Doctor Of Nursing Practice Essentials Research Articles

Exploring Clinical Practice Hours in Postbaccalaureate-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Advanced practice nursing education is evolving to the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) DNP Essentials required 1000 hours of direct patient care, whereas the Report of the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF) Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs required 500 direct patient care hours. Indirect hours were unclear and undefined. The AACN Essentials changed the 1000-hour requirement to 500 practice hours, and the NTF increased the direct patient care hours to 750. The study sought to describe the distribution of direct and indirect hours that the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties member schools offer in their seamless postbaccalaureate-to-DNP nurse practitioner (NP) program. A quantitative survey was distributed to schools of nursing. Eighty-six surveys represented 86 distinct schools and 112 NP programs. Supervised direct patient care hours were an average of 791.31 hours. Indirect hours averaged 170.08 hours. The DNP project hours served as an indirect hour activity. Many schools have more than 750 direct hours adhering to the 2022 NTF Standards. The indirect hour allocation varies and weighs heavily on the DNP project.

State of DNP education: Lessons learned from a novel academic fellowship in teaching and education.

We examine the gap between the current and desired state of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education from the perspective of postdoctoral (DNP) teaching and education fellows. In the assessment of the DNP Essentials framework, command of scholarly and scientific writing, ability to demonstrate critical thought, and significant variation in clinical experience among DNP graduates are top concerns. These inconsistencies are problematic to the professional and public value of this terminal degree in nursing.

Doctor of nursing practice students' perceptions of professional change through the DNP program.

This thematic analysis study examined how post master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students described personal and professional growth in their views of self, healthcare, and clinical practice that evolved as a result of the curriculum and experiences in the DNP program. The purpose of this thematic analysis was to describe and discuss perceptions of graduating post master's DNP students regarding personal and professional development that occurred during the DNP program to identify how DNP graduates saw themselves change and grow during the course of the DNP program. A thematic analysis method was used to code, categorize, and summarize data from 42 reflection papers of post master's DNP students into a thematic framework based on the eight DNP Essentials which are the framework upon which DNP programs build their curriculum and design student experiences. The authors systematically analyzed the statements from each student paper and drew interpretation of the students' statements into themes that were congruent with the eight DNP Essentials and one stand-alone category. Data analysis yielded 15 themes that were aligned within eight categories of the DNP Essentials and one stand-alone category. The eight DNP Essentials provided a framework for the themes which reflected professional growth attributed to the journey through the DNP program. A ninth category entitled Personal Advancements described students' perceptions of their personal and professional development. These dimensions are proposed in the new DNP Essentials currently in development. Increasing understanding of the DNP students' journey serves to inform DNP curriculum development and program experiences, and informs faculty of the influence they have on molding students into a more robust professional role.

The DNP Degree: Are We Producing the Graduates We Intended?

This study addressed how recently graduated doctor of nursing practice (DNP) nurses describe their current practice, how their supervisors describe the DNP's current practice, and whether nurse and supervisor descriptions of the practices reflect the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) DNP Essentials and, if so, how? Introduced in 2004, the goal of DNP programs was to educate advanced practice RNs for effective leadership in complex healthcare environments. The value of the DNP degree for nurses in healthcare systems is evolving. We used conventional content analysis to inductively describe how DNP graduates from 7 different schools and their supervisors described the practice of the recently graduated DNPs. Interviews were reviewed to assess whether the AACN DNP Essentials were enacted in practice. The overarching theme was "becoming more: re-envisioning self as an agent of change." Results support the claim that DNP education prepares advanced practice nurses for leadership across complex healthcare systems. Evidence of the DNP Essentials is realized when graduates perceive themselves as equal to other leaders and capable of driving change using evidence and effective collaboration.

Development of a Rubric for Evaluation of the DNP Portfolio.

A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) portfolio rubric for faculty to use when evaluating student portfolios and for students to use to critique their work is described. No rubrics or tools were found in the literature that provided guidelines to evaluate the extent to which portfolio exemplars meet American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. The rubric provides criteria to evaluate whether portfolio documents demonstrate achievement of the DNP Essentials at a "developing, proficient, or exceptional" level. It is valuable tool to illustrate how the competencies outlined in the essentials are met within a DNP program.

An Enhanced Actualized DNP Model to Improve DNP Project Placements, Rigor, and Completion.

Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) projects are summative evaluations of enactment of the DNP Essentials. However, information about structure, process, and outcomes of DNP projects is scarce. Guided by an enhanced actualized DNP model, this study tested the effect of a PhD-DNP-site mentor model to guide DNP projects. Time-to-complete assignments, defense, and graduation improved; high satisfaction for students, mentors, and faculty were found; and a strengthened academic-practice partnership occurred, leading to additional student placements. Broader testing of the enhanced model in various size and types of academic-practice settings is needed prior to use.

From Metacognition to Practice Cognition: The DNP e-Portfolio to Promote Integrated Learning.

Educating Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students for an increasingly complex health care environment requires novel applications of learning concepts and technology. A deliberate and thoughtful process is required to integrate concepts of the DNP program into practice paradigm changes to subsequently improve students' abilities to innovate solutions to complex practice problems. The authors constructed or participated in electronic portfolio development inspired by theories of metacognition and integrated learning. The objective was to develop DNP student's reflection, integration of concepts, and technological capabilities to foster the deliberative competencies related to the DNP Essentials and the foundations of the DNP program. The pedagogical process demonstrates how e-portfolios adapted into the doctoral-level curriculum for DNP students can address the Essentials and foster the development of metacognitive capabilities, which translates into practice changes. The authors suggest that this pedagogical approach has the potential to optimize reflective and deliberative competencies among DNP students. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(8):497-500.].

Does a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Provide Preparation for Assuming a Magnet Program Director Role?

One of the blueprints used by health care organizations for attaining and sustaining nursing excellence is the American Nurses' Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet designation. The ANCC requires organizations to identify a Magnet program director (MPD), who serves as the contact and communication point through the process of application, designation, and maintenance of the credential. The MPD role is complex, has a wide variety of necessary skills and competencies, and can be challenging and overwhelming to undertake. Literature reveals no guidelines nor recommendations regarding educational preparation for assuming the role. Chief nursing officers (CNOs) support "program director" as a potential employment option for doctor of nursing practice (DNP) graduates. Given the complexity of the MPD, would DNP education provide elements that would help new MPDs prepare for the position? The purpose of this project was to determine if MPDs recommend concepts within DNP program Essentials as preparation for their roles. A mixed methods design was used, with qualitative data obtained from a focus group and quantitative, nonexperimental data obtained through a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected from current MPDs. The concepts of DNP Essentials presented in the survey were all recommended as preparation for the MPD role, making DNP education a relevant option.

Clinical residency training: Is it essential to the Doctor of Nursing Practice for nurse practitioner preparation?

BackgroundThe Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree positions nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses, with clinical competencies similar to other disciplines requiring doctoral education (medicine, physical therapy, psychology, and pharmacy). In addition, all these disciplines also offer residencies. However, nursing is the only discipline that does not require a doctoral degree and/or have a systematic approach to residency training for advanced practice roles. The authors posit that there are critical policy issues to resolve within the nursing profession to clarify the role that clinical residencies should play in transition to DNP practice specifically related to NPs. PurposeThe purpose of this article was to (a) describe the context of NP residency models within NP curricula that strengthen the DNP Essentials with an emphasis on Essential VIII and a focus on distinctive clinical specialization, (b) describe the history and policy implications of NP residency programs as well as existing programs that assist transition to practice, and (c) recommend policies for consideration related to DNP NP residencies. MethodsLiterature on nurse practitioner residencies was reviewed. DiscussionWhile nurse practitioner residencies continue to grow, research is needed regarding outcomes of job satisfaction, clinical competencies, and patient satisfaction. ConclusionThe first year of practice for nurse practitioners is a critical period of professional development. It is important to further clarify the need, direction, and program standards. Academically affiliated residencies will facilitate the development and standardization of curricula and competencies to enhance clinical rigor. The partnership between academic units and clinical agencies will pool resources and strengthen nursing in both settings.

Assessing DNP impact using program evaluations to capture healthcare system change.

The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree was formalized in 2004. Data evaluating the impact of DNP-prepared nurses on individual patient care, population health, and healthcare system outcomes are limited. This article demonstrates how the DNP Essentials can be used to frame DNP program evaluation data.

Using implementation science as the core of the doctor of nursing practice inquiry project.

New knowledge in health care needs to be implemented for continuous practice improvement. Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs are designed to increase clinical practice knowledge and leadership skills of graduates. This article describes an implementation science course developed in a DNP program focused on advancing graduates' capacity for health systems leadership. Curriculum and course development are presented, and the course is mapped to depict how the course objectives and assignments were aligned with DNP Essentials. Course modules with rational are described, and examples of how students implemented assignments are provided. The challenges of integrating this course into the life of the school are discussed as well as steps taken to develop faculty for this capstone learning experience. This article describes a model of using implementation science to provide DNP students an experience in designing and managing an evidence-based practice change project.

The Development of Practice Scholarship in DNP Programs: A Paradigm Shift

Doctoral education in nursing is undergoing a paradigm shift. The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree was conceived to improve practice expertise and accelerate the translation of evidence into practice. The need for doctoral preparation that focuses on both expert practice and practice inquiry acknowledges the complexity of evidence-based practice. The DNP prepares graduates to practice at the most advanced level of nursing and to evaluate current practice approaches, to appraise evidence, and to use this knowledge to create clinical strategies that improve practice and health outcomes. DNP curricula need to evolve through shared best practices grounded in financial sustainability. Because of the evolutionary nature of new programs, there is a need for continuous rapid adjustment of the DNP curriculum. Ideas presented here have evolved with student, faculty, and agency input. Many elements of DNP curricula represent a shared world view of faculty across the county. However, consensus about the DNP project has not been reached and is urgently needed to promote acceptance of the DNP-prepared advanced practice registered nurse. The DNP project allows synthesis of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing DNP Essentials through "real world" translation of evidence into practice. This article proposes that DNP projects be defined as practice improvement partnerships between academia and community agencies. This "win-win" collaboration can improve care while preparing the next generation of nurses for the demands of increasingly complex healthcare environments.