| AACN
Adopts a New Vision for the Future of Nursing Education and Practice Position
on the Practice Doctorate Approved by AACN Member Schools
WASHINGTON,
DC, October 27, 2004: In a historic move to help shape the future of nursing education
and practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has adopted
a new position which recognizes the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as the highest
level of preparation for clinical practice. At its Fall Semiannual Meeting held
October 25, 2004, AACN member institutions voted to move the current level of
preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice roles from the master's degree
to the doctorate level by the year 2015. "This
courageous move on the part of nursing education represents a milestone in the
evolution of the nursing profession," said AACN President Jean E. Bartels.
"This bold first step puts in motion a future that recognizes and validates
the unique expertise of nurses engaged in clinical practice at the highest level."
Currently, advanced practice nurses (APNs), including Nurse Practitioners,
Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Mid-Wives, and Nurse Anesthetists, are prepared
in master's degree programs that often carry a credit load equivalent to doctoral
degrees in the other health professions. AACN's newly adopted Position Statement
on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing calls for educating APNs and other nurses
seeking top clinical roles in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The changing
demands of this nation's complex health care environment require the highest level
of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure high quality patient
outcomes.
The Practice Doctorate is designed for nurses seeking a terminal
degree in nursing practice, and offers an alternative to research focused doctoral
programs (i.e. PhD programs). Though only a handful of practice doctorates currently
exist, more than a dozen new programs are taking shape nationwide, and several
have expressed interest in seeking accreditation. The Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education (CCNE), the nation's premier accrediting agency for baccalaureate
and graduate nursing programs, has agreed to initiate a process for the accreditation
of practice doctorates. To facilitate this sweeping change
in nursing education, the AACN Board of Directors created two task forces with
diverse representation from both large and small nursing institutions. The first
task force is charged with creating an "Essentials" document for practice
doctorates which outlines the basic competencies that must be built into these
educational programs. This document will be similar in nature to the other Essentials
documents originated by AACN for baccalaureate and master's degree education.
The second task force will focus on implementation of the new position statement
and will address issues related to moving existing APN programs to the doctoral
level and providing efficient bridge programs for master's prepared nurses interested
in pursuing a DNP degree. As part of its work, AACN will continue
its collaboration and consensus development with a variety of stakeholders, including
advanced practice nursing groups, the higher education community and healthcare
providers. "The transition to the practice doctorate will take careful planning
and require the collective efforts of all AACN member institutions and the larger
nursing community," said Dr. Bartels. "Nursing education has a unique
opportunity here to rally around a shared vision for the future and work together
to move the profession forward." AACN's Position Statement
on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing may be downloaded at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNP.pdf.
To further clarify its position and address constituent concerns, AACN has developed
a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet to further explain the move toward the
practice doctorate. The FAQs may be accessed online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPFAQ.htm.
Please direct any questions, concerns or comments related to this AACN action
to jstanley@aacn.nche.edu.
The American Association
of Colleges of Nursing is the national voice for university and four-year-college
education programs in nursing. Representing more than 570 member schools of nursing
at public and private institutions nationwide, AACN's educational, research, governmental
advocacy, data collection, publications, and other programs work to establish
quality standards for bachelor's- and graduate-degree nursing education, assist
deans and directors to implement those standards, influence the nursing profession
to improve health care, and promote public support of baccalaureate and graduate
nursing education, research, and practice. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu.
CONTACT:
Robert Rosseter
(202) 463-6930, x231
rrosseter@aacn.nche.edu
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