Questions about the NP role? (Required for NP class-please help!)

Trauma Columnist · Jun 1, 2017

Question 1: What are your personal feelings about the potential requirement of doctorate degrees for entry level NP's?

This is a bunch of hooey! Nursing takes forever to make up its mind and since we can't even agree on a common entry degree, doubt we can ever decide on DNP.

Question 2: Give an example of how you have mentored a new graduate NP or another person mentored you as a NP?

I'm the lead NP in a large practice - I have 8 APRNs that report to me. I mentor them by sharing articles of interest, informing them of upcoming meetings, letting them know they are appreciated. I am in almost daily contact with all of them (we all work at different jobsites)

Question 3: What do you think of the comparison of DNP degrees to MD degrees?

Again - no comparison. A DNP is a degree that adds nothing to working NP clinically. It encompasses no new clinical skills unless you choose a different APRN concentration like going from FNP to AGACNP. It is based on the nursing model where MD degree is based on the medical model - two different models. Its like saying that a PhD = MD.

penniv · Jun 4, 2017

1. I think the requirement for a DNP is a long shot. As someone who will have a DNO in2 months, I personally don't feel it is necessary. For me, it was about a promise to myself to take my education as far as I could.

2. As one of the only orthopedic nurse practitioners in my area I often precept NP students. When those students finish and becoming working NPs I often get calls or text messages asking about the various ortho issues they are seeing.

3. I think comparing a NP to an MD is just ridiculous. We are too different to consider. NPs are trained in the nursing model (holistic) versus the medical model (problem-focused).

Jules A, MSN · Jun 4, 2017

So I'm sure you know much of the purpose of these type assignments is to get you out in the community networking, right? If you don't even know 1 NP to ask these questions to it is unfortunate and will likely come back to bite you with regard to preceptors, job opportunities and discussion of local wages. Regardless these questions are so spot on I can't help but respond.

Question 1: What are your personal feelings about the potential requirement of doctorate degrees for entry level NP's?

I don't really care one way or the other. What I would like to see is a requirement of actual RN experience and increased diagnosing/pharm credits or mandatory fellowships.

Question 2: Give an example of how you have mentored a new graduate NP or another person mentored you as a NP?

I like to pass along the pearls, things that you won't find in a textbook but will make a big difference to your clinical expertise. A NP who I will remain forever grateful to mentored me about insisting I am adequately compensated even as a new grad and I also pass that along to any NPs who will listen. She actually said, which I have repeated: "They won't be billing less for you as a new grad". This was back when NPs were considered ready to practice in their specialty upon becoming board certified so there was no indepth orientation.

My best mentor of all is a MD I have worked with for years as a RN prior to becoming a NP. His knowledge is amazing and nearly every time we talk illustrates the discrepancies between MD education vs NP education.

Question 3: What do you think of the comparison of DNP degrees to MD degrees? There is NO comparison. Although there is some overkill in MD education their education is far superior to any NP program out there. Nurse practitioners were initially allowed to have such a brief path to diagnosing and prescribing largely due to the idea of having years of RN experience with patient presentations and medications. Sadly that has flown out the window long ago and we are just left with our flimsy education and even flimsier admission requirements to NP programs.

LadysSolo · Jun 6, 2017

1. DNP degree - useless. I would add more clinical hours to the MSN program, but a doctorate degree would not add anything to my competence.

2. Mentoring: I work in a specialty, so most programs will not accept me as a preceptor.

3. Comparison of DNP to MD: they both legitimately can be called "doctor," but education-wise no comparison.

TicTok411 · Jun 9, 2017

Question 1: What are your personal feelings about the potential requirement of doctorate degrees for entry level NP's?

It has been the talk for ages and have no problem with the requirement, especially if it stops the flood of NPs flooding the market.

Question 2: Give an example of how you have mentored a new graduate NP or another person mentored you as a NP?

I have not had the opportunity to mentor a new graduate as out group would not hire a newbie.

Question 3: What do you think of the comparison of DNP degrees to MD degrees?

HAHA there is zero comparison.