pursuing a DNP

milwerica, MSN, APRN · Apr 27, 2009

I am working towards my BSN right now and graduate may 2010. I had a really hard time finding a university that still had the master NP. If one is going to get their masters they need to get an advanced nursing practice master. Like a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to do the MSN to DNP option. Though to be admitted into a DNP program lots of schools are doing BSN to DNP programs. Most to be started by 2015. I hope to get the family nurse practitioner as a master and then go for MSN to DNP. The only reason for this is that the BSN to DNP programs in my state will not be available until 2012 and I do not want to wait to start graduate school because I know that prices will just go higher. So I plan to graduate 2010 with BSN and then go Fall 2010 for MSN - FNP. Then MSN to DNP. Which will be three years total of graduate school but will be cheaper to start right away than wait for the BSN to DNP programs to be implemented.

As for eliminating the Master NP I feel the state will require the ones that have the license to get the additional credits for the DNP. Though I am just speculating. Or they will get grandfathered in. I really have not looked into that.

Hope this helps and if anyone else has some info I also look forward to hearing from you!

ERICA

megalin · Apr 27, 2009

I am doing the same exact thing! I am pursuing my ASN and I eventually want to get a DNP. The DNP is a relatively new degree track, so I don't know how many schools are offering the degree. I also haven't been able to find very accurate information on what the pay is for that type of position, but I think that it would be comparable to a NP's. What the University of Florida is doing is offering a BSN to DNP degree track in place of a MSN ( there is also a MSN to DNP for those who already have a MSN ) . You can find out more about this by going to www.ufl.edu and going to the college of nursing. THe website offers a wealth of information and an FAQ section about the DNP program.

The program at Universtiy of Florida starts this fall. According to an NP I know, nurses with an MSN will be grandfathered in ( at least in Florida ) .

Good luck in your search!

GilaRRT · Apr 27, 2009

I am not entirely sure the whole MSN concept is going to disappear, however. It would seem that we would be shooting ourselves in the foot by requiring all NP's to have a DNP. Especially, since this DNP concept has yet to fully materialize. IMHO as always.

Good luck with your studies.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Apr 27, 2009

California seems to be behind the 8 ball on the DNP front. As far as I know there is only one school offering it and thats as an upgrade to a masters FNP.

GilaRRT · Apr 27, 2009

California seems to be behind the 8 ball on the DNP front. As far as I know there is only one school offering it and thats as an upgrade to a masters FNP.

I am not sure there is an 8 ball to be behind as of yet. In addition, the first time pass rates for the new DNP board exam are less than optimal IMHO. I think people need to slow down and take some time to really work out the kinks and take other ideas into consideration prior to cramming this down our throats.

MSN educated NP's have been doing a good job in their current role as far as I can find. Significantly changing a process that IMHO appears to work well seem a bit presumptuous. Obviously, this is from the view of an AD educated nurse, so, what do I really know about the big picture?

Still, good luck on you guys going for the DNP.

cruisin_woodward · Apr 27, 2009

I am in an MSN program currently, and am awaiting results of my DNP interview. With BSN to DNP, you still specialize, but you can not sit for your boards until you graduate. So your school has to offer the specialty that you want. IOW, if you want ACNP, then you have to find a school that offers it... You do not get a MSN at all... It is bypassed.

Hope this helps!

efy2178 · May 8, 2009

I am not entirely sure the whole MSN concept is going to disappear, however. It would seem that we would be shooting ourselves in the foot by requiring all NP's to have a DNP. Especially, since this DNP concept has yet to fully materialize. IMHO as always.
Good luck with your studies.

I don't think that the big gun schools of nursing will continue to offer a MSN. I am at the University of Iowa and they are on track to moving all NP programs to the DNP as an exit degree. If this mandate goes through (the 2015 mandate), if you are a NP from a masters program and for some resason lapse on your license, you will be required to get your DNP after 2015.. Others will be grandfathered in.

efy2178 · May 8, 2009

I am not sure there is an 8 ball to be behind as of yet. In addition, the first time pass rates for the new DNP board exam are less than optimal IMHO. I think people need to slow down and take some time to really work out the kinks and take other ideas into consideration prior to cramming this down our throats.
MSN educated NP's have been doing a good job in their current role as far as I can find. Significantly changing a process that IMHO appears to work well seem a bit presumptuous. Obviously, this is from the view of an AD educated nurse, so, what do I really know about the big picture?
Still, good luck on you guys going for the DNP.

University of Iowa is not encouraging us to take the DNP board since it is physician focused. They are very wary of the exam since it is a exam for med students to be MDs. This is a bif issue. You already have the legal authority to practive in Iowa with an NP certificate why get this certificate?

GilaRRT · May 8, 2009

Why push the DNP at this point? We clearly have a focus and an exam that has little to do with nursing. It seems we are really loosing sight of our profession with this push to validate ourselves by making DNP's and requiring NP's to take some USMLE hybrid exam.

This push away from the foundation of nursing concerns me.