Discuss how a DNP ( Doctor of nursing practice) is different from a traditional phD program - Essay Example

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) Vs Traditional PhD Program Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a newly emerged specialty nursing education when compared to PhD. DNP mainly deals with preparing the nursing community for leadership particularly for evidence-based practice. On the other hand PhD is a regular research focused course. In general, nurses who do their PhD look for jobs in academic or governmental positions where research is a major expectation. DNP graduates will possibly look for practicing leadership roles in different settings such as proper administration of excellence plans, decision-making in health industry, leaders of clinical programs, and clinical teaching programs.

In other words DNP graduates are expected to show proficiency in transforming research in practice, reviewing data, applying research in management, and realizing feasible clinical innovations to revolutionize practice (AACN, 2009). While the goals of PhD are academic and research oriented, DNP is leadership oriented. DNP is considered as a practice-oriented or professional terminal degree (AACN, 2004). The long-established goals of PhD programs such as research publications, scholarship income, and desirability of postgraduate students does not have much relevance in DNP or the clinical world.

However, the PhD program is having its own identity as it is a through outcome of one’s philosophical values. These values need to be well recognized in the philosophy of science and is very essential for PhD programs. Since the doctoral term is a common entity in both DNP and PhD, there is a great deal of dilemma as to which one is superior and how to balance research and clinical education for advanced degrees in case a student wants to acquire both degrees. Studies have shown that offering the DNP together with the PhD or combining both the degrees could have unplanned outcomes if the students see it as an easy route to obtaining a doctoral degree in view of the fact that no dissertation is required for DNP.

Research has its own advantages and clinical practices have a different advantage. Both are essential for the betterment and advance of nursing research as well as clinical management (Edmunds,2010). The PhD in nursing specializes in education, public health, and other research areas, and is measured as the customary groundwork for nursing faculty positions especially in the academic and governmental organizations. According to a study by Meleis and Dracup (2005), the need of degree recognition will prevent nurses who chose the DNP as an alternative of PhD from an existence at the academic table.

Further studies by Anderson, (2000) also view that the current critical nursing faculty shortages may further increase as some fear that separating the prospective pool of doctoral nurses among those with a PhD and those with the DNP might diminish the number of candidates suitable for nursing faculty. As a result there could be a threat to the nursing profession with shortage of faculty in schools for educating nurses at the baccalaureate and master’s levels. On the other hand the supporters of DNP degree suggest that DNP would be an answer for the current shortage of faculty in nursing.

It would be the students who are pioneers in its programs be the future nursing leaders, forging a new leading edge for the profession of nursing. This view is supported by Lenz (2005) and Cartwright and Reed (2005), and affirm that the DNP is a sound option for doctoral candidates in nursing, facilitating them to gain the education they wish for to advance their clinical proficiency, get hold of the skills and abilities to shape policy in government, and make a positive contribution to the nursing profession on the whole (Loomis, et al 2007).

Reference AACN (2009, October 5) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs, Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/dnp/pdf/faq.pdf AACN (2004, October) AACN Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNP.pdf Anderson, C. (2000). Current strengths and limitations of doctoral education in nursing: Are we prepared for the future? Journal of Professional Nursing, 16, 191-200. Cartwright, C., & Reed, C. (2005).

Policy & planning perspectives for the doctorate in nursing practice: An educational perspective. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 10, (3). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume102005/No3Sept05/tpc28_616030.aspx Edmunds, Marilyn W. (2010) PhD vs DNP, Research vs Clinical: The Battle Begins.Again. Medscape Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/721898 Lenz, E. (2005). The practice doctorate in nursing: An idea whose time has come.

Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 10, (3). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume102005/No3Sept05/tpc28_116025.aspx Loomis, J.A., Willard, B & Cohen, J. (2007) Difficult Professional Choices: Deciding Between the PhD and the DNP in Nursing. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 12, (1) Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume122007/No1Jan07/ArticlePreviousTopics/tpc28_816033.

aspx Meleis, A., & Dracup, K. (2005, September 30). The case against the DNP: History, timing, substance, and marginalization. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 10 (3). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume102005/No3Sept05/tpc28_216026.aspx