‘‘The Doctor Of Nurse Practitioner” Movement Is Right In Our Backyard
We, the people of the United States of America, have the best healthcare systems in the world and we should continue to demand this, not as a privilege, but as our right. Patients, families, and our communities, (with the unknown healthcare reform of 2010) no matter of ones religion or color of our skin, require the highest quality healthcare and healthcare providers.
The demands of a rapidly changing and complex healthcare environment mandate that nurses in administrative and clinical specialty practices have in-depth scientific knowledge-base and clinical practice expertise. Researchers have established a clear link between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes. PhD Nurses have a career in research and academia. However, most people are unaware of the national movement toward the Doctor of Nurse Practitioners (DNPs) degree, which is right in our backyard!
The rapid proliferation of DNP programs in the United States has been influenced by a number of emerging factors in the healthcare industry. The rapidly expanding knowledge bases for practice, combined with the increasing complexity of patients, are 2 major issues. In addition, national concerns about the quality and safety of the care provided to patients, major shortages of doctorally prepared nursing faculty, and increasing educational expectations for the preparation of other health professionals (eg, doctor of pharmacy, doctor of physical therapy) contribute to this movement toward the DNP educational credential.
The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2004 adopted the Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) as necessary preparation for Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) by the year 2015, only 5 years away. Advanced practice nurses who fall under this 2015 date include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists. Although not required as an educational credential, DNPs are highly recommended for clinicians practicing in hospitals and office/clinics and administrators practicing in a variety of settings.
Currently, there are more than 100 schools of nursing that offer a DNP program, with 80 additional schools in various stages of development. Five DNP programs happen to be in our sate of Michigan, with Oakland University as the first program in Michigan. The DNP is a terminal degree with a different focus than the PhD and is equivalent in rigor and challenge. Graduates of DNP programs have the highest level of nursing knowledge and expertise in the practice setting. Doctorally prepared nurses, in partnership with inter-disciplinary team members, presently are part of the forerunner for the transformation of local, state, national, and global healthcare systems.
Presently there is a physician shortage and some believe that it has already reached crisis proportions in some regions. With this level of insight and knowledge, it is critical that administrators begin to work with their nursing/medical and administrative colleagues preparing for doctorally prepared APNs and administrators. Introducing Nursing leaders in our community that are Doctors of Nurse Practitioners (DNPs) continue to ensure that patients and their families always know who and what type of clinician is caring for them.
The Doctorate Nurse Practitioner level is an advanced-level practice position which focuses on the clinical aspects of nursing/medical milieu, working independently and within the scope of practice. DNPs treat both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exam, ordering tests and therapies, analyze data obtained during the physical exam and independently formulate a diagnosis, creating and modifying patients’ plan of care. A DNP initiates appropriate treatment, makes referrals, provides patient and family education, monitors patient status and evaluates the effectiveness of the established plan of care. Additionally, DNPs serve as a resource for licensed and unlicensed clinic staff providing specialty consultative services. Nurses and physicians have a rich history of working together to provide outstanding care to patients, their families, and to our communities.
MDs, DOs, DNPs, other doctoral prepared health professionals, and scientists must stand together, and declare from our many contributions over countless decades, to continue to make great differences in the health of the citizens of this country. There is an urgent need for leadership with regards to redesigning healthcare to meet the challenges of the 21st century and DNPs are an integral part of our medical team.
DNPs continue to move forward, becoming leaders and followers, unconstrained by historically based beliefs, tackle the major healthcare issues that we, as a nation, are facing. DNPs are outstanding partners, with exceptional knowledge, skills, and leadership to health care teams whose focus is the continuous improvement of patient care in all settings. Lets continue to embrace DNPs in our communities. Our integral health care system depends on high quality DNP healthcare providers as part of our present and future healthcare reform.
Dr Cindy Diskin DNP, APN-BC
Family Practice in Westland
8012 Middlebelt Suite B
Westland, Michigan 48015
Office # 734-421-4026 1-28-2010
.
The demands of a rapidly changing and complex healthcare environment mandate that nurses in administrative and clinical specialty practices have in-depth scientific knowledge-base and clinical practice expertise. Researchers have established a clear link between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes. PhD Nurses have a career in research and academia. However, most people are unaware of the national movement toward the Doctor of Nurse Practitioners (DNPs) degree, which is right in our backyard!
The rapid proliferation of DNP programs in the United States has been influenced by a number of emerging factors in the healthcare industry. The rapidly expanding knowledge bases for practice, combined with the increasing complexity of patients, are 2 major issues. In addition, national concerns about the quality and safety of the care provided to patients, major shortages of doctorally prepared nursing faculty, and increasing educational expectations for the preparation of other health professionals (eg, doctor of pharmacy, doctor of physical therapy) contribute to this movement toward the DNP educational credential.
The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2004 adopted the Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) as necessary preparation for Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) by the year 2015, only 5 years away. Advanced practice nurses who fall under this 2015 date include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists. Although not required as an educational credential, DNPs are highly recommended for clinicians practicing in hospitals and office/clinics and administrators practicing in a variety of settings.
Currently, there are more than 100 schools of nursing that offer a DNP program, with 80 additional schools in various stages of development. Five DNP programs happen to be in our sate of Michigan, with Oakland University as the first program in Michigan. The DNP is a terminal degree with a different focus than the PhD and is equivalent in rigor and challenge. Graduates of DNP programs have the highest level of nursing knowledge and expertise in the practice setting. Doctorally prepared nurses, in partnership with inter-disciplinary team members, presently are part of the forerunner for the transformation of local, state, national, and global healthcare systems.
Presently there is a physician shortage and some believe that it has already reached crisis proportions in some regions. With this level of insight and knowledge, it is critical that administrators begin to work with their nursing/medical and administrative colleagues preparing for doctorally prepared APNs and administrators. Introducing Nursing leaders in our community that are Doctors of Nurse Practitioners (DNPs) continue to ensure that patients and their families always know who and what type of clinician is caring for them.
The Doctorate Nurse Practitioner level is an advanced-level practice position which focuses on the clinical aspects of nursing/medical milieu, working independently and within the scope of practice. DNPs treat both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exam, ordering tests and therapies, analyze data obtained during the physical exam and independently formulate a diagnosis, creating and modifying patients’ plan of care. A DNP initiates appropriate treatment, makes referrals, provides patient and family education, monitors patient status and evaluates the effectiveness of the established plan of care. Additionally, DNPs serve as a resource for licensed and unlicensed clinic staff providing specialty consultative services. Nurses and physicians have a rich history of working together to provide outstanding care to patients, their families, and to our communities.
MDs, DOs, DNPs, other doctoral prepared health professionals, and scientists must stand together, and declare from our many contributions over countless decades, to continue to make great differences in the health of the citizens of this country. There is an urgent need for leadership with regards to redesigning healthcare to meet the challenges of the 21st century and DNPs are an integral part of our medical team.
DNPs continue to move forward, becoming leaders and followers, unconstrained by historically based beliefs, tackle the major healthcare issues that we, as a nation, are facing. DNPs are outstanding partners, with exceptional knowledge, skills, and leadership to health care teams whose focus is the continuous improvement of patient care in all settings. Lets continue to embrace DNPs in our communities. Our integral health care system depends on high quality DNP healthcare providers as part of our present and future healthcare reform.
Dr Cindy Diskin DNP, APN-BC
Family Practice in Westland
8012 Middlebelt Suite B
Westland, Michigan 48015
Office # 734-421-4026 1-28-2010
.
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