‘‘The Doctor Of Nurse Practitioner” Movement Is Right In Our Backyard

We, the people of the United States of America,Presently there is a physician shortage and some
have the best healthcare systems in the world andbelieve that it has already reached crisis proportions
we should continue to demand this, not as a privilege,in some regions. With this level of insight and
but as our right. Patients, families, and ourknowledge, it is critical that administrators begin to
communities, (with the unknown healthcare reformwork with their nursing/medical and administrative
of 2010) no matter of ones religion or color of ourcolleagues preparing for doctorally prepared APNs and
skin, require the highest quality healthcare andadministrators. Introducing Nursing leaders in our
healthcare providers.community that are Doctors of Nurse Practitioners
The demands of a rapidly changing and complex(DNPs) continue to ensure that patients and their
healthcare environment mandate that nurses infamilies always know who and what type of clinician
administrative and clinical specialty practices haveis caring for them.
in-depth scientific knowledge-base and clinical practiceThe Doctorate Nurse Practitioner level is an
expertise. Researchers have established a clear linkadvanced-level practice position which focuses on the
between higher levels of nursing education and betterclinical aspects of nursing/medical milieu, working
patient outcomes. PhD Nurses  have a career inindependently and within the scope of practice. DNPs
research and academia. However, most people aretreat both acute and chronic conditions through
unaware of the national movement toward thecomprehensive history taking, physical exam, ordering
Doctor of Nurse Practitioners (DNPs) degree, which istests and therapies, analyze data obtained during the
right in our backyard!physical exam and independently formulate a
The rapid proliferation of DNP programs in the Uniteddiagnosis, creating and modifying patients’ plan of
States has been influenced by a number of emergingcare. A DNP initiates appropriate treatment, makes
factors in the healthcare industry. The rapidlyreferrals, provides patient and family education,
expanding knowledge bases for practice, combinedmonitors patient status and evaluates the
with the increasing complexity of patients, are 2effectiveness of the established plan of care. 
major issues. In addition, national concerns about theAdditionally, DNPs serve as a resource for licensed
quality and safety of the care provided to patients,and unlicensed clinic staff providing specialty
major shortages of doctorally prepared nursingconsultative services. Nurses and physicians have a
faculty, and increasing educational expectations forrich history of working together to provide
the preparation of other health professionals (eg,outstanding care to patients, their families, and to our
doctor of pharmacy, doctor of physical therapy)communities.
contribute to this movement toward the DNPMDs, DOs, DNPs, other doctoral prepared health
educational credential.professionals, and scientists must stand together, and
The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) indeclare from our many contributions over countless
2004 adopted the Doctor of Nurse Practitionerdecades, to continue to make great differences in
(DNP) as necessary preparation for Advancedthe health of the citizens of this country. There is an
Practice Nurses (APN) by the year 2015, only 5 yearsurgent need for leadership with regards to
away. Advanced practice nurses who fall under thisredesigning healthcare to meet the challenges of the
2015 date include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse21st century and DNPs are an integral part of our
specialists, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.medical team.
Although not required as an educational credential,DNPs continue to move forward, becoming leaders
DNPs are highly recommended for clinicians practicingand followers, unconstrained by historically based
in hospitals and office/clinics and administratorsbeliefs, tackle the major healthcare issues that we,
practicing in a variety of settings.as a nation, are facing. DNPs are outstanding
Currently, there are more than 100 schools of nursingpartners, with exceptional knowledge, skills, and
that offer a DNP program, with 80 additional schoolsleadership to health care teams whose focus is the
in various stages of development. Five DNP programscontinuous improvement of patient care in all settings.
happen to be in our sate of Michigan, with OaklandLets continue to embrace DNPs in our communities.
University as the first program in Michigan. The DNP isOur integral health care system depends on high
a terminal degree with a different focus than thequality DNP healthcare providers as part of our
PhD and is equivalent in rigor and challenge. Graduatespresent and future healthcare reform.
of DNP programs have the highest level of nursingDr Cindy Diskin DNP, APN-BC
knowledge and expertise in the practice setting.Family Practice in Westland
Doctorally prepared nurses, in partnership with8012 Middlebelt Suite B
inter-disciplinary team members, presently are part ofWestland, Michigan 48015
the forerunner for the transformation of local, state,Office # 734-421-4026 1-28-2010
national, and global healthcare systems..