A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a clinical doctoral degree that prepares graduates for advanced nursing roles whose skills should include a high level of practice and leadership. Nurses who have passed DNP significantly impact healthcare systems’ quality, efficiency, and effectiveness (Smith et al., 2018). They make a significant contribution to clinical practice, health policy, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practices, and influence nurses’ quality of professional education.
There are eight fundamental principles in DNP practice that describe the learning elements and competencies that should be present in programs awarding a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. DNPs get the opportunity to form models of human behavior when interacting with the environment in ordinary life events and critical life situations (McCauley et al., 2020). Thus, DNPs gain broad knowledge in natural sciences and can find practical applications to help patients.
My choice to obtain a DNP educational level is validated by multiple developmental opportunities. For me, being a DNP-prepared nurse is a chance to advance my professional skills, facilitate my career growth opportunities, and contribute my knowledge to the improvement of population health outcomes. In such a manner, I will be able to apply a new model of medical care within the framework of cultural, social, and organizational changes. Moreover, my choice to become a DNP is validated by applying various strategies to solve complex ethical problems and demonstrating empathy for corporate cultures and population groups (Flanagan et al., 2021). Thus, obtaining a DNP degree is a significant educational contribution to the advancement of my career and the profession of nursing at large.
In addition, the DNP program provides an opportunity to acquire the ability to use new technologies and information systems to increase the effectiveness of patient care. New technologies are an integral part of modernity, so DNPs should use various medical care programs and health information systems and constantly improve their technical skills (Beeber et al., 2019). Moreover, the DNP recommendations make it possible to competently evaluate the sources of information about consumers’ health for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance. DNP graduates have the opportunity to analyze issues and decisions related to healthcare critically, demonstrate leadership in these areas, and engage in educational and political activities (“American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” n.d.). DNP principles allow graduates to learn how to defend social justice, equality, and ethical policy in all areas of healthcare.
The DNP program significantly enhances the leadership qualities of graduates the skills of leading interprofessional teams to create changes in healthcare and complex systems of medical care. This complexity is since today there is a complex, multi-level healthcare environment directly related to the contribution of highly qualified and educated people from different professions (Beeber et al., 2019. To overcome obstacles to joint practice, DNP graduates receive in-depth training in the interprofessional aspect of healthcare.
Several specific basic principles of DNP significantly resonate with my future APRN practice. One of them is Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking (“American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” n.d.). This principle includes assessing risks, cooperating with others for ethical risk management based on professional standards, and understanding practice management principles. In my opinion, leadership is the area through which a nurse can integrate evidence-based, multidisciplinary teamwork into practice, which particularly resonates with my vision of health care facility management.
The second basic principle that resonates with my professional views is Essential IV: Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care. The ability to effectively use new technologies, information systems, and medical care programs are essential for APRNs engaged in continuing education to stay ahead of any technological, methodological, or other developments in this field (“American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” n.d.). In my opinion, the ability to integrate patient care technologies and information systems into the system of health care is pivotal for skilled APRNs striving for performance excellence, accuracy, and evidence-based practice.
Finally, another fundamental principle is Essential V: Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care. APRNs advise the public on health issues, so participation in the policy-making process is central to creating a health system that meets the needs of its participants (“American Association of Colleges of Nursing,” n.d.). For an APRN practitioner, the essential skills are developing, implementing, and promoting health policy to address social justice and equality in healthcare. It is through the role of DNP that one can obtain proper access to policy-making and advance relevant legislation and practices for better population health outcomes.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing: DNP essentials. (n.d.). Web.
Beeber, A. S., Palmer, C., Waldrop, J., Lynn, M. R., & Jones, C. B. (2019). The role of doctor of nursing practice-prepared nurses in practice settings. Nursing Outlook, 67(4), 354-364. Web.
Flanagan, J., Turkel, M. C., Roussel, L., & Smith, M. (2021). Nursing knowledge in the doctor of nursing practice curriculum. Nursing science quarterly, 34(3), 268-274. Web.
McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., Norman, L.D., Rideout, K. H., & Villarruel, A. M. (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting, readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing Outlook, 68(4), 494-503. Web.
Smith, S., Hallowell, S. C., & Lloyd-Fitzgerald, J. (2018). AACN’s DNP essential II prepares clinicians for academic leadership: Three DNP graduates share their leadership journey. Journal of professional nursing: official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 34(1), 16-19.