disc response
Respond to this response below by answering the following questions:
QUESTIONS:
Share an insight from having read your colleagues postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
DISCUSSION:
Week one is out of the gate and the first task is to identify within ones self why pursue the Doctoral of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, and what is the motivating factors? To determine this one must understand what having a doctorate in nursing practice means, and how the expectations of a DNP differ from other degrees? Conn (2013), explains that doctoral students often assess the skills they have in their toolbox and realize lifelong learning is necessary and the pursuit of and advanced degree augments further goal attainment. The DNP is a terminal degree and provides the learner with competencies at an advanced level, beyond that of a Master of Science in nursing (MSN), emphasizing leadership, quality, healthcare delivery systems, and health care policy (Sperhac & Clinton, 2008, p. 147).
Beginning a career in nursing with a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree provided a knowledge base as a clinician sufficient to meet career goals as a learner in the nursing field. After years of growth personally and professionally and a change in interests within the field of nursing with a goal of learning how to advocate for staff and lead change, an advanced degree seemed the next step. The goal of obtaining an MSN in Informatics provided improved knowledge and skills to support a Nursing Informatics (NI) role. Presented with an alternate course away from NI a few years later, as a director of a nursing unit, it was clear the tools needed were different and leadership and administrative skills would be beneficial which began the trajectory toward a masters certificate in leadership and administration.
It has been two years since the completion of the last advanced degree, what is the next professional goal? Why a DNP? The media presentation provided this week explains that the DNP is a path to reaching goals and developing the highest level of clinical practice, driving advanced performance, advocacy, change management, and application of evidenced based practice and research (Laureate Education, 2011). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2006) publication outlining the essentials of a DNP provides a list of the foreseen benefits of a practice focused program. The benefits outline further solidified the decision down a DNP path versus one with a more researched based focused like that of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and can help guide further success in participation at the executive and leadership level (AACN, 2006).
How does the content of this week motivate? The literature and definition of a DNP overshadows the anxiety of undertaking such a commitment professionally and personally, and the self-doubt of whether a DNP is obtainable while managing the daily challenges as a leader. Beginning week one, sitting down and reading with guided focus, fostering the drive to be advanced learner in the field of nursing is gratifying. The DNP will strengthen needed skills as a leader, provide credibility in practice, and empower ones self at the executive level (Laureate Education, 2011). As this journey continues past week one and new ideas and goals develop they will continue to be aligned with the need to advance in nursing so that the profession is well represented at the head of the table (Michael & Clochesy, 2016) .
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Retrieved August 28, 2020, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials
Conn, V. S. (2013). Prepare to launch. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945913492652
Laureate Education. (2011). Introduction: The doctor of nursing practice [Video File]. Walden University. 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, 8486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.02.011
Sperhac, A. M., & Clinton, P. (2008). Doctorate of nursing practice: Blueprint for excellence. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 22(3), 146151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2007.12.015
