NP to DNP - trying to decide

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I'm an NP trying to decide whether or not to go back to school for my DNP. I love to learn and enjoy academic work. I know the DNP program focuses on translating research to clinical practice and improving outcomes. I'm quite passionate about my current area of employment and would love being able to help improve outcomes in that area. However, ultimately I think I just want to keep the job I have in direct clinical practice ratjer than any sort of management positition (I don't really know of any NPs or DNPs in management positions anyway). So the only benefit might lie in personal development and improving my own practice by applying more research. Seems kinda hard to justify the time and financial commitment for that, as tempting as I find it...

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I have contemplated this exact question this year, I have been accepted into a big name program to start next year but I have come to think over the last couple of months that I am not sure that I will start it, I am just not really sure what it will offer me other than personal developement at this point, I will be watching this conversation to hear other's thoughts

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I was just accepted to a DNP program to start next year. I too have spent a significant amount of time analyzing options before finally deciding to commit to the DNP. My reasons for doing so are for both personal and professional growth. I do not expect that the DNP will alter my current job although I believe that it may provide me a competitive edge or open doors for future jobs. I believe that eventually a clinical doctorate will become prominent or required in the profession. I am a young NP and would like to be on the edge of the curve as I anticipate practicing for many years to come. I have also embraced that I will be a life-long learner and love education. I found an online program from a reputable state flagship university that is very reasonably priced.

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Specializes in Urology NP.
I was just accepted to a DNP program to start next year. I too have spent a significant amount of time analyzing options before finally deciding to commit to the DNP. My reasons for doing so are for both personal and professional growth. I do not expect that the DNP will alter my current job although I believe that it may provide me a competitive edge or open doors for future jobs. I believe that eventually a clinical doctorate will become prominent or required in the profession. I am a young NP and would like to be on the edge of the curve as I anticipate practicing for many years to come. I have also embraced that I will be a life-long learner and love education. I found an online program from a reputable state flagship university that is very reasonably priced.

May i ask which program you will be attending? Thanks!

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Alabama. They provide an online only program that offers you in-state tuition. Many of the DNP programs I found either require some physical presence on campus and/or would not give in-state tuition if online. This program is much less expensive than my local schools.

Apparently when several schools petitioned the Board of Governors to allow the creation of a DNP program they granted permission to form a combined program. So you apply to one of the three schools: UA, UAB, or UAH, and take all of your individual courses by faculty at your school, but your diploma lists all three programs. It was explained to me that the three programs share resources.

I have a colleague that is currently completing her degree from the program and recommended it.

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I too have applied to a local state university here in South Florida for the DNP program but I'm having second thoughts. I'm not so sure if I want to pursue that degree anymore well at least for right now. I'm not sure if I want to add on more student loan debt and I can't hardly afford the payments now. I'm at a lost.

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I too have applied to a local state university here in South Florida for the DNP program but I'm having second thoughts. I'm not so sure if I want to pursue that degree anymore well at least for right now. I'm not sure if I want to add on more student loan debt and I can't hardly afford the payments now. I'm at a lost.

This is where I am as well, just not sure that I want to spend the money when it won't change much if anything of what I do or what I am paid.

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Most DNPs that I read from online seem to think the degree was worth it for them in hindsight. It's a hard decision to make, since the benefits are certainly not as clear and forseeable as my previous degrees.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

If I could get a DNP and an associate professor appointment to the nearby flagship university without teaching clinicals I'd do it. I like lecture. I never really got into nursing school clinicals. I always felt the nursing teaching model (attach the student to one or two patients for an entire day) was horrid and lacking in education. I also am by far no expert in basic nursing skills (changing colostomies, tube feedings, assorted would dressings, et al), but would feel comfortable teaching mental health nursing lecture, patho, pharm, health assessment, med math, even research, and stuff like that. The salary differential is about 75k versus 110k, but still more than twice what the average person in my state earns each year.

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I am almost finished the tedious application process to the nursing CAS and I take my GRE on Saturday which is only worth 1 point towards the application process. I'm still feeling hesitant to go back since I don't want more debt and I don't know the benefits except for self fulfillment. How is everyone else going with their DNP decision?

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The way I see it is to gain respect of our profession, not now, but in the future. How many times have you seen a patient and they will ask why a nurse, like we know less, they want to see the doctor, thinking the will get less quality of care from a nurse, when is proven otherwise. Our profession has not received the respect that we show in the outcome studies. We are considered as middle level. The only way is to get in research, improve the outcomes with a well planned and systematic approach. Now, about the money, possibly will be the same as master. If I can, I will continue with a PhD, but DNP is more in line with my professional plan.

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I have thought about a DNP, as I am finishing my Post-Master's Certification as an FNP. This is my 5th degree, my husband of 3 years has encouraged me to go the distance. Quite frankly, I am tired of studying, testing, projects, etc. I owe my husband my title Mrs. T. The benefit I have received from my post-Master's is it enticed my husband to go to college for the first time. He was a roofer for 30 years, never worried about looking for work for 20+ years and then met and married me. Dragged him halfway across the country to be with me, so I said take a community class that interests you. I was the wage earner and he was Mr. Mom to the dog and did all the unpacking. We will graduate together next year, he from Culinary school, and I will from the university with my FNP.

So the last DNP prepared APN I met was working in a quick care clinic and couldn't draw blood. She complained about how much she misses the challenge of critical care and how many years she gave up to get the various degrees up to the DNP, her family suffered, husband left her.....and all for working in the quick clinic.

Don't think I can do that to my husband.

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