Is it true that a DNP will soon be required to be an NP?

Published

I've heard this from a couple of different sources. Is this true?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only advanced practice group that has really embraced the DNP as mandatory is the CRNAs, and their target date is 2025. No state has indicated it plans to start requiring a DNP for advanced practice licensure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Some schools have made the switch effective 2015. LSUHSC has converted all advanced practice masters to DNP programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP, ONP.

No, it isn't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Not required for legal ability to practice ... but becoming increasingly common as more and more schools convert their old MSN programs to DNP ones. At some point, the DNP's may outnumber the MSN's and that will change the balance of political power.

If I were a young nurse looking to invest in education for my future career as an NP, I would choose the degree that is most likely to be the most desired one 20 years from now (the DNP). But if I were a mid-career or late-career nurse who will be retiring within 10 years, I would choose the program that was most practical for me to attend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely agree with Silver 5. As an "older" nurse, just graduated in May at age of 41 (now 42), I don't plan on getting my DNP, but only because I only plan on working 20 more years & don't feel the need to incur more expense for what is basically no return (at this time). But if I were younger I definitely would go for the DNP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is not required and I doubt it will be soon. I think of it as similar to the BSN taking the place of ADN. We will never see it completely phase out.

I work with an NP who just graduate with her DNP. She says it gave her no advantage for job opportunities or pay increase, and she would have rather done a masters program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I just got my MSN and in my early 30s, so will probably go back to school to get my DNP eventually. But for now I'd like to work on just building my career and not going to school, driving myself and DH crazy, lol. I've only seen one hospital advertise in my type of position (neonatal NP) as "DNP preferred." of course, there is a shortage of NNPs in many parts of the country and some still only have certificates, so I doubt DNP will swing over to my type of job as a requirement for a very long time, if at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The powers that be have yet to even get their proverbial *stuff* together to even figure out the BSN thing. They will never get around to requiring the DNP. And no one is ever going to pay more money for having it so the motivation is going to be slim to none.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing put out a position statement and a paper in the past few days about this. Basically it said, we tried hard, made a big push, and fell short. They have plans to make plans to move forward, but that is about it.

The talking points on the report: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/Talking-Points.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AACN+Releases+Findings+from+National+Study+...&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=www.aacn.nche.edu%2FDNP%2FTalking-...

The full report: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNP-Study.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AACN+Releases+Findings+from+National+Study+...&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=www.aacn.nche.edu%2FDNP%2FDNP-Stud...

So that about sums up the good ol' question about 2015 & DNP, not gonna happen. We can go on to arguing about when it will happen, if it will ever happen, is it a good thing, why we want to/don't want to have a DNP, the direction of DNP, what the DNP should be instead of what it is, and all the other vastly important DNP issues of the day now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

I doubt it will ever be a requirement legally to practice. The popularity of the programs is going to be driven by the number of programs that make the switch which in turn is going to be determined by available resources (funding and doctoral level faculty)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DNP should be entry level for all NP's. As of now 2017 it is similar to the BSN VS ADN. MSN can practice ,however the DNP is more in depth in functions of community,practice,research and specialty and gives you more insight into the role and scope.Also it gives you the title of doctor. Yes doctor! (just make sure our patients know what we are a doctor of- Dr Harry Reid D.N.P doctor of nursing practice

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion