BSN-DNP Curriculum: What have we learned?

The dramatic increase in the number of Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs is timely as DNP graduates are equipped with the leadership skills to collaborate with interprofessional teams to improve quality, cost and access. The challenge lies in preparing large numbers of specialty students with the skills to practice as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and the leadership skills that will enable them to drive positive changes in the health care system.

The College of Nursing (CON) transitioned all APRN Specialty Programs to the DNP degree in the fall of 2012. The curriculum is designed and sequenced to culminate in the final year with the implementation of the DNP Project and the direct care clinical hours. The goal of the DNP Project is to translate current best evidence in order to improve the quality of healthcare, health outcomes and healthcare systems. The process includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a project that addresses a real world clinical problem in the context of the service delivery system.

Adult-Gerontology program directors designed and implemented strategies to facilitate the development of students’ leadership skills. The strategies implemented included: 1) collaborating with clinical partners to identify projects that link to the organization’s strategic goals and quality and safety metrics, 2) systematically matching projects with student interests, 3) developing the site facilitator role and 4) establishing an advisor/second reader faculty mentorship of the project.

Important lessons have been learned along the way including: the challenge for students to develop a project within an unfamiliar context, student’s educational need versus the needs of the organization relative to the timing of the project, and the challenge to develop scholarly thinking and skills, such as the “ability to analyze and synthesize” the literature.

As part of a formative evaluation, a survey was disseminated to the Adult-gerontology students and faculty to solicit their feedback regarding the DNP curriculum and DNP Project. This presentation will address: strategies to promote success for BSN-DNP students, lessons learned, and perspectives of DNP students and faculty regarding the DNP Curriculum and DNP project.