NURS 8002 Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

NURS 8002 Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

NURS 8002 Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice SAMPLE

When it comes to doctoral programs in nursing the main two types are research-focused and practice-focused. While the former focus heavily on scientific content and research methodology; the latter concentrates on reflecting the application of credible research findings. However different they may be on their emphasis, they may coexist within the same referential frame (American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 2006, p. 3). Walden’s provides students with the opportunity for scholastic transformation with effecting positive social change in mind by offering programs of study in the settings of learner-centered opportunities (Walden University, 2011). Notwithstanding that the values of integrity and quality are pivotal in the formation of those charged with identifying, evaluating, disseminating, and effectively using reliable information to resolve pressing issues. In my humble opinion, at this level, we all want knowledge worthy of those letters that are embroidered on our coats by having a solid background. In turn it will create real change. I plan to advance this knowledge to the DNP. Activism is needed to generate an ecosystem capable to sustain and advance transformative social change (DeJordy et al., 2020, p. 931). Change can be pushed by activism anywhere but can also be facilitated by the position one holds. I think my position as an entry level nursing instructor is a privileged one to exert immediate, as well as long range change. By introducing and promoting ideas to nurture critical thinking in my students. I plan to in hence that flame for continual improvement as this is where attitude shifts happen (Loizzo et al., 2018, p. 406). And attitude shifts we need nowadays…My second intervention is more along the lines of daily clinical practice. Achieving a terminal degree is my first step as it will afford me a better understanding not only of my discipline but also of other fields such as business management for example. I plan on using this knowledge to exert change by creating my own practice for patients not to have to pay for care. To accomplish these I would be asking for government loans to serve the uninsured demographics. I would like to build on this idea and make it a systemic practice to improve health outcomes, and control costs for the uninsured. This will be a challenge I will admit, but I believe that this path, in the settings of the values we go by, will help me resonate better by the time we are through.

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-Essential HYPERLINK “http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials” HYPERLINK “http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials” HYPERLINK “http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials”sDeJordy, R., Scully, M., Ventresca, M. J., & Creed, W. E. D. (2020). Inhabited Ecosystems: Propelling Transformative Social Change Between and Through Organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 65(4), 931–971. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177/0001839219899613Loizzo, J., Watson, S. L., & Watson, W. R. (2018). Examining Instructor and Learner Experiences and Attitude Change in a Journalism for Social Change Massive Open Online Course: A Mixed-Methods Case Study. Journalism & Mass Educator, 73(4), 392–409. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177/1077695817729586Walden University. (2011). Student publications: Vision, mission, and goals. Retrieved from http://catalog.waldenu.edu/

NURS 8002 Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

A doctoral degree carries a certain set of expectations associated with the completion of advanced educational attainment. Earning a DNP degree is no exception. What are the expectations associated with a DNP-prepared nurse? How might these expectations differ among nursing staff without a DNP degree?

The role of a DNP-prepared nurse is multifaceted; they can serve as nurse educators, policy and legislation advocates, direct nursing care supervisors, or advanced practice nurses responsible for tracking, installing, and monitoring initiatives aimed at improving nursing and healthcare delivery. Regardless of the expectations associated with a DNP-prepared nurse, throughout your program of study, you will hone the skills necessary to enact each of these roles. Consider which role you are most excited about. What do you hope to accomplish in the realm of professional nursing practice with your DNP degree?

For this Discussion, reflect on your personal motivations to pursue a DNP degree. Consider the expectations associated with the DNP-prepared nurse, including how these may differ with a PhD-prepared nurse. Reflect on the DNP degree requirements, including your practicum/field experience and completion of your Doctoral Project. Then, think about how you will demonstrate the alignment of the AACN DNP Essentials to the completion of these program-of-study milestones.

To prepare:

    • Review the Learning Resources and reflect on the reasons you have chosen to pursue a DNP degree. How do you anticipate that earning this degree will support your professional goals?
    • Reflect on the differences between DNP and PhD degrees. How may this relate to your decision to pursue the DNP degree?
    • Review the degree requirements for completing your DNP at Walden. Specifically, consider the focus of the Doctoral Project and practicum experiences as discussed in the DNP Essentials document. Keep in mind that you will be required to identify a site or sites for completion of your DNP project and your practicum hours required for the degree. You can refer to the Field Experience requirements presented in the Learning Resources.

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  • After reviewing the DNP Essentials document and the DNP Project Process Guide for the DNP project, reflect on what it means to address an organization’s needs to attend to a gap in practice or implement a practice change. What is the difference between a gap in practice and a practice change? How does your role as the DNP-prepared nurse contribute to meeting a stakeholder need?

By Day 3 of Week 4

Post a brief explanation of the role of the nurse with a practice doctorate. Be specific. Explain the expectations associated with obtaining this degree, including how these expectations might be different for a nurse who holds a different degree. Then, explain how these considerations relate to your motivation to pursue a DNP, including a brief description of how your role as a DNP-prepared nurse will meet a potential organization’s need to address a gap in practice or implement a practice change. Discuss any experiences you have had in addressing a gap in practice or a practice change within an organization. Be specific.

By Day 6 of Week 4

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by suggesting an additional perspective on what it means to be a nurse with a practice doctorate, offer support to the expectations with obtaining the degree that your colleague posted, or expand upon your colleague’s post.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 4 Discussion Rubric

 

Post by Day 3 of Week 4 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 4

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 4 Discussion

Weeks 4–5: AACN Essentials for the Doctorally Prepared Nurse

[The AACN DNP] Essentials outline the foundational competencies that are core to all advanced practice roles, including the four nationally-recognized Advanced Practice Registered Nursing roles: nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.
— American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2006)

What does it mean to be a DNP-prepared nurse? What core function of advanced nursing practice do you hope to practice upon completion of your DNP? How will earning a DNP enhance your nursing practice?

Questions such as these may represent some underlying consideration that led you to pursue a DNP. In your role as a DNP-prepared nurse, you will likely be called upon to perform advanced nursing practice skills that not only enhance patient care but will impact the delivery of healthcare, organizational standards, and quality improvement initiatives.

This week, you consider the role of a nurse with a practice doctorate, including the expectations associated with obtaining a DNP degree. You reflect on your personal motivations for pursuing a doctoral degree and begin to examine how your proposed Doctoral Project and practicum/field experience will align to the AACN DNP Essentials.

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NURS 8002 Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice
NURS 8002 Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice

Reference:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). DNP essentials. https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze the role of a nurse with a practice doctorate
  • Analyze expectations associated with obtaining the DNP degree
  • Analyze personal motivations for pursing a doctoral degree
  • Explain the role of the DNP-prepared nurse in meeting organizational quality improvement needs
  • Evaluate alignment between the AACN DNP Essentials and completion of Doctoral Projects
  • Evaluate alignment between the AACN DNP Essentials and completion of a practicum/field experience

Learning Resources

Module 2: Professional Standards for the DNP-Prepared Nurse

Much like any other professional licensure credential, the DNP-prepared nurse must aptly demonstrate the skills and knowledge that align to the AACN DNP Essentials. These are the set of foundational competencies that will be structured and emphasized throughout a DNP degree program’s curriculum.

As a future DNP-prepared nurse, you will exemplify the DNP Essentials and the core set of competencies necessary for advanced nursing practice. Throughout your program of study, you will apply the DNP Essentials with the completion of your DNP program’s milestones, including your practicum/field experience and Doctoral Project.

What’s Happening This Module?

Module 2: Professional Standards for the DNP-Prepared Nurse is a 2-week module—Weeks 4–5 of the course—in which you analyze the role of a nurse with a practice doctorate. In the Discussion for Week 4, you will engage with your colleagues as you consider the expectations associated with earning the DNP degree and reflect on your personal motivations for pursing a doctoral degree. In the Assignment for this module, you will examine the role of the DNP-prepared nurse in meeting organizational and quality improvement needs. This is an important area of focus in that quality improvement will be the theme of your Doctoral Project. As you engage with the content for this module, you will also examine the alignment between the AACN DNP Essentials and the completion of your Doctoral Project and your practicum/field experience.

What do I have to do? When do I have to do it?
Review your Learning Resources Days 1–7, Weeks 4 and 5
Discussion: The Doctoral Degree and Professional Nursing Practice Post by Day 3 of Week 4 and respond to your colleagues by Day 6 of Week 4.
Assignment: Linking Areas of Focus Into Future Plans for the DNP Submit your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 5.

Go to the Week’s Content

Week 4-5

 Rubric Detail

 

Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.

Name: NURS_8002_Week4_Discussion_Rubric

  • Grid View
  • List View
Excellent

90%–100%

Good

80%–89%

Fair

70%–79%

Poor

0%–69%

Main Posting:

Response to the Discussion question is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.

40 (40%) – 44 (44%)

Thoroughly responds to the Discussion question(s).

Is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.

No less than 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.

Supported by at least three current credible sources.

35 (35%) – 39 (39%)

Responds to most of the Discussion question(s).

Is somewhat reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

50% of the post has exceptional depth and breadth.

Supported by at least three credible references.

31 (31%) – 34 (34%)

Responds to some of the Discussion question(s).

One to two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed.

Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.

Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

Cited with fewer than two credible references.

0 (0%) – 30 (30%)

Does not respond to the Discussion question(s).

Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.

Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.

Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

Contains only one or no credible references.

Main Posting:

Writing

6 (6%) – 6 (6%)

Written clearly and concisely.

Contains no grammatical or spelling errors.

Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Written concisely.

May contain one to two grammatical or spelling errors.

Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Written somewhat concisely.

May contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors.

Contains some APA formatting errors.

0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Not written clearly or concisely.

Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.

Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.

Main Posting:

Timely and full participation

9 (9%) – 10 (10%)

Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation.

Posts main Discussion by due date.

8 (8%) – 8 (8%)

Meets requirements for full participation.

Posts main Discussion by due date.

7 (7%) – 7 (7%)

Posts main Discussion by due date.

0 (0%) – 6 (6%)

Does not meet requirements for full participation.

Does not post main Discussion by due date.

First Response:

Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources.

9 (9%) – 9 (9%)

Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.

Responds to questions posed by faculty.

The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.

8 (8%) – 8 (8%)

Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting.

7 (7%) – 7 (7%)

Response is on topic and may have some depth.

0 (0%) – 6 (6%)

Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.

First Response:
Writing
6 (6%) – 6 (6%)

is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues.

Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed.

Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources.

Response is written in standard, edited English.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication.

Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.

Few or no credible sources are cited.

0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication.

Response to faculty questions are missing.

No credible sources are cited.

First Response:
Timely and full participation
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation.

Posts by due date.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Meets requirements for full participation.

Posts by due date.

3 (3%) – 3 (3%)

Posts by due date.

0 (0%) – 2 (2%)

Does not meet requirements for full participation.

Does not post by due date.

Second Response:
Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources.
9 (9%) – 9 (9%)

Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.

Responds to questions posed by faculty.

The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.

8 (8%) – 8 (8%)

Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting.

7 (7%) – 7 (7%)

Response is on topic and may have some depth.

0 (0%) – 6 (6%)

Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.

Second Response:
Writing
6 (6%) – 6 (6%)

is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues.

Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed.

Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources.

Response is written in standard, edited English.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication.

Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.

Few or no credible sources are cited.

0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication.

Response to faculty questions are missing.

No credible sources are cited.

Second Response:
Timely and full participation
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation.

Posts by due date.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Meets requirements for full participation.

Posts by due date.

3 (3%) – 3 (3%)

Posts by due date.

0 (0%) – 2 (2%)

Does not meet requirements for full participation.

Does not post by due date.

Total Points: 100

Name: NURS_8002_Week4_Discussion_Rubric

Class,

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!

Hope this is helpful!

 

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:

 

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

 

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