Preparation for the First Accreditation of the DNP: The student view

Background:  Prior to the planned DNP first accreditation visit, the second DNP student cohort was in their final semester of course work at this SON.  The DNP course work and each student’s final project were currently being measured towards attainment of the AACN Essentials.  Process:  Within the time frame of the scheduled DNP first accreditation visit, faculty, DNP alumni and the current cohort student group were interviewed to discuss the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program. Current DNP students were invited to visit with the CCNE accreditation team both in person and via a Blackboard chat.  Based on the data from the SON program evaluation plan and post graduation of the second cohort group, two areas of need were identified:  1) a need for a greater depth of knowledge regarding bio statistics and epidemiology in evidence based practice (EBP) to determine the best measurement of the outcomes of the EBP projects, 2) the challenge to meet clinical hour and DNP project demands in the short time frame of a summer and fall semester.  The project process was also slowed with the need for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval of all the DNP projects in an already busy time frame for the University IRB. 

 Outcomes: From the student perspective, the proposed changes in the plan of study and the addition of the six credit hours are a positive change.  The original EBP course work expectations, fit into a three credit hour course, was troublesome both from trying to finalize the extensive review of the literature, finalize the project proposal and submit and receive project approval from the appropriate IRB. The addition of the epidemiology and biostatics course assists the student to best plan and measure project outcomes.  The clinical course work with project implementation and measurement changed to two full 16 week semester courses.  These regular semester weeks assist the DNP student to complete the required clinical hours and fully implement and measure project outcomes.  Dissemination of the DNP projects is completed with abstract submission to journals, and for podium and poster presentations at national and international conferences.