Over Educated, and under experienced??

Why at this point in your career do you feel a DNP is necessary? What would it enable you to do that you couldn't do as an NP?

Just curious :nuke:

I don't believe it would allow me to do anything different in practice, but I do believe its a final degree and I would be "finished" While I have the money and time, I think its better to just do it instead of waiting and then getting married and having children and never doing it!!! I don't want to be 40 and say "man, I wished I would have done it at 24" I can get it down in one more year and be completely finished with my degree. Also, if they do get "rid" of all the master's programs I won't be considered old school with my degree. I guess I just really always wanted to "go all the way" and get my doctorate....what do you think...is that silly??

Fully developed? Arizona State's program is tied with Oklahoma's and its two full semesters and a summer. They pull credits from your master's program, and you have 560 more clinical hours....I'm not sure what you were asking??

Since you're only 24 & don't have kids or other ties right now, and b/c you still have the motivation to do more schooling, why NOT just finish the DNP? Go for it.

i say go for it! especially given your situation. my college is switching to DNP only programs in 2009 ---but i'm applying for masters before the big switch!! i'm married & want to have kids soon, otherwise, i would go DNP myself just to get it outta the way.

do what you feel is right for you.

I completely agree about not knowing what the degree will do for us, but I keep thinking what if in twenty years it does do something (because in Oklahoma we don't even have a program) at least I will have it finished already.

I guess what I'm concerned about actually, is the job prospects. Peeople that I work with and go to school with keep bringing up that they hope it doesn't make it harder for me to find a job after i get out of school.

I'm already worried about getting a job, and I don't want this to make it worse...have any of you heard that getting your DNP before actually working is hurting job hunters?

i completely agree about not knowing what the degree will do for us, but i keep thinking what if in twenty years it does do something (because in oklahoma we don't even have a program) at least i will have it finished already.

i guess what i'm concerned about actually, is the job prospects. peeople that i work with and go to school with keep bringing up that they hope it doesn't make it harder for me to find a job after i get out of school.

i'm already worried about getting a job, and i don't want this to make it worse...have any of you heard that getting your dnp before actually working is hurting job hunters?

if you have the time and desire for the dnp go now. will the dnp improve your employment chances? probably will not have a significant impact pro or con this year. i do know of at least two new dnps who were offered a higher salary because of the dnp. i also know two other dnps who received nothing in addition as compared to the master's prepared np. will the degree make you feel better about the profession you have chosen, sounds like it will.

Fully developed? Arizona State's program is tied with Oklahoma's and its two full semesters and a summer. They pull credits from your master's program, and you have 560 more clinical hours....I'm not sure what you were asking??

I say go ahead and get your DNP now if you want to. Why not? I don't think more education is ever a bad idea! :) Also, if you want to teach as a full professor at the university level one day, you will be all set with your doctorate and can do so.

I don't think it would 'hurt' your chances. I don't think at this point it would improve your chances or choices either. Direct-entry NP in general still has much uncharted territory. I'm sure in hindsight one will be able to look back and say this or that would've been best, but from where we are now, it's not a clear path forward.

If you ever work with nurses who have taken a more traditional route, you might find yourself taking flak for going straight through school without experience, especially at the beginning when you still have so much real-world stuff to learn and must rely heavily on colleagues. There could be resentment of your being at an equal level professionally while still being a beginner practically.

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't take the path that's available to you that you are more motivated to take. Just have some awareness of the potential drawbacks.

Another point to consider is that since the DNP programs are so new that you would be an experimental student. Such programs might change substantially over the years as they hone them. And as one of the first students, you might later feel your education wasn't as good as more established programs as they develop in the future. I'm only pointing that out to counter your fears of NOT going for the DNP directly and then later regretting it. There's always a chance of later regretting a decision. In regard to the DNP, it's too new for there to be a standard opinion about it. You just have to make your own judgement and see how it goes!