Question about NP/DNP

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

So if I become an NP before 2015 before they change everything, will I still be able to get Post-Masters certifications in other areas? Or does that mean that if you become, let's say, an ANP and decide that you want to be an ACNP, does that mean that you would have to get a DNP since you "missed the boat"?

I am just afraid that if I decide on a certain area then I will be stuck with it, unless I decide that I want to a lot more time and money to get the DNP.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Good question.

I would think that if you advanced your education with additional APN certifications, you would have to meet the requirements as set forth for post-grad certificates. And, if the DNP is the terminal degree, then my opinion would be one would need to go back for additional education (DNP) for post-grad certification.

I started out OB-GYN NP before Masters required and to add FNP, I was required to get my Masters, then do a post-grad FNP certification.

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Good question.

I would think that if you advanced your education with additional APN certifications, you would have to meet the requirements as set forth for post-grad certificates. And, if the DNP is the terminal degree, then my opinion would be one would need to go back for additional education (DNP) for post-grad certification.

I started out OB-GYN NP before Masters required and to add FNP, I was required to get my Masters, then do a post-grad FNP certification.

Well I guess I better hurry up with my further the education plans: 2015 is not that long aways. It still gives me two extra years to get be out of school by 50. :chuckle

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

Then I guess I better make the right choice because I will be stuck with what I get! I graduate in May and I am going to immediately apply to an RN-Masters program, but I will do it on a part-time basis. I bet by the time I graduate I wouldn't have time to complete another post MS certification if I didn't make the right choice.

Even if I did decide to pursue the DNP, it wouldn't be for a long time (after I get bored from not being in school).....

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

What are you planning to do as APN specialty??

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Specializes in OB,ER,PEDS,Mediation,FacultyED.

Did read your question correctly? While serving on a Board at an accredited College of Nursing: DNP was open to discussion a couple years ago. To my understanding, from my notes; DEFINE Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):The focus of DNP program is preparation, at the highest level, of leaders in clinical nursing who can improve quality of care for individuals and populations through advanced practice and through improving systems of care. Curriculum to be based on national standards for DNP education. DNP, intended to be a practice-focused Graduate degree in nursing to complement the research focused degrees (PhD, DNSc, DNS). If i remember correctly, first introduced in somewhere in Kentucky? I hope this information helps.

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.
What are you planning to do as APN specialty??

You know, I'm not exactly sure. I'm looking for all of the advice that I can get. I just know that I am not very interested in working with children. So what does that leave? ANP and ACNP?

I just have the feeling that this is something that I will figure out after I graduate. Unfortunately, this is dependent on what I choose as my first job since I will be applying to the Masters program as soon as I graduate. At the school that I am looking at, you must have 1 year of experience in a related field.

I know May is kind of far away, but I'm still trying to come up with a plan so I can be somewhat organized.

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.
Did read your question correctly? While serving on a Board at an accredited College of Nursing: DNP was open to discussion a couple years ago. To my understanding, from my notes; DEFINE Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):The focus of DNP program is preparation, at the highest level, of leaders in clinical nursing who can improve quality of care for individuals and populations through advanced practice and through improving systems of care. Curriculum to be based on national standards for DNP education. DNP, intended to be a practice-focused Graduate degree in nursing to complement the research focused degrees (PhD, DNSc, DNS). If i remember correctly, first introduced in somewhere in Kentucky? I hope this information helps.

Hmm I am not sure if you understood my question.

You know how they are changing it to where you have to have a DNP to practice as a nurse practitioner in 2015? I am asking if you graduate before then, but after 2015 decide that you want to change your specialty (ex: going from an ANP to an ACNP) would you have to get a DNP in order to do this? Since right now you can get Post MS certificates in more than one specialty.

Right now you can be a certain type of NP and then get a post MS cert in a different field. After the big change in 2015, you won't be able to get post MS certifications from what I understand. You would have to get a DNP degree.

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Specializes in OB,ER,PEDS,Mediation,FacultyED.

Thank you for clarification. Answer, I'm not sure! SirI made an excellent point in how her adding FNP later- then required Master prep. SirI was also correct in stating DNP a terminal degree. You got me thinking, so surfing on-line gave me some further insight. BUT to answer "after 2015", I will be interested in learning what you find! You posed a very good inquiry.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
You know, I'm not exactly sure. I'm looking for all of the advice that I can get. I just know that I am not very interested in working with children. So what does that leave? ANP and ACNP?

I just have the feeling that this is something that I will figure out after I graduate. Unfortunately, this is dependent on what I choose as my first job since I will be applying to the Masters program as soon as I graduate. At the school that I am looking at, you must have 1 year of experience in a related field.

I know May is kind of far away, but I'm still trying to come up with a plan so I can be somewhat organized.

That makes sense that you are not certain what you want to do as APN. Once you get some experience, these goals will become more clear. I, too, do not like dealing with children, but FNP was a better fit for me overall. At least in my part of the country.

You are doing the right thing planning for the future. Things will be clearer as you near your graduation date.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
thank you for clarification. answer, i'm not sure! siri made an excellent point in how her adding fnp later- then required master prep. siri was also correct in stating dnp a terminal degree. you got me thinking, so surfing on-line gave me some further insight. but to answer "after 2015", i will be interested in learning what you find! you posed a very good inquiry.

for example, right now, the eligibility requirements to sit for fnp certification with ancc are (an excerpt):

hold a master's, post-master's, or doctorate from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the commission on collegiate nursing education (ccne) or the national league for nursing accrediting commission (nlnac).

this covers all levels of minimum/terminal degree education. as i stated, i look for the minimum eligibility requirements to change and include only doctorate. but, this is just my opinion. it changed before (when masters became minimum requirement). i look for it to change again to reflect the dnp terminal degree; if that becomes standard.

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Specializes in ER.

thanks for this question, I was wondering myself.

I am still in RN school (graduate next June) and I am trying to get my NP (most likely FNP) before 2015

I just want to pick the right area. I will be 39 when I am done with my RN so I don't want to waste too much time

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