A model of successful DNP and PhD collaboration

Abstract

Background and purpose: Within nursing education, the existence of two graduate-level programs has created some challenges. Role confusion between the practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the research-focused Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is compounded by competition for similar positions. Collaboration between DNP and PhD nurses, however, benefits the health care system and patients. Methods: The complementary skills of these two groups of nurses are detailed, and a model for building PhD-DNP partnerships is presented based on a collaborative PhD-DNP project that resolved a negative trend in outcomes from cardiac surgery. The clinical pathway created by the project met national benchmarks, improved interprofessional staff communication, and resulted in uniform and improved patient care. Conclusions: Although role differentiation for doctoral nurses can be challenging, role integration is critical. Building collaborative partnerships between these groups of nurses benefits the health care system, as well as patients, and this partnership is sustainable through successful collaborative projects. Implications for practice: Doctoral-prepared nurses must understand each other's background and education and focus on what each can contribute. In the beginning, as with any collaborative relationship, collaborators must discuss and agree on ground rules, team roles, responsibilities, and time line for projects.

An Academic Model for Building Effective Faculty Teams to Promote Excellence in Nursing Education

“…Faculty perspectives were consistent with a number of positive themes emerging, including mutual respect, positive leadership, empowerment, and equity. These themes are consistent with the literature regarding determinants for successful workplace collaboration, team-based decision making, and a healthy academic culture [10,15,17]. Shared governance, team-based curriculum development, and a hybrid mentoring model are all interventions used to promoted collaboration.…”

“…Shared governance, team-based curriculum development, and a hybrid mentoring model are all interventions used to promoted collaboration. Intentional collaboration of faculty is viewed as one of the most successful tools in the overall healthy work environment and in the team approach [15]. Overall, the faculty who participated in the study reported an academic culture that promoted civility, inclusivity, and collaboration.…”

Advancing Evidence‐Based Practice Through Implementation Science: Critical Contributions of Doctor of Nursing Practice‐ and Doctor of Philosophy‐Prepared Nurses

“…There are inherent strengths within collaborations among research‐ and practice‐based doctoral nurses for both implementation and potential de‐implementation of practices in clinical settings (Cowan, Hartjes, & Munro, 2019). Among nurse scientists, their strengths include the ability to effectively design and conduct research, build programs of research, generate evidence to guide practice, and disseminate findings through scientific publications and presentations (Cowan et al, 2019).…”

“…There are inherent strengths within collaborations among research‐ and practice‐based doctoral nurses for both implementation and potential de‐implementation of practices in clinical settings (Cowan, Hartjes, & Munro, 2019). Among nurse scientists, their strengths include the ability to effectively design and conduct research, build programs of research, generate evidence to guide practice, and disseminate findings through scientific publications and presentations (Cowan et al, 2019). For DNP and practice‐based doctoral nurses, their strengths include the ability to lead and implement practice changes, manage and reduce resistance to change, design and interpret quality improvement initiatives, serve as clinical experts, interpret and translate evidence into local practice settings, and disseminate efforts through professional practice channels, clinical presentations, and publications (Cowan et al, 2019).…”

A scoping review on the nurse scientist role within healthcare systems

“…Therefore, nurse scientists must be able to build relationships throughout the organization to garner support of key stakeholders and leaders. Melnyk et al (2017) Therefore, a partnership might facilitate success and sustainability (Cowan et al, 2019;McNett et al, 2021) when establishing a nurse scientist role within an organization.…”