Introduction
Pros of DNP
DNP is an essential degree not only for the nurses in advanced practice, but it also creates an opportunity for thee clinical teaching positions both at the basic and advanced practice categories as well as clinical leadership. American association of colleges of nursing (AACN) outlines core content that is essential in the environment that nurse leaders work.
Another possible advantage of DNP program is that; despite the fact that clinical leaders need to be prepared at the DNP level, it does not phase off the fact that some nurse experts can also be prepared with research degrees. Given the basis of nursing practice being purely an applied health discipline, it needs less research because they are introduced to the basics of DNP at the primary level of their studies.
DNP programs are designed to increase the knowledge base of an advanced practice clinician and offer the skills to participate categorically as an equal member of the healthcare team. Nurses prepared at the DNP level are in a better position to facilitate and initiate efforts to enhance the health of the nation at both the local clinical levels and within the areas of health policy practice (Fitzpatrick & Marecki, 2007).
Similarly, a fundamental reason for advancing in the DNP degree in nursing is to equip nurse leaders with knowledge and skills to analyze current practices and alternate future practices. Arising issues like clinical interventions for improved patient care, healthcare delivery and costs and efficient use of staff are the essential issues that a nurse is introduced to at the DNP level.
Cons of DNP
History; there is a lengthy history of advancing and developing of different types of doctorates that have resulted into the milestone programs that exist in the current curriculum. The history of granting and offering doctoral degrees has enabled the emergence of the following doctoral programs; Doctor of Science in Nursing (DSN), Nursing Doctorate (ND), Doctor of education (Ded) and Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS). The rationale behind the emergence of these courses is due to the lack of respective research gap in enabling nurses to advance through the research field (Meleis & Dracup, 2005). The resistance of the respective bodies that handle issues related to nursing in terms of allowing nurses to study for and earn a Ph.D. is another hindrance. Therefore, a significant development in universities offering research programs enabled the school to mobilize the respective bodies to change their programs to a Ph.D. degree.
The history of academic marginalization created the avenue of influencing and affecting the nature of other related degree programs. It brought about the advancement in the nursing discipline which was mainly driven by the haste to have an equal terminal degree that is respected and acknowledged by all disciplines.
Timing; the debate and dialogue by nurse leaders about the logic of coming up with a new degree is ill-timed. The shortage of nurses, the threats to ensuring that there is provision of quality healthcare by nurses, and dialogue concerning the environments in the healthcare system is the basis of all the bodies that deal with the goals and objectives of quality of healthcare. Organizations such as American Nurses Association (ANA), International Council of Nurses (ICN) and Association of Academic Medical Centers (AAMC) are involving themselves on robust dialogue concerning the welfare of nurses; on the contrary, the nursing community is basing its qualitative time in debating and discussing on factors such as a new nursing degree (Bunkers, 2002). The resources that could have been channeled towards the foundation of the new degree could have otherwise been used to influence positive change of the healthcare system. There is no certainty whether DNP is a definite progress in the healthcare system going forward.
Substance; practice is the basis of the discipline of nursing, it accelerates knowledge development and creation gap in nursing. A graduate education does not necessarily dwell on clinical practice substance; it majorly rely on training researchers whose research advancement may not readily create an impact on nursing science. Similarly, a Ph.D. graduate just means that the individual has specialized on a particular field of nursing (Melby, 2005). This only means all doctoral education should be structured to help translate, generate, develop and test the qualitative base of knowledge. Similarly, the shortages of nursing experts should be addressed by increasing the experts in this field. Creation of new nursing course will not be a strategic approach towards solving this shortage.
Marginalization; given the fact that individuals who specialize in DNP offers an excellent contribution towards teaching career and clinical jobs, there is no certainty to attest to whether this is the actualization of this entire program. Experts of DNP need a body of mentors that will actualize the feasibility of the graduates from this field. Therefore, the majority of faculty members is required to ensure that there is a smooth implementation of the curriculum.
The Future of Change; Leading Change
How does the DNP fit into the Future of Nursing?
DNP is a strategic foundation that aims to solve and sort out the alarming gap of nursing practice in USA. Given the fact DNP features in both the clinical practice and research practice, it aids at curbing the shortages of experts in this field. The entire nursing sector across US is facing milestone shortages in terms of nurses, and facilities that can be used in the research sector. The presence and advancement of DNP aim at curbing this shortage and improving the ultimate welfare of the nursing sector. This will work hand in hand in respect to the acceleration and implementation that is being concentrated in this course.
What will you do to advance the DNP Leadership and APRN Roles?
DNP leadership and APRN roles are two subjects that conjure well. APRN roles are modified to express their nursing practice on the clinical aspects of the nursing profession. On the other hand, DNP exercises their legitimacy on both the clinical and research practice in the nursing sector. Therefore, DNP is more superior to APRN. Hence, this gives them a mandate to preside and determine the extent at which APRN will exercise their nursing practice. Therefore, a resolution towards a collaborative engagement in improving the nursing sector will advance the DNP leadership over the APRN roles (Sonson, 2013).
References
Bunkers, S. S. (2002). Doctoral Education in Nursing: Seeking Clarity. Nursing Science Quarterly, 15(3), 201-208.
Fitzpatrick, J., & Marecki, M. (2007). Is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) the appropriate Doctoral degree for Nurses? Writing for the PRO positionWriting for the CON position. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 32(3), 138-9
Melby, C. S. (2005). Should the AACN, Proposed Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree, be used as a Model for International Nursing? Nursing & Health Sciences, 7(2), 79-80.
Meleis A. & Dracup K. (2005). The Case against the DNP: History, Timing, Substance, and Marginalization. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 10(3) Manuscript 2
Sonson, S. L. (2013). DNP-prepared APRNs: Leading the Magnet charge. Nursing Management, 44(7), 49-52.
