Practice Readiness and Reflection

Discussion

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to reflect on your own readiness to practice as a DNP-prepared nurse and consider what you learned in this course and how this knowledge will impact your practice.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

Instructions

Each week you have been reminded that reflective inquiry allows for expansion of self-awareness, identification of knowledge gaps, and assessment of learning goals. As you reflect on your own readiness to practice as a DNP-prepared nurse, it is important to consider what you learned in this course.

As you review the course outcomes and your experience in this course, address the following:

1. Analyze and evaluate how your thinking was challenged in this course related to ethical considerations and project management strategies.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)
2. Considering this new knowledge, examine how this learning prepares you to practice as a DNP-prepared nurse.

Please click on the following link to review the DNP Discussion Guidelines on the Student Resource Center program page:

• Link (webpage): DNP Discussion GuidelinesLinks to an external site.

Course Outcomes

This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

1. Exhibit adherence to ethical principles in the delivery of healthcare, program planning, and financial management. (POs 1, 4)
2. Demonstrate effective project management strategies. (POs 2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
3. Explore the contribution of the DNP within collaborative teams across diverse healthcare systems. (PO 1)
4. Apply theory and evidence from management, policy, and clinical perspectives to support quality improvement and patient safety in healthcare systems. (POs 3, 4, 5, 6)
5. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in support for and dissemination of scholarship. (POs 2, 3)

Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay

I participated in this course primarily to advance my career. In the beginning, students were asked to select a project topic to research involving a particular patient population and choose an intervention appropriate to address the chosen topic. The course activities have focused on developing the project, including literature search and review, development of an implementation plan and formative evaluation, synthesizing evidence to support the intervention, and implementing the intervention in the practice environment. Through these activities, I have developed skills relevant to project management in future career spaces, including developing goals, defining the scope, creating a team, communicating with team members, enabling teamwork, managing project risks, developing a project plan and schedule, evaluating the process and the outcome and documenting the process and outcomes. I can attest that the course materials are robust and have reinforced my understanding of these project management concepts.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

Regarding ethical considerations, the course project required students to select a vulnerable population to work with. Ethical issues often arise when working with vulnerable populations, and such general considerations include respect for persons, beneficence, autonomy, justice, privacy and confidentiality (Araiza, 2021). The course stressed the need to promote ethical research and challenged my perception of ethics in research and practice. It emphasized nurses have an ethical responsibility to ensure participants or patients do not experience harm and are treated with respect and dignity. I intend to follow this through into my future career and everyday practice.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

Undertaking this course boosts my career readiness. I can engage in advanced clinical practice in multiple healthcare settings, perform executive-level administrative and nursing leadership functions, and advocate for patients and policy, roles I could not perform before the DNP program. I am in a position to meet the increased needs of the population and the growing complexity of the healthcare environment. DNP-prepared nurses can implement science and best practices through evidence-based practice through the comprehensive skill set of scientific knowledge, leadership competencies, and outcome measurement (McCauley et al., 2020). Generally, I consider myself well-rounded, thanks to the DNP course.   (Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

References

Araiza, I. (2021). Ethical Issues Working with Vulnerable Populations. Popularizing Scholarly Research: Working with Nonacademic Stakeholders, Teams, and Communities, 36.

McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., Norman, L. D., Rideout, K. H., & Villarruel, A. M. (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting, readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing outlook, 68(4), 494–503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.03.008

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a DNP prepared nurse?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepared nurse assumes an advanced and leadership role in healthcare, focusing on the application of evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes and healthcare systems. They engage in clinical practice, research, and healthcare management, working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient care quality, safety, and innovation. DNPs also contribute to policy development and advocacy to drive advancements in healthcare delivery.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

What are the 8 essentials of DNP?

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) essentials typically encompass advanced clinical practice, leadership, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, healthcare policy and advocacy, information technology, ethics, and quality improvement. These components emphasize the development of highly skilled and autonomous nursing professionals capable of driving positive healthcare outcomes through comprehensive clinical expertise, effective leadership, and the integration of research and technology within a holistic ethical framework.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

What is the role of the DNP prepared nurse in the provision of population health services as they relate to epidemiology?

A DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) prepared nurse with a focus on population health and epidemiology plays a critical role in assessing, analyzing, and addressing health trends and patterns within communities. They utilize epidemiological methods to identify health disparities, develop targeted interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of public health initiatives. Through their expertise, DNP-prepared nurses contribute to improving the overall health outcomes and well-being of populations by implementing evidence-based strategies to prevent, manage, and control health issues at a broader level.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)

What are the three Aacn DNP essentials that most align to the completion of a doctoral project?

The three AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) DNP essentials that most align with the completion of a doctoral project are:

1. Essential IV: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice: This essential emphasizes the use of analytical methods to critically assess and apply evidence in clinical practice, which is crucial for conducting a rigorous doctoral project.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)
2. Essential V: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking: This essential focuses on leadership skills and systems thinking, enabling DNP candidates to effectively design and implement quality improvement initiatives as part of their doctoral projects.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)
3. Essential VIII: Advanced Nursing Practice: This essential underscores the development of advanced clinical skills and expertise, which are essential for carrying out a meaningful and impactful doctoral project in the realm of advanced nursing practice.(Readiness to Practice as a DNP Prepared Nurse Reflection Essay)