If almost done with a MSN in 2015, grandfathered in?

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

I looked but didn't see an answer to this question: if someone is in a MSN program to become an NP that will be finished in early to mid 2015, will they be "grandfathered" and able to be practicing NPs, or will they need to continue on for the DNP in order to practice?

The 2015 call for the DNP is just a call from the AACN and member schools. Please keep in mind that the MSN/DNP are degrees. This is different from Certification (administered by ANCC, NAPNAP, AANP, and other national certification boards), as well as Licensure (administered by state boards of health/nursing).

The 2015 Call (I am using that for lack of a better term) also needs buy-in from the Certification Boards, and State Boards of Nursing. This is being discussed at the state and national levels. Assuming that the 2015 Call stays on track, it will be up to the various Boards to work out the details how it will affect licensure and certifications. It is too early to tell this now

MSN = Degree

DNP = Degree

PA = Degree

MD = Degree

Kind of makes one wonder what all the closed door meetings will bring about for us little working people who pay them their dues, fees, etc...

Or in all things politics 2015 hits and things have to be pushed back.

50 states each with its own governor, legislators, board of nursing, board of medicine and millions of registered voters.

I wonder how far Georgia will be behind this time..........

Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

Seriously! This whole thing is extremely confusing to me. I am trying to tenatively plan out a direction for the next several years, and all this DNP vs MSN and 2015 business is throwing me for a loop. Makes it really hard to plan much of anything education-wise. I think I am going into this all at the wrong time! Why didn't I decide to pursue this about five years ago? :)

Seriously! This whole thing is extremely confusing to me. I am trying to tenatively plan out a direction for the next several years, and all this DNP vs MSN and 2015 business is throwing me for a loop. Makes it really hard to plan much of anything education-wise. I think I am going into this all at the wrong time! Why didn't I decide to pursue this about five years ago? :)

Probably will here that same question in 2015, 2016, 2017......

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Remember the push for BSN as the entry level to RN? That didn't go anywhere either.

Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Some schools have made the DNP switch, but tons more still have the MSN programs and aren't even starting to change.

I think they probably may (and I'm just guessing here...no source to back this up)...that it probably says a lot about how the "powers that be" feel about the probability of the 2015 plan.

Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

That is what I'm noticing, and part of what makes it confusing. All the schools near me are phasing out the MSN programs for DNP programs, which kind of gives the impression that it is a given that the 2015 thing will happen. So I was looking at some distance learning programs and found several that still have MSN programs for NP. I have no clue which direction to move in at this point. :(

Specializes in Emergency, MCCU, Surgical/ENT, Hep Trans.

"In 1964, the ANA House of Delegates (HOD) adopted a motion "that ANA continue to work toward baccalaureate education as the educational foundation for professional nursing practice." Since that time, this issue has been debated in policy meetings at the state and national levels of the association. In 1985, the HOD agreed to urge state nurses associations to establish the baccalaureate with a major in nursing as the minimum educational requirement for licensure and to retain the legal title, Registered Nurse, for that license and to establish the associate degree with a major in nursing as the education requirement for licensure to practice technical nursing."

Uh...I'm still waiting. But, considering the overwhelming majority of folks who are writing, pushing and screaming policy regarding the DNP entry have PhD/EdD/DSNs, I think the degree may become the standard. I dread 2015. :cry:

There is a spirited discussion going on within this board regarding the grandfathering idea. Take a look at that for more answers or perhaps more questions! The proposal as I've seen it, is that MS NP's will be able to continue practicing with an MSN. I highly doubt that every NP (after the implementation of the DNP as standard) will HAVE to get a DNP to continue practicing. However, I'm in love with the DNP and only think that it will give us greater political leverage when it comes to reimbursement! Call me an idealist!

Brad

:redbeatheYou must remember that you have the power to change this! The time to take action is now! Don't wait until the programs have been changed. You must group together with other nurses and students as well as regular citizens and express what YOU WANT! If you behave like insects, you will be treated like insects! YOU DO HAVE POWER!!!:redbeathe

:redbeatheIf you're not certain how to go about this, speak to an instructor of political science or government at your college. Possibly your state nursing board. Get petitions signed by citizens. It's crucial that we have as many practitioners as possible for the future. The NP with a MS degree is fully capable. The change is simply about fulfilling others ulterior motive. You're foolish to believe otherwise, no matter what poppycock someone tries to feed you.

:redbeathe

Making the DNP a requirement for practice as a NP will mean opening the nurse practice acts in each of the 50 states. When the practice act for any profession is opened, it is open for review and possible revision from the public - this includes any and all special interest groups. Opening the nurse practice acts jeopardizes the advances NPs have already made and, obviously, many state associations and BONs are going to be resistant to this. This, combined with the fact that this will have to happen in each state, makes the 2015 call virtually impossible to accomplish. Some schools may only be offering the DNP, but it will not be necessary to become certified and practice as a NP.

If a change in a state's law occurs, MSN-prepared NPs will be grandfathered though it is unlikely that a DNP will ever be required, especially given the large numbers of NPs that are already practicing at the master's level. My opinion is that nursing will have a two-tiered process for becoming a NP - MSN and DNP - similar to RNs.

I would go for the MSN any day over a DNP at this point. Even on the unlikely chance that you would need to get a DNP sometime in the future, you can always pursue one while practicing as a MSN NP.

+ Add a Comment