If I start the master's program by 2011...

Hello, brittney

Right now, it is not mandatory (DNP). But, if it is, the timeframe will be 2015 for those seeking NP, not before.

If DNP becomes entry-level for NPs by 2015 and you are not finished then the answer to your question is, 'no', you will not be able to practice as an NP.

Would it deter me if I was trying to make a decision to become NP? No, it would not.

I started out ADN and became NP through a 4-year preceptorship (full time) with an OB-GYN, then sat for national certification as OB-GYN NP. Later, I secured MSN and did post-grad certificate as FNP. As you can see, I've lived through all the "minimum entry" levels.

So, no, if DNP is to be the entry-level and I wanted to be an APN, I definitely would get the DNP.

No, it has not been made mandatory. And, I have no updates as to how this is progressing.

But, I highly suspect it will be. Like I said, I've watched as our specialty fields for the APN have changed and advanced through the years regarding this issue of entry-level. Of course, whether it is to be or not is only my opinion, but I think it will be....

Good luck with your decisions.

Hello, brittney

Right now, it is not mandatory (DNP). But, if it is, the timeframe will be 2015 for those seeking NP, not before.

If DNP becomes entry-level for NPs by 2015 and you are not finished then the answer to your question is, 'no', you will not be able to practice as an NP.[/quote]

Are you sure about this? It's hard to believe universities can allow students to enter into a MSN NP program, in effect signing a contract through the current student handbook guidelines, and then be like "oh im sorry! can't practice as a NP since the DNP is in effect and you have 3 classes left!". I assumed that if you are in a program before the change happens you'd be allowed to practice. If this is the case, and the date stays 2015, then every MSN-NP program should be forced to change 2-3 years earlier to prevent this travesty from happening!

Yes, I'm positive about the date. It is a "vision" only as of now, but the date of 2015 is the one they are hoping for in the end.

I agree, it will be difficult to complete all the change over for that date, but many, if not all, programs are currently in the process of changeover and have been for a couple years now.

Yes, if you are graduated before the changes, you will be "grandfathered" in. As for what can/could happen if you are currently in an MSN program and the DNP becomes mandatory, I have no answer to that question.

Hello, brittney,

wouldn't it be easier just to become a CNS?

No, it would not. If DNP becomes the mandatory terminal degree, it will apply to all disciplines of the APN (CNS, NP, CRNA, CNM). Of course, the latter two have differing dates for the mandatory DNP. I think the CRNA is 2025. Not sure about the CNM.

"a matter of degree

by the year 2015, a doctorate of nursing practice will become the required degree for nurses in advanced practice fields, according to a new ruling by the aacn."

-from the johns hopkins son website

so it is a definite now? i had assumed that it was only an idea, from what i read in everyone's answers.

oh well, an extra two years of school never killed anyone.

no, it is not mandatory........yet. here is what johns hopkins son website states from their faq:

1) what is a dnp?

the doctor of nursing practice (dnp) is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice. the american association of colleges of nursing (aacn) has proposed that the dnp degree will be the level of entry for all advanced practice nurses by 2015.

http://www.son.jhmi.edu/academics/academic_programs/doctoral/dnp/faq/