The DNP: Degree or Role?

Abstract

IN MY OPINION Kahlil Demonbreun, DNP, WHNP-BC The nurse practitioner’s role garners much positive attention on a daily basis for a variety of educational, political, and professional reasons. For example, a recent report indicated an unprecedented demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) over the past 2 years. The report cited a 320% increase according to a Merritt Hawkins study that observed the company’s number of search assignments to fill NP positions. The minimum educational preparation required for licensure is the master’s degree. However debate exists on transitioning this minimum to the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. Adding to the attention, there is exponential growth in the number of nurses earning the DNP degree. What can be confusing is that not all nurses who earn the DNP degree are NPs. Still, with such growth, questions on how best to utilize the unique skill set of DNPprepared nurses continue to emerge. In providing focus for this topic, one report echoed the concerns of many health care professionals by questioning what is to be done with these DNPs. Apparently “the jury is still out” based on several recent studies suggesting: 1. Employers are unclear about the differences between master’s-prepared and DNPprepared advanced practice registered nurses and could benefit from information on outcomes connected to DNP practice. 2. Gaps exist in chief nursing officers’ knowledge about the expectations, competencies, and projected outcomes of DNP-prepared nurses. 3. Failures to fully grasp that DNP-prepared nurses can fill a broad range of roles. 4. Issues of confusion about DNP-prepared nurses indicating a need for them to articulate what they offer above and beyond that of a master’s of science in nursing (MSN)‒prepared nurse. Although exploration of these and similar questions will contribute to an evolving evidenced-based foundation addressing the