Curriculum Models for the Practice Doctorate in Nursing

Lucy N. Marion, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN; Ann L. O'Sullivan, PhD, CRNP, CPNP, FAAN; M. Katherine Crabtree, DNSc, APRN, BC, FAAN; Marva Price, DrPH, RN, FAAN; Susan A. Fontana, PhD, APRN, BC

Disclosures

Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal. 2005;5(1)

Model 4: Seamless (Practice Doctorate Entry) Model

The Seamless Model is also known as the Practice Doctorate Entry model ( Table 4 ). In this model, the student enters the practice doctorate program after the baccalaureate degree plus prerequisites. The basic nursing, specialty nursing, and practice doctoral competencies are integrated in this program, preparing students at the end (estimated at 4 to 6 years) with the education for licensing and specialty certification.

This continuing and integrated program provides the student with discipline socialization and skill development from basic nursing through doctoral competencies. The student takes the licensing exam at the completion of the basic nursing preparation (a point determined by the program or at some level of competence) so as to accommodate flexibility of clinical experiences for specialty preparation. As with all the other models, a postdoctoral program, joint degree, or additional PhD degree provides students with additional options if they wish to pursue a research career.

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Drivers of the Practice Doctorate Movement
Model 1: The Traditional Model
Model 2: Master's Entry Model
Model 3: Generic Master's Model
Model 4: Seamless (Practice Doctorate Entry) Model
Next Steps
References

MODEL 1: Traditional Model -- Baccalaureate + Master's + Practice Doctorate Ladder
Levels of Competence	Degrees Conferred	Time for Completion	Licensure or Certification
Preprofessional preparation Basic nursing	BSN	4 years	RN licensure
Clinical leader Nursing specialty	MSN/MN and APRN specialty	2 years	National Specialty Certification/ additional recognition in some states
Doctoral competencies/ subspecialization	Practice doctorate	Approximately 2 years	No additional licensure or certification at this time
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: Postdoctoral and joint PhD preparation

MODEL 2: Master's Entry Program + Practice Doctorate
Levels of Competence	Degrees Conferred	Time for Completion	Licensure or Certification
Preprofessional preparation	Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) + prerequisites	4 years + time for prerequisites
Basic nursing Clinical leaders Nursing specialty	MSN/MN (Master's Entry Program) and specialty preparation	3 years	RN (often after 15-month program); National Specialty Certification Exam/ additional recognition in some states
Doctoral competencies/ subspecialization	Practice doctorate	Approximately 2 years
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: Postdoctoral and joint PhD preparation

MODEL 3: Generic Master's Entry (CNL) + Specialty Practice Doctorate
Levels of Competence	Degrees Conferred	Time for Completion	Licensure or Certification
Preprofessional preparation	Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) + prerequisites	4 years + time for prerequisites
Basic nursing Clinical leader	Generic Master's (CNL)	4 semesters (15-18 months)	RN licensure
Nursing specialty Doctoral competencies/ subspecialization	Practice doctorate	3+ years	National Specialty Certification/additional recognition in some states
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: Postdoctoral and joint PhD preparation

MODEL 4: Seamless Model for Post-Baccalaureate Practice Doctorates
Levels of Competence	Degrees Conferred	Time for Completion	Licensure or Certification
Preprofessional preparation	Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) + prerequisites	4 years + time for prerequisites
Basic nursing Clinical leaders Nursing specialty Doctoral competencies/ subspecialization	Practice doctorate and specialty preparation	4-5 years	RN National Specialty Certification/ additional recognition in some states
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: Postdoctoral and joint PhD preparation

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