Innovatively Weaving the Measurement of Outcomes Content into DNP Program Curricula

Abstract

In the current healthcare environment, there are demands for measuring outcomes of care emphasized by federal and state regulatory agencies, practice guidelines, employers, and consumer groups (Kleinpell, 2013).  The measurement of outcomes has been identified as the most important activity in assessing the effectiveness of an intervention, in identifying effective practices, and in identifying practices that need improvement (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 2010).  Health care restructuring continues to change the way in which care is delivered.  As the advanced practice nurse (APN) role changes, the assessment of outcomes will be an important parameter by which APN care can be evaluated (Kleinpell, 2013).  Unfortunately, many practicing APNs lack knowledge and competency in outcomes assessment thus the measurement of APN outcomes is not usually a standard part of institutional or clinical practice (Doran, et al, 2011). To ensure that the assessment of APN outcomes becomes a standard part of clinical practice, there is a need for content related to the measurement of outcomes to be visible and threaded throughout the curriculum of APN DNP Programs.

The weaving or threading of the content representative of the basic principles of the measurement of outcomes throughout an APN DNP curriculum can present a challenge.  The purpose of this presentation is to enable the learner to identify key opportunities where content specific to the measurement of outcomes can be innovatively integrated into an APN DNP Program Curriculum. The backdrop for this presentation is a course grid exemplar from a University with a post-Master’s DNP program for APNs.  The course grid exemplar demonstrates how the key topics of the measurement of outcomes (outcome measures, tools, and methods) can be threaded throughout a DNP Program curricula.  In tandem, various teaching strategies including models will be presented that tie measurement of outcomes content to DNP content, NP core competencies, capstones and to clinical opportunities.