The DNP essentials provide the foundation for doctoral nursing education and practice. In contrast to Ph.D. nursing programs, which focus on research careers, DNP programs prepare nurses for the practical application of the latest scientific knowledge. Therefore, DNP essentials put emphasis on nurses’ abilities to translate novel evidence-based interventions into the nursing practice. In particular, essential I, entitled “Scientific Underpinnings for Practice,” stresses the significance of the scientific base for healthcare delivery (Canady, 2021, p. 166). Essential II focuses on translating research evidence into the organization and the healthcare system to improve the quality of care (Canady, 2021). Essential III prepares nurses to facilitate meaningful organization-wide changes, and Essential IV allows nurses to foster innovation through their technological skills (Canady, 2021). These and other DNP essentials help advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) assume the role in which they are equipped to translate research into practice and provide directions for future research.
DNP-prepared nurses have multiple roles in healthcare due to their high levels of education. They engage in leadership, public health, nursing informatics, knowledge translation, quality improvement, and the application of science (Trautman et al., 2018). They narrow the gap between research and practice because of their in-depth knowledge of the translation of evidence, research, implementation science, and organizational systems (Trautman et al., 2018). Moreover, since DNP-prepared nurses have knowledge of both current research and practice, including interprofessional relationships and financial considerations, they can inform researchers about what interventions may be feasible to use in the healthcare setting. Hence, they can collaborate with researchers and provide guidance for future studies by answering the question of what interventions will be best suitable for a particular healthcare system.
To sum up, DNP essentials are focused on the practical application of recent scientific knowledge. DNP-trained nurses are well-equipped to search for novel evidence-based practices and implement them in the healthcare setting. At the same time, they have in-depth knowledge of healthcare organization functioning and may provide directions for future research by helping researchers understand which interventions can be the most feasible in the particular healthcare environment.
References
Canady, K. (2021). Practical and philosophical considerations in choosing the DNP or PhD in nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(1), 163-168.
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), 2. Web.