LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Abstract

To the Editors:As a 2003 graduate of the Rush University School of Nursing DNP (doctor of nursing practice) program and a CCRN for more than 30 years, I was surprised and disappointed to see an American Journal of Critical Care editorial with such bias.The editorial reads as if work toward the DNP has gone on behind closed doors without input from academia and/or practicing nurses. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Web site, “Over the past 2 years, AACN [colleges] and the Task Force on the Practice Doctorate held a variety of forums and invitational meetings to collect input on the DNP from stakeholders. Last year, AACN (colleges) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties jointly sponsored a forum attended by the majority of APN practice organizations. . . . Two DNP task forces continue to seek opinions and commentary from stakeholders as they move forward with this new vision for nursing education.”1 Regional meetings for input about the DNP are scheduled between September 2005 and January 2006.2The editorial incorrectly says the University of Kentucky is the only school offering the DNP. In fact, 7 practice doctorate programs are available in the United States.3 In addition, more than 40 programs are currently under development.