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

DNP Student Scholarship Award - Melnic Consulting Group

Calling all DNP students!  We are excited to announce NAPNAP’s new Melnic DNP Student Scholarship Award!  We are now accepting self-nominations, and the deadline is November 11.  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 2014 NAPNAP Annual Conference
• One night stay at the conference headquarters hotel
• Airfare or travel reimbursement to the 2014 NAPNAP Annual Conference (up to $400)
• Recipient will be recognized at the Awards Breakfast during the 2014 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!


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

Graduate Nursing School Tips

Graduate Nursing School Tips!

Here is advice from a seasoned CNS. Thanks Beth!!!

I have been an CNS for years, but am back in school for the ACNP/DNP. I have
several suggestions:

Maintain a portable calendar put all your major due dates on it -if it's
something that needs to be turned in put it on there. I usually build mine
at the first of the semester on my pda.

I also keep a weekly calendar on a desk blotter. At the first of the
semster I sit down and date thru the end of semster and put the big stuff on
it but this really for the details. As I finish labeling pages I make on
last page for course evaluation comments. This is where I write down my
weekly reading assignments so I can check off as I read. work schedule [just
a big w for work on the days I need to be there]. I can write additional
notes on this and tear off weeks as I finish and trow them away. Makes me
feel like I am accomplishing something. If I am having trouble remembering a
concept I will write it on the blotter [sometimes for several weeks] until I
get it. If I have a thought about a paper Iave to write in 3 weeks I flip
to that page and make a note [you can do this on your pda too - I go between
the too].

We use Harrisions Internal Medicine. It is very small print, concentrated
text. It takes me forever to read a page and absorb it. However, I have
found if I use a magnifying glass to read it with, I read much faster.

Find out if there are any little books you can read [and practice if
necessary] ahead of time. For instance, we had to read Dubins 12 lead EKG
[for 2 classes] and a radiology book. I had my books weeks ahead of time, but
did not go ahead and read them. My life would have been much easier if I
had taken that opportunity.

If you find a great chart as you are reading or great information, put it in
a word document and save it in a pda file. Once a month [week whatever]
upload those files to your pda. {there is a way to do it for iPhones too -
but I hear the 3.0 version of iPhone OS due out this summer will let you do
it without additional software]

If you have deep freezer, make some soups and dinners that you can put dish
into indiviual or family servings for a quick meal.

Be sure to schedule some time for yourself. Eat well, take your vitamins,
stay healthy.

Beth

Good Luck!



To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact:

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

DNP Degree and MSN

Here is an update on programs that have DNP and eliminate the MSN

A word of caution for those of you whose programs are eliminating the MSN. If your graduates have a DNP degree only with any NP major, they will not be recognized to practice in Texas and in some other states. Texas requires that applicants must have graduated from an ACCREDITED program. Since there is no accreditation program for generic DNP, Texas will only recognize NP who have a post-MS DNP. For this reason, the Texas colleges and universities have agreed to only offer the post-MS DNP for nurse practitioners. This does not apply to CNM and CRNA because they have their own accreditation process and aren't dependent upon CCNE or NLNAC.

Please be sure to advise your students that they may not be able to practice outside of your state if they chose to move after completing their DNP-NNP.

Thanks to Frances Strodtbeck, DNS, RN, NNP-BC, FAAN
for this information



To inquire about jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact:

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