The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice October 2006
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Course
The Essentials ocation
Institution
The Essentials Ocation
Introduction
Background 3
Comparison Between Research-Focused and Practice-Focused
Doctoral Education 3
AACN Task Force on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing 4
Context of Graduate Education in Nursing 5
Relationships of Master’s, Practice Doctorate, and Research
Doctorate Progr...
The Essentials of Doctoral Education
for Advanced Nursing Practice
October 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction
Background 3
Comparison Between Research-Focused and Practice-Focused
Doctoral Education 3
AACN Task Force on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing 4
Context of Graduate Education in Nursing 5
Relationships of Master’s, Practice Doctorate, and Research
Doctorate Programs 6
DNP Graduates and Academic Roles 7
The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice 8
I. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice 8
II. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality
Improvement and Systems Thinking 9
III. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods
for Evidence-Based Practice 11
IV. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology
for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care 12
V. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care 13
VI. Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient
and Population Health Outcomes 14
VII. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving
the Nation’s Health 15
VIII. Advanced Nursing Practice 16
Incorporation of Specialty-Focused Competencies into DNP Curricula 17
Advanced Practice Nursing Focus 17
Aggregate/Systems/Organizational Focus 18
ADVANCING HIGHER EDUCATION IN NURSING
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,Curricular Elements and Structure 18
Program Length 18
Practice Experiences in the Curriculum 19
Final DNP Project 19
DNP Programs in the Academic Environment: Indicators of Quality
in Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs 20
Faculty Characteristics 20
The Faculty and Practice 20
Practice Resources and Clinical Environment Resources 21
Academic Infrastructure 21
Appendix A
Advanced Health/Physical Assessment 23
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 23
Advanced Pharmacology 24
Appendix B
DNP Essentials Task Force 25
References 27
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, Introduction
Background
Doctoral programs in nursing fall into two principal types: research-focused and practice-
focused. Most research-focused programs grant the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD),
while a small percentage offers the Doctor of Nursing Science degree (DNS, DSN, or
DNSc). Designed to prepare nurse scientists and scholars, these programs focus heavily
on scientific content and research methodology; and all require an original research
project and the completion and defense of a dissertation or linked research papers.
Practice-focused doctoral programs are designed to prepare experts in specialized
advanced nursing practice. They focus heavily on practice that is innovative and
evidence-based, reflecting the application of credible research findings. The two types of
doctoral programs differ in their goals and the competencies of their graduates. They
represent complementary, alternative approaches to the highest level of educational
preparation in nursing.
The concept of a practice doctorate in nursing is not new. However, this course of study
has evolved considerably over the 20 years since the first practice-focused nursing
doctorate, the Doctor of Nursing (ND), was initiated as an entry-level degree. Because
research- and practice-focused programs are distinctly different, the current position of
the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2004) [detailed in the Position
Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing] is that: “The two types of doctorates,
research-focused and practice-focused, may coexist within the same education unit” and
that the practice-focused degree should be the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Recognizing the need for consistency in the degrees required for advanced nursing
practice, all existing ND programs have transitioned to the DNP.
Comparison Between Research-Focused and Practice-Focused Doctoral Education
Research- and practice-focused doctoral programs in nursing share rigorous and
demanding expectations: a scholarly approach to the discipline, and a commitment to the
advancement of the profession. Both are terminal degrees in the discipline, one in
practice and one in research. However, there are distinct differences between the two
degree programs. For example, practice-focused programs understandably place greater
emphasis on practice, and less emphasis on theory, meta-theory, research methodology,
and statistics than is apparent in research-focused programs. Whereas all research-
focused programs require an extensive research study that is reported in a dissertation or
through the development of linked research papers, practice-focused doctoral programs
generally include integrative practice experiences and an intense practice immersion
experience. Rather than a knowledge-generating research effort, the student in a practice-
focused program generally carries out a practice application-oriented “final DNP
project,” which is an integral part of the integrative practice experience.
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