The Role of the DNP-Prepared Nurse as Project Manager

Discussion

Purpose

This discussion aims to explore the role of the DNP-prepared nurse as the project manager. A particular emphasis will be on project scope management and communication with stakeholders. During a project, problems are frequently related to the project scope and inadequate communication with stakeholders. Planning and implementing strategies to avoid scope creep and to provide ample stakeholder communication will support the project’s success.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Instructions

All students respond to Part 1 and Part 2 every week. Students who are implementing respond to Part 1 and Part 2—Implementing. Students who are conducting a case study respond to Part 1 and Part 2—Case Study.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Part 1: All Students

Reflect upon your readings and professional experience and address the following in 150 words or less:

1. Scope creep can cause project failure, especially when the complexity of the healthcare environment changes and the increased needs of the patients, stakeholders, or organization are pressing. Propose your strategies to ensure the project scope remains intact for the implementation duration.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)
2. Stakeholder communication is essential for a successful DNP practice change project. Explain your strategies for effective communication with stakeholders, including frequency and the method of communication. (For this discussion question, you may refer to our required article this week, Rajhans [2018], or other scholarly articles.)

Part 2: Students Implementing at the Practicum Site

For this week’s implementation update, address the following:

1. State your practice question in PICOT format and include the week # for your implementation.
2. Post the weekly details of your implementation plan so we can follow your implementation throughout this class. Include the dates for your project milestones (e.g., education, data collection cycles, enrollment, intervention implementation beginning, formative evaluation frequency, length of intervention implementation, transition to sustaining the practice change with stakeholders, data analysis.)(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)
3. Provide a detailed update on your implementation progress. Include an example(s) of successes, challenges, and barriers, and note any concerns.

You may use the example below for guidance as needed.

• Week #: (date) Education and pre-implementation data collection, and stakeholder communication
• Week #: (date) Intervention implementation and formative evaluation frequency, and stakeholder communication (Frequency and type of communication may vary depending on stakeholder group.)
• Week #: (date) Data collection and stakeholder communication(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)
• Week #: (date) Data analysis and stakeholder communication

Note: Robust responses are required to fulfill the Case Study requirements. Use the numbered points provided as headings.

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.

Program Competencies

This discussion enables the student to meet the following program competencies:

1. Integrates scientific underpinnings into everyday clinical practice. (POs 3, 5)
2. Applies organizational and system leadership skills to affect systemic changes in corporate culture and to promote continuous improvement in clinical outcomes. (PO 6)
3. Uses analytic methods to translate critically appraised research and other evidence into clinical scholarship for innovative practice improvements. (POs 3, 5)
4. Appraises current information systems and technologies to improve health care. (POs 6, 7)
5. Analyzes health care policies to advocate for equitable health care and social justice to all populations and those at risk due to social determinants of health. (POs 2, 9)
6. Creates a supportive organizational culture for flourishing collaborative teams to facilitate clinical disease prevention and promote population health at all system levels. (PO 8)
7. Leads others in professional identity, advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, resilience, and accountability in selecting, implementing, and evaluating clinical care. (POs 1, 4)

Course Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate effective project management strategies. (PCs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; POs 2, 3, 6)
2. Explore possible career trajectories for the DNP-prepared nurse and the contributions to healthcare to be achieved through those career options. (PCs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; POs 2, 3, 6)(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)
3. Use project management processes to implement the DNP project. (PCs 6, 8; POs 4, 8)

Due Dates

• Initial Post: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday
• Follow-Up Posts: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday

Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay

Discussion Part 1

Reflection

The course readings provide necessary information that supports project management, a crucial competency in the career space. The materials are robust and easy to understand, increasing engagement and utility. I have learned about multiple project management concepts and project implementation best practices that will be valuable in future project management roles. I have also learned considerations project managers and people involved in project implementations should prioritize during project planning and implementation, including project constraints and equivalent adjustments. The course is vital in enhancing my professional experience and my career readiness. It is a core step in my career growth and development.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Managing Scope Creep

It is challenging to avoid scope creep as several changes occur during project implementation that might necessitate adjustments. However, project managers can prevent scope creep by documenting the project requirements, allowing them to define the project’s scope clearly. The documentation should include what stakeholders and users want to execute in the project and conflicts of interest (Ajmal et al., 2019). In this case, documenting everything is tedious but helps capture all instances for robust project planning and management. Secondly, the project manager should establish change control processes that dictate steps to be taken when a stakeholder wants to change something. It is impossible to ignore change, and comprehensive change control processes help avoid scope creep (Ajmal et al., 2019). Additionally, the project manager should engage stakeholders and the project team members throughout the project. Constant engagement in decision-making ensures that everyone is on track and aboard with any changes proposed.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Stakeholder Communication 

Effective communication with stakeholders begins with conducting a stakeholder analysis to identify their needs, interests, and preferences for communication channels. The stakeholder analysis helps group stakeholders into levels of participation, interest, and influence in the project. It also helps to determine how best to engage and communicate with every stakeholder group, including frequency of communication, for instance, daily morning meetings with project team members and weekly updates for the organization’s administration and external stakeholders (Sarhadi et al., 2021). After developing a communication plan following the stakeholder analysis, the project manager should make communication two-way, soliciting feedback as often as possible (Bourne, 2018). Additionally, the communication should focus on stakeholders’ needs, and the conversations should remain relevant and engaging to keep stakeholders involved in the project.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

References

Ajmal, M., Khan, M., & Al-Yafei, H. (2019). Exploring factors behind project scope creep – stakeholders’ perspective. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 13(3), 483-504. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijmpb-10-2018-0228

Bourne, L. (2018). Targeted communication: The key to effective stakeholder engagement. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 226, 431-438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.06.208

Sarhadi, M., Hasanzadeh, S., & Hoseini, S. H. (2021). Stakeholder analysis in the feasibility process of projects: A structural evaluation of the power-oriented relationship. Project Management Journal, 52(4), 323-339. https://doi.org/10.1177/8756972821999499

Discussion Part 2

Practice Question

For adults with a history of Schizophrenia (P) in the inpatient setting, does the implementation of technology with motivational interviewing (I), compared with current practice (C), impact medication non-adherence (O) in 8-10 weeks (T)?(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Implementation Plan

The DNP project implementation will take eight weeks to complete. Education and pre-implementation data collection will occur in week 1, while the project team and stakeholder communication will take place in week 2. In week 3, the project team will assess the current healthcare system, community health needs that align with the project, and resources available to support the implementation of the project. The implementation of motivational interviewing will begin in week 4 and through weeks 5, 6, and 7. Formative evaluation during implementation will be conducted weekly.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

The evaluation will adopt schedule tracking, budget tracking, questionnaires, leadership meetings, dartboards, and general observation, ensuring that project activities are delivered efficiently and effectively and completed successfully. The project manager will update stakeholders on the progress of the implementation weekly. In week 8, the project team will collect post-summative data after intervention implementation and analyze and evaluate outcomes to determine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in addressing medication adherence among schizophrenia patients and whether it is suitable to implement in the rest of the organization and patient populations. The project manager will communicate with stakeholders regarding project outcomes and implications. (Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Implementation Progress, Successes, And Barriers

The project is still in the intervention implementation phase, week 6. The project team is adopting motivational interviewing for the specific patient population and collecting data progressively on participants’ responses to the intervention. We have adopted the intervention for most participants, but the dropout rate has been a concern because about 10% of those we started with have dropped out. Unprecedented costs have also affected intervention implementation and prompted alterations to the budget. The leadership support has not been as expected, and the excuse is there are more important priorities to focus on, including the actual care for patients. (Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a nurse in project management?

A nurse’s role in project management often involves coordinating and implementing healthcare initiatives, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, managing timelines, and facilitating effective communication among multidisciplinary teams to achieve optimal patient care and project outcomes.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

What are the roles of DNP prepared nurses?

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) prepared nurses typically assume advanced clinical roles, such as nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists, where they provide comprehensive and specialized healthcare services to patients. Additionally, they may engage in leadership, research, and policy development to enhance healthcare systems and outcomes.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

What is the scope of a DNP project?

The scope of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project encompasses a comprehensive and evidence-based initiative that addresses a significant healthcare issue, integrates advanced nursing knowledge, and demonstrates the candidate’s ability to effect positive change in clinical practice, patient outcomes, or healthcare systems. It typically involves the implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of an innovative solution grounded in nursing practice and research.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)

Which is the role of a DNP prepared nurse facing chaos complexity and changes in the work area?

A DNP prepared nurse facing chaos, complexity, and changes in the work area assumes a pivotal leadership role by employing advanced clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration to effectively navigate and manage complex healthcare challenges, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and system resilience.(Role of DNP Prepared Nurse as Project Manager Essay)