I didn't want to derail PurpleScrub's thread, but I am in a similar position. Please let's not debate this. I am speaking to other DNP students in particular. I have recently been very disappointed by highly negative remarks about DNP I hear from nurse colleagues. I understand that some are not interested in pursuing it, and I think that is fine. I understand that many of those people are not happy with the nursing leaders that are advocating it, and I think that is appropriate too. I think they deserve to be heard and should be publishing their reasoned arguments and talking with their representatives at the BON, etc. What I don't understand is why these people feel the need to insult me, my goals and denigrate my chosen path? I went to an International nursing conference recently and many MSN and PhD prepared nurses there were downright insulting about my degree plans. Why can't we all just support one another?
I want to do the additional clinical and didactic work because it interests me. I am thinking of making my capstone project something to do with diet/exercise interventions with regard to diabetes and cardiac disease. I lost almost 100 pounds w/o surgery or drugs (weight watchers), and normalized my blood sugars, blood pressures, cholesterol, etc. After struggling w/ obesity for 25 years, I finally did it. I envision formulating an intervention aimed at helping the people like me. I can tell you that achieving a normal weight has literally changed my life, my whole perspective. I want to offer that to other people in some kind of group out patient setting. I have a wealthy benefactor willing to put up some money to subsidize YMCA memberships as part of my intervention. I think that is worth something. I strongly believe that my DNP classes and project will make me better at the kind of AP nursing I want to do. Why p!ss on it/me? It is so disheartening.
I don't want to make 100K, treat inpatients (puh-lease, I've had more than enough of that ) trick people into thinking I'm a medical doctor or operate independently of one. I think I probably could, given the scope I have in mind because I don't want to treat acute patients. I have seen more than enough DKA and I'm tired of treating it (as a nurse), I want to help try to prevent it. I picture it run a lot like a coumadin clinic. Managing diabetes meds would certainly be part of it, but I don't want it to be the main focus. My state requires physician collaboration, and I don't mind a MD reading over my charts; if they want to be more integrally involved, I welcome their input and expertise. How the he!! to get reimbursement for any of this is another question, but I'll figure out something, I hope. I just wish my nurse friends and colleagues didn't feel the need to tell me I'll have a 2nd rate degree, that my degree and aspirations are/will be a "joke."
How do other DNP students deal with negative remarks?
Please, I'm looking for dialog and/or support, not debate. If you cannot offer either, I respectfully request you direct your remarks to a forum more suited to your purpose. Thanks in advance. :)