Jason Miller (2008) reviews several aspects and key points surrounding the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP).  As he notes, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2004) encourages a requirement for advance practice nurses to hold a DNP degree by 2015 in order to practice within their fields.  Miller suggests that one purpose of the AACN, within this position statement, is to create a more generally accepted credential for advance practice nurses.  Furthermore, recommendation 13 of this position statement calls for the formation of a “nursing accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education” (AACN, 2004 p. 14).  Miller (2008) notes that various physician groups, including the American Medical Association (AMA) have opposed the DNP position for various reasons including, “State-based regulation of medicine should be aggressively protected” (AMA, 2006 p. 1).  This opposes the formation of a nationally recognized regulation organization for nursing education and credentialing.  Miller (2008) takes a different approach, suggesting that the DNP and definition of this role may invite more conflict among groups as well as produce confusion of certification and regulation.






Miller, J. (2008).  The doctor of nursing practice: recognizing a need or graying the line between doctor and nurse?  Medscape Journal of Medicine 10(11) 253.


American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2004).  AACN position statement on the practice doctorate in nursing. Retrieved November 7, 2009 from  http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNP.pdf


American Medical Association. Resolution 211 (A-06) (2006).  Retrieved November 7, 2009 from http://www.pacnp.org/files/resolution__211_-_nursing_doctorate.pdf