Practice Doctorate Resource Center

NONPF Perspective

The Practice Doctorate in Nursing:
Future or Fringe?

Published in Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal Medscape Nurses, Posted 05/09/2003

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) Practice Doctorate Task Force: Lucy Marion, PhD, FAAN, APRN, BC, Diane Viens, DNSc, CFNP, Ann L. O'Sullivan, PhD, FAAN, CRNP, CPNP, Katherine Crabtree, DNSc, APRN, BC, Sue Fontana, PhD, APRN, BC, Marva Mizell Price, DrPH, RN, FAAN, FNP, BC

Abstract:
Although the current masters and PhD programs in nursing are critical to the future of the profession and are evolving to keep pace with new demands, they do not fill the growing need for expert clinical teachers and clinicians. Informational shifts, demographic changes, growing disparities in healthcare delivery and access, and stakeholder expectations are all creating new demands on the nursing profession. The practice (also called clinical and professional) doctorate, with a focus on direct practice and healthcare leadership, offers nursing an exciting opportunity to meet these demands. Programs are already underway or being developed at several institutions, although problems and challenges such as standardization, regulation, and potential "devaluing" of existing programs have yet to be adequately resolved. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), along with professional organization and educational institutional partners, supports the development of the practice doctorate and is committed to providing leadership to ensure quality educational outcomes. Nursing must develop a shared strategic vision to shape the rapidly moving practice doctorate initiative.

To read the article in full, go to Medscape Nurses: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/453247
(You must be registered at Medscape -- there is no charge.)