Mentoring DNP Students

NONPF Abstract Mentoring is a cornerstone activity among nurse scientists throughout their careers. Developing the research skills of nurses who are enrolled in doctoral nurse practice (DNP) programs is a trusted, responsibility of selected senior nurse research mentors. An especially important responsibility is to provide mentorship to future practice-oriented DNP nursing investigators in all the essential steps of planning and conducting responsible research. Guidance from an experienced research mentor is the best means of ensuring that the integrity of science will be protected by future DNP nurse investigators. Strategies and methodologies for providing traditional one-on-one mentoring are not well documented, and the outcomes of these experiences are largely dependent on chance pairings of well-suited mentors and mentees. Mentorship is critical to nurture early DNP students in how to establish networks of specific clinical colleagues who support the DNP students’ proposal and in successful recruitment and retention of eligible patients and/or family members. Strategies will be described that the mentor used to guide the DNP students through the initial steps to establish connections with key leaders in their clinical setting and to initiate discussions about the DNP students’ proposal idea and access to target patient populations. Essential research expertise shared by the senior nurse research mentor with the DNP students will be reviewed: (a) planning the research project (e.g., study aims and research questions, design features, methodology, valid instruments, demographic forms, data-base options and internal review board (IRB) documents; (b) connecting with gate keepers of patient access in the clinical setting for the proposed DNP project; (c) completing human subjects tests for the system IRB requirements; (d) navigating the system to obtain letters of support to submit forms for IRB review; and (e) vigilant adhering to ethical principles. Lastly, important factors will be described about the fit between the DNP student and the senior nurse research mentor. Emphasized will be the importance of selecting a mentor with an established program of external-funded research and track record of dissemination outcomes.