What is the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree?

The genesis of this degree originated in 2004 when the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) approved a position statement on the DNP. In 2007, the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) published their support of the DNP role as a terminal degree option for practice-focused nursing.

The major difference between the DNP and the PhD is that the DNP is practice focused and the PhD is research focused.

The DNP is said to build on advanced practice specialization and provide additional preparation in the formulation, interpretation, and utilization of
a. evidence-based practices,
b. health policy,
c. information technology, and
d. leadership.

Over the past several years, I've observed the dissent within the profession about adding yet another educational degree in nursing to further confuse those not in the nursing world.

What does all that mean? It boils down to this -- a DNP will hopefully help me be better at the things that I already do -- help create and guide new programs within the healthcare system, breath new life into systems that we have, and work with the people who implement those programs to make things better for our facility and our patients.

I'm proud to be a nurse, and of the years that I spent as a front-line caregiver for hundreds of patients. I recognized several years ago, though, that my contribution was more in leadership than continuing to be a direct caregiver.

I think this program offers a very worthwhile credential to those who focus on administrative practice in nursing rather than on research. It will help me continue to improve my contribution to health care by learning new ways to do things.