From the Wall Street Journal, as reported in the ACHE News:
The healthcare industry is plagued by a dearth of physicians, but nursing schools across the United States are stepping in to offer doctoral programs for nurses. These two-year programs, which include one-year of residency, create a “hybrid practitioner” with more skills than a nurse practitioner. The Council for the Advancement of Comprehensive Care notes that the National Board of Medical Examiners will create a voluntary certification exam for these doctoral nurse practitioners (DNP) that resembles the exam taken by doctors for their medical licenses. These nurses will be able to coordinate care among specialists and in various healthcare settings, much like a doctor would. Critics argue that blurring the line between doctors and nurses could confuse patients, but the American Association of Colleges of Nursing wants the DNP to become the new standard for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses by 2015. Nurses could use the Dr. designation in titles, but physicians say these nurses must differentiate themselves from doctors because they do not have the same level of education or expertise when it comes to complex medical issues. Moreover, some nurses are concerned practices and hospitals will force them to seek even further education, which can be too costly for some. Others are concerned these advanced degree programs will lure nurses into higher paying jobs when nursing shortages are on the rise in many regions, but others conclude these programs will attract more nurses into the education field to provide students with more opportunities than are currently available.
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