title: The DNP. Why now? Several broadscale healthcare factors influenced nursing policy makers to roll out the doctorate of nursing practice degree in the midst of a national shortage.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fain
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asselin
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCurry
mesh_terms: D003406:Credentialing; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009729:Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce