Is the nursing field moving toward wanting DNP's?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

Published  

Is the nursing field moving toward wanting DNP's?

Share this post


Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Yes, the nursing field is increasingly moving toward valuing and recognizing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, especially for advanced practice roles. Several trends are driving this shift.

  • Advanced practice roles. For nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice nurses (APNs), many professional organizations and academic institutions are pushing for the DNP to be the standard for entry into practice. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has been advocating for the DNP as the terminal degree for advanced practice nurses, which has led some states and employers to prefer or require a DNP for advanced roles like Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, and Nurse Midwife.
  • Focus on leadership. The DNP is also becoming more recognized for leadership positions in healthcare settings. Nurses with a DNP are increasingly being sought after for roles in healthcare administration, policy-making, and education. The degree prepares nurses to lead healthcare organizations, improve systems, and influence healthcare policies.
  • Healthcare complexities. As healthcare becomes more complex and integrated, there's a growing need for nurses with clinical expertise and the skills to improve healthcare delivery. The DNP provides the training necessary to assess, implement, and evaluate evidence-based practices, with a focus on improving patient outcomes.
  • Education and teaching. While the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) is typically more focused on research and theory, the DNP is designed for practice-focused nurses who want to impact healthcare through clinical practice, education, and leadership. Many schools are now offering the DNP as the entry-level terminal degree for nurse educators.
  • State and employer preferences. Some states mandate or strongly encourage the DNP for advanced practice roles. Employers are increasingly recognizing the DNP as a mark of professional development and expertise. This shift is particularly strong in academic and clinical settings where evidence-based practice, leadership, and quality improvement are prioritized.

While the shift toward DNPs is growing, it's not yet universal. Many advanced practice roles hire NPs or CRNAs with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). However, as more states and employers begin to favor the DNP, the trend toward this degree is expected to continue, especially for leadership roles and advanced practice.

It's the future for advanced practice roles in our profession.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

 

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

It is the schools that "want" DNPs.  Many have eliminated the MSN NP programs and only offer a DNP.

Frankly, the DNP offers nothing from a clinical perspective.  I thought about getting one and found the curriculum ridiculous.

As for leadership, how many NPs care about this?  Very few.  The vast majority of NPs are going to be hands on providers.  There are very few "leadership" roles available and NPs would be competing with MDs for those.

As for the market, in many parts of the US there is a dire shortage of all types of providers.  So very few employers are demanding a DNP.  In addition, there are a boatload of MSN NPs with a lot of experience, so any employer that is willing to overlook them is stupid.

Finally, let's talk about evidence.  Nursing moved to wanting BSNs because there was actual evidence to support that BSN-trained RNs provided better care.  There is no such evidence I am aware of that NPs w/DNPs provide better care.  That is because the DNP is not a clinically focused degree.

FullGlass said:

Frankly, the DNP offers nothing from a clinical perspective.  I thought about getting one and found the curriculum ridiculous.

Ditto x 100.

JMHO but having the powers that be tout this stupid non-clinical doctorate while constantly babbling about being on-par with physicians is an embarrassment. There is no additional intensification of 3Ps knowledge in the DNP degree. It is practically useless for clinicians other than to impress people who don't know what the degree is.

Specializes in OR 35 years; crosstrained ER/ICU/PACU.

DNP for APN's is an option I can agree with, but just that: an option.  For clinical practices, BSN/MSN-prepared RN's are fully capable of everything within our scope of nursing.  As was previously mentioned, there are areas that already are pressed to find adequate staffing; there's no need to make it more difficult to meet those needs.