Forcing Advanced Degrees?
Making the entry-level for APN’s a clinical doctorate is ridiculous (see “New Nursing Ph.D. Recommendation Rankles Some,” Dec. 14). Physicians assistant programs don’t require this. By the time the doctorate has been obtained, the student could have gone to medical school and be making more money. Clinical institutions that are currently reimbursing employees to obtain a higher degree will not pay for the doctorate. I think we need to rethink this process and get more providers into the community, not less. Once students complete a doctoral program, they will want to be on faculty somewhere, not in clinical settings.
— Sandra Copeland
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Macon, Ga.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is concerned about the education level of nurses, yet nursing remains dominated with two-year ADN technical nurses. A true profession does not try to improve its image by forcing another advanced degree on the top 15 percent of practicing nurses. Nursing should be more concerned about the fact that nurses are the least educated health care providers. Make the BSN mandatory before adding another doctorate for the minority.
— Christy Price Rabetoy
Nephrology Nurse Practitioner
Salt Lake City
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