I'm very interested in becoming an NP soon (FNP or PMHNP), but I want to go to a very rigorous program. I'm very concerned with always providing the best care for my patients and so I want to go to a program where I will learn the most. It seems a lot of "diploma mill" type schools have opened for NPs, and I need help weeding them out!
I look through a few curriculums for NP programs and I'm kind of worried I won't learn enough. I see a lot of "fluff" classes on nursing theory/public health type things - and while these are definitely important, I feel that most of the NP program I've found just don't have enough strong science courses. I want to really work hard, take a lot of deep courses on diagnosis, pathophysiology, pharmacology, immunology, etc. Anyone go to a program like that?
Regardless of your program, do you feel you graduated with a very sound knowledge of how to diagnose and treat most patients on day one or did you feel completely lost?
There is no standard curriculum for the DNP, as far as I know. So this doesn't meant that the switch to DNP really means anything in terms of more prepared graduating NPs
Just because there's no standard yet also doesn't mean that it's NOT putting out better prepared NPs. I guarantee you a school like University of Maryland isn't doing the DNP just to change the name of their degree. This is a school that is setting the bar for the day when standardization will be realized.
I'm curious where you got the idea that there will be standardization? I linked earlier to the "guidelines" for dnp programs, and they are rather lame in the sense that nothing clinically relevant is focused on. That pretty much is how standardization goes right now for DNP programs. These guidelines are written by PhDs, not by clinically experienced NPs. I'm sure UMD will have a great DNP program, but I am talking about in general. As a whole, I do not see DNP programs putting out better prepared NPs than MSN.
Because the concept of DNP as the new NP is a new one. Standardization may be a long ways off but it is still a goal. Just like the State Boards require NCLEX licensure and AACN requires certain competences of all BSN nurses and CCNE accredits NP programs "to ensure uniform second licensure requirements for APRNs in all states".... I imagine the DNP will also be regulated since the whole idea in the first place was to elevate our professional status and ensure a minimum level of knowledge/skill... just like all the other previously set bars were meant to do also.
If the purpose of the DNP is to increase the skill and knowledge of NPs, then why are the guidelines all fluff courses?
Also, there is no standardization for MSN programs, so I really don't see this differing for DNP.
Which courses are "fluff"? While individuals programs may vary (almost) all new grad APRNs must pass national board exams before entering into practice. These pass rates are consistent with those of the NCLEX, indicating there is a satisfactory degree of standardized learning.
Which courses are "fluff"? While individuals programs may vary (almost) all new grad APRNs must pass national board exams before entering into practice. These pass rates are consistent with those of the NCLEX, indicating there is a satisfactory degree of standardized learning.
I posted earlier in this thread the specific fluff courses. I'm not saying DNP aren't qualified, just not more qualified than MSN since the extra classes are not practice oriented for the most part. That's the way it seems to me
Baaahhh. I just actually went through the whole curriculum. I don't like it at all. It's not that it's fluff courses. There are 200 more clinical hours required plus there are MANY courses dedicated to this "Capstone Project". There is also one extra high-level course for research and a class from the RN-MBA program. But to make room for all of those, a graduating DNP can skip a majority of what I'd consider to be core courses for NPs i.e. Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Diagnosis and Management of Adults Across the Lifespan, Clinical Syndrome Management etc etc
I posted earlier in this thread the specific fluff courses. I'm not saying DNP aren't qualified, just not more qualified than MSN since the extra classes are not practice oriented for the most part. That's the way it seems to me
"The Doctor of Nursing Practice Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP or Adult Gerontology-ACNP) Intensivist Fellowship program combines a 2-year post Masters DNP curriculum with a 2-year paid critical care clinical fellowship in one of the Vanderbilt University Hospital Intensive Care Units."
" Fellows are expected to work 40 hours per week in their assigned critical care unit where they will interact with faculty physicians, faculty nurse practitioners, physician residents and fellows, registered nurses and other members of the inter-disciplinary ICU team. DNP ACNP Fellows have the same clinical responsibilities as faculty ACNPs within the Vanderbilt ICUs. Daily patient care provides fellows with the opportunity to advance their hands-on skills and intellectual background in the care of critically ill patients. The fellow provides care for assigned ICU patients, attends didactic conferences, receives practice mentorship, leads academic case discussions, and presents at clinical conferences. "
evolvingrn, BSN, RN
1,035 Posts
I don't think its uncommon. A PA from my area told me that they did that here at a very well known PA school in wisconsin.