DNP Role Development for Doctoral Advanced Nursing Practice, Second Edition

266 ■ III: ROLE FUNCTIONS OF DOCTORAL ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE

DOCTORAL EDUCATION IN NURSING— THE DNP AND PhD

Like the survey in 2012, participants were asked about their support for the doctoral
nursing education, the impact of DNP programs on PhD programs in nursing, and the
future of doctoral education in general. In response to the question, “Which statement
best supports your current view of doctoral nursing education?” Among all participants
in the 2012 study ( n = 548), less than half the respondents supported the DNP “enthusi-
astically” (41%). In the 2016 survey, however, this percentage has moved up with more
than half the participants. There was a statistically significant growth in overall support
for the DNP (enthusiastically, moderately, or reluctantly) from 79% to 92%, with a direct
“I do not support the DNP” declining from 16% to 5% (see Figure 11.1). When comparing
the support for the DNP among faculty who either teach only in DNP or PhD programs
or both, we found statistical differences based on teaching program. DNP-only faculty
were far more “enthusiastic” about the DNP (68%) than PhD-only faculty (22%), with
faculty teaching in both programs still not predominately enthusiastic (43%). Overall
support for the DNP by teaching program was 93% by DNP faculty, 74% by PhD faculty,
and 84% for faculty teaching in both programs (see Figure 11.2).
With regard to the question “Which response best reflects your view if the DNP
will negatively impact current PhD resources?” results in the current survey were simi-
lar to the one in 2012; however, the inclusion sample for 2012 and 2016 was modified for
analysis in this chapter. In the 2012 study, all study participant responses were analyzed,
regardless of whether or not there was an actual PhD program at their institution for
actual comparison. In the 2012 study, the predominant response among DNP- only fac-
ulty was evenly split between 44% “unclear if DNP will negatively impact current PhD

41%

24%

14%

16%

5%

52%

29%

11%

5%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

I support the DNP

enthusiastically

I support the DNP

moderately

I support the DNP

reluctantly

I do not support

the DNP

Neither statement

reflects my view

Responses (%)

2012 Study (N = 548) Current Study (N = 665)

FIGURE 11.1 Comparison of level of support for the DNP between the current samples with
the sample from the study published in 2012. A 2 × 3 table with chi- square analysis showed
statistically signifi cant difference ( p  = .001) between the two studies for their support for the DNP.
DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice.