I have been questioning the relevancy of the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) to my practice as an NP student for some time now ("Whatever Happened to the Clinical DNP?" Viewpoint, June).

Oftentimes, DNPs are required to seek out their own clinical placements. There is little structure to this clinical experience or supervision by universities. How can they truly validate competency and content? Medical and physician assistant programs have well-structured didactic and clinical rotations arranged by the school. Students in these programs are not left to pound the pavement looking for offices and hospitals that will offer them clinical placements while they also try to study.

A doctorate cannot be a "one size fits all" degree, as our profession is made up of so many different types of nurses. We must be more progressive in our professional development, creating advanced and doctoral training and classification that match our practice.

Tina Taylor, BSN, RN

New London, CT