Should i become a nurse practioner or wait?

Editorial Team / Admin · May 29, 2012

The DNP is still a vision for 2015 for the NP.

From the American Association of Colleges of Nursing updated May 29, 2012:

Frequently Asked Questions

The following contains information about NP, CNS, CRNA, and CNM

[h=3]The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Report on Progress - American ...[/h]

Editorial Team / Admin · May 29, 2012

Please do not argue and/or cause divisiveness in this thread.

If a topic is uninteresting and/or you have nothing to say other than to add friction to the thread, bypass it.

Thank you.

Stephalump · May 30, 2012

There is a difference between a recommendation and a law. As long as there are MSN programs and you can sit for the exam, they can recommend all they want.

I will say the whole change that's coming has me seriously considering PA school after graduation instead of furthering my education in nursing. I do t appreciate the seemingly needless added debt unless I'm looking at a significantly higher salary. It's just not worth it to me.

cruisin_woodward · May 30, 2012

There is a difference between a recommendation and a law. As long as there are MSN programs and you can sit for the exam, they can recommend all they want.
I will say the whole change that's coming has me seriously considering PA school after graduation instead of furthering my education in nursing. I do t appreciate the seemingly needless added debt unless I'm looking at a significantly higher salary. It's just not worth it to me.

I am currently in my last year of a BSN-DNP program. I have a negative amount in my bank account, shut off notices for my gas and electric, and am behind on two car payments I owe $3K for this semester that I have no way of paying...I am financially RUINED bc of how much time and money has gone into this program. IF this actually goes through, they had better come up with a better way... I don't think this will work for the average NP student...when I say average, I am not trying to stereotype, but I have seen most NP students in their mid 30s with kids. If you are in your early 20s, or don't have the responsibilities (house payment, spouse, or kids), then you could make it work...but with these responsibilities it's killing me!

I am curious as to how much Pharm D's, and Physical therapist's make though...I am gonna do some digging. Changing these programs to doctorates hasn't effected their enrollment numbers. Honestly, the group of acute care NP students in the DNP program (it is all my school offers now) is bigger than our last group of MSN students (50 students)...

If I had to do it over again, I'd have gone the MSN route. Just my two cents...

HolyPeas · May 30, 2012

right now I am in a 2 year RN program and I did it that way so the first year we get our LPN so I can work an LPN my second year while I am getting my associates RN. I know a lot of people look down their nose at two year RNs but the thing is, I've been able to work and make money the whole time I'm in that program. Then I am transferring to a program that takes you from a 2 year RN to a masters RN. all the while working and making a decent wage instead of wracking up loans and bills.

I will persue a doctorate after that as well but I will have been working this whole time progressively making more.

Thats the plan anyway. two year programs are very economical for those of us who are wary of debt

lolalola1 · May 30, 2012

right now I am in a 2 year RN program and I did it that way so the first year we get our LPN so I can work an LPN my second year while I am getting my associates RN. I know a lot of people look down their nose at two year RNs but the thing is, I've been able to work and make money the whole time I'm in that program. Then I am transferring to a program that takes you from a 2 year RN to a masters RN. all the while working and making a decent wage instead of wracking up loans and bills.
I will persue a doctorate after that as well but I will have been working this whole time progressively making more.
Thats the plan anyway. two year programs are very economical for those of us who are wary of debt

im actually doing the same thing

HolyPeas · May 30, 2012

yeah, the idea is that almost every year my earning potential rises as I am plunking away in school. I think its a good plan.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 30, 2012

meh, i dissagree. i know plenty of people who dont have bedside experience that are great nps. you will have to study harder though but also keep in mind, they are getting ready to change the rules so you must have a doctorate to be an np instead of a masters so i think its best to power through and get your masters before it switches.
i am getting a doctorate because i lust for the title anyway, but you dont want to be forced into that if you dont want it.

i know many nps who have no bedside experience. none of them, however, are great nps. some of them are barely adequate nps (most) and a few of them weren't even adequate. the great nps i know all have bedside experience.

HolyPeas · May 30, 2012

Honestly, thats just rude. A huge wide sweeping generalization like that can't possibly be true. That type of judgement isn't fair, and it usually comes from people who never pursued anything like that.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 30, 2012

honestly, thats just rude. a huge wide sweeping generalization like that can't possibly be true. that type of judgement isn't fair, and it usually comes from people who never pursued anything like that.

it's helpful if you quote the post you're replying to, but i'll assume you're talking to me.

the fact that i disagree isn't just plain rude. perhaps you're referring to the fact that i didn't sugar coat my opinion?

my experience with nps who have no bedside experience is obviously quite different from yours -- which makes it neither invalid nor rude. nor is it a sweeping generalization. notice i didn't say that nurses without bedside experience never make good nps. i said that the nps i know without bedside experience are not only not great, but they're barely adequate. which is true. i also said that the nps i know who are great have experience as bedside nurses. also true.

i don't understand calling that opinion rude, unfair or a sweeping generalization.

and while it's true that i've never aspired to be an np, i do have advanced degrees.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · May 31, 2012

Yes, you may have read that on the website but there is such a thing as larger context and specificity. Let me direct you to a number of threads on this issue that come up with a simple search on the words "DNP 2015":
https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/2015-dnp-discussion-529004.html
https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/mandatory-dnp-2015-a-505362.html
https://allnurses.com/post-graduate-nursing/dnp-2015-forreal-511344.html
I'd also like to highlight a quote from one of these forums posted by one of the site guides:
When you post incorrect information or information taken out of context in a public forum, people will correct you. No one needs to "get a grip" but you do need to get your facts and context straight.

Thank you for going to the trouble of posting some good sources of factual information for those interested in their professional development and evolution of the profession. I am a strong advocate of the DNP, but it is critical that people understand clearly that there is no legislation in any state requiring a DNP for licensure/entry to practice, now, pending for 2015, 2020, or indeed, ever. Further, every state would have to address the issue individually. The AACN can set goals and make recommendations. They cannot set policy or make law. Misinformation hurts everyone.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · May 31, 2012

I don't necessarily agree with Ruby that bedside experience is highly beneficial to NP practice (although I had 20 years, lol). I do agree absolutely that her comments are not the least bit rude or inappropriate.

If you want to be a NP, you are going to have to grow a much thicker skin; you will face much more aggressive dissension than you read here.