smit51

The AACN white paper on DNP degree states a target date of 2015 for the DNP to be the degree for nurse practitioner practice. However, the AACN does not have any control over state boards of nursing and it is state boards of nursing who determine eduction level for licensure. There is no state board of nursing at this time that requires a DNP degree for NP licensure to practice. Most state 'graduate degree', which includes masters. Most state boards also require board certification in the field of specialty (ANP, FNP, NNP, etc.). When considering a program, masters or dnp, it is important to see if the schools programs are CCNE accredited and what the board success/pass rate is of graduates. The schools academic office should be able to provide you with that information. CCNE, the accrediting body for schools of nursing, will continue to accredit masters programs beyond 2015. CCNE has no plans to not accredit masters programs and you can obtain more information by contacting CCNE.

According to the AACN white paper on the DNP, the AACN members identified 2015 as the date when nurse practitioners would need to have DNPs. However, licensure is not in the domain of AACN. State boards pf nursing determine what kind of education is needed for practice. There are no state boards of nursing at this time that require a DNP for nurse practitioners. Most nurse practice acts have a statement about educational requirements and most state a 'graduate degree' which includes master degrees. In addition to the educational requirement, most state boards of nursing also require board certification in your area of practice for licensure and to date, none of the boarding bodies require a DNP to take the board exam. Look at your state's nurse practice act to see what board exams delivered by what organization for specifics. When looking at schools it is important that the nursing programs (BSN, MS, and DNP) be accredited by the CCNE (and CCNE will continue to accredit masters programs beyond 2015 with no evidence to date that they will stop accrediting masters programs) and what the pass rate on the board exams are. Those two indicators will be useful when evaluating programs.

According to the AACN white paper on the DNP, the AACN members identified 2015 as the date when nurse practitioners would need to have DNPs. However, licensure is not in the domain of AACN. State boards pf nursing determine what kind of education is needed for practice. There are no state boards of nursing at this time that require a DNP for nurse practitioners. Most nurse practice acts have a statement about educational requirements and most state a 'graduate degree' which includes master degrees. In addition to the educational requirement, most state boards of nursing also require board certification in your area of practice for licensure and to date, none of the boarding bodies require a DNP to take the board exam. Look at your state's nurse practice act to see what board exams delivered by what organization for specifics. When looking at schools it is important that the nursing programs (BSN, MS, and DNP) be accredited by the CCNE (and CCNE will continue to accredit masters programs beyond 2015 with no evidence to date that they will stop accrediting masters programs) and what the pass rate on the board exams are. Those two indicators will be useful when evaluating programs.