National Board to Develop Certification Exam for DrNPs
Thursday, April 03rd, 2008
The National Board of Medical Examiners is developing a voluntary Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) certification exam. The exam will be based on the same test physicians take to qualify for a medical license. The first exam will be administered in fall 2008.
The board action is in response to the establishment of DNP programs at a growing number of nursing schools. Surveys place the number of Nursing Schools currently offering or planning to offer DNP programs at over 200.
Typical DNP programs are two years and include a one year residency in addition to diagnosing and treatment skills.
DNP proponents suggest that the new DNPs could help fill the gap in growing shortfall of primary care doctors and also provide faculty to train the next generation of nurses.