graduate degree woes

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I was hoping to get some feedback as well as some other nurse's takes on things. I know that I want to go to grad school to advance my career and I struggled with deciding what to go back to school for. I finally decided on NP. However I am very confused as to whether or not you need a doctorate degree now to practice. I have been hearing different things from different people. Also if you do in fact need a doctorate, I'm having trouble deciding if going through all of that schooling is worth it. Would I be at the same educational level as an MD, but not with the same salary even though I would be held just as accountable?

Any and all advice would be great!

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To become a CRNA beginning in 2025 will require a doctorate degree. Also, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists has set a goal of requiring a doctorate degree beginning in 2030.

However, at this time there is no requirement for a doctorate degree to become an NP.

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Also, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists has set a goal of requiring a doctorate degree beginning in 2030.

I had not heard this until I just saw your post. Interesting.

However, since the NACNS, like the AACN, is a voluntary advocacy group that has no regulatory or certification authority, they can set all the "goals" they like, that and 75 cents will get you a cup of coffee ... The "goals" and "recommendations" aren't going to mean anything until the state BONs and/or certifying agencies announce they will be requiring DNPs (as has happened with CRNAs).

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No, the DNP is not required to practice as a NP and no the DNP is in no way equivalent to an MD or DO

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
I had not heard this until I just saw your post. Interesting.

However, since the NACNS, like the AACN, is a voluntary advocacy group that has no regulatory or certification authority, they can set all the "goals" they like, that and 75 cents will get you a cup of coffee ... The "goals" and "recommendations" aren't going to mean anything until the state BONs and/or certifying agencies announce they will be requiring DNPs (as has happened with CRNAs).

I agree with this comment.

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Posted on wrong thread

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No, the DNP is not required to practice as a NP and no the DNP is in no way equivalent to an MD or DO

Your right! a NP are not equivalent in anything compared to what you are comparing them to. An NP are not equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc: or in corresponding in position, function, etc.: *Nor do they Share having the same extent, such as a triangle and a square of equal area.*

An NP providing primary care are in fact Better to the Millions of people that choice to have a NP as their Primary Care Provider over what you are comparing them too. Your statement also agrees with "scientific-based evidence case studies." *Thanks for your comment.*

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Your right! a NP are not equivalent in anything compared to what you are comparing them to. An NP are not equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc: or in corresponding in position, function, etc.: *Nor do they Share having the same extent, such as a triangle and a square of equal area.*

An NP providing primary care are in fact Better to the Millions of people that choice to have a NP as their Primary Care Provider over what you are comparing them too. Your statement also agrees with "scientific-based evidence case studies." *Thanks for your comment.*

Huh? Say what??

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Huh? Say what??

(You took the words right out of my mouth ...)

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[...]

However, since the NACNS, like the AACN, is a voluntary advocacy group that has no regulatory or certification authority, they can set all the "goals" they like...

Thank you. As I was unfamiliar with this organization, I was unsure whether this was a recommendation or requirement.

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