Assuring quality direct and systems-based care clinical experiences in a post graduate Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Even after a decade of Doctor of  Nursing Practice (DNP) program growth questions remain regarding what constitutes a quality DNP clinical experience that encompasses the Essentials of  Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice (AACN, 2006), Integrated Nurse Practitioner Competencies (NONPF, 2011) and student-centered learning outcomes. In a post graduate DNP program for advanced practice nurses the processes used to determine direct and/or systems-based clinical experiences, preceptors and mentors for students with diverse practice and scholarship/improvement goals will be addressed. Our model and related strategies to assure quality clinical experiences in a HRSA funded DNP program will be presented along with exemplars. Strategies include; proactive faculty- student consultation, the use of a student services coordinator and clinical placement coordinator to affect systems outreach and develop opportunities which link students with community partners and the use of “stretch experiences” that provide innovative and expanded learning opportunities in areas of practice improvement. The panel consists of three experienced NP educators who collectively have participated in the development and implementation of three DNP programs. Two of the faculty members have functioned in the role of DNP program director and one faculty member brings the perspective of both faculty and student DNP to the discussion.