I read with interest your editorial (“Doctor of Nursing Practice—MRI or Total Body Scan?”) about the proposed doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) program (July 2005: 278–281). A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) at the end of a 50-year career, I started as a diploma nurse, obtained a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), and finally earned a master of science in nursing. I too had feelings initially of being disenfranchised and concerned about the quality of education that was being provided in the academic setting and felt “punished” because I had to practically start over to obtain my BSN. Why don’t we learn from our past “mistakes” and look at what is good for the public and the entire healthcare system? We made a mistake 40 years ago that has caused much dissension in our profession, and we should recognize that we need to move deliberately now to avoid repeating the...

You do not currently have access to this content.