Strategies for NP education: Analyzing completed DNP capstones as exemplars of clinical outcomes

Many completed Doctor of  Nursing Practice (DNP) projects have excellent impact on clinical outcomes but nurse practitioner (NP) students may not have sufficient opportunity to learn about or critically analyze these outcomes within the context of their advance practice education. NP students need to look at DNP projects from the perspective of factors leading to successful clinical outcomes as well as lessons learned and barriers in less successful outcomes.  As an increasing numbers of completed DNP capstones are implemented into clinical practice, these capstones are emerging as a potent educational tool. They have the potential of framing deep learning exercises and case narratives addressing NP leadership in health care delivery, advocacy and quality improvement.

The purpose of this interactive presentation is to introduce NP faculty to a creative education strategy in analyzing clinical outcomes. This activity will focus on ways to examine and analyze completed DNP projects in regard to quality improvement and clinical outcomes. It will examine lessons learned by DNP projects that have been enabled by strong support and DNP projects that have struggled with significant barriers in implementing clinical outcomes. It will offer strategies for NP faculty to help their students critically analyze practice situations in light of these enablers and barriers, the DNP essentials, and the Institute of Medicine charge to practice to the full scope of preparation.

Eight completed DNP capstone projects from across the nation and across a spectrum of health care topics, will be offered as talking points. Session participants will be invited to engage in exercises and interactive dialogue. The exercises will examine ways to integrate lessons learned from completed DNP capstones into critical thinking experiences for NP students.