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. 2021 Nov-Dec;46(6):336-341.
doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001129.

Strategies to Move Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Education to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree by 2025

Shannon Idzik  1 , Susan W Buchholz, Susan Kelly-Weeder, Lorna Finnegan, Mary Beth Bigley
Affiliations

Strategies to Move Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Education to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree by 2025

Shannon Idzik et al. Nurse Educ. 2021 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has made the commitment to move all entry-level nurse practitioner (NP) education to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree by 2025.

Problem: Although there are more than 250 DNP NP programs throughout the United States, many other NP programs have yet to transition to the doctoral level.

Approach: Leaders representing licensure, accreditation, certification, education, and practice organizations attended a NONPF 2017 Summit to discuss the DNP degree as entry into NP practice. Summit participants strategized on building collective strengths and addressed barriers to implementation. A solution-oriented discussion with action items has been operationalized for the last 4 years.

Outcomes: Four workgroups were created to address education, outcomes, capacity, and messaging related to moving all entry-level NP education to the DNP degree.

Conclusion: Ongoing collaborative efforts are critical to facilitate advancing all NP education programs to the DNP degree by 2025.

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References

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    1. National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. NONPF board statement, NONPF Washington, DC. 2002. Available at https://www.nonpf.org/page/Archives. Accessed July 7, 2021.
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    1. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The doctor of nursing practice: current issues and clarifying recommendations. 2015. Available at https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/DNP/DNP-Implementation.pdf. Accessed July 7, 2021.

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