Impact of Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree to Nursing Practice
Opeoluwa Ajibike
University of Miami
Impact of Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree to Nursing Practice
Nursing, as a crucial part of the health care system, keeps evolving while dealing with an increasingly complex clinical situation that involves quality of patient care. Therefore, to successfully handle these scenarios, nursing needs to become more advanced, clinically and academically. A DNP degree is needed in this situation because according to Dunbar- Jacob, Navito & Khalil (2013), a DNP degree is considered to have more impact on nursing than a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree due to the advanced clinical education a DNP provides (p. 425). Hence, the DNP degree has an enormous impact in nursing practice especially in terms of improving clinical care, promoting leadership roles, and improving educational status.
Improving Clinical Care According to Fain, Asselin, & McCurry (2008), “The DNP degree is clinically focused. Those prepared in DNP programs are expert practitioners who use advanced nursing knowledge to improve patient care and health outcomes” (p. 36). DNP
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For example, a DNP degree instructor can provide education to MSN or DNP students, therefore, making the student realize the increase level of confidence in clinical, leadership, and application skills that can be gained with a DNP degree. Evidently, this increases the number of DNP degree holders in the long run which subsequently improves patients’ care in nursing practice. DNP- prepared faculty members can act as a model for advanced practice education (Dunbar- Jacob et al., 2013, p.425). Since one of the roles an ARPN is leadership, which also involves with mentoring, other staff members may visualize the ARPN as a role model, thus, enhancing the self-concept of advance nurse
For instance, I use to think that APRN can works in hospital settings, but I learned that she/he can work in many areas like pharmaceutical and biomedical companies, Insurance companies, Federal agencies, and as policy maker (Congress, and Senate). Also, there may be a confusion between DNP and APRN, but through this course I can now better explain difference between them. For example, DNP programs teach students to be embraced leadership, knowledge, skills, independent practice, and scientific foundation as core competencies of a fully trained APRN. These are emerging areas of scholarship in DNP that students can be prepared for, indicating the focus on clinical and systems outcomes of the Doctor of Nursing Practice
I presume the role transition from academic nursing student to Graduate Nurse will be challenging and rewarding. In their findings, the researchers Doody, Tuohy & Deasy (2012) stated that for a successful transition NGNs need to be competent in a range of domains: interpersonal skills, managing workloads, providing health information, communication, and prioritising care delivery. Although I believe I am competent in the above specified areas, I am still not confident that I would get sufficient support in the hospital environment in terms of knowledge sharing, moral support and being given constructive feedback. Constructive criticism increases confidence in the work role and reduces stress in an individual (Doody, Tuohy & Deasy, 2012). In my previous professional placements I have been able to demonstrate my competency to work in the healthcare environment. I have received positive feedback from placement educators, buddy nurses and patients. Despite being competent in a range of the above areas NGNs may still face transition shock.
I am delighted in my career as a professional nurse and seeking the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge base in order to practice at a higher level, and obtain the terminal degree in my profession. My goal is to become an adult nurse practitioner, with primary focus to improve the practice of nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice will equip me with knowledge and skills needed to understand and appreciate research and facilitate the process of putting evidence into practice, with the overall goal of achieving improve patient safety, satisfaction and outcomes. The Doctor of Nursing Practice will enable me to assume more leadership role, in practice and in research. I should be able to participate in research and formulate nursing models guided by evidence based practice models of care. Having practiced as a professional nurse for five years, obtaining the Doctor of Nursing Practice gives me the opportunity to foster my professional growth and development.
The decision to enroll in graduate school came after considerable time and soul searching. While contemplating the decision to return to school I thought about life, school and work. I realized that my experience in these areas have prepared me for the challenge and I am going to succeed.
The DNP embodies the convergence of the various practice doctorates in nursing and was adopted as the terminal practice degree in nursing by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in 2004 (Chism, 2016). Historically, nurses have been prepared at the doctoral level through a variety of degrees both outside of and within nursing. These various degrees include, but are not limited to, the doctor of education (EdD), DNS, DNSc, DrNP, ND, and PhDs in various fields of basic or applied sciences related to nursing.
The white paper entitled, The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations was written and published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The AACN Board of Directors formed a task force to review and clarify the evolution of the practice doctorate in nursing as outlined in the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (DNP Essentials). This paper highlights the recommendations to describe and clarify the characteristics of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate scholarship, the DNP project, efficient use of resources, program length, curriculum considerations, practice experiences, and guidelines for collaborative partnership.
Twibell and Pierre explain why mentoring residency programs play a huge role in employee retention rates. Mentors rather than preceptors are investing in new grad nurses for longer than just a few months. NGNs are receiving constructive criticism from their mentors and serve as mediators between workplace issues. High levels of anxiety are reported in the first few weeks of employment, but with mentors there to have a caring attitude, the levels of anxiety can be greatly decreased and learning can be much easier facilitated (2012).
In fact, Researchers had shown the results of outcomes having different degrees of level. According to AACN, Today 61% Nurses in the United States have a BSN degree who works in health settings. In fact, BSN nurses reduce death rate mortality, and readmission rate by using clinical practice knowledge (AACN) . Having advance level of knowledge involves nurses to manage the patient level of care and monitor for progress. American Organization of Nurses Executives states that nurses who have a higher education level promotes safe nursing care and improves patient safety. Higher educational nurses prepare herself for clinical challenging and complex roles (AACN, page 1). They develop more ideas, better intervention, and focus more on clinical
Preceptor recruitment, preparation, and compensation; preparation and evaluation of the students; as well as the setting and overall experience for both student and preceptor have long since been starting points for literature reviews when addressing new graduate nurse practitioner (NP) clinical competency upon entry to practice. Preceptor models and student/mentor relationships address, in part, the following benefits: opportunities for critical thinking, operationalizing theoretical concepts, enhancing professional behaviors, interaction with peers and ancillary personnel, all while doing so in a real world environment (Ivey, 2006).
This certification will strengthen as well as show potential employers an intiative towards personal growth as well as professional achievement. To be specialized in a particular area of this field, one must amass knowledge by going through continuing education programs, formal coursework, self-study, and clinical experience. Then, you must successful pass a certification exam, which will then show their recognition of expertise. There are two programs, The National Association of Practical Nurse Education and Service (or NAPNES) and National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (or NFLPN), that offer certification courses in such areas as: infection control, nursing administration long term care, hospice and palliative, managed care, among
Advanced practice registered nurses play a significant part in extending access to health care by providing primary care and specialty care services to clients. Advanced practices registered are mentors, educators, researchers, and administrators. According to Health Resources and Services Administration, “Ninety-six percent of the NP workforce reported being in clinical practice, providing direct patient care” (Health Resources and Services Administration 2016). Furthermore, “Nearly three percentages were in faculty positions and approximately one percent was in administrative positions”(Health Resources and Services Administration 2016).
Healthcare is a continuous emerging industry across the world. With our ever changing life styles and the increased levels of pollution across the world more and more people are suffering from various health issues. Nursing is an extremely diverse profession and among the highest educated with several levels ranging from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) on up to a Doctorate in Nursing. Diane Viens (2003) states that ‘The NP is a critical member of the workforce to assume the leadership roles within practice, education, research, health systems, and health policy’.
Brykczynski, Karen A. “Role Development of the Advanced Practice Nurse,” in Advanced Nursing Practice: An
Wojciechowski, A. "Assuring the Effective Advanced Degree Nurse as Clinical Education Program Manager." Internet Journal of Advanced Nursing Practice: 5.2 (Jun 2002):43 Academic Search Premier. EBSCO Host. Camden Carroll Lib. Morehead State University. 27 Oct 2013.
The first key message that is discussed is that nurses should practice to the fullest extent of their education and training. Most of the nurses that are in practice are registered nurses. Advanced nurse practitioners are nurses that hold a master’s or doctoral degree and include nurse midwifes, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists and consist of about two hundred and fifty thousand of the nurses currently working today. Advanced practice nurses are limited to what