Is it all going to DNP?

[AppalachianRNstudent]

I'm in an ADN program now. I've thought about becoming an FNP after my undergrad. education. Is it true that, instead of getting an MSN - all schools are going over to the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)? I hope not, but, if that's the only route, then, that's the only route.

[AuDDoc]

I think the nursing boards need to take a look at what has happened to other fields that have recently forced the doctorate model onto their students.

Take a look at my field, Audiology. It now requires a doctoral degree for licensure, but the Au.D.'s get paid no better than the masters degreee Audiologist. The doctoral degree really didn't apply much more clinical hours, it merely added more research. From what I've read about the DON programs, they do the same thing. More theory and more research, but no more clinical components or hours of direct patient care.

Will you as a DON make more money than a MSN? Highly doubtful. Experience will always trump degree. Right now with 2 years of experience as an Au.D., and tons of research and clinical experience, I am still not chosen over master level audiologists with a few more years experience. My pay is also horrible for completing 10 years of schooling. I could have easily spent the same amount of time and became a physician and make 4 times as much as I make now.

The same dilemma is seen in doctors of physical therapy vs. masters of physical therapy. The hospital I work for routinely picks masters PT workers over DPT workers. They pay the same regardless of the degree. We actually have a couple of bachelor's level PT's (yes they still work in the field) and they are paid the same as the DPT workers!

I think if nursing forces the DON on advanced practice nurses they are just shooting themselves in the foot and causing a nursing shortage to really happen. People aren't going to go into a field that requires the same amount of years as an MD and pays substantially less.

As an aside I am going back to become an FNP and am currently getting my AD RN then I take a few bridge courses from the BSN program and start my FNP courses for my MSN. I hope they do not go the DON route or if they do I hope I am in before they require it because it's really not going to add anything special to my clinical skills and I have no desire to become a doctor, again. If I wanted to earn another doctorate I would have went back to medical school.