The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): need for more dialogue.

I am honored to have the opportunity to provide the overview for this topic, The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Need for More Dialogue. I was privileged to work on the development of the curriculum for and teach in the first practice-focused doctoral degree, the Doctorate of Nursing (ND), which was implemented at Case Western Reserve University. The initial six articles are a fitting tribute to Rozella Schlotfeldt, originator and genius behind the ND. Dr. Schlotfeldt, who died recently, provided the spark that ignited the 27 year path to the October 2004 historic vote by the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) to establish the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree as the terminal degree for advanced nursing practice carried out by nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse administrators by 2015.