[Sudi]

Hi Avery, I am so sorry for all the negative feedback you have received from coworkers and classmates when you mentioned that you are studying to earn your Doctorate in Nursing Practice. I identify with you. I have received negative comments about pursuing a DNP degree as well. I am so happy that I got into the DNP program. Our hospital offers reasonable tuition reimbursement and additional financial aid when classes are taken in their school. I am sorry you didn’t receive a positive reception from your co-workers. I encourage you to pursue your dreams because they are your life and future.

Becoming an advanced practice nurse with a DNP degree improves patient care and advances our nursing profession. As DNPs in clinical practice, we can reduce the workload of primary care doctors and allow more access to healthcare for different patient populations. Since the U.S. has the poorest performance on access to care. As DNPs in education, we can be essential in educating future nurses. The advantages of DNP educators include practical knowledge of nursing, a focus on applying evidence-based practice, and education and experience in nursing leadership. The DNP can prepare nursing students for the rigors and challenges of nurse leadership roles. As DNPs in administration and executive positions, many outstanding opportunities exist for the DNP to shape healthcare policy and advocate for patients through professional nursing organizations. We can collaborate with different organizations to improve public health and healthcare policy at the state, federal, and international levels.

As you can see, Avery, some people may not understand the potential of the DNPs and what impact we can make shortly, which may be why they opposed the idea of earning a DNP. Your decision to continue your education and pursue a DNP degree is something to be proud of. And what we can do as DNP candidates is to educate our colleagues about the impact we can make in the future as DNP graduates. They will see that the APRN can be an influential collaborator and resource in the workplace. I wish you the best of luck in earning a DNP. Thanks for sharing.

[Sudi]

Hi, Avery; thanks for bringing up this topic. DNPs should receive the highest compensation due to their education and clinical training. A DNP is a terminal degree for advanced practice nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) states that transitioning from advanced practice NP degrees to the doctoral level is a “…response to changes in healthcare delivery and emerging healthcare needs; additional knowledge or content areas have been identified by practicing nurses. In addition, the knowledge required to provide leadership in the discipline of nursing is so complex and rapidly changing that additional or doctoral level education is needed.” It implies that DNP graduates are leaders in advanced nursing practice who bring evidence-based knowledge into the clinical setting to help improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen the leadership role of nurses in both clinical and academic settings.

Appropriate compensation for DNPs is an important topic, and those who pursue higher education and have earned a terminal degree deserve higher salaries. If there is no significant difference in salary between APRNs with a Master’s or Doctorate, nurses would have no incentive to pursue a terminal degree in their specialty. According to Payscale, nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree earned an average base salary of $107K as of June 2022. Nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, on the other hand, earned an average salary of $98k, $9k less per year than those with a DNP degree.

The DNP is still in its infancy, so the value viewed by society, medical facilities, and the nursing profession is limited and will continue to grow. The demand for equality of care and access to care will increase the demand for DNP practice, which will aid in increasing the DNP’s presence and, thus, the salaries and benefits of the DNP. Thanks for sharing.

[Sudi]

Hello April,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the controversy of the “doctor” title for DNPs. As a new graduate nurse and a current DNP student, I agree with you that, like many other professionals who have earned Doctorate degrees, DNPs should also be able to utilize this title. Physicians do not own the title “doctor.” Some other professions have doctorate degrees, too. It is unfair that DNPs cannot use the “doctor” title. The DNP program improves healthcare outcomes and quality of care. Someday soon, the entire healthcare team will be doctors. This team of doctors may include pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and physicians who all strive toward the same goal, each with valuable knowledge and expertise that should be acknowledged equally.

There is something we can do to change this situation. First, educate patients about the DNP degree: explain that you are a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Display your degree and title on your name tag. Second, inform nurses about the DNP degree: DNP graduates can be role models for other nurses. Third, educate other healthcare professionals about the DNP degree: Some physicians question the DNP degree because they are satisfied with the traditional relationships between nurses and physicians. Try to collaborate consistently with other healthcare professionals and highlight the benefits of interdisciplinary and interprofessional patient care. Lastly, DNPs can shape policy and make our voices known: As DNP graduates, we have the knowledge and skills to implement change and influence policy in various healthcare settings and organizations. We must collaboratively raise our voices and demonstrate the positive patient outcomes we have created. As DNP graduates, we must be involved in professional nursing organizations (CANP, NAPNAP, etc.). This includes membership and participation at the national, state, local, and specialty nursing organizations because this will give us a voice in addressing issues vital to health care and the nursing profession.

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