The Progress Of Doctor Of Nursing Practice ( Dnp ) Degree...

Introduction The progress of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree and its place originated over 10 years ago. Rogers Diffusion of Innovation Theory is used to trace the history of the DNP. Nurse leaders from service and academia share strategies and innovations, and evaluate DNP education with a focus on outcomes and impact. As schools of nursing target DNPs to become faculty to mitigate the shortage, participants agreed it is time to focus on graduating strong leaders prepared to transform health care. A growing number of nurses practicing in diverse roles have earned the DNP from programs that vary considerably in rigor. Demand for the competencies, skills, and experience which DNPs bring to practice is high as organizations adapt to the accountable care environment. The DNP essentials (AACN, 2006) provide scaffolding upon which to build both educational programs and DNP practice that are well suited to this new and changing context (Terhaar, Taylor, Sylvia, 2016). The DNP is a practice-focused doctorate that should prepare clinicians for leadership in evidence-based practice (EBP) (Melnyk, 2013). DNP Prepared Nurse in Academia as a Leader The DNP programs that offer education concentrations or educational leadership options provide experienced master s-prepared nurses with formal preparation in educational theory, testing, evaluation, curriculum development, and a capstone educational practicum. They contend that graduates of these education-focused DNP programs