Optimizing impact through the Tiered Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Model

Abstract

Colleges of Nursing (CONs) and health care organizations (HCOs) are increasingly embracing academic-practice partnerships (AcaPP). An HCO's workforce development plan prompted an AcaPP agreement with a CON for the purpose of increasing the number of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) advanced practice nurses in the HCO. Over a period of 6 years, 4 consecutive cohorts of approximately 100 HCO baccalaureate prepared nurses were enrolled in the CON DNP program. The AcaPP environment facilitates large-scale DNP projects among successive cohorts of students. The purpose of this article is to describe the innovative Tiered DNP Project Model, defined as the process by which current students build on and expand select DNP projects implemented by students in initial cohorts. The tiered approach to the DNP project is facilitated by an advising model that occurs in the context of mutually agreed-upon goals and compatible with the HCO strategic plan and CON DNP program objectives. In the Tiered DNP Project Model, select studies are chosen for continuation by DNP students in subsequent cohorts based on nursing leadership guidance of alignment with HCO strategic goals. The model has resulted in driving improvements in HCO patient and systems outcomes, promoted practice scholarship, and contributed to the quality of the CON DNP program.

The Impact of DNP Scholarly Projects on Healthcare Organizations

“…Given the postpandemic state of healthcare, it is important that scholarly projects are in alignment with organization strategic priorities benefiting both parties 36 . During conceptualization, the DNP student should collaborate, communicate, and confirm that identified opportunities are in alignment with current strategic priorities 37,38 . Evidence suggests that not all mentors are knowledgeable about strategic planning and should become familiar, ensuring the proposed project addresses organizational priorities and financial impact 5 .…”

“…36 During conceptualization, the DNP student should collaborate, communicate, and confirm that identified opportunities are in alignment with current strategic priorities. 37,38 Evidence suggests that not all mentors are knowledgeable about strategic planning and should become familiar, ensuring the proposed project addresses organizational priorities and financial impact. 5 In alignment with curriculum requirements and addressing the economic impact to the organization, DNP students should be accountable for completing a return on investment or project cost analysis.…”

Strengthening the impact of Doctor of Nursing Practice projects in education and clinical practice

“…1 The project should serve as a foundation for future scholarship, and can be most impactful when students build on the work of prior DNP projects. 6 The DNP project has gone through an evolution since its inception. Many universities and colleges initially envisioned the fi nal project very differently.…”

“…An original model, the Collaborative Academic-Health System DNP Project Schema, was adapted to create a new model, the DNP Project Model Incorporating Education and Practice, which guides project work (see DNP project model incorporating academia and practice table, Supplemental Digital Content 1 at http://links.lww.com/NPR/A10). 6 This new model along with DNP project guidelines that include a DNP paper and presentation rubric helps guide students from formation of an idea to fi nal dissemination of the work product.…”

“…The impact of the DNP project and its clinical significance is important to emphasize to students and practice stakeholders. As stated in the AACN DNP “ Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations ” position statement, “Clinical significance is as important in guiding practice as statistical significance is in evaluating research.”1 The project should serve as a foundation for future scholarship, and can be most impactful when students build on the work of prior DNP projects 6…”