footsteps you don't want PA. I can't imagine a day will ever come when a PA has independent practice.

You need to research medical model and nursing model. They are very different. Which one feels right for you?

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Why do you have no interest in a DNP program? You are still a nurse practitioner but with a higher educational degree.

There's really no use in going through nursing if you want to do a PA program. A pre-med type curriculum would be enough. Although, PAs will probably never be able to own their own practice.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

These guys have it right. The medical approach and the nursing approach are very different, and you need to find the one that speaks to you. That's why I chose to pursue midwifery as opposed to obstetrics. You need to figure out which path is right for you. I'm not sure what it is that puts you off so much about DNP, because it's basically just a little more schooling, a dissertation, and I'm sure a couple of other elements (DNPs, help me out here! :) ). I'm hearing the same thing about CNMs, that the path is changing to a doctorate, and it's not changing my plan in any way, other than having a little more saved up so I don't have to take out loans.

Take a look at the scope of practice for PAs versus NPs and the different approaches they take. Only you can choose which is right for you.

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I have my own personal reasons for not choosing the DNP route, also the reason I don't do pre-med is because PA programs are extremely competitive and there is always a chance i might not get in, however the massive demand of being a RN give me a guarantee of job security. I actually know of 2 PA's who have employed medical directors and essentially own the clinic. My primary question is do you think there will be a MSN program around in 6 years?

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Can't imagine msn and np programs going anywhere anytime soon. They are too vital to primary care at the moment, and you can see that with more and more states giving NPs independence and autonomy. If anything, my guess is it depends on the degree of saturation in the country whether msns will be phased out or not.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
I have my own personal reasons for not choosing the DNP route, also the reason I don't do pre-med is because PA programs are extremely competitive and there is always a chance i might not get in, however the massive demand of being a RN give me a guarantee of job security. I actually know of 2 PA's who have employed medical directors and essentially own the clinic. My primary question is do you think there will be a MSN program around in 6 years?

First, NP programs are competitive. You might not get it. It's a risk...just like PA programs.

Massive demand of RN? Where do you love because some people might want to move there. Here new grads struggle to find jobs.

PAs will never have the independence and autonomy that NPs are fighting for and slowing gaining. Never. PAs will be under the control of the doctors because of the setup. I personally couldn't even consider doing PA for even half a second. I believe in the nursing model and I hope to have independent practice someday.

You need to research nursing model versus medical model. That's your first step.

Do I think DNP will be required in 6 years? Personally, no I don't think DNP will be required. But....I could be wrong.

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apparently the official date is 2015 to phase them out. I understand what your saying about the lack of autonomy in a PA vs a NP, to be honest I really hope they don't phase them out cause it is my primary choice. As for demand of nurses, the amount of nurses retiring is very high creating a lack of nurses, yes it is true that new grads face the trouble of finding a job at first, however I have anadvantage of my uncle owning a clinic where I can work and get some experience which will allow me to get a job. I really wish you were right about the MSN not being phased out but ive been seeing on college websites that they soon are turning it in to a DNP but I hope you are right.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
apparently the official date is 2015 to phase them out. I understand what your saying about the lack of autonomy in a PA vs a NP, to be honest I really hope they don't phase them out cause it is my primary choice. As for demand of nurses, the amount of nurses retiring is very high creating a lack of nurses, yes it is true that new grads face the trouble of finding a job at first, however I have anadvantage of my uncle owning a clinic where I can work and get some experience which will allow me to get a job. I really wish you were right about the MSN not being phased out but ive been seeing on college websites that they soon are turning it in to a DNP but I hope you are right.

One certifying agency is suggesting that on 2015 they start to phase out MSN....

That's it. That doesn't mean much. The other certifying agencies...don't seem to agree. There would need to be a greater consensus and then state mandates. Not worried.

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ive seen it on many more than "one" however you may be right

Will master's level nursing still exist? Should these programs be phased out?

Yes, master’s education will continue. The position statement on the DNP is a vision for the future of specialty nursing education. As specialty nursing education transitions to the doctoral level, the DNP Task Force recommends that institutions consider revise their master’s degree to prepare nurses for other essential roles. The Clinical Nurse Leader SM, a national demonstration project launched to introduce a new master’s level role into the healthcare system, is one model for master’s education. This change in master’s programs is consistent with the position statement endorsed by AACN members which states: “As the education of the generalist nurse is elevated to the master’s degree level, it is reasonable to assume that specialty education and the education of those individuals prepared for the highest level of nursing practice would occur at the practice doctoral level.” The transition date of 2015 for the DNP was set far enough in the future to give programs enough time to make a smooth transition and address the role of master’s education.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

Which certifying bodies have you seen pushing for it? More than one? Which ones? This isn't about colleges...certifying bodies and states are who matter.

ive seen it on many more than "one" however you may be right

Will master's level nursing still exist? Should these programs be phased out?

Yes, master's education will continue. The position statement on the DNP is a vision for the future of specialty nursing education. As specialty nursing education transitions to the doctoral level, the DNP Task Force recommends that institutions consider revise their master's degree to prepare nurses for other essential roles. The Clinical Nurse Leader SM, a national demonstration project launched to introduce a new master's level role into the healthcare system, is one model for master's education. This change in master's programs is consistent with the position statement endorsed by AACN members which states: "As the education of the generalist nurse is elevated to the master's degree level, it is reasonable to assume that specialty education and the education of those individuals prepared for the highest level of nursing practice would occur at the practice doctoral level." The transition date of 2015 for the DNP was set far enough in the future to give programs enough time to make a smooth transition and address the role of master's education.

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Specializes in ICU.

2015 is next year and I have not heard of any colleges phasing out their MSN programs. Now, will the NP need a doctorate in the future? Yes, I foresee this happening. Not in the immediate future, but eventually, yes. The requirement for RN for many employers has gone from a diploma, to an ADN, to a BSN. The push is for more education. At some point if you want to be a NP, you will probably have to get your doctorate. Just like I will have to get my BSN. We may not like it, but we all do what we gotta do.

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