The Need for Doctoral Nurse Practitioners

In a report published in December, 2010 by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), it states that 13 percent of nurses hold a graduate degree, but less than one percent has a doctoral degree.  They explain that, “Nurses with doctorates are needed to teach future generations of nurses and to conduct research that becomes the basis for improvements in nursing science and practice.” 

The IOM study is the Future of Nursing: Focus on Education and was a two-year initiative proposed and launched by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the IOM.  Further recommendations from the report, conducted by an IOM-appointed committee, says the number of nurses with their doctorate degrees needs to double by as early as 2020.  

While this may sound ambitious, they suggest a number of ways in which this can be done to prepare more students at the graduate level to assume positions in advanced practice, leadership, teaching, and research.  A few examples they cite to achieve this goal is through traditional RN-to-BSN programs, 4-year BSN programs at universities and community colleges, and improving the transition process from an ADN to a BSN.   In addition, IOM would like to see more providers of nursing education as well as simulation and distance learning with online courses and academic-service partnerships. 

Furthermore, the IOM committee recommends that the percentage of nurses who hold baccalaureate degrees be increased to 80 percent by the year 2020.  The push to increase the number of nurses with a BSN will in turn help to put more nurses in the position of pursuing advanced graduate studies at both a master’s and doctoral level.  

GSU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is a professional practice doctorate in nursing designed for applicants to matriculate at two entry points: post baccalaureate or post master’s degree with a major in nursing.  Please see our website for the program’s full requirements and details. 

Source:

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health/Report-Brief-Education.aspx

 

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