NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

I normally do not start off a discussion, but because this is the first week, I decided to do so this time.

I do think that both DNP and PhD educated nurses are “leaders” in their own right, but that the DNP leader is much more focused on clinical issues and outcomes, compared to the PhD leader who primarily focuses on research and adding to the body of literature that guides our profession. What I find most admirable is the mutual respect that is shown to the two doctorates (DNP and PhD) professionally. There is a recognition that working together, we are making a real difference to the nursing profession, and ultimately to healthcare in a more global way. 

When I obtained my PhD, the DNP was just starting to gain recognition and many colleges and universities balked at calling it a terminal degree or allowing the graduates to teach at that level. Things have really changed now, as colleges and universities now realize that DNP graduates are wonderful clinical instructors and many also teach theory courses. The PhD has always been respected and, because it is a research based degree, schools that tend to put a lot of emphasis on having their faculty publish, do research, and gain national recognition for innovative educational techniques, etc., prefer to hire them.

Both degrees are now highly respected and the cross-over in what they do is sometimes difficult to distinguish. I do not think any student can go wrong choosing either degree. It is really personal preference and the decision one makes in deciding what they want to do once they graduate from a doctoral program.

I believe the expectations you have for this reward certainly demonstrate that you have chosen the correct degree!

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Every doctoral degree comes with certain responsibilities. When people see the title of doctor, inherently trust and respect result. Starting on the journey to a doctoral degree comes with a lot of responsibility to the profession, patients, community and self. The long and winding road will likely have bumps. Nursing has evolved and now provides two different avenues to meet the continually growing need for doctoral prepared nurses.  While nurses who have a love for lifelong learning look to their future it is important to understand how an individuals goals align with each doctoral degree. Phd and DNP have different goals related to the future of nursing.

A PhD in nursing has a focus on research and teaching which means there is also a focus on ensuring funding via grants for the institution (Cleary & Hunt, 2011). Research requires a great deal of time and energy which translates to a long time before the information generation translates into practice changes. Nurses who pursue this avenue are often working to leave their mark on the world and this can take many years to accomplish. Due to the extensive time, effort, and costs associated with a PhD, completion is also an obstacle (Cleary & Hunt, 2011). It is not for the faint of heart as the research process requires an immense amount of work. As a result of this long lead time, the new doctorate in nursing was born (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008).

The DNP was born out of a need to impact practice and patient care swiftly. Patients need to have better care today and nurses are expected to deliver this care. Nursing has a focus on evidence and data thus this lends itself to a focus on the practice side of nursing (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008). Integration of data and evidence-based practice provide credibility to the nurse thus leading to better outcomes for patients. The DNP also allows the exploration of more clinical based issues to be identified and explored more quickly as the DNP has access to needs as they are identified in the clinical setting. Innovation is expected of the DNP as they apply the research of the PhD. DNP prepared nurses can also engage in research and apply the outcomes readily. Recent changes in the global climate have accelerated the need to apply information rapidly. The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched many practitioners to the breaking point and has also opened the doors to new areas of research and application (The Impact of COVID-19 on the Nursing Profession in the U.S. | AONL, n.d.).

Nursing is more than a profession to most who are successful. As I look at my career progression over the last twelve months, I would never have imagined the changes I would encounter or those our world would encounter. I am fortunate that nursing is my chosen passion as it is agile and able to meet the constant changes to which we have grown accustomed. The year 2020 was labeled the year of the nurse and to me this means the year of transformation. As a result of this transformation, I personally examined my goals in a new way. Given the chance to gain insight my lifelong goal of being the best nurse I can, has driven me to pursue my terminal degree in nursing. As an operating room nurse who turned to an informatics nurse the Doctor of Nursing practice is the degree for me as my journey in nursing is anything but standard. If not now, when. I am here to seize the day.

References:

Cleary, M., & Hunt, G. E. (2011). Demystifying PhDs: A review of doctorate programs designed to fulfil the needs of the next generation of nursing professionals. Contemporary Nurse : A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 39(2), 273–280.

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of Nursing Practice: Blueprint for Excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2007.12.015

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Nursing Profession in the U.S. | AONL. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.aonl.org/resources/impact-of-covid19-on-nurses

A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Thank you for an interesting post!  I really enjoyed reading it.

Like all things related to process improvement, the pursuit of a doctoral degree in nursing is noted as the terminal level of the nursing education process.  Obtaining a doctoral degree provides nurses with the knowledge and tools to practice at the highest and most respected roles in the profession.  

Considering the practice doctorate level degree is not a new concept, it is however an evolving degree over the last 20 years since the first practice focused doctoral programs launched.  Both the DNP and the PhD degrees assume leadership roles to impact change.  The focus is distinctly different as the DNP (practice focus) and the PhD (research focused), however they share the same educational level of distinction which both compliment and enhance nursing practice.   Other nursing degrees, the Bachelor and Master prepared nurses are entry level nursing staff or mid-level managers who deliver and/or manage the delivery of patient care.  Doctorate level prepared nurses are respected as the most advanced nursing leaders, and have the ultimate responsibility for the continuum of advanced nursing practice. 

 Dr. Linda Beechinor also states in the video, “In order to make changes, empower yourself, and sit at the table where decisions are made, you need the education, background, and the credibility of the doctoral degree.” (Laureate Education, 2011). 

How do you feel your professional life may change once you complete your doctoral degree? Have you given it any thought?

Dr. Harvey

Reference:

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Available from https://class.waldenu.edu

A Sample Answer 4 For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Thank you for your insight. Considering the last year, I can say only what I hope my doctorate will allow me to do and know this could change. My goal as a nurse has always been to provide the best care possible for those I serve. By attaining my DNP, I am looking to join academia and formally train the nurses of the future. My dream has always been to teach and a terminal degree with help me attain this goal. Informally I have enjoyed mentoring the nurses of the future as I have interacted with them as students via their clinicals and I look forward to playing a more active role.

Professionally I look forward to the unexpected opportunities my DNP is likely to offer. With my varied background I am excited at the adventures I may find as a result of my previous jobs as I have been an operating room nurse, a hospital educator, office nurse, data abstractor, data analysist, informatics nurse, manager, and a nursing home nurse. Recently I was thinking about how my perspective of my abilities has changed from my first job to my current job. In the operating room I had one patient at a time and I always said that was all I could handle. Yesterday I was the nurse for twenty-nine patients (residents) at a time. Never in my wildest dreams did I predict that, and I am excited as I expect my DNP will offer similar unforeseen opportunities.

A Sample Answer 5 For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. The joy of your practice certainly shines through.

Nurses who hold either of these degrees are expected to understand their roles as DNP or PhD prepared nurses. They should be able to articulate with a vast variety of interdisciplinary team members, the public, and those who make policies. These nurses should be able to be effective leaders and work better as share decision makers. This degree requires one to look at the entire nursing practice as a whole and research ways to improve it for the nurses as well as the patients and all other entities who have an invested interest, while using evidenced-based practice. This degree will afford a nurse the opportunity to aid in positive change, reinforce things that will help with financial matters and policies. Furthering your education, whatever the avenue you choose, will only help to strengthen your critical-thinking skills and ability to solve problems more effectively.

I want to first say that I appreciate your in-depth review of both the Ph.D and DNP roles. I honestly feel as though my learning was solidified with your explanations. There are two things that stuck with me as I read your discussion post—goal alignment and how COVID-19 has impacted nursing.

To begin, I think it is critical for nurses to reflect on their position and consider how they want to impact nursing in the future. Often times, I hear nurses state that they want to pursue an advanced degree, but they waiver back and forth with either being a nurse practitioner or Ph.D. When I ask what exactly they want to do, they say that they just want an advanced degree to be more marketable and “keep up with the times”.  I warn that this is dangerous because both roles are critical to the nursing practice and require a different skillset—advanced degrees are not to be entered into lightly. I believe the importance of these degrees and their contribution to nursing practice should be communicated at the BSN and MSN levels to help appropriately inform future nurse leaders about their impact on the profession. From my personal experience, I think that most nurses just want to attain the “glamour” of the degree to add the credentials, but they do not have a passion for research or practice improvement. Therefore, I agree that nurses need to identify and align their goals.

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the entire healthcare delivery system. While it has wreaked havoc on life as we know it and nursing care, it has also ignited my interest in evidence-based practice. I fully enjoy looking at data, creating a plan, implementing the plan, and waiting for the results. With that being said, as a labor and delivery nurse at the start of the pandemic, it was evident that care for COVID + labor patients would look different from the norm. Over the course of the year, we realized that pregnant COVID patients would present with pre-eclampsia symptoms, which posed a major problem for our unit—we were faced with asking this question, “how do we know who needs magnesium sulfate and who does not”? Did COVID pre-eclampsia symptoms take the same toll on the body as true pre-eclampsia? This was major shift in critical thinking and nursing practice. I absolutely fell in love with this, and I joined a task-force committee at work to help address the new concerns as we arise. It was exciting to engage in the research process and help create practice change on our unit. So, it is safe to say, I am ready for the DNP ride (insert major smile). The AACN (2006) identified the eight essentials of the DNP that are foundational competencies that are core to all advanced nursing practice roles. I am sure that I will develop the foundational essentials, but I most closely relate to Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence Based Practice.

Reference

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Excellent analysis of your post. You are right that the doctoral degree comes with some form of accountabilities and responsibilities. Starting this scary journey as nurses, we are going to face challenges with our patients, jobs, society, and even ourselves. Being either a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, are been taught to use existing evidence-based that promote positive change in healthcare settings (Zaccagnini & Pechacek,  p. 5, 2021). The DNP programs around the US are building programs that have the capabilities to increase professional knowledge to forthcoming leaders, appropriate quality of clinical content, and policy. Also, applying ethical and legal rules help improve data management and technology to enhance healthcare (Jenkins, 2018).

References

Jenkins, M. L. (2018). Informatics Essentials for DNPs. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 250, 55–57. https://web-a-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=07653a7c-4a39-4c6d-89dc-89f7c9598d84%40sessionmgr4007

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Title: NURS 8000 The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Thank you for your post and the comprehensive insight that you provide in the discussion. I enjoyed reading it and I agree with that indeed each doctoral degree comes with particular responsibilities for the nursing student as a professional. The title attained through the qualification shows credibility and demonstrate a resolve to future lifelong learning. As posited nurses should align their individual goals with the two different doctoral degrees in nursing; a PhD and DNP.

Research is a fundamental part of quality nursing practice and findings from such studies offer opportunities for nurses to implement evidence-based practice interventions in their practice (Young et al., 12019). Therefore, through a PhD qualification, nurses can enhance their use of EBP findings to enhance quality care delivery and optimal patient outcomes (McCauley et al., 2020). Taking a PhD implies that one’s goal is research and helping nurse practitioners find the most appropriate approaches to care. On its art, a DNP focuses on ensuring that nurses improve practice quality and patient care. At the core of a DNP qualification is to acquire skills and competences that will enable nurse to ascend to managerial and leadership positions so that they can direct care patient care. Through a DNP qualification, nurses can assume more roles in care provision, especially due to the current reforms in the healthcare sector that have led to increased demand for services (Michael & Clochesy, 2017). The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) means that nurse leaders must develop appropriate interventions to help nurses deliver care while minimizing issues like burnouts and shortage that leads to increased turnover and poor services provision. Therefore, as observed in your post, nurses pursuing these terminal degrees must ensure that they align with their lifelong practice and learning goals.

References

McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., … & Villarruel,

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. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2020.03.008

Michael, S.J., & Clochesy, J.M. (2017). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A

synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40. 84-86. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2016.02.011.

Young, D., Colvin, N., Seibenhener, S., & Johnson, A. (2019). The nursing doctorate: one size

            does not fit all. Creative nursing, 25(4), 334-337. doi: 10.1891/1078-4535.25.4.334.

What does it mean to be a nurse with a practice or research doctorate?

The PhD and DNP represent the complementary and alternative approaches to the highest level of educational preparation in nursing (Michael and Clochesy, 2016). In practice for me, this allows for an increase in knowledge dissemination, more responsibility and leverage when it comes to collaborative approaches, decision making, bringing research to practice, innovativeness, and bridging knowledge gaps in practice. 

What are the expectations associated with this degree?

The expectations associated with the DNP and PHD, are standards set out by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, The institute of Medicine and National Research Council of the National Academies. The DNP 8 essentials delineated address the foundational competencies that are core to all advanced nursing practice roles:

 (AACN,2006)

Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence Based Practice
Information Systems Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformational of Health Care
Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
Advanced Nursing Practice

How might this be different for a nurse who holds a different degree?

Different entry points may exist however curricula must be individualized for candidates based on their prior education and experience (AACN, 2006). Nurses that hold a different degree may not be as prepared and or have a hard time conceptualizing the programs essentials to nursing practice. Many students entering DNP programs will have a masters degree that has been built on AACN’s masters essential, that which attain many of the competencies defined in the DNP essentials (AACN, 2006).

How do these considerations relate to your motivation to pursue a doctoral degree right now?

In completing a masters level program, it allowed me to thinking from a leadership perspective as well as the opportunity to cover some of the DNP essentials; the credibility that the DNP offers, allows for greater recognition and a competitive edge when bringing ideas to practice. Walden university DNP programs offers

(Laureate Education, 2012)

Creditability in decision making
Apply research to promote evidence-based practice
Advocate for patients though policy and reform efforts
Use technology to improve the quality and safety of patient care
Manage organizational change effectively
Perform at the highest level of clinical practice
Empowerment and being a part of decision making
Managing Change

Reference

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

Michael, M.J. & Clochesy, J. M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40. 84-86. 

Laureate Education (Producer. (2011). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice video retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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posted 1 year ago (last edited 10 months ago)

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Shonda,

You sound like you made a good choice in pursing your DNP. I appreciate how detailed your post.

The complexity of health care environment demands nurses that are highly skilled to provide safe and optimal patient care. To this effect, doctoral programs have emerged consisting of curriculum that aligns to American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) essentials for doctoral degree in nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), also known as practice doctorate or clinical doctorate continuously apply skills and knowledge while providing direct patient care. A nurse with a practice doctorate delivers practice-based training, utilizing clinical applications of advanced level nursing knowledge. A nurse with a practice doctorate is prepared to apply the outcome of a clinical research to a clinical practice (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008).

Expectations associated with earning a practice doctorate is the ability to take on challenging roles in advocacy and problem solving. Core competencies expected of a nurse with a practice doctorate include the use of evidence-based practice, forming an alliance with members of the interdisciplinary group, and the incorporation of informatics to manage and analyze healthcare data of patients (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008).

Nurse with a DNP degree is expected to provide leadership, and test care delivery models to improve practice environment. He/she is expected to translate research into practice while evaluating and analyzing practice data. Advanced knowledge and competencies to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes, as well as leadership skills to strengthen practice and delivery of health care are expected of a nurse with a practice doctorate (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006).

However, expectations might be different for a nurse who holds a different degree such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc). For example, while the DNP emphasizes on achieving higher level skills in nursing practice to improve patient outcomes, the PhD in nursing and D.N.Sc degree are academic research degrees focusing on research and scholarly inquiry. A nurse with a PhD degree is expected to track illness trajectories utilizing research, advanced theory, data analysis, research methodology, and care systems (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008). Thus, the PhD degree holder in nursing is mostly committed to research and the development of knowledge, while the DNP degree holder in nursing is committed to improve health care through patient care and policy change. However, both are terminal degrees that share something in common: a scholarly approach to the field of nursing, and a commitment to advance the nursing profession (Zaccagnini & White, 2017).

Did you have any doubts about entering into a program like this, which is such a commitment of financial resources and of time? What convinced you it was worth it.

I enjoyed reading your discussion post!

Dr. Harvey

 References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice.         Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctor of Nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146-151.

Zaccagnini, M. E., & White, K. W. (2017). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (3rd ed.).   Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Shonda Young

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Dr. Harvey,

Thank you for replying to my post. Initially before starting the doctorate program I was confused about which program I should choose. In hopes of being more competitive as a nurse executive, I decide to pursue my doctorate in nursing. In establishing new goals, I was undecided on which degree I wanted to get that of the DNP or PhD. After speaking to a DNP at my hospital, she explained that the PhD was more research based and DON was clinical based. She also stated that there was more leverage with the DNP degree than that of the PhD. After speaking with this individual my mind was fully made up.

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Shonda and Class,

Due to the constant changes in education of health care professionals, the Pew Health Professions Commission (1995) report gave us the idea that learning environment can be paired with technology, health care systems, and the government in order to create a new alliances. Furthermore, additional publications by Institute of Medicine 2001, Institute of Medicine 2003 identified core competencies that all health care providers should possess. Hence, members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) responded and recommended that advanced practice of nursing education move from the master’s degree to the doctorate level (DNP) by the year 2015 (Sperhac, 2008). However, DNP focuses more on the clinical practice compared to a research focused PhD. They both work hand in hand and are needed to create a better nursing practice to this constantly changing world of nursing profession both in the community and the whole world (Zaccagnini & White, 2017)

In our field of nursing, caring for the patients is more of a moral obligation and calling rather than a mere job. A terminal doctorate degree will enable you and your classmates to become a leader in serving patients and students, and open many doors to you professionally.

Dr. H

References:

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146–151.

Zaccagnini, M. E., & White, K. W. (2017). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Courtney Jones

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Nurses who decide to pursue a doctoral degree in nursing desire to be experts in the field.  As you mentioned in your post, doctorally prepared nurses are equipped to disseminate knowledge. Doctorally prepared nurses help to improve healthcare outcomes without discrimination of setting. Surprisingly, doctorally prepared nurses only make up 2% of the current workforce despite the urgent need for advanced practice registered nurses, academic faculty staff, nurse researchers, and leadership positions (as cited in Trautman et al., 2018).  

As we both are aware, there are two paths to obtaining a doctorate degree in nursing. Nurses can choose to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which focuses on clinical practice, or a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.), which focuses on research. Trautman et al. (2018) state DNP and Ph.D. nurses are allies as they work together to improving nursing interventions to be implemented at the bedside.

Reference 

Trautman, D.E., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., Rosseter, R., (2018) “Advancing Scholarship through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1).

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1 year ago

Maseray Bayoh-Sensie

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Hi Courtney,

I enjoy reading you post, A DNP focuses on applying research to practical problems, while a Ph.D. focuses on research, data analysis and evaluation of theory. The DNP assist in translating the research into practice applying new knowledge to practice that improves health care practices and outcomes. Both doctoral programs serve the primary purpose of improving  nursing care. Conn (2014). Having a DNP makes a health care professional be able to implement evidence- based research into real-life practice. 

Conn, V.S. (2014), Prepare launch: Optimizing doctoral education to ensure career success.

                     Western  Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1), 3-5.

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1 year ago

MARYANN EBOM

RE: Discussion – Week 1 response 2 Maryann Ebom

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Dear Shonda,

Thank you Shonda for your insightful post and discussion on acquiring a doctoral degree. I agree that a PhD and DNP are terminal degrees in nursing that allow nurses to have a certain trajectory in their profession. Acquisition of a DNP allows nurses to acquire more knowledge and possess abilities on how to disseminate it in their practice settings. These terminal qualifications implore nurses to prepare for increased responsibilities that include leadership roles and abilities to make decisions, translate research into practice and become more innovative (Zaccagnini et al., 2017). A PhD qualification focuses on research and development of scientific knowledge that can be applied in nursing practice. Nurses seek to fill knowledge gaps in practice when they select to pursue any of these terminal degrees in the profession.

As observed in your expectations, both DNP and PhD prepare students and nursing professionals to increase their competencies in their advanced nursing practice roles (Hartjes et al., 2019). They can improve quality and system thinking as leaders in organizations, and use information systems technology and other standards set by the regulatory and professional entities like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

As asserted in your post, nurses who have other qualifications may not have effective preparation to understand programs that are significant to the nursing practice. The implication is that having a DNP qualification prepares nurses in different roles and responsibilities for effective care practice. Further, pursuit of a DNP degree is essential because it offers credibility and makes nurses to have a competitive edge in their workplace, especially the possibility of assuming leadership roles (Ross & Lekan, 2020). Therefore, as posited in your discussion, having a terminal qualification will provide enhanced leverage in gaining better position and career prospects in future engagements.  

References

Hartjes, T. M., Lester, D., Arasi-Ruddock, L., Bradley, S. M., Munro, S., & Cowan, L. (2019).

Answering the question: Is the Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Nursing Practice right for me? Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(8), 439-442. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000273.

Ross, R., & Lekan, D. (2020). Doctor of nursing practice vis-à-vis doctor of philosophy in

nursing. Texto & Contexto-Enfermagem, 29. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2020-0001-0004 

Zaccagnini, M. E., & White, K. W. (2017). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new

            model for advanced practice nursing (3rd ed.).   Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Jasmine McDuffie

RE: Discussion – Week 1: Initial Post

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With the help of technology and scientific research, healthcare is a rapidly growing entity that requires professionals to be flexible and innovative. As a result, there is a need for advancing nursing knowledge so that nursing professionals can engage in conversations with a host of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals that help shape/steer the future of healthcare. To be a nurse with a practice or research doctorate is to join a community of nurse leaders dedicated to contributing research or practice that focuses on addressing the multifaceted challenges of healthcare and effecting positive change within the healthcare system. Both Ph.D. and DNP prepared nurses are tasked with guiding our profession and facilitating practice change.

According to Michael and Clochesy (2016), “health system leaders and stakeholders are calling for . . . reforms . . . to accelerate the uptake and application of new knowledge and practice and to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes” (p. 84). Therefore, the expectations associated with both the DNP and Ph.D. are as follows: use research (Ph.D.) in various clinical settings to help improve patient care and outcomes, and apply research (DNP) in the clinical setting to help improve patient care and outcomes. Essentially, the Ph.D. and DNP are complimentary, terminal degrees that work together to gather important healthcare data, create practice protocols, implement practice change, and evaluate the effects of these changes. In short, terminal degree holders should be change agents that focus on areas of leadership, evidence-based research/practice, and policy. Therefore, the overall expectations set by the degree plans and executed by the nurse scientists or practitioners are to create and implement healthcare plans that are rooted in evidence-based research.

Nurses who hold different degrees (BSN, APRN) traditionally focus on providing patient care. In other words, they are more focused on treating and caring for the patient than examining the data that drive practice change. This focus, however, is not a damaging school of thought—nurse clinicians help care for the growing population of sick individuals in the United States.

My motivation to pursue a doctoral degree seamlessly aligns with the considerations and expectations of the DNP degree. More specifically, I am heavily interested in evidence-based practice and its effect on positive healthcare outcomes. I have been employed at both a private hospital and a teaching hospital. I recognized my love for patient care early on; it was not until I started working in a teaching facility that I realized my passion for evidence-based patient care. I would compare my patient’s outcomes between both facilities and make suggestions to my private hospital based on data gathered independently. My main goal was to decrease the primary cesarean rate of primigravida patients by utilizing new practice methods that I learned at my teaching facility. Additionally, I have recently transitioned to the role of clinical professional development educator. I am responsible for implementing education rooted in evidence and proven to improve patient care and outcomes.

Michael, S.J., & Clochesy, J.M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40. 84-86.

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posted 1 year ago (last edited 10 months ago)

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1: Initial Post

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Jasmine,

I really admire how dedicated you are to patient care. It is clear that this is something you feel strongly about.  There is no better time than now to undertake your earning your doctoral degree. If I have one regret, it is that I did not do it earlier. I see young nurses go directly from a masters program to a doctoral one, and I cannot even imagine the positive impact they will have on our profession. 

As a nurse with an advanced degree, it means that you are taking on the role of providing growth and knowledge to the base of nursing. It means that you challenge the status quo using science and philosophy, use qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies to support the science, and provide safe, evidence-based care to the patient, family, and community (Zaccagnini, & White, 2014).

To be a nurse with an advanced degree in research or practice means that you have the knowledge base and skill set to affect the way nursing is viewed as a profession (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006). It means that you listen to the bedside nurse and hear wat they find as obstacles or questions of practice and answer them. It means that you are a subject matter expert in the profession of nursing or research and that you will endeavor to get those questions answered to the best of your ability utilizing both scientific methodologies as well as philosophical methodologies (McEwen, & Wills, 2014). A nurse who holds a different degree may just use concrete types of thinking, but the advanced degree nurse uses both concrete and abstract thinking to find solutions and answers (Gray, Grove, & Sutherland, 2017).

The expectations associated with a doctoral degree, whether a DNP or a  PhD researcher is the assumption that best practice via evidence or research about an identified practice problem will be implemented at the bedside or to result in better patient outcomes. Evidenced based practice nformation will be disseminated to the RNs to put into practice or to understand the needed change in practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006). 

Was it a difficult decision to decide which educational route you wanted to take? Who do you feel influenced you the most?

Dr. H

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC: Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/Essentials.pdf

Gray, J. R., Grove, S. K., and Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Available from https://class.waldenu.edu

Zaccagnini, M. E., & White, K. W. (2014). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. [Vital Source e-reader]

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1 year ago

Anissa Walker

RE: Discussion – Week 1: Initial Post

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Good Evening Jasmine,

    I truly enjoyed your post.  Sperhac & Clinton (2008) suggest by obtaining your DNP, you will gain the level of competence and the accountability needed to achieve your goals of decreasing cesarean rates, not only on a local level, but potentially nationwide (p. 147). You also mentioned you enjoy being hands on.  Hopefully you will be able to collaborate with a PhD advanced practice nurse, that will assist in bringing your clinically focused goal (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008). It seems you already have the clinical knowledge and the skills you need to be in a leadership position, and the DNP terminal degree will only enhance attributes which you already exude.  

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1 year ago

Shonda Young

RE: Discussion – Week 1: Initial Post

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Second Week1 Second Response Jasmin, I enjoyed reading your post like you I have found the DNP, to be most appealing because it allows collaboration with the research nurse in the dissemination of research to the bedside. I would like the chance to apply my knowledge gained new and tested research and be a part of the change process. Nursing as a practice profession requires both practice experts and nurse scientists to expand the scientific basis for patient care (aacn.org) Reference: American Association of Colleges of nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC; author retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1: Initial Post

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Everyone,

DNP nurses are doctoral  prepared nurses who are primarily specialized in clinical practice. They implement new ways of Evidence-Based practice (EBP) and evaluate the outcome. They practice in hospitals, clinics, long term care, and other private and non-private settings.

 Similar to DNP, Ph.D. research nurses also hold doctorate degrees. PhD-prepared nurses are leaders in research, teaching, mentoring, innovation, informatics and many other high-level administrative sectors.  Ph.D. prepared nurses are expert in nursing research methodology.

Since the time of Florence Nightingale, when the nursing profession was at its infancy; research has been the foundation of the nursing profession. For example, the inquires and data collection made by Nightingale led to the improvement of care and reduction of the mortality of soldiers of the Crimean war. Nightingales research symbolizes the significance of Evidence-Based Practice in nursing profession. “Ïndeed her work was so impressive that inducted into the statistical society of London”Houser, 2018, p. 7). 

 DNP and PhD. prepared nurses, despite their separate primary focus areas, both are doctoral prepared leaders, and they advocate through research and policy.They share a common goal: improving the quality of healthcare and outcome in more cost-effective ways. They work in collaboration to find solutions for critical issues. For example, research that is conducted by the Ph.D. research nurses can inform clinical practice, which can ultimately bring improvement in patient care and outcome.       

 I believe that holding a doctoral degree is one of the most empowering and fulfilling academic achievements. Earning this highest academic award requires undertaking the grueling and the most demanding academic and research work. At the same time,those who are ambitious about producing the next generation nurses and who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and uphold high professional and personal integrity will succeed. I am confident you all will be successful.

Dr. H

References:

 Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research:Reading, using and creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington,  

    MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice  [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Dr. H

References:

 Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research:Reading, using and creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington,  

    MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice  [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Courtney Jones

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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The healthcare delivery system is always evolving. It is the opinion on many, that nurses are at the forefront of delivering healthcare. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2006), many nurses seek a doctoral degree in response to healthcare need for experts in knowledge in the clinical setting, academia, and leadership role. Moreover, knowing that nurses are a vital part of the healthcare delivery system, nurses need to stay up to date on literature as well as best practice in the clinical setting. The forever growing healthcare delivery system urges advanced prepared nurses to seek the highest level of education in the field of nursing. This urgency sparks the desire of many nurses to obtain a doctoral degree. There is a great sense of leadership responsibility embedded in obtaining Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.). It is widely known DNP prepared nurses focus on delivering evidence-based practices (EBP) in the clinical setting and Ph.D. prepared nurses focus on conducting research to advance science and the practice of nursing (Zaccagnini et al., 2021). Although the degree paths of a nurse prepared with a DNP or Ph.D. are rooted in different areas of nursing, the ultimate goal is the same. The ultimate goal of each degree path is to create nurses who are leaders and strive to improve healthcare. 

Nurses prepared at the doctoral level are weighted with a greater sense of responsibility compared to nurses prepared at lower educational levels. Nurses that are not doctorally prepared are groomed to focus solely on providing safe patient care.  Doctorally prepared nurses are placed in the spotlight  due to the expectations of leading others and urging those alike, in the healthcare arena, to increase their knowledge of research and use EBP when implementing patient care and determining the expected outcome.

As we all are aware, the world is enduring a global crisis also unknown as a pandemic. At this time, it is vital to be  up-to-date on  research as well as implement best practices in the clinical setting. The current pandemic is affecting every aspect of healthcare without regard to the setting. I have chosen to pursue a doctoral degree to increase my knowledge of best practices in the clinical setting. By increasing my knowledge, I can share what I have learned with others and hopefully improved the healthcare delivery system, and ultimately increase the chance of patients achieving desired outcomes.

References 

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

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posted 1 year ago (last edited 10 months ago)

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Courtney,

I read your post. Did I miss the part where you tell us which program you have decided to enter? Is it the PhD or the DNP?

Florence Nightingale was far beyond her time utilizing the power of inquiry to apply science and develop theory related to infection control practices to optimize patient outcomes. Science and philosophy clearly applies to the doctoral degrees and likely helps to encourage the collaboration between the two (DNP and PhD). 

After reviewing the resources this week, it was evident that the DNP and PhD prepared nurses collaborate together to advance nursing practice. One article even labels this collaboration as “natural allies” (Trautman, 2018).  This is an excellent supplement to this week’s resources, providing information on the two doctoral degrees as separate entities and as a collaborative effort in moving nursing practice.  Without research, the DNP prepared nurse would not have evidence based practice to implement, and without someone to implement the work of the PhD prepared nurse there would be missed opportunity for application of the work completed. 

Thank you all for such informative posts!

Dr. Harvey

Reference:

Trautman, D. E., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., & Rosseter, R. (2018). Advancing Scholarship through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(2), Retreived from https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No02Man02

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1 year ago

Courtney Jones

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Dr. Harvey,

I am pursuing a DNP degree. I have a strong desire to increase evidence-based practice in the clinical setting. Also, I some point, within my career, I have a desire to cross over into the field of teaching future nurses and I know a doctorate degree is essential. 

Courtney 

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posted 1 year ago (last edited 10 months ago)

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Courtney,

Dr. H

References:

 Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research:Reading, using and creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington,  

    MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice  [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Shonda Young

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Initial Reply

Week 1

Nurs 8000

Courtney, your post was very interesting. Your reasoning for pursuing a doctoral degree is very meaningful to the bedside. I feel that there is a grate need for research to be disseminated at the bedside faster than what it has been in the past. The covid pandemic has shown that it can be done. Evidence slowly and only inconsistently makes its way into practice, with estimations that it takes on average 17 years for new scientific discoveries to enter day to day clinical practice (Churruca et al, 2018)

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1 year ago

Marnie Hauck-Bohmer

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Week One First Response:

Good afternoon Courtney, I enjoyed your post and the distinction between a DNP and Ph.D. option. I like that you focused on the expectation that doctoral-prepared nurses are held to a higher standard as leaders within our organizations and health care institutions. Nursing as a profession needs to be involved in important health care decisions, and a doctorate-level education provides credibility at these tables (Laureate Education, 2011b).

I appreciate the fact that both streams collaborate to advance the nursing profession and within multidisciplinary teams as we work to improve patient-centered care (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006). Nurses must choose to be continuous learners in whatever path they choose or risk becoming outdated in their practice (Cleary, Hunt & Jackson, 2011).

                                                                                                                                              References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Dorothy Anyinkeng

Initial Post

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What does it mean to be a nurse with a practice or research doctorate?

           A Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is designed to produce leaders in nursing. As a nurse pushing to attain this highest level of nursing expertise and knowledge, you can either be in a clinical setting or leadership role upon obtaining the degree. The DNP gives you more knowledge to provide great healthcare outcomes through leadership, health policy interventions, and direct patient care (Greco, 2019).

A Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) is focused on research and developing nurse science such as gaining knowledge in analyzing theories, concepts, identify gaps in the current research literature, communicating effectively with your audience and stakeholders in your area of expertise(Greco, 2019)

What are the expectations associated with this degree?

The DNP prepares you to achieve knowledge in nursing practice and offers different research-focused. It also engages you to be well equipped to fully implement knowledge in science (Greco, 2019). The PhD focuses on identifying the right approach and implementing it in the scientific research in nursing (Noble et al., 2019)

How might this be different for a nurse who holds a different degree?

In general, an MSN degree program focused on nurses who are geared to specialize clinically in an advanced practice research base. There are different pathways you can take to get your MSN and to choose which specialty you would like to focus on. A DNP or PhD is gearing towards nurses that are looking for leadership positions to integrate into a more systematic approach to patient care which may expand beyond the bedside patient care and providing appropriate research interventions and evidence-based policies and mentors in the various clinical settings(Moore, Watters, & Wallston, 2019)

How do these considerations relate to your motivation to pursue a doctoral degree right now?

For me, I believe training for this Doctorate degree will change  my critical thinking in decision-making policies in my community and society as a whole. I want to make a difference in my nursing profession. I planned to use the knowledge I will gain in completing this doctorate program to fully furnish my organization, clinical setting, and systemic challenges I will face in my nursing career.

References

Greco, M. (2019). The lived experience of doctors of nursing practice in pursuit of a doctor of philosophy degree in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Education, 11(4), 195–199. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.5958/0974-9357.2019.00118.1

Moore, E. R., Watters, R., & Wallston, K. A. (2019). Effect of evidence‐based practice (EBP) courses on MSN and DNP Students’ Use of EBP. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(4), 319–326. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/wvn.12369

Noble, H., Reid, J., Walsh, I. K., Ellison, S. E., & McVeigh, C. (2019). Evaluating mindfulness training for medical and PhD nursing students. British Journal of Nursing, 28(12), 798–802. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.12968/bjon.2019.28.12.798

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Initial Post

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Dorothy,

Although you did not say so, I am assuming from your post that you are wanting to earn a DNP rather than a PhD. What make you decide to go that route?

The DNP prepared nurse is a change agent and does so much for patient care initiatives. Doctoral nurses who specialize in research are challenged to facilitate, examine, evaluate, and review research studies to guide advancements in current treatment practices.  They are change agents who help to keep our health systems abreast of new evidence- based practice. Doctoral nurses with a degree in clinical practice like a DNP use research data to guide, incorporate, and implement treatment protocols in the clinical setting, thereby ensuring treatment protocols are current and not obsolete.  Both of these doctoral nurses play a major role in disseminating current and ground-breaking knowledge, research, and treatments in healthcare organizations.

When asked what does it mean to be a nurse with a practice or research doctorate, simply put an expert clinician who continues to attain knowledge, be open minded to new treatments, eager, open to change, facilitators of change, and always willing to look outside of the current protocols to new research.  Doctoral nurses translate nursing science by conducting and using research to find solutions to clinical problems (Zaccagnini &White, 2017).  

Dr. Harvey

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1 year ago

Dorothy Anyinkeng

RE: Initial Post

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Hello Dr. Harvey,

 You are right, my area of focus is DNP and the reason for the choice is because I want to make a change in my community to provide knowledge in the various gaps that will be identified in my clinical setting. Also, I want to be empowered to seat at a table where decisions are made to improve the outcome of my organization. I enjoy getting a lot of attention in my care of practice and my friends will say “You love attention dear” which makes me feel purposeful and fulfilling in my areas of expertise as a nurse making a difference. As Dr. Beechinor said in the video, “DNP is practice-oriented that provide direct patient care.” (Laureate Education, 2012,). I want to be a clinical practice leader my organization will see as a person who is very knowledgeable and willing to give back to her community. I am grateful Dr. Harvey, for providing more feedback on my discussion pertaining to my area of expertise.

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Frances Uneanya

RE: Initial Post

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Hello Dorothy,

I enjoyed reading your post. I do concur with you that the DNP program will enhance leadership skill required in a clinical settings. Literature research emphasized that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) represents the highest level of preparation in nursing practice for those seeking careers focused on the scholarship of clinical practice, application, and integration (Trautman, Idzik, Hammersla & Rosseter, 2018). I look forward to addressing complex issues that face patients and healthcare today through the attainment of my doctoral degree in my community.

 Reference

Trautman, D., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., & Rosseter, R.  (2018). Advancing Scholarship through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Vol. 23, Issue 2. Retrieved from https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=7&sid=40945cb8-2d8d-4ccd-98a9-

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Initial Post

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Dorothy,

You sound as though you know exactly what direction you want to go. 

While the DNP emphasizes on achieving higher level skills in nursing practice to improve patient outcomes, the PhD in nursing is an academic research degree focusing on research and scholarly inquiry. A nurse with a PhD degree is expected to track illness trajectories utilizing research, advanced theory, data analysis, research methodology, and care systems (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008). Thus, the PhD degree holder in nursing is mostly committed to research and the development of knowledge, while the DNP degree holder in nursing is committed to improve health care through patient care and policy change. However, both are terminal degrees that share something in common: a scholarly approach to the field of nursing, and a commitment to advance the nursing profession (Zaccagnini & White, 2017).  A DNP gives you the opportunity to teach, work directly with patients, or become an administrator. I am confident that once you graduate you will find yourself with many opportunities.

Dr. Harvey

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice.  Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctor of Nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146-151.

Zaccagnini, M. E., & White, K. W. (2017). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (3rd ed.).   Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Courtney Jones

RE: Initial Post

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Your discussion post provides clarity and distinguishes between the two doctoral paths for nurses. As you stated, in your post, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is grounded in clinical practice while the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focuses on research and prepares nurses to be educators, researchers, and health policy experts (Gaines, 2019).  Doctorally prepared nurses without regard to the path are set apart from nurses prepared at the undergraduate level and master’s level. As you mentioned, DNP and Ph.D. prepared nurses embodied leadership.  Knowing, DNP and Ph.D. prepared nurses are considered leaders, it is imperative to stay abreast of the forever evolving healthcare system by attending seminars, reviewing the latest research findings, and obtain continuing education units. 

Courtney 

Reference

Gaines, K. (2019, September 11). DNP vs Ph.D. in Nursing – what is the difference? Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://nurse.org/education/dnp-or-phd-in-nursing-difference/

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1 year ago

Maseray Bayoh-Sensie

RE: Initial Post

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Hi Dorothy,

The DNP endows one with the skills and knowledge that enables the advances their level of expertise in the clinical area.  It enables the nurses to tackle the challenging, and complex health care environment that demands the explore the highest level of scientific knowledge was well as practice expertise to enhance great patient outcomes. DNP will use their education to implement evidence base practice to offer quality services to patients and promote leadership within the nursing profession. 

Reference:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advance nursing.

                Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www. aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

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1 year ago

Frances Uneanya

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Globally health care system continues to evolve. In order to match this evolving system it is imperative to expand one’s knowledge base. The Doctoral Nursing Practice or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing are both the highest level of degrees in the nursing career. At this level of study the expectation required is solid knowledge of advance level of care that demands expertise and respect in ideas that will enhance patient care in the clinical setting. Pursuing a doctoral degree has always been an ambition of mine in attaining the highest level of education.  These ideas cannot be achieved without the quest to increase one’s knowledge base in expanding knowledge to better serve the clinical purpose. According to literature it described the role of DNP as providing leadership and expertise role in the clinical setting which is what I am focused in achieving.

 The Doctoral of Nursing Practice (DNP) study is focused in theoretical framework implemented in the clinical settings. According to Trautman, Idzik, Hammersla & Rosseter, 2018, they states that DNP focus heavily on practice that is innovative and evidence-based, thereby implementing research based data to clinical practice. While the PhD program is geared toward research and teaching in faculties in order to enhance clinical practice for safe patient care outcome. Furthermore, the PhD program aim to prepare students as faculty members for their role as educators as well (Moghadam, Atashzadeh-Shoorideh, Abbaszadeh, & Feizi, 2017). Therefore, PhD holders are well versed in collecting data, analyzing, and interpreting data for clinical practices. Consequently, the DNP and PhD are terminal studies; one is focused on a career devoted to intellectual inquiry and conducting original research studies (PhD) and the other concentrates on developing practice expertise and implementing evidence-based practice innovations at the macro or microsystems level (DNP), (Trautman, Idzik, Hammersla & Rosseter, 2018).  It is without doubt that, the DNP and PhD work together to achieve a common goal by collaborating to integrate researched data in the health care system in order to increase productivity.

As a doctoral student my goal is to attain a role that will afford me the opportunity to advocate a health care that is integrated and affordable for the disparities in my community. An affordable integrated health care will ensure compliance to treatment with focus on medications, referrals, and treatment plans.

In addition, I want to be in leadership role and advocate/lobby bills that will enhance patient centered care in clinical practice. Community health care is intriguing to me, as majority of care provided are to the uninsured, unemployed, and those with knowledge deficit on health issues. I want to focus the next level of my career in ensuring diversified care that will be satisfactory, affordable, and ensure compliance of treatment with these population groups.

References

Moghadam, Y., Atashzadeh-Shoorideh, F., Abbaszadeh, A., & Feizi, A. (2017). Challenges of PhD Graduated Nurses for Role Acceptance as a Clinical Educator: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Caring Sciences. https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/detail/detail?

Trautman, D., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., & Rosseter, R.  (2018). Advancing Scholarship through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 10913734, May2018, Vol. 23, Issue 2. https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=7&sid=40945cb8-2d8d-4ccd-98a9-

 Frances Uneanya, FNP-BC-,MSN, BSN

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1 year ago

Holly DeKilder

RE: Response to Frances

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Frances,

Thank you for your thought-provoking post. I find it interesting that you have a passion for policy. This is an area I have yet to get involved in. As a rule, I shy away from this important part of nursing service. Perhaps one reason I have not successfully served in this area as that I am not actively involved in any particular nursing organizations (Nault, 2012). Have you already been involved with lobbying or is this a new area you are looking to pursue? If you have already been involved how did you get started? After reading your post I am challenged as I need to make an impact in this area. In the past I have signed petitions and that is the extent of my involvement. As we gain knowledge so to grows the responsibility and commitment, we owe our fellow countryman. You have challenged me to take a more active interest in this area of nursing as there is extreme value. Thank you for impacting me.

Reference

Nault, D. S. (2012). Nurses and public policy. The Michigan Nurse, 85(1), 13–20.

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1 year ago

Frances Uneanya

RE: Response to Frances

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Hello Holly,

Thank you for taking time to read my post. I have not actually lobbied for any Bill yet. I am currently a member of the America Association of Nurse Practitioner branch of West Georgia.  We discuss issues during monthly meeting and do vote for issues to promote nursing power of autonomy in our State. Being a strong part of the committee that will represent the people, is an area that I has caught my interest, based on the community presently served. The disparity in healthcare motivates my desire to advocate for bills that would help enhance health care policy. Accordingly, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree are prepared to meet the increased need by providing leadership in community health centers, serving on interdisciplinary teams, and advocating for and directing future policy initiates (Lathrop & Hodniciki, 2014). It is imperative to be knowledgeable in policies that will help push bills for best practices in the clinical settings.

Reference

Lathrop, B. & Hodnicki, D.  (2014). The Affordable Care Act: Primary Care and the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 19, Issue 2. Retrieved from https://web-b-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=6&sid=8303239f-6de3-4108-83b5

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Frances,

Thank you for such an interesting post!  I am assuming you are wanting to earn your DNP from the post you wrote.

I think you will find that there is a greater responsibility for advocacy with the DNP role, especially patient advocacy.  They are one of the people that advocate for nursing practice and practicing to the full extent of our scope are nurses.   Having this additional education and degree does show the competency that you will have to legislators and general public (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008).  When you are trying to effect change, you need to have a level playing field.  Certainly the skills you learn will help translate evidence into practice (Michael & Clochesy, 2016) and advance the leadership skills in order to do that seemlessly. Whether you are teaching patients or students, you will lead the way in really personalizing their care and helping achieve their goals.

Great discussion post!

Dr. Harvey

Michael, M.J. & Clochesy, J.M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40, 94-86.

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric HealthCare, 22(3), 146–151.

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1 year ago

Dorothy Anyinkeng

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Hello Frances,

I enjoyed reading your post and it is very informative.  I agree with you that both DNP and Ph.D. come together as a team to provide adequate research and clinical content to improve the health care organization. For me, as a mother, wife, worker, and student, it is very difficult to work on my daily goal but I tell myself each day that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I keep pushing myself to achieve my set goals. So it is vital for DNP or Ph.D. students to understand what they are pursuing in their various professions which is going to be achieved at the terminal point and that gives you the motivation to keep pushing each day (Greco, 2019). They will be challenges on the away and it is important for the advanced practice leaders to be prepared for the knowledge test and to apply it to their healthcare community (Zaccagnini & Pechacek,  p. 47, 2021).

References

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Letitia Hunt

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Hi All,

What does it mean to be a nurse with a practice or research doctorate? Having a practice doctorate can open new work opportunities for me, for there are many nurses where I work that hold a master’s degree but very few that hold a doctorate degree. I see myself advancing the corporate ladder by demonstrating credibility in my work and my action, having the ability to have a seat at the table, providing new insight to solving old problems and being an agent of change.  Engaging in doctoral studies can help both nurses and prospective employers either whether outside their organization or within. These nurses can take on a variety of roles whether it be in nursing education, clinical practice or informatics, just to name a few. (Cleary et all, 2011). 

 What are the expectations associated with this degree? I think having an advanced degree can be a blessing and a curse. We will be expected to be professional and to hold ourselves to a higher standard not only at our place of employment but in our personal life as well. I know my family looks to me now to be a pinnacle of knowledge and strength and with this additional degree, I can imagine this will only continue and that puts a lot of pressure on me and there are days, I am not sure I can do it. 

How might this be different for a nurse who holds a different degree? Each degree has its own set of expectations and challenges. The common denominator for all of us who have completed an advanced degree is that we have the grit, tenacity and the ability to multitask to manage work, lives and families all while pursuing out life goals. I feel that both PhD degree prepared nurses and DNP prepared nurses have an obligation to collaborate for the greater good. Both degrees bring something different to the table. The PhD nurse’s role it to provide conduct research and provide statistics and the DNP nurse takes those statistics and further enhances them by testing and evaluating to further propel the profession. (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2021). 

How do these considerations relate to your motivation to pursue a doctoral degree right now?  I am at a point in my career where I have gone as far as I can and in order to not become stagnant and bored, I need to challenge myself to try new things and explore new opportunities. On a personal note, my mom has lung Cancer, and she has always wanted me to pursue my doctorate. She wants a daughter as a doctor. So, I am doing this for her as well.   

Cleary, M., Hunt, G. E., & Jackson, D. (2011). Demystifying PhDs: A review of doctorate programs designed to fulfil the needs of the next generation of nursing professionals. Contemporary Nurse, 39(2), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.2011.39.2.273  

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. (2021).  The Doctor of Nursing Essentials: A New Model for Advanced Practice Nursing. Jones & Bartlett Learning.  

Tish

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Tish,

You CAN do this, and doing it for your mother will be just an added motivation.  

When the doctor of nursing practice(DNP) emerged as another terminal degree, it created a concern that it will diminish the number of doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.) prepared nurses. As most students continued to choose the DNP route; it led to some scholars viewing the DNP as a threat. I believe the decision to pursue either one of the terminal degrees is heavily influenced by choice of career path. 

According to Clearly and Hunt (2011), the decision to choose between the two doctoral degrees should be based on whether the student has an interest in a clinical track verse a tenure-track appointment with expected job duties of teaching, service, and research. Clearly and Hunt (2011) argues that a Ph.D. would be more fitting if one intends to work in a school of nursing.

Another reason that might influences the choice of degree to pursue is the length of time involved in obtaining the degree. Most DNP degree will take between two to three years to complete for a full-time student with a master’s degree, while a Ph.D. is four years. The shorter length of time might heavily influence why most choose the DNP route.

I serve on both DNP and PhD committees and I see tremendous growth in every student, no matter which educational tract they decide to take.

Dr. H

Reference

Cleary, M., & Hunt, G. E. (2011). Demystifying PhDs: A review of doctorate programs designed to fulfil the needs of the next generation of nursing professionals. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 39(2), 273-80. Retrieved from Walden University Databases

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1 year ago

Marie Hageman

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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You absolutely can do this for both yourself and your mom. My mother plays a large role in my goalsetting previous to this degree. She always wanted me to graduate college and when I did she was my most vocal supporter. When I went back for my masters degree, she cheered me on all the way. Nothing has changed with the pursuit of this degree. The opportunities that we take advantage of is a testament to the support that we have in our lives. The time commitment for a terminal degree is substantial. The trade-offs that we have to make in our personal and professional lives while we’re pursuing these degrees are a blessing and a curse, as you said. I wish you much success.

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1 year ago

Letitia Hunt

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Thank you so much Marie,

We are in this together.

Tish

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1 year ago

MARYANN EBOM

RE: Discussion – Week 1 MaryAnn Ebom

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DNP 800 Week 1 Assignment

Among the most rewarding but also challenging programs is the doctorate program. While the earlier levels of education may have many enrolled and achieve, the doctorate program usually has a considerable number of enrolments, largely thanks to the volume of work needed as input (Molassiotis et al., 2020). A successful doctoral journey requires that the student manages to negotiate the tricky bends of the doctoral journey, especially the research phase, which can prove to be more challenging. The purpose of this assignment is to discuss some of the challenges I anticipate as a doctoral student and how best to manage them.

Anticipated Challenges

As a doctoral student, I anticipate various challenges that will come my way during the doctoral journey. These challenges cover a range of areas from extracurricular to professional activities. However, I am also aware that if these anticipated challenges are well negotiated, then the end product is a strengthened individual ready to take on research, modify knowledge and create new knowledge in my area of specialization.

It is the first time I will be engaging in a full-time and intense study; therefore, one of the challenges I envision facing is making a transition from the usual way or my traditional way of doing things in terms of study. In the previous levels of study, the norm is that the professor, in most cases, imparts knowledge directly in the class alongside solely focusing on the direct online lectures (Pifer & Baker, 2016). The doctoral program may come with a need to move away from face-to-face studies to retrieving information mostly online.

 I envision that my doctoral program will consume much of my time due to the volume of work and effort that must be put in and especially during the research phase. Such a lot of time spent during the research will mean that I will have time spent with my family greatly reduced, leading to isolation and loneliness (Molassiotis et al.,2020). I also envision that I may face challenges during the dissertation proposal write-up and defence, as well as candidacy exams and course work. According to Pifer and Baker, the task associated with this phase of the study may come with substantial levels of self-doubt, concerns, and fears (Pifer & Baker, 2016).  The fears, concerns, and doubts come as a result of the need to be independent and start developing research agendas, professional skills, and scholarly identities.

Applied Strategies

One way of overcoming the problems of having to transition from depending on the professor and the face-to-face study to more online learning is by focusing more on establishing strong relationships, links, communication, and collaboration with my mentors and advisors. Besides, as Pifer and Baker put it, “We suggest that students conduct a needs assessment to identify the areas for which they need support, as well as the types of relationships that can provide that support” (2016). The above statement means that a needs assessment will be vital for me in ensuring that I build the right relationships.

 In solving the potential problem possible reduced family time, loneliness and isolation, I plan to use the strategy of intentional and proactive efforts to communicate with my family and try to make them understand and have more of their support. One of the best strategies that could work out includes intentionally letting my family members be aware of my research workload while also establishing understandable time boundaries with them. However, all those family efforts will bear the best fruits if I intentionally strive to strike a balance between my family and the doctoral program (Taylor & Terhaar, 2018). Moral support will be key during the journey, and so I plan to engage with colleagues and create a sense of belonging, friendship ties, and study group where I can always get encouragement to push on. In trying to overcome the fears, concerns, and doubts that come as a result of the need to be independent and start developing research agendas, professional skills, and scholarly identities, I will leverage my prior learning and knowledge (Loescher et al., 2020) to help me in constructing my professional identities, expertise, research agendas, and scholarship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, among the challenges expected during a doctoral journey range from extracurricular to professional activities, with every category bearing a different magnitude. For the success of the doctoral studies, plans must be put in place to counter such challenges. Some of the plans or strategies include establishing strong relationships, links, communication, and collaboration with mentors and advisors, and intentional and proactive efforts to communicate with my family.

                                                                                                References

Loescher, L. J., Love, R., & Badger, T. (2020). Breaking new ground? The dual (PhD-DNP) doctoral degree in Nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2020.05.001

Molassiotis, A., Wang, T., Hoang, H. T. X., Tan, J. Y., Yamamoto-Mitani, N., Cheng, K. F., … & Suen, L. K. (2020). Doctoral nursing education in east and Southeast Asia: characteristics of the programs and students’ experiences of and satisfaction with their studies. BMC medical education, 20, 1-12. Doi: 10.1186/s12909-020-02060-1

Pifer, M. J., & Baker, V. L. (2016). Stage-based challenges and strategies for support in doctoral education: A practical guide for students, faculty members, and program administrators. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 11(1), 15-34.  https://doi.org/10.28945/2347.

Taylor, L. A., & Terhaar, M. F. (2018). Mitigating barriers to doctoral education for nurses. Nursing education perspectives, 39(5), 285-290. Doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000386

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1 MaryAnn Ebom

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Maryann,

I agree that nursing research and clinical practice go hand-in-hand.  Research is needed to guide clinical practice.  Evidence-based practice is not a suggestion in clinical practice, it is a requirement.  No matter the track, we all play an important role and share a common goal.  Improvement of patient outcomes gives us the motivation we need to step out of our comfort zones, but it also brings us together.  I love that “cohesiveness” about the different roles in nursing.   We are so much stronger together.  I have always felt that, though in many professional areas, there is a “great divide”, but I have never felt that way in nursing.  We work together to get the job done, and I feel that is what unifies us, and allows us to work closely together, improving the health of our communities one patient at a time.

What do you plan to do with your degree?

Dr. Harvey

Reference

Michael, M.J. & Clochesy, J. M. (2016).  From scientific discovery to health outcomes: Asynergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40, 84-86.

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1 year ago

MARYANN EBOM

RE: Discussion – Week 1 MaryAnn Ebom

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Dear Dr Harvey,

Thanks for reading my post, Yes I would be going to impoverished neighborhood to serve .

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1 MaryAnn Ebom

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Maryann,

The DNP is a desirable path for clinically oriented nurses considering doctoral education and provides nurses with the option in leadership roles. Although some confusion in the educational preparation and roles of the DNP versus PhD still exists, DNP and PhD programs have clearly distinct end points: while the PhD degree prepares researchers to generate external evidence through rigorous research, the DNP prepares clinicians to generate internal research through outcomes management, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice. The DNP degree with its additional focus on providing health care within complex systems has a great impact on the improvement of patient care delivery and outcomes.

The DNP is not solely intended to increase the nurse practitioner’s (NP) clinical skill, but also increases the NP’s economic, organizational, and leadership skills. The first three essentials of doctoral education for advanced practice nursing practice, which are scientific underpinnings for practice, organizational and systems leadership, and clinical scholarship are geared towards preparing the DNP- prepared NP to assume a substantial role in the era of health care reform (Zaccagnini & White, 2017). Intra-professional DNP and PhD collaboration will yield relationships that facilitate teamwork, thus, the DNP can use their practice expertise and PhD-prepared nurses can use their research prowess to transform health care (Buchholz, Yingling, Jones, & Tenfelde, 2015).

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Dr. Harvey

ReferencesBrown, M. A., & Crabtree, K. (2013). The development of practice scholarship in DNP programs: A paradigm shift. Journal of professional nursing, 29(6), 330-337.Buchholz, S. W., Yingling, C., Jones, K., & Tenfelde, S. (2015). DNP and PhD collaboration: Bringing together practice and research expertise as predegree and postdegree scholars. Nurse Educator, 40(4), 203-206.Zaccagnini, M. E., & White, K. W. (2017). The Doctor of Nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Cayla Beane

Week 1 Discussion

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Week 1 Discussion

Today we live in a world where health care is at the forefront. Many people are looking towards health care professionals for hope and answers for the future. This is one reason why nurses from all backgrounds are pursuing a degree in higher education and clinical practice. When I think of obtaining a doctoral degree in nursing, I see a journey with a purpose. A nurse with a practice or research doctorate deeply holds the potential to make the greatest impact on any given specialization. From my experience, there are magnitudes of nurses who would excel in academic endeavors but merely just do not have the opportunity or life fortune. For that reason, I see experiencing the journey of pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing as a gift, as the ultimate way I can help others.

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the goal is bridging nurse scientists and researchers in collaboration to advance and pioneer the profession towards global reform, (Michael & Clochesy, 2016). The expectations of a doctoral student involve much of the same motivations required in prior academic achievements like dedication and commitment. The professional goals associated with both the DNP and PhD degrees may vastly differ, that is the beauty of learning from other nursing students. Most DNP students are driven by clinical outcomes and evidence-based practices. PhD in Nursing students often aspire to add to the nursing library and literature. In the future, we can collaborate to bridge gaps in clinical practice and nursing research. Some differences for nurses and educational paths include untraditional learning modalities, bridge-programs, access to cutting-edge technology and mere geographical influence on culture and preferred methods. As we dive further into learning about doctoral level practice and research, we may discover the ways in which we uniquely impact the medical field and the lives of everyday individuals.

Reference:

Michael, M.J. & Clochesy, J. M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40. 84-86.

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Week 1 Discussion

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Cayla

I enjoyed reading your post!

Sperhac and Clinton (2008) display a simple synopsis of the meaning of DNP versus PhD prepared nurses using the AACN Comparison chart in their article. The overall take away from the chart is that the DNP prepares nurse practitioners and nurse leaders at the highest level of practice while the PhD prepared nurse prepares the nurses to become researchers.

AACN has been instrumental in defining the role of the doctoral prepared nurse to assure optimal nursing practice at the most advanced level of nursing. They reiterate that advanced nursing practice is intervention that influences health care outcomes including direct patient care, management of care, administration of healthcare, and assistance with health policy (AACN, 2006).

 As we know, there are several educational levels for nursing including the bachelor, master and doctoral level. As a nurse advances his/her academic level in nursing, they strengthen each element required to perform nursing at an optimal level. The competencies gained by the nurse at the doctoral level strengthen their skills in leadership, quality, health care delivery systems, and health care policy (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008). From my experiences, the nurses prepared at a high educational levels guide the other nurses and serve as their role models and act as solid resources. 

I believe the take-away from this week’s readings is to recognize that with a terminal degree, that it will strengthen many aspects of your nursing knowledge/skills to influence a more positive health care outcomes for our society. This can be by becoming an educator, a researcher, a better clinician, an administrator….and the list goes on.

Dr. Harvey

References:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington. DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/Essentials.pdf

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146–151.

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1 year ago

Cayla Beane

RE: Week 1 Discussion

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Thank you Dr. Harvey, I appreciate your insights!!

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

Initial Post- Florentina Culiac

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Being a nurse with the highest academic degree, a doctorate, is a step forward towards advancing the nursing profession and creating practical solutions to enhance patient’s care and outcomes. A PhD degree will prepare nurse scientists who focus on research projects ,while a DNP will enhance clinical practice. Having more doctorate prepared nurses can only improve our healthcare system.

In the masters program, I researched and learned about Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and the benefits of the degree. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2004, p 4) in the DNP position statement, some of the benefits of DNP were: enhancing “clinical knowledge to improve patient outcomes,” enhancing leadership skills to “strengthen nursing practice”, and providing “an advanced credential” to those who did not want or need a research based program. From the list, those benefits were the ones that were significant to me. As my path was to improve my leadership skills and improve processes in patient care, I always knew that I needed to find a program that would support those goals. Having the option to choose between a research-based degree, PhD, and a practice degree, the DNP program was the most obvious choice for me. A PhD program is valuable as it prepares nurse scientists with the main focus on research and academia.  

 According to Conn (2014), a doctoral degree will augment one nurse’s career. I have been approached in the past to interview for executive leadership positions such as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Vice President (VP) jobs and I chose to walk away as I did not feel confident enough to pursue the interview for those jobs. My previous leaders (director of nursing and vice president) nominated me as their replacement in their succession planning. I was flattered by their trust, however I did not feel I was good enough to replace them, if they left. Reading more and focusing on the benefits of DNP, I knew that DNP was the right program for me to enhance my confidence and to give me more credibility. Working closely with PhD prepared nurses in the past, I could see how one doctoral degree completed the other, how clinical practice would go hand in hand with research to improve patient outcomes, safety and delivery of healthcare.

In my experience, a nurse with a doctoral degree, PhD or DNP, would be valued more by peers and have more credibility with leadership. Pursuing and completing a doctoral degree would show tenacity as well as dedication to continue investing in the future of nursing for better patient care and improved outcomes, for better healthcare. Through advanced knowledge and credibility, a doctorate nursing education would help redesign healthcare.  Higher educated nurses would feel empowered to speak up and promote their great ideas to create a better healthcare while improving patient safety. Nurses have great ideas, however most of the time they remain silent as they are not included in executive decisions. 

In my nursing career, I have learned that at each level of education I did not know what I did not know. Every step I took towards bettering myself through education helped me identify gaps I did not realize were there before being in that program. During my Masters, each time I left the university’s campus, I felt like I had wings and the world was my realm. Learning to study and research any new project, gave me strong arguments to promote new ideas. An example: when I joined a bigger organization, they had very few nurses in their practice, and smaller clinics did not have any nursing support. Through persuasion and numerous arguments, I was able to convince leadership the benefits of having nurses in clinics and as a result each clinic hired nurses to help support our patients.

Earning the highest degree in nursing education was in my mind since I decided to go back school in the US. Completing a doctoral degree was a promise I made myself and it would be an honor to accomplish it at Walden University. Cleary, Hunt and Jackson (2011) talked about selecting the right PhD program and college. That article reminded me about my experience to find the right DNP program as well as the right University. I really enjoyed watching the video where Dr Joan Stanley, Dr Linda Beechinor and Dr Susan Stefan were talking about the DNP program. I have been known to shake and make a positive difference in all my previous positions and to every College/University I have been a student. Having a DNP will help me become even more visible and believable. For encouragement I plan to follow Dr Beechinor’s advice to enjoy this academic journey and start calling myself doctor to help me stay focused and positive throughout the program.

References

Cleary,M., Hunt, G.E., & Jackson, D (2011). Demystifying PhDs: A review of doctorate programs designed to fulfill the needs of the next generation of nursing professionals. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 39(2), 273-280.

Conn,V.S .(2014) Prepare to Launch: Optimizing doctoral education to ensure career success. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1),3-5

Laureate Education (Producer), (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice video Retrieved from https://calss.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Marie Hageman

RE: Initial Post- Florentina Culiac

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A terminal degree will improve many job opportunities for nurses who are interested in executive leadership positions. I agree that a DNP seems the most logical path forward towards those career goals. The value in the ability to understand the workflow and practical hands on aspect of day-to-day nursing while in executive leader ship cannot be dismissed. Conn (2014) emphasizes the usefulness of the DNP, how do you believe a DNP degree will be most useful in the C-suite? 

Conn,V.S .(2014) Prepare to Launch: Optimizing doctoral education to ensure career success. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1),3-5

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

RE: Initial Post- Florentina Culiac

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Marie, interesting enough, I have not met any doctorate prepared leaders in the C-suite. In all the organizations I worked, all nurse leaders were master prepared. I had the opportunity to have in two organizations nurses as the CEO, one MSN prepared, and the other MHA prepared.  Even though they were both CEOs, they acted opposite of each other. The MHA prepared nurse was 100% business oriented in comparison with the MSN prepared CEO who was a patient and nurse advocate in all the executive decisions. In addition, the MSN prepared CEO was successful in business too.

 I see the DNP prepared nurse as the bridge between nursing, patient care and business. In my current organization, when I mentioned to our VP (MHA prepared nurse)  that I was interested in pursuing my doctorate, her response was as to why, because my current job did not require a doctorate degree and her as a VP did not hold a doctorate degree. Since I graduated with my masters, I encouraged and mentored nurses to become the best version of themselves, whatever that might have looked like: BSN, MSN or a doctorate. As a DNP graduate, I plan to continue encouraging our nurses to be all they want to be. The world is their realm. 

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Initial Post- Florentina Culiac

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Florentina,

Thank you for writing such an personal response. It sounds as though you are highly respected and really want the best for your team and patients. I do think you probably were ready before this to take on a leadership role, however, if getting your doctorate will give you the self-confidence you need, then this degree should certainly do that for you.

Being a nurse with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice signifies commitment to the advancement of nursing practice while acting at the highest level of patient advocacy. Earning a DNP rewards the learner with a full tool box to ask the tough questions, challenge the process, and implement necessary change.

Some key roles and characteristics of the DNP prepared nurse include leadership, application of research to evidence based practice, advocating for patients, technological use for quality and patient safety improvement efforts, managing change through design, implementation, and evaluation through an inter-professional approach, and evidence of a devotion to the highest level of clinical practice (Laureate Education, 2011).

There are many other advanced practice options for a nurse in a clinical or leadership position. Motivation can be gained and perceived in so many different ways. Seldom is there the “right” time to start. The “right” time is when it can become a priority – a priority enough to make the most out of the experience.  A passion for lifelong learning, a self-motivating drive to be better as a nurse, and as a nurse leader, a desire to represent an advanced level of clinical practice are all motivating factors. The learning resources this week helped to build on these and to negate and hesitation in starting the new adventure for all of you.

Hope this is helpful!

Dr. Harvey

Reference:

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The Doctor of Nursing Practice

. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Cayla Beane

RE: Initial Post- Florentina Culiac

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Florentina,

I relate to many of the points you make. Especially, regarding the impact doctoral level nurses have in the realm of clinical and administrative heath care reform. Like you, I have been exposed to the world of nursing administration and have seen pieces of the ladder you climb to the C-Suite positions. Let us offer some confidence to each other as we look ahead to the future. Whether it be the next interview or invitation to speak at a convention, let us embrace our opportunities for growth, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us. The fact that you were nominated to replace high level positions, speaks volumes. I have to say what speaks even louder is your honesty and self-awareness with your present capabilities. I am inspired by your ability to use this energy to empower you towards attaining a DNP. I have no doubt that you will succeed. I agree with you and align with the readings that mention a doctoral nursing degree will augment one’s nursing career, (Conn, 2014). Furthermore, the residual effect of one nurse obtaining a doctoral nursing degree has endless waves and arms which outreach far beyond our present-day realizations. If you ever need support, please reach out to me. I would be happy to share in this journey with you!

Conn,V.S .(2014) Prepare to Launch: Optimizing doctoral education to ensure career success. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1),3-5

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

RE: Initial Post- Florentina Culiac

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Cayla,

Thank you for reading my post. I have been known to be a very transparent person and draw from my experience to help others. I want to continue being a mentor and a role model to others and so far this work has been very rewarding. Many of my students are pursuing higher degrees and make me proud that I met them in their professional/academic journeys. According to AACN, (2006), DNP prepared nurses will become nurse educators and by using their experience they will prepare tomorrow’s workforce. (p.8).  Wherever  my career path will take me, I will continue to teach and support nurses. In addition, I appreciate all the support I can receive. I am excited to share this academic journey with you too!

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1 year ago

Maseray Bayoh-Sensie

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice 

Week 1 

   The nursing profession offers two degrees, DNP and Ph.D.  While both are doctoral level degrees, they differ in that the DNP focuses on the clinical practice of nursing and the Ph.D. is trained to focus on research and the to generate new and knowledge and can use that research to educate the general public. Both professionals play a very important role in the entire health care system. According that (ANNP, 2021) there are fewer than thirty thousand doctorate degree nurses in the USA.  Both the DNP and Ph.D. prepare nurses to play a critical role in the development of knowledge that affect care and service delivery to patients through evidence base practices.  

  A DNP plays a significant role in the health care system and policy and advocacy to transform service delivery in the facilities they work. The nurse holding a DNP and using evidence base practice to collaborate with other health care professional in quality improvement services in the community. The Ph.D. is respected for promoting knowledge and therefore work in areas of academic to promote education for future nurse. (Clearly et al 2011).  

  My motivation for becoming a DNP has been a long journey, it is part of a promised made to by mother that I will become nurse. I am originally from West Africa Sierra Leone, where Mental Health is still remains a big stigma – and one of my aim as a DNP is to be able to provide the education and professional assistance to individual in the African community.  

References  

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2004).  

             AACN position statement on the practice doctorate in nursing. Washington DC. Author. 

Clearly, M., Hunt, G. E., & Jackson, D (2011). Demystifying Ph.Ds: A review of doctorate                        programs deigned to fulfill the needs of the next generation of nursing.  

Michael, M.J & Clochesy, J.M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A  

                synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse education Today, 40, 84-86 

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1 year ago

Frances Uneanya

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Hello Maserary,

Well written post. As stated mental health remains a stigma in Africa, where opportunity for care is lacking and inadequate. Infrastructures to house the mentally ill is lacking as well as healthcare practitioners to assess these individuals are not readily available.  In Africa, mental illness is always perceived as a stigma related to supernatural causes such as witchcraft, consequences of a behavior or an evil deed, and punishment for bad behaviors (Masaku and Wallymahmed, 2017). Consequently, those with mental illness are avoided or handed to the spiritualist thought to have the powers to control individuals with violent disposition. As such, the need for health care to focus on societies with misinformed cultural beliefs becomes imperative. Supporting a course that is driven toward creating awareness in African should be part of the drive that will prepare a DNP in integrating evidence-base care that aim in closing the gap inherent in African communities. I applaud your initiative and hope you carry through this noble path.

Reference

Masaku, K. and Wallymahmed, A.  (2017). Attitudes of Primary Care Health Workers towards Mental Health Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Osun State, Nigeria. Community Mental Health Journal. Vol 53:176–182. Retrieved from https://search-proquest com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/abicomplete/docview/1865265238/fulltextPDF/A8E0FABD86D34FF5PQ/1?accountid=14872

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

RE: Response to Maseray

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Maseray, 

Your post is truly inspiring. According to AACN (2006),  the seventh DNP essential highlights the importance of clinical prevention and population health to improve the “health status of the population of the United States” (p.15). Furthermore, through “Healthy people 2010” our health professions’ education was transformed by requiring to add to any core curriculum disease prevention and  health promotion. In a way, I see this change to support and promote nursing practice throughout the health system. Florence Nightingale’s approach to focus on the environment, hygiene, sanitation to decrease the death rate of the sick and fallen soldiers, made a difference then and now in how we would care for patients. Through good hygiene, new standards of sanitation, she was able to prevent illnesses and infections. Nursing finally received recognition that it was fundamental to improve patient care and ensure better patient outcomes through health promotion and disease prevention. In addition, due to her, nursing became an honorable vocation inspiring other women to join nursing. Being a nurse and completing a DNP will definitely help you identify the gaps and find feasible solutions to help your community. 

Interesting enough, the stigma of mental health is also prevalent in Europe, especially the countries that were part of the communist bloc. Growing up in a communist country, we faced the same stigma. People were refusing to accept any medical help for mental problems as they did not want to be deemed as “crazy.” I am hopeful that through more patient education, doctorate nurses would be able to break that wall and help more people receive the help they need. Our caring and holistic nursing approach was recognized as a change agent since Florence Nightingale’s time and us pursuing higher education would only help us succeed. 

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Maserary,

Many countries do not see mental illness as a true illness. Unfortunately your experiences in your homeland are not unique. 

The DNP program and any doctoral program for that matter is nothing to be taken lightly. They are the most prestigious and distinguishing credentials. The current healthcare climate mandates that nurses obtain a comprehensive data base of scientific knowledge, outcome evaluation, and leadership abilities, to ensure the most optimal patient outcomes (Leveck, 2018).       

Doctoral educated nurses are essential to addressing the current dearth of doctoral educated nursing faculty, increasing educational expectations, and national concerns with quality health care delivery (Leveck, 2018). The doctoral nurse can advocate for nursing policy changes, disseminate evidence into practice and give historical perspective on what had brought nursing to its’ current state (Leveck, 2018).

I am glad you and your classmates have decided to enroll!

Dr. Harvey

Reference

Leveck, D (2018). Doctorate of Nursing Practice – Was My DNP Really “Worth” It? Retrieved from https://nurse.org/articles/home-health-nurse-must-have-items/

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1 year ago

Cayla Beane

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Maseray,

I absolutely agree with you when you say that both the DNP and PhD nurses are important roles in the overall health care system. As well as the influence which both types of graduates have on clinical practice and evidence-based research, (Michael & Clochesy, 2016). I have no doubt that you will make a great impact on the nursing profession, specifically with your passion for bringing mental health issues to the light. What a beautiful sentiment which motivates you to reach your goals of becoming a doctoral level nurse. I can only imagine your mother is proud of you! I am extremely interested in learning about your past experiences in your African community in relation to the American health care system. I have had a passion for international healing since a young age. My biological father lives in Bolivia in South America. Although I was born in Miami, USA, I spent much of my childhood growing up in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The poverty and hardship which I visualized is sewn deep within my soul. Now, I hope to bring healing to those suffering all over the world in whatever way I can. Certainly, completing our doctoral degrees will aid us both in our missions!

Michael, M.J. & Clochesy, J. M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40. 84-86.

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1 year ago

Marnie Hauck-Bohmer

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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                                                                                               Initial Discussion Post Week One: The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice.

            Research is a critical component of nursing practice that defines the profession (Houser, 2018).    A nurse’s accountability to provide effective interventions to patients is based on the current evidence; cost-effectiveness and safety are essential (Houser, 2018). In 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) determined that most if not all clinical level decisions should be based on the current evidence (Houser, 2018).

            Nursing research has evolved over the last 150 years, with Ph.D. studies evolving with nursing content in the 1960 and 1970s (Houser 2018; Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2021). From the 1970s to the present, there are two available streams for nursing practice: the practice and research disciplines (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2021). The purpose of the discussion this week will focus on the differences between the practice and research doctorate programs while linking the expectations related to each stream. Finally, the writer’s motivation to pursue a doctorate and the determined stream will be explored.  

                                                                                                                                          Practice or Research Doctorate Key Concepts

            Sperhac and Clinton (2008) identify that the health care system’s complexity requires knowledgeable professionals within practice and research to ensure that there are quality outcomes related to patient care. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) focuses on the practice aspect of the profession to lead others, provide clinical expertise, and implement current evidence and evaluate the outcomes (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008; Laureate Education, 2011b).

            In contrast to the DNP education, a research degree or Ph.D. focuses on identifying appropriate methodologies and research implementation (Laureate Education, 2011b). The Ph.D. advanced practice nurse acquires extensive knowledge about one topic and develops new critical thinking patterns (Conn, 2014). Both learning streams offer the opportunity to collaborate because they both intersect to advance nursing knowledge (Laureate Education, 2011b). The nursing discipline has had a slow uptake of doctorate-level learners due to the “perceived value of a doctorate” (Cleary, Hunt & Jackson, 2011). The conceptual skills obtained provide soft skills to manage and see a task completion is an important skill no matter the pathway (Cleary, Hunt & Jackson, 2011).

                                                                                                                                             Motivation to Pursue a Doctorate Degree

            As a nurse leader, the writer has always been interested in how leaders contribute to the cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and safety of quality care (Stanley, 2017). The initial determinant to pursue doctorate studies is to expand on career possibilities. Upon review of the two streams of doctorate studies, it appears that the writer would like to pursue an executive leadership role within a chosen organization. The DNP provides the writer with the skills to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate complex and varied health care system problems while contributing to advance nursing knowledge (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2021; Laureate Education, 2011b).

                                                                                                                                                                         Conclusion

            Two significant streams contribute to advancing nursing knowledge. The Ph.D. focuses on choosing methodologies and research implementation, while the DNP focuses on gaps in knowledge, implementation of current evidence, and evaluation (Laureate Education, 2011b). The writer explored the stream that they have chosen to pursue and the reasoning for the decision. The love of learning has fueled the writers’ drive to pursue a doctorate degree and produce a “useful and relevant” project to the nursing profession (Cleary, Hunt & Jackson, 2011, p. 274).

                                                                                                                                                                        References

Conn, V. S. (2014). Prepare to launch: Optimizing doctoral education to ensure career success. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1), 3-5. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177%2F0193945913492652

Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146-151. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2007.12.015

Stanley, D. (2017). Clinic Leadership and nursing explored: A literature search. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27, 9-10. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/jocn.14145

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Marnie,

Both the DNP and the PhD degree have their place in our profession. I cannot stress enough the importance of enjoying the process of earning your doctoral degree. After it is earned, you will look back and, believe it or not, recognize this is really a time of great enlightenment and feeling of being empowered. This is truly a time to soul search as to what your interests are in becoming a change agent. Delving into current literature can be exhilarating because with it comes a sense of freedom to look at what has been published from various perspectives and then relate it to your research.

While there used to be more of a difference between the types of job opportunities between those who have a PhD and those who have earned a DNP, in my opinion this difference has been minimized in most cases. For example, it used to be that a DNP was seen as a clinical degree only, and a PhD was more academic.  Still some colleges and universities do prefer a PhD, so many going into nursing education decide on that tract.

I have worked side by side in nursing education with faculty who have a PhD and those with a DNP, and while each bring a different “flavor” to the way they approach their work, all have greatly contributed to their students’ success. When approaching a doctoral degree of any type, I believe you get from it what you put into it, in terms of time and effort. I would encourage you to look at each assignment, each discussion as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and your profession.
I enjoyed reading your post!

Dr. Harvey

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1 year ago

Marnie Hauck-Bohmer

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Thank you, Dr. Harvey  I am looking forward to the process and hope to gain a lot from this experience.

Marnie

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Marnie and everyone,

The expectations associated with a doctorate trained nurse varies throughout the professional tier. There is much emphasis placed on clinical practice and research as you have discussed. But our health care environment and the DNP programs through nursing academia extend to other roles (Zaccagnini & White,2017). Thus, practice and research are shared within those roles and contribute to the continuing development of health care knowledge. 

The aims of the DNP were to achieve improvement of practice expertise and accelerate evidence into practice (Brown & Crabtree,2013).  IOM institutes challenged nursing institutions to double the nurse prepared at the doctoral level by 2020 (IOM,2011). Thus, this should give programs ample time for transition to the DNP and address the role of master’s education (Michael & Clochesy,2016). 

Each of you should find yourself with increased salaries once you complete your DNP or PhD studies. Was this a consideration in your decision to pursue a terminal degree? Or was it the added respect you will earn? Or both?

Dr. H

References

Brown, M.A., & Crabtree, K., 2013. The development of practice scholarship in DNP programs: A paradigm shifts. Journal of Professional Nursing. 29 (6), 330–337

 Institute of Medicine, 2011. The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from  http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12956&page=R1.

Michael,  M. J. & Clochesy, J. M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40, 84-86. 

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1 year ago

Marnie Hauck-Bohmer

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Good afternoon Dr. Harvey,

My goal is to move to higher levels of management within my organization, however I also want to be a mentor for other managers and nurses within the organization and education realms.  My hope is that my doctoral degree will accomplish both aims. There is a shortage of PhD trained nurses which is being filled with DNP nurses at the education levels allowing the ability to pursue various areas of nursing education while maintaining an organizational career (Cleary, Hunt & Jackson, 2011). 

                                                                                                                                                                  References

Cleary, M., Hunt, G. E., & Jackson, D. (2011). Demystifying PhDs: A review of doctorate programs designed to fulfill the needs of the next generation of nursing

                       professionals. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 39(2), 273-280.

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1 year ago

Marie Hageman

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Week 1 Discussion

One of the joys of nursing is the ability to change focus and expand knowledge and learning in multiple arenas. The same holds true for a DNP versus a PhD educated nurse. Both are immensely useful degrees that assist the nurse to continue to contribute in multiple ways. The DNP educated nurse is more ready for challenges that may appear at bedside or in clinic. The practice focus of this terminal degree allows for an expansion of knowledge related to skills needed for patient care, staffstaff retention,  and critical thinking in leadership. A PhD educated nurse focus is more in line with research and methodologies to implement strategic changes for critical issues that may be brought forward by their DNP colleagues (Laureate Education, 2011b). One does not outshine the other.  Instead, they are closely intertwined in their work and what they bring to the nursing profession as a whole.

Research is a long journey and the need for a more direct route of impact on practical patient care with shorter timelines is one of the underlying reasons the DNP was born. (Sperhac, 2008). My love of practice and hands on patient care has me immensely grateful for this opportunity. While research is utilized extensively In helping to provide a platform to grow our evidence-based practice at bedside, those nurses and advanced practitioners who are hands-on have an advantage in my opinion. My background in nurse education and clinical informatics lead me to the DNP program. I believe it will be the most efficient and proficientWay to achieve the additional skills needed to progress my career and my overall learning. I am looking forward to this journey.

References:

Laureate Education (Producer. (2011). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice video retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of Nursing Practice: Blueprint for Excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2007.12.015

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1 year ago

Letitia Hunt

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Hello Marie,

 I enjoyed reading your post, but I wanted to share my thoughts that I gleaned from the assigned readings. Although I agree that research and the PhD program has undergone a long history to get to where it is now, so has the DNP program. The fact that just 16 years ago colleges and universities that had only offered MS and PhD programs were concerned that introducing this new DNP degree  might weaken the brand making the degree only second best and possibly not as important in the nursing field as the other degrees. (Zaccagnini & Pechacek,2021). It appears that nursing as a whole regardless of what degree one might pursue has evolved from the days of Florence Nightingale and I am sure the field  will continue to evolve to keep up with the times.

Tish Hunt

Reference:

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Everyone,

Collaboration is the key to successful nursing practice and the PhD is a tailored researched based program and the DNP focuses on clinical practice and quality outcomes. Both programs are individualized and focus on the student’s strength, interests and career plans, and on their experiences. Doctoral level scholars should be skilled in time management and priority setting. They may learn new ways in collaborating with others outside of the nursing discipline. Students may also acquire added persistence and cultivate a willingness to experience change through new experiences ( Conn, 2014).  

The student experience certainly varies from student to student but some form of personal growth is to be expected during this experience, I am confident that all of you can grow from the experience.

Your post was really enlightening!

Thank you,

Dr. Harvey

References:

Conn, V. S. (2014). Prepare to launch: optimizing doctoral education to ensure career success. Western Journal Of Nursing Research, 36(1), 3–5. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177/0193945913492652

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

RE: Response to Marie

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Marie, a DNP will definitely advance one’s skills and career. According to AACN (2206), a DNP program will help prepare nurse educators, advance nursing practice to help improve patient outcomes, enhance leadership skills, transform patient care through new technology and new systems,  improve information systems and technology as well as engage in policy development and politics to help address social injustice and health disparities. Reading your post, I was wondering in what direction do you want to advance your career: education or informatics?  Or is it a totally different direction? I have always been impressed by the nurses who choose informatics and do it well, therefore I am just wondering if that is the direction you will be pursuing. 

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1 year ago

Marie Hageman

RE: Response to Marie

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Honestly, I love both and they are truly intertwined for me. I started as a Clinical Informatics Educator before moving to a pure Informaticist position after 2 years. Both have education, workflow, project management, and hands on aspects. The role of the Informaticist is different in every organization. We have recently moved to a pure informatics role so I no longer do build work. That has been my most difficult transition. 

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Marie,

Thanks for an interesting post!  Across the globe, health system leaders and stakeholders are calling for system-level reforms in education, research, and practice to accelerate the uptake and application of new knowledge in practice and to improve health care delivery and health outcome ( Michael & Clochesy, 2011).   Globally thinking about patients not only encompasses all aspects of patients but it is also all about patient-centered care.  The changing demands of the United States’ complex health care environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to ensure high quality patient outcomes ( Sperhac & Clinton, 2008 ).

The expectations associated with a terminal degree are high.  The rigorous time it takes to study and prepare for this degree will be many.  A great deal of work has been done during the past several years since the American Association of Colleges of Nursing voted in October 2004 to move advanced practice nursing to the doctoral level by 2015 ( Sperhac & Clinton, 2008 ) . 

Wonderful post!

Dr. Harvey

Michael, M.J. (2016) From Scientific Discovery to Health Outcomes: A Synergestic Model of Doctoral Nursing Education. Nurse Education Today.(40) 84-86

Sperhac, A. M. & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of Nursing Practice: Blueprint for Excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. (22) 146-151

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1 year ago

Marnie Hauck-Bohmer

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Week Two Second Response

            Good evening Marie, the nursing profession has so many options, and I am glad to be pursuing the journey to my Ph.D. with my peers. Collaboration between both streams is essential to advance the nursing practice (Laureate Education, 2011b). I found it interesting that both can lead to careers in education to alleviate nursing schools’ shortages (Conn et al.  2014). I appreciate your focus on contributing to advanced practice nursing. I have leveraged my nursing informatics experience as a front line manager to navigate a new electronic medical record implemented soon. It will be essential to connect with other scholars, groups related to your research focus and enjoy the journey (Conn et al. 2014).

                                                                                                                                                  References 

Conn, V.S., Zerwick, J., Rawl, S., Wyman, J. F., Larson, J.L., Anderson, C.M, … Markis, N.E. (2014). Strategies for a successful PhD program: Words of wisdom from the WJNR editorial board. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1), 6-30. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177%2F0193945913492144

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Anissa Walker

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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As I write this first week introductory post, I am tired, I am achy, I am relaxed, but most importantly, I am excited.  I have known for many years, I wanted to eventually obtain a doctoral level nursing degree. However, many of those years, I am sad to say were wasted trying to figure out which terminal nursing degree was appropriate for my end goals.  I had to first ask myself, what I wanted, what I expected, what I needed, and how was I going to achieve it.  I am not afraid to say, I was to some degree intimated about taking the next steps.  I knew many RN’s, LPN, and Nurse Practitioners. However, I can barely count on one hand the number of doctoral educated nurses I know. A doctorate of nurse practice, allows a nurse to develop skills which will allow him/her to become an expert clinicians who has obtained the knowledge and skills to effectively translate evidence into practice (Micheal et al. 2016).  As Dr. Linda Beechinor states, in order for us to effect change and be apart of the “decision-makers”, we must be able to confidently have a seat at the table (Laureate Education, 2012, 0:22). 

 As we advance through the DNP program, we will be held to a higher level of standards.  We are expected to obtain the knowledge necessary to become true change makers. To become leaders in our field, and to affect nursing outcomes as well as patient outcomes (AACN, 2006, p.5), possibly by designing programs which improve quality of patient care and health outcomes (Laureate Education, 2012, 14:39). With a master’s level degree, you are not trained to take on leadership roles, and to truly utilize evidence-based practice on a macrosystem scale.  These actions are more generalized to one’s specific specialty. 

I was motivated to obtain my DNP, because I noticed we as nurses are often underrepresented in our health care systems.  Even at general department meetings, it is rare that you will have an advanced practice nurse in a leadership role, representing the needs of the nursing practice within that department, and championing our abilities to be true partners of the practice. 

References:

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Michael, M. J. & Clochesy, J. M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40, 84-86

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

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1 year ago

Letitia Hunt

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Hi Anissa,

As I read your post, I felt your emotions for I have felt the same way on multiple occasions. I have been out of school for many years and was not sure where I wanted to go with my career. In my current position within my organization, I have never had any upline managers that have held a degree higher than mine and to be honest I am not even sure there are any DNP prepared nurses within our company. With this degree I feel I will be able to advance within the organization, break through the glass ceiling, hold my seat at the table and fulfill my purpose of being an agent of change. (Laureate Education, 2012, 2:17). I agree as nurses we are underrepresented in management and leadership roles and are often overlooked. Although my years in the military have instilled in me leadership skills, this degree will improve and enhance my skills and will allow me to be the best version of myself as a manager and as a person. (Laureate Education, 2012, 1:06). 

Tish

Reference

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011b). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

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1 year ago

Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Anissa,

I loved the honesty of your post and how you made it so personal. I really think you can do anything with a DNP.   Most colleges and universities have changed to include DNPs in the tenure process because PhD prepared nurses are very difficult to find and they need the emphasis on the clinical practice site. There was some who felt other healthcare professionals did not respect the degree as a terminal degree, but those days are certainly gone.  I have a number of friends who chose the DNP route rather than the PhD and I have not ever heard them complain that they get feedback from the doctors  or anyone else that they should not be given the title of Doctor. I do think there was concern when the degree first emerged and became popular, but it is much more accepted now. 

It sounds as though you have put a great deal of thought into which direction you want to take insofar as what your professional goals are. The DNP is a terminal degree in nursing, as it contains extensive leadership and advocacy skills, while providing clinical knowledge. When the DNP first became popular, some colleges and universities were hesitant to deem it a terminal degree because the research part of the degree was not extensive. Today, it is accepted unconditionally most places and the value of the degree is appreciated. It just took some time for some establishments to understand the purpose of the degree.  

The DNP graduate is expected to acknowledge and aim to understand the values, belief, and ideas that enlightens the daily practice. This level is extremely complicated, productive, multileveled experience and requires a deeper understanding (Zaccagnini & White, 2014).

How long did you contemplate going for your doctorate? Did you immediately receive family support? What do you feel your greatest challenges might be?

Dr H

References

Michigan Health Council. (2016). What does a “Doctor of Nursing Practice” Mean to You? . Retrieved from Michigan Center for Nursing: https://www.michigancenterfornursing.org/news/news-reports-and-data/what-does-“doctor-nursing-practice”-mean-you

Zaccagnini, M., & White, K. (2014). The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials (2nd Edition ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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1 year ago

Anissa Walker

RE: Discussion – Week 1

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Good Evening Dr. Harvey,

      Thanks so much for responding to my post.  My journey to the DNP degree has been a long one (over 15 years).  When I started my Master’s degree, I knew then I wanted to continue to a doctorate level degree.  But even then, there was not as much distinction, acceptance or understanding of the need for a doctorate of nurse practice as there is today.  I honestly thought my only path to be able to teach in any capacity, or to be a voice and advocate for the nursing practice would be the PhD.  Now I will be honest, as a person who obtained a biology degree first, I am very comfortable with bench research, but I was never enthused about theoretical research.  However, I did know that I love finding ways to apply evidence-based knowledge into practice. As Zaccagnini & Pechacek (2021) states “holders of practice doctorates are in the business of applying knowledge as the provide service to clients”. More specifically, I am very much excited to improve my ability to apply that knowledge specifically to the unique needs of the patients I have the blessing to interact with.

      I’ve been in the medical field over 30 years, starting out as an EMT.  And when I started this journey, I was a single female trying to make something better of herself.  When I completed my biology degree, I did it while also learning how to be a new mom, with a special needs child (it wasn’t easy to say the least).  Now, some how, I have become a monarch of my family in some ways.  Luckily my family has always supported my excessive, and persistent need to be “that much more”.  I would say my biggest challenge would be time.  So little of it, and the need for more of it.  And also doubt, even after 5 degree’s, I still doubt my ability to succeed at times.  

Reference:

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

Re: Response to Anissa

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Anissa,

I agree with you 100%. In my experience, I also found that nursing was underrepresented when decisions were made in multiple organizations. The need to produce higher profits and enhance business results in healthcare by hiring business prepared leaders, resulted in poor patient care, staff disengagement and high turnover,  as well as decreased patient satisfaction. 

Zaccagnini and Pechacek (2021) recognized that IOM (2003b) had a recommendation to start preparing nurse leaders for multiple leadership roles to ensure they were participating in executive decisions. The challenge would still be that the current healthcare business models would not always include nurses as leaders. My hope would be that having more nurse leaders with advanced degrees and who would have increased business and clinical knowledge as well as strong administrative skills, would open the door for organizations to see the benefits of hiring higher educated nurses to help change our healthcare system. In one of the organizations I joined, I was the only manager who was a nurse and as a result I was the only one advocating for nurses and patient care. Lately, many of my friends who want to climb the leadership ladder in their organizations, chose to pursue an MBA or an MHA to have a better chance to be selected for a leadership role. I would love for us as doctoral prepared nurses to start speaking up and advocate more for nurses to be at the executive table where decisions for patient care, staffing would be made. Together, we can make a difference. 

Reference 

Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.).  Jones & Bartlett.

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1 year ago

Anissa Walker

Re: Response to Anissa

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Hi Florentina, soon to be Dr. Culiac,

      Thanks so much for responding to my post.  You are so right about the need for nurses in leadership positions.  We have a monthly department meeting, and during that meeting all of the sub-departments are represented, except for nursing.  Who better to speak on the needs of patients than nurses.  We are the ones that spend the most time, and understanding to the needs of our patient’s.  We are uniquely qualified to be represented at the table, when it comes to health care planning, and execution of those plans.  As Zaccagnini & Pechacek (2021) state, nurses need increased knowledge and administration skills to provided the needed leadership.  

       I look forward to this journey with you…

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1 year ago

Florentina Culiac

Re: Response to Anissa

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I am looking forward to this academic journey with you too, soon to be Dr Walker!

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1 year ago

Holly DeKilder

RE: Discussion – Week 1