Required doctorate?

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 6, 2013

Yes, I know there are a million threads about this - just wanting some current opinions. I was planning on applying to NNP school to start Fall 2014 to graduate 2016. I'm hearing from people that yes, DNP is definitely required by 2015 but others (especially here) say no. The AACN website still says it's "unsure" if it will be required.
Anybody have the myth from reality?

***I will offer a fact, rather than an opinion. DNP is NOT required and will NOT be required anytime soon.

Second fact, the AACN has NOTHING to do with whether a DNP will be required or not. It is up to the state boards of nursing to determine the education standard.

edmia, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2013

***I will offer a fact rather than an opinion. DNP is NOT required and will NOT be required anytime soon. Second fact, the AACN has NOTHING to do with whether a DNP will be required or not. It is up to the state boards of nursing to determine the education standard.[/quote']
Absolutely.
What I am noticing is many schools offering dnp tracks that easily integrate into the master's program. I especially like the clinical DNPs that are growing in numbers. I would much rather do more clinical hours than nursing research.
Right now just start your NP with the awareness that more and more people are going straight to DNP. No matter what the regulations say, if this is a trend, it will make a difference when looking for NP jobs. Who would you hire?
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Nov 6, 2013

Currently it is only a "recommendation". I don't see a DNP being required for some time. Whether the NP is a doctoral or masters prepared practitioner, there is no difference in practice regulations, prescriptive rights, or anything else. An NP is an NP regardless of the degree. When I started looking at NP school many years ago, there were very few DNP programs, then all of the sudden there were very few MSN programs, now you can pick whichever is convenient to you.

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 6, 2013

Absolutely.
What I am noticing is many schools offering dnp tracks that easily integrate into the master's program. I especially like the clinical DNPs that are growing in numbers. I would much rather do more clinical hours than nursing research.
Right now just start your NP with the awareness that more and more people are going straight to DNP. No matter what the regulations say, if this is a trend, it will make a difference when looking for NP jobs. Who would you hire?
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

*** Well I would like to see some clinical programs for DNP. Around here the DNP programs added nothing clinical to their CRNA and NP programs. They added the DNP portion and after students finish it they enter the exact same NA or NP program they have been offering in a MSN program all along.

Since there is no evidence, or even indication, that a DNP prepared NP is any different or better than an MSN prepared NO who would any employer take MSN or DNP into account when making hiring decisions?

At least locally the DNP programs seem to have created a lot of hostility among physicians. Initially there were a bunch of hot heads running around upsetting physicians by saying stupid things like the DNP would be physician equivalents. Because of that I have heard that DNP grads have faced a tougher job market. Unlike regular RNs, physicians are often the ones hiring NPs.

edmia, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2013

*** Well I would like to see some clinical programs for DNP. Around here the DNP programs added nothing clinical to their CRNA and NP programs. They added the DNP portion and after students finish it they enter the exact same NA or NP program they have been offering in a MSN program all along. Since there is no evidence or even indication, that a DNP prepared NP is any different or better than an MSN prepared NO who would any employer take MSN or DNP into account when making hiring decisions? At least locally the DNP programs seem to have created a lot of hostility among physicians. Initially there were a bunch of hot heads running around upsetting physicians by saying stupid things like the DNP would be physician equivalents. Because of that I have heard that DNP grads have faced a tougher job market. Unlike regular RNs, physicians are often the ones hiring NPs.[/quote']
Maybe it's geographical? The school I'm in makes it so easy to complete a clinical DNP that it is kind of a no-brainer. Not mandatory, I can stop at the MSN level but I like the idea of more clinical training and that's what they offer.
I don't know of anyone who wouldn't give more credit to a doctorate degree but that's just my interpretation of academia. The higher the better, I say ;-)
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com