Moving forward together: the practice doctorate in nursing

Societal drivers, as well as trends in education and health care, are advancing the practice doctorate in nursing. For nurse practitioner preparation, the current resurgence of interest in the practice doctorate could precipitate change that mimics the evolution from post-basic certificate to Master's level education. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) is a resource for the study of the practice doctorate relative to quality nurse practitioner education. This article will offer some insights into the movement toward the practice doctorate by describing, from the NP perspective, the societal impetus for change, the historical perspective of NP and doctoral education, the 4 Ws (why, what, where, and when) of the movement, and some of the myths and realities about the practice doctorate.