Doctor of Nursing Practice | What is a DNP Degree and Do I Need It?

As changes to the healthcare system in the United States continue to evolve, advanced practice practitioners are taking their careers to the next level by enrolling in programs that offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. Many advanced practice nursing programs are moving from the Master’s to the doctoral level, offering the DNP that prepares nurses for leadership roles in clinical practice, clinical teaching and policy development.

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According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are currently about 243 DNP programs enrolling students nationwide, with approximately 100 additional nursing schools considering starting a DNP program.  One such institution is the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Memphis.  They made the transition in 2009.  Their DNP in Neonatal Nursing program prepares the Advanced Practice Nurse to care for premature and critically ill newborns from birth to two years of age.  The DNP in Pediatric Nursing program is designed to prepare the Advanced Practice Nurse to provide primary care for pediatric patients with acute and chronic illnesses from birth through late adolescence.  Other DNP programs offered at UTHSC-Memphis include Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Family, Forensic, Psych/Mental Health, Public Health and Nurse Anesthesia.  It has been recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) that all entry-level nurse practitioner programs be transitioned from the MSN to the DNP degree by the year 2015.  However, advanced practice practitioners currently holding their MSN would not be affected by this change.

Melnic Consulting Group offers an annual Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award through the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP.)  Apply at www.napnap.org for the 2016 Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award.

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To inquire about DNP jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award | NAPNAP 2015

Congratulations Kathleen Mueller - Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award Winner! NAPNAP 2015!

Melnic Consulting Group is happy to extend our congratulations to Kathleen Mueller, recipient of the second annual Melnic DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) Student Scholarship Award for NAPNAP 2015! The Award was presented to Kathleen at the Awards Breakfast at the 2015 NAPNAP Conference held in Las Vegas last week.  The DNP Student Scholarship is a $2,000 Award that includes a $750 grant for educational expenses, and registration, hotel and travel reimbursement for the 2015 NAPNAP Conference.

Kathleen is currently enrolled in the DNP Program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.  She has been a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for the past seventeen years with extensive experience working with pediatric patients with weight challenges, promoting healthy lifestyles in the pediatric patient and supporting breastfeeding families.  Prior to her primary care experience, Kathleen worked in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, mother/baby units and with neonatal and pediatric developmental clinics and programs.


Melnic is so pleased to support Kathleen’s continuing education and professional development with this Award.  Best wishes, Kathleen, for continued success in your nursing career as you pursue your doctorate!


Melnic Consulting Group proudly supports the career growth of advanced practice providers.  Please contact us for complimentary Resume Reviews, PNP Jobs, Career Coaching, and More!

To apply for the 2016 Melnic DNP Scholarship Award please check the NAPNAP website.

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

DNP Student Scholarship | NAPNAP 2015!

Calling all DNP students!  We are excited to announce NAPNAP’s 2nd Annual Melnic DNP Student Scholarship!  We are now accepting self-nominations, and the deadline is November 15.  Application is now open.  Don’t wait APPLY TODAY!

About Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award:
The Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award is presented annually and sponsored by Melnic Consulting Group – Leader in Pediatric Nurse Placement and strong advocate for advanced practice providers.  The purpose is to support the education of one pediatric nurse practitioner doctoral student who demonstrates the ability to articulate and follow through on an innovative solution through clinical competence and academic achievement, as well as encourage involvement in NAPNAP and promote professional development of the individual student. The recipient must utilize the grant within one year after receiving the award and may receive this award only once.

Qualification Criteria Include: 
• Acceptance into or current enrollment in accredited DNP program (either a PNP enrolled in a post-masters DNP program or BSN to DNP program with a focus in pediatrics)
• Must have an expected graduation date of within two years or less
• The award is selected based on academic and clinical excellence of the following:
                 - Must be in good standing academically
                 - Current member of NAPNAP

Application Requirements:
• Personal statement (300 words or less) addressing the following:
  - Explain why you enrolled in a DNP program
  - Describe your experience in pediatrics
  - Describe your professional goals and how NAPNAP may assist you in meeting those goals
  - Describe an issue that you feel has significant potential to impact the future practice of pediatrics
  - Describe how attending the NAPNAP Annual Conference will impact your education and future practice as a PNP
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
• Three letters of support from (1) nursing colleague, (2) a PNP faculty member, and (3) program preceptor addressing the applicant’s clinical competence, academic achievement, and involvement in addressing pediatric health care issues

 Recipient Will Receive the Following: 
• A grant of $750 to be used for educational expenses
• A one-time complimentary student registration for the 2015 NAPNAP Annual Conference
• One night stay at the conference headquarters hotel
• Airfare or travel reimbursement to the 2015 NAPNAP Annual Conference (up to $400)
• Recipient will be recognized at the Awards Breakfast during the 2015 NAPNAP Annual Conference in March (attendance is required)

For more information and submission criteria Click Here
APPLY NOW!
Melnic Consulting Group is honored to support this new NAPNAP award!

Melnic was proud to present the 2014 Melnic DNP Scholarship award to Jenny Spahr!

Jenny is a student in the DNP Program at Purdue University and anticipates completion of her degree in Summer 2015.  Currently a Major in the United States Air Force, Jenny has served in the military for 17 years.  Melnic was so pleased to support Jenny’s continuing education and professional development with this first annual scholarship award, and we look forward to supporting a future DNP candidate every year.  Best wishes for continued success in your nursing career, Jenny, as you pursue your doctorate!

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Thinking About Getting Your DNP?

UTHSC-Memphis DNP Programs
As changes to the healthcare system in the United States continue to evolve, advanced practice practitioners are taking their careers to the next level by enrolling in programs that offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. Many advanced practice nursing programs are moving from the Master’s to the doctoral level, offering the DNP that prepares nurses for leadership roles in clinical practice, clinical teaching and policy development.
 
One such institution is the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Memphis.  They made the transition in 2009.  Their DNP in Neonatal Nursing program prepares the Advanced Practice Nurse to care for premature and critically ill newborns from birth to two years of age.  The DNP in Pediatric Nursing program is designed to prepare the Advanced Practice Nurse to provide primary care for pediatric patients with acute and chronic illnesses from birth through late adolescence.  Other DNP programs offered at UTHSC-Memphis include Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Family, Forensic, Psych/Mental Health, Public Health and Nurse Anesthesia.  It has been recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) that all entry-level nurse practitioner programs be transitioned from the MSN to the DNP degree by the year 2015.  However, advanced practice practitioners currently holding their MSN would not be affected by this change. 
   
Click here for more information on the UT-Memphis DNP programs.

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Do I have to get a DNP?

On the Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Facebook page
Gloria wrote 3 hours ago:
I am in a RN-BSN program, I will be done with it in June. Hopefully in the fall I will start the PNP program at University of Texas @ Arlington. Any advice that anyone has would be helpful.

I also saw on the Academy of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner's website that by 2015 you have to get your Ph.D. to get your PNP, is this true?

Gloria, good for you. You will not regret pursuing your PNP degree. My advice would be to make sure you work as a RN during the process. No matter how part time, it is crucial to build your clinical experience to help you get a job. I also recommend working in a peds unit or units that you think you might want to work in when you graduate. If you know for sure that you want to do primary care pediatrics then you would want to work in an ambulatory unit that includes doing history and physicals. For specialty care, a great unit to get experience in is Med Surg. If you know you want critical care work in the PICU or CICU not the NICU unless you are becoming a NNP. If you know you want Hem Onc then work in that unit, BMT, or Nuero oncology.

In 2015 they are not requiring a PH D but a DNP. According to the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners," It is important that NPs who will be practicing beyond 2015 be aware of the potential changes in practice regulation. (if you already have your MSN and PNP certificate) Rather than enrolling in a complete program of study for the DNP, NPs may choose options for grandfathering that may be offered."

According to Geraldine Polly Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN in a presentation to NAPNAP, " A transition period be planned to provide nurses with master’s degrees (MSN), who wish to obtain the practice doctoral degree (DNP), a mechanism to earn a practice doctorate in a relatively streamlined fashion with credit given for previous graduate study and practice experience."

Please see the full document on my web site, click on Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and DNP requirements. It was created by the Nurse Practitioner Roundtable (June, 2008). Nurse Practitioner DNP Education, Certification and Titling: A Unified Statement. Washington, DC: Author The Nurse Practitioner Roundtable is a coalition of nurse practitioner organizations formed to collaborate, unify, and address issues of importance to nurse practitioners. The Nurse Practitioner Roundtable is currently composed of the organizations listed on the statement.

Please contact me with questions at (800) 886-7906 or jill@melnic.com.

To inquire about jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact:

Jill Gilliland
800-886-7906
jill@melnic.com