The Association of Colleges for Nursing (AACN) justification for exchanging the advance practice nursing education to a doctoral level was based on the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Additionally, the complexities our healthcare environment require nurses that understand how to navigate through the healthcare delivery system. The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) was designed to fill a gap in nursing education. This program focuses on advancing nursing practice and executive management. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) proposed that by 2015 that all advanced practice nurses obtain a doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to fill the vital role of much needed nursing leaders in healthcare. This movement prompted educators to examine the doctoral education curriculum. The DNP curriculum now educates the student in scientific underpinnings, quality improvement, analytical method, evidence-based practice, systems/technology, policy collaboration, and advanced practice. While, the role of the DNP programs is to prepare the DNP as a clinical expert. The curriculum emphasis on management allows nurses to obtain leadership positions to ensure that nurses …show more content…
In addition their perception is that the DNP is appropriate to areas of nurse executive practice, clinical and business, retention of staff, care of the client and research. While they support the DNP as appropriate for a CNO positions, they did not rule out other terminal degrees. Waxman and Maxwothy, 2010, also stated that the DNP program is the best combination of educational preparation. The DNP is positioned to direct teams and healthcare task forces. Graduates of the DNP program leave with the confidence and knowledge to ensure the healthy future of the ever changing healthcare environment (Falk, Garrison, Brown, Pintz & Bocchino,
In nursing, the patient is often viewed as the main priority of the nursing staff. The nurse works to provide care for the patient based on the patient 's admitting diagnosis. However, the patient must be looked at as a part of the greater system they exist in such as their family or home environment. While the patient may be ill due to a bacterial infection or virus, their family environment also plays a role in their overall health and wellness.
The national shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) has helped generate formidable interest in the nursing profession among people entering the workforce and those pursuing a career change. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service in 2002, the national population is continuing to grow and age and medical services continue to advance, so the need for nurses will continue to increase. They report from 2000 to 2020 the predicted shortage of nurses is expected to grow to 29 percent, compared to a 6 percent shortage in 2000. With the projected supply, demand, and shortage of registered nurses and nursing salaries ever-increasing, the nursing profession can offer countless opportunities. But first one must determine which educational path to pursue, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Associate Degree in nursing (ADN). Most will initially be educated at the associate degree level, even though the American Organization of Nursing Executives (AONE) has recommended a baccalaureate level as a minimal for entry-level nurses. With the expanding number of RN to BSN programs available there is always the option to further one’s education at a later date. The benefits for acquiring a BSN over an ADN include a better knowledge for evidence-based practice, an increased advantage for promotion, and the necessary gateway for higher education.
The development of ADN programs has allowed many to reach their career goals by offering a shorter and less expensive way to complete their degrees. Some believe that Associate’s degree programs lack strong nursing theory and understanding of the actual science of nursing (Auerbach, Buerhaus & Staiger,
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 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.
With the increase in the complexity of the healthcare system, the doctorate has become the preferred preparation for advanced nursing practice in order to improve the quality of care (AACN, 2006). The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree in nursing. It is designed to prepare individuals for specialized nursing practice (AACN, 2006). A significant foundation for the practice of a DNP is the “Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice” (AACN, 2006). Incorporated into the curriculum of a graduate nurse obtaining a doctorate degree are the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006).
The recently developed Doctorate of Nursing Practice program encourages the development of practice competencies including translating and disseminating research into practice, active involvement in health policy issues related to practice, and incorporating healthy promotion and disease prevention (Moran, Burson, & Conrad, 2014). These important leadership functions will prepare nurses for the new roles encouraged by the IOM. By facilitating these changes the report anticipates improvements across the healthcare system from a less acknowledged but important
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’.
This paper will evaluate the local, national and international drivers that have influenced the development of advanced nursing practice. The discussion will include the political, economic, social, and technological influences that have contributed to the transformation from the traditional nursing role to the numerous exciting advanced level career opportunities achievable in nursing today. Dynamics that have shaped my own current advanced nursing role will be discussed and to conclude some thoughts on the future of advanced nursing practice.
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.
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.
University of Virginia is my sole choice for scholastic development. In my capacity as a frontline nurse, I have laid the foundation for the focus of my research interests and feel that my performance, initiative, and dedication to my patients are genuine evidence of my ability to perform competently and enthusiastically in an academic research setting. I hope that with this degree I can incorporate DNP essentials in my practice and make a difference by focusing on patient experience. No other field could ever provide me with personal and professional satisfaction and I look forward with great purpose to contributing much more. Thank you for your time and
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
Issues and trends in the nursing profession are constantly changing due to discoveries in technology and research, changes in reimbursement and legislation, and the changing needs of our population; in fact the only constant in healthcare is change. This course has provided me with a foundation and better understanding of the need for higher education to empower nurses to become leaders and help shape the future of the nursing profession. Nurses are the “backbone” of healthcare and this is becoming more evident with the changes we are currently seeing in the healthcare industry.