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Hi Elizabeth,
I agree that raising awareness about the DNP degree is necessary, as many people still do not know what it is exactly. Leading by example is an excellent way for DNPs to enhance others’ trust in the profession, whether other members of the interprofessional healthcare team or patients. What stood out the most from the AACN report is that they found some employers do not know what different skills DNP graduates have compared to master’s degree-prepared APRNs and what roles they can take on. If employers are unsure, it is no surprise if patients do not either. DNP graduates have the opportunity to explain their doctoral education preparation and the distinguishing differences between DNP APRNs and APRNs with master’s degrees during job interviews and at work with colleagues and patients on a one-on-one basis. Showing others the scope of a DNP APRN by being a role model may also help increase understanding. It may also be beneficial for the nursing regulatory bodies, advanced practice nurse accreditation organizations, and advanced practice nurse associations to reach out to hospitals and clinics with educational information regarding the degree, such as the AACN DNP Fact Sheet, to educate hospital and clinic administration. Nursing conferences and nursing research conferences would be great platforms for DNPs and various advanced practice nurse associations to speak in informational sessions, hand out informational flyers, or even simply network to help raise awareness within the nursing world about the DNP degree. By receiving this education at conferences, some nurses may also be inspired to obtain the DNP degree.
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