Pursuing DNP Degree: Motivations and Goals

WK3 D2

The DNP nurse’s role is still under investigation and has not been clarified in the medical industry. According to Martsolf et al. (2021), the DNP-prepared nurse has advanced clinical education, outstanding clinical training, quality improvement measures, and leadership skills. DNPs are a considerable asset to facilities in many leadership roles to nurture and educate nursing staff. The DNP nurse is a connection, a synapse in the connection of the interdisciplinary team, nursing staff, and critical leadership. Pursuing a DNP degree will give me the tools I need to bridge the gap and change society.

Pursuing DNP Degree: Motivations and Goals

My motivations and goals for pursuing a DNP degree are to promote positive change awareness and education in the community. In my culture, mental health is shunned and viewed negatively. According to Nelson et al. (2020), It is proven that the majority of black women will not seek mental health services due to the Strong Black Women concept attitudes towards mental illness, and it displays signs of weakness. My goal is to improve the mental health stigma, create social change, improve mental health literacy, promote workshops, and bridge the gap between mental health and physical health. Another goal is the ability to research a topic and its underlying issues to put them into practice.

Difference between a Practice Doctorate Nurse and a Research Doctorate Nurse

According to Beeber et al. (2019), the DNP nurse role still needs to be updated, though many establishments are hiring DNP nurses to fill organizational roles. The DNP nurse has filled various organizational jobs, including leadership positions, APRN positions, administration roles, IT work, and being a part of a quality improvement team. The DNP nurse is trained in leadership skills, quality improvement, health policy, collaboration, and handling organizational issues. The research nurse is equipped to conduct research and lead research. According to Neal-Boylan (2020), the research nurse conducts and leads research, whereas the DNP takes the study and applies it to clinical practice.

Addressing an Organization’s Quality Improvement or Implementing Practice Change as a DNP Nurse

Focusing on an organization’s quality improvement program and assessing the areas that require improvement is a goal of mine. According to CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (n.d.), quality improvement programs aim to improve outcomes, achieve positive results, and improve staff education. As a DNP, one of my goals is to improve or work with the organization I am employed with. Previously, as a Director of Nursing at a facility, I worked alongside my nursing staff to create a quality improvement program to improve patient outcomes such as patient falls, medication errors, and skin breakdown, amongst many other areas.

Conclusion

DNP nurses play an important role in improving organizational care, increasing staff knowledge, and improving patient outcomes. As a DNP nurse, I will apply my training and EBP (evidence-based practice ) to my place of employment, my community, and those who are at a disadvantage due to their circumstances. Improving patient care has always been my goal as a nurse.

References:

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67(4), 354–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2019.02.006

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (n.d.). Quality Measurement and Quality

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Falkenberg-Olson, A. C. (2019). Research translation and the evolving PhD and DNP practice Links to an external site.

Roles : A collaborative call for nurse practitionersLinks to an external site. . Journal of the American Association of

Nurse Practitioners, 31(8), 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000266Links to an external site.

Martsolf GR, Komadino A, Germack H, Harrison J, Poghosyan L. Practice environment,

independence, and roles among DNP- and MSN-prepared primary care nurse