[NPInfo] DNP

[Dena]

Dana-
I'm kind of betting that "every DNP program" that you've investigated so far
is a two year bridging program for those who are already MSN prepared NPs
and THAT is why there is little to no clinical courses included in the
curriculum-- we already had the clinical stuff in our MSN programs. When the
4 year BSN-to-DNP NP programs start, THAT'S when you'll see the clinical
courses. You don't mention how long you've been a NP, but do you not feel
you already have the clinical knowledge to care for your patients? I've been
in practice for almost 15 yrs... I know how to do a complete PE, take an
extensive history, manage chronic and acute illnesses, suture wounds and
perform other minor office procedures, educate my patients, and, best yet,
know my limitations, scope of practice, and when to collaborate with a
physician or refer out to specialists. I can't see at this late date what
doing clinical rotations in a DNP program was going to teach me. If you need
the extra clinical contents, just wait a couple of years until the 4 year
DNP programs start exploding all over the place and then you can have the
option of starting your NP education all over again. YUCK! <G>
And "one course on evidence-based-practice)?? Gosh, the majority of our
program was built around that-- not just one class! 
Dena Galler

-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of Dana Higbee
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:35 PM
To: npinfo at nurse.net
Subject: [NPInfo] DNP

Regarding the DNP becoming entry level for all NPs:   I have mixed
feelings about this.  My main beef:  The DNP is supposed to be a
"practice doctorate", i.e. it should make us better practitioners.
Every DNP program I've investigated has majored on theory, management
and leadership, health systems, and research.  (On a positive note,
most do include a course on evidence-based-practice).  I don't want to
be a clinic owner, or a health policy maker, or an administrator.  I
want course content that will help me take better care of the patients
I see every day.   Otherwise, I just don't see the point of the DNP
for me personally, unless my MSN eventually proves to be a barrier to
practice.   At age 52, I'm hoping the "eventual" will be a long time
from now.  'Say at least 25 years.

Dana Higbee
FNP
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