DNP Role Development for Doctoral Advanced Nursing Practice, Second Edition

532 ■ III: ROLE FUNCTIONS OF DOCTORAL ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE

Table 24.2, describing the incorporation of the DNP essentials, may appear to be a com-
pelling argument that the eight essentials can be considered as the basis for practice or perhaps
that these directives guide practice. Though the majority of respondents acknowledge that
each of these essentials are integrated or used in practice, the questions misses the mark in
soliciting how these essentials are addressing practice. The responses here support the notion
that practice is supported by the knowledge gleaned from an education based on the eight
essentials, but again it fails to identify what aspects of practice are addressed through these
academic guidelines. This information points to the perceptions of value of the eight essen-
tials, yet does not capture how these essentials were applied to any given practice situation.
The national survey completed by the DNP Inc. organization in 2015 included
questions designed to solicit information about activities of the DNP-prepared graduate
after graduation. Fourteen questions were asked to reflect the level of participation or
activities in work that is described in the eight essentials. Findings show that 11 of the 14
questions demonstrated that more than one fourth of respondents report no change in
their professional activities after earning the DNP degree. Table 24.3 lists the questions
and responses for each of these 14 questions. This is valuable information to both reflect
the type of practice that may be seen in the DNP- prepared graduate, and also how the
essentials may or may not have supported roles after graduation.
For example, 52.6% of respondents had either no change or a slight change in
practice regarding their involvement in health policy as it related to their practice.

TABLE 24.2 Incorporation of the DNP Essentials ( N = 697)

Question asked: Please indicate your level of agreement to the following statements.

Disagree Strongly

Disagree

Agree and

Strongly Agree

I integrate scientific underpinnings into my

practice. (Essential I)

2.3% ( N = 16) 97.7% ( N = 681)

I use organizational and systems leadership skills

for quality improvement and systems thinking into

my practice. (Essential II)

5.2% ( N = 36) 94.8% ( N = 659)

I apply clinical scholarship and analytical methods

for evidence- based practice into my practice.

(Essential III)

3% ( N = 21) 97.0% ( N = 674)

I use knowledge of information systems and

technology and patient care technology for

improvement and transformation of health care into

my practice. (Essential IV)

6.5% ( N = 45) 93.5% ( N = 651)

I use health care policy for advocacy in health care

in my practice. (Essential V)

8.9% ( N = 62) 91.1 ( N = 633)

I integrate inter professional collaboration to

improve patient and population health outcomes in

my practice. (Essential VI)

4.7% ( N = 33) 95.3% ( N = 663)

I apply clinical prevention

and concepts of population health in my practice.

(Essential VII)

6.3% ( N = 44) 93.7% ( N = 653)

I incorporate advanced nursing functions in my

practice. (Essential VIII)

5.5% ( N = 38) 94.5% ( N = 658)

DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice.