The DNP's are backing themselves into a corner. They have created their own online doctorate programs. There are literally DNP programs that are only 9 credits of coursework.
This is absolutely laughable.
While I agree that the DNP, in most cases, is laughable at this point, I've never seen a 9 credit DNP. Can you please link to the site of one of these programs?
Currently every physician I am speaking with is saying they are not going to hire NP's because PA's are much better trained.
I'm sure there are many physicians that prefer PAs due to their training (especially since they are trained in the same, medical, model). However, there are also many physicians that prefer NPs, due to the belief that they have less supervisory requirements, and therefore are less of a liability to them than PAs (which of course depends on the state).
As for the independent thing--that is a joke. EVERY state specifically requires that any NP at any level who wishes to prescribe medicine or perform any procedures MUST have a written signed agreement with a physician. Go read the nursing acts--the NP's are only independent for practicing "nursing." The NP"s have completely overblown their so-called independence. In reality their relationship with physicians is not different that the PA-physician relationship.
As I mentioned in the other thread, this is simply incorrect. There are, I believe, 20 states with actual "independent" practice (or what the AANP terms "full practice authority"), which means that in these states, the state practice laws allow NPs to evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret tests, initiate and manage treatments, and prescribe medication, independent of a physician, all under the authority of the state board of nursing. There is absolutely no requirement in these states for a written signed agreement with a physician to prescribe medication or perform any procedure. If that is actually the case in those "independent" states, please provide evidence for that.
In other states, there are varying degrees of physician collaboration or supervision required to carry out at least one function of NP practice (whether it's prescribing or diagnosing). These requirements can be the same as that for PAs in the same state, less restrictive, or more restrictive.
What is more--look at the data. A PA with a Master's degree has more didactic hours of training AND more clinical rotation hours of training than most NP's with a doctorate. What is more the NP training is all online and their clinical rotations are very poorly managed and structured. There is a reason why PA school cannot be done online; the training is too intense and in-depth. I anything happens, the PA profession is going to benefit tremendously from the DNP move.
I do agree that PA education is more rigorous in terms of didactic hours and clinical hours. Not all NP training is online. There are plenty of "brick and mortar" schools available around the country for those that don't want to do an online program. And even with online programs, there are many, at reputable institutions, that offer well managed and structured programs, including their clinical rotations. Unfortunately, there are also many that don't.
Interestingly, it seems that Yale will be starting the nation's first online PA program. We'll see what happens after that.