In approximately 500 words, reflect on the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Using at least 5 evidenced-based articles found through an academic library search that are no older than 5 years, analyze (1) the history and purpose of the DNP, (2) the current state of the DNP, (3) the future state of the DNP, (4) how DNP-prepared APNs will assist with transformative healthcare and help solve complex health problems, and (5) the advantages of having the DNP. Reflect on your own thoughts on why (or why not) the degree would be appropriate for your career path.
Capstone Practicum: DNP
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Capstone Practicum: DNP
Nurses who are seeking to advance their education need to understand the benefits of completing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. They should also understand how the DNP program has evolved since its inception to what it is today (McCauley et al., 2020). The purpose of this assignment is to explore the DNP degree in detail by describing its history and purpose, the current state, the future state, how DNP-prepared nurse will transform healthcare, the advantage of having a DNP degree, and why the degree would be an appropriate career path for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
The History and Purpose of DNP
The history of the DNP degree dates back to 2004 when the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) ratified the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing supporting the advancement of nursing education from the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program to the doctorate level. Since then, the AACN has been at the forefront in anchoring momentum for the DNP. In 2015, nurse educators across nursing schools in the United States arrived at a consensus supporting the usefulness of the DNP degree in preparing nurses for more advanced roles (AACN, 2020). Being the terminal degree in nursing education, the purpose of the DNP degree is to provide nurses with advanced knowledge and skills that will enable them to perform leadership, research, and advocacy roles to advance patient care and nursing practice (AACN, 2020). Nurses who complete the DNP degree attain the highest level of expertise enabling them to occupy administrative and APRN roles.
The Current State of the DNP
The current state of the DNP degree reflects a program with numerous successes and challenges. A recent report issued by the AACN indicates that a majority of nursing institutions in the United States are currently enrolling students into the DNP program. Besides, the number of nursing students graduating with a DNP degree has increased to more than 25% since the program was started (Newland, 2019). However, McCauley et al. (2020) has highlighted inconsistency in curricula, cost-related barriers, and accreditation/certification issues as come of the challenges that are currently facing the adoption of the DNP degree.
The Future State of the DNP
The rate of enrollment of nurses into the DNP degree is expected to increase in the future. Newland (2019) asserts that the need for collaboration between DNP graduates and Ph.D. degree nurses is expected to increase in the near future in order to enhance the development and growth of the nursing discipline. It is further anticipated that as time goes by, nurses will see the value of completing the DNP degree which will be a requirement for candidates who want to assume leadership roles in nursing (Springer Publishing Company, n.d.).
How DNP-Prepared APNs Will Assist With Transformative Healthcare
DNP-prepared advanced practice nurses (APNs) will play a crucial role in transforming healthcare. As outlined in the DNP essentials, doctorally-prepared graduates possess the skills and knowledge to perform a number of key roles that are meant to improve nursing practice (AACN, 2022). These roles include; performing leadership functions, conducting nursing research, guiding the implementation of evidence-based practice, and directing technological integration into health practice. Other ways through which DNP-prepared nurses will participate in healthcare transformation include steering health advocacy, encouraging interprofessional collaboration, promoting clinical prevention, and serving as nurse educators to advance nursing practice (AACN, 2022).
The Advantages of Having the DNP and Why the DNP Degree Would Be An Appropriate Carrier Path to Take
Having a DNP is associated with numerous advantages. These include; the achievement of the highest degree and credentials in nursing, higher chances of getting employed in advanced nursing roles, higher salaries, increased ability to assume leadership roles, and being better positioned to advance evidence-based practice (Spring Arbor University, 2022). The DNP degree would be an appropriate career path to take because it sharpens one’s clinical practice skills, enhances leadership capabilities, and broadens career options for doctorally-prepared nurses.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2020). DNP fact sheet. https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/Fact-Sheet#:~:text=The%20DNP%20is%20designed%20for,other%20research%2Dfocused%20nursing%20doctorates.
American Association of College of Nursing. (AACN). (2022). DNP essentials. https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials
McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., Norman, L. D., Rideout, K. H., & Villarruel, A. M. (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting, readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing outlook, 68(4), 494–503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.03.008
Newland, J. (2019). Growth of the DNP degree: Promoting change and improving the quality of care. The Nurse Practitioner, 44(4), 8. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000554090.87523.b6
Spring Arbor University. (2022). DNP benefits: 5 reasons to earn a doctor of nursing practice. https://online.arbor.edu/news/dnp
Springer Publishing Company. (n.d.). The history and future of the DNP in nursing. https://connect.springerpub.com/content/book/978-0-8261-8863-2/part/part01/chapter/ch01