Pursuit of the DNP

My primary purpose to pursue Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is to progress and develop my expertise and knowledge in nursing in preparation for a career as a nurse and resolve copious problems which affect humans as a result of both existing and emerging diseases. Since my high school, I have had a long-held interest in nursing, and the goal to reach the upper level in this field was extended by my clinical progressions during my undergraduate studies. I was spellbound by the upshot of several illnesses on the brain and behaviors and possible means of resolving them. My dedication towards pursuing a career in nursing was established and motivated during my studies at (insert university) where I studied (insert course). The experience at this school was not only essential but also stirred my ultimate decision to pursue Doctor of Nursing Practice. Additionally, my commitment to study (any other course) at (other university/college) and the experience I got also supported my urge to be a DNP or any other specific area in nursing that would propel me to achieve my goal of becoming one of those people who are determined to prevent human diseases. Personally, having observed several children die when I believe that they can be assisted, I have looked for all ways possible to be counted as one person who has brought changes in societies regarding healthcare delivery.

It is important to note that Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares learners and nurses to guide healthcare novelties and influence policies which are founded on science and theories of nursing, evidence-based practice, analytic principles, and strong leadership skills at the uppermost level of an organization. Apart from my daily activities as a nurse, pursuing Doctor of Nursing Practice will change my professional stance since from it I shall have more duties to deliver than before. In particular, I will develop the needed advanced competencies to ensure that other roles such as complex clinical activities and leadership duties are completed as required by health institutions and individuals given the mandate to perform such responsibilities. Additionally, I will have leadership skills to progress patient outcome and nursing practice. However, my commitment to ensure that human diseases are reduced will not be obstructed by any role I will take in nursing field since it has been my driving force to pursuing Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Although after DNP I shall have gained more knowledge in this particular field, I intend to remain one of the nurses who is readily available and easy to access and be addressed by both physicians and non-physicians. It is through convenience and staying simple that will give other professionals just like me to get an opportunity to advance their knowledge and seek advice whenever there are both challenges and opportunities. While I believe the title of Doctor of Nursing Practice will be great to the institution I will work for as a whole and me, I trust that handling my roles as required will be an essential asset for the progress of this industry.

Ideal Position

My new role will improve the healthcare system regarding cost, quality, and access in several ways. According to Chism (2015), Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares scholars for organizational management and leadership and systems to change, and nurse professionals with DNP would be entirely appropriate for policy building roles and high-standard health system. Therefore, in addition to clinical tasks, there is a range of leadership and administrative roles nurses may do in education, public policy, informatics, and public health.  Notably, the quality of care in health institutions depend on the eminence of training, infrastructure, the efficiency of the operational system, and competence of personnel.  As a leader, I will, therefore, ensure that there is a greater awareness among the public and I will increase the demand for competence practitioners according to the leadership skills learned during the program. In all times, I will ensure that human errors, which are the primary threats to the quality of health are reduced to zero level. According to Schmidt and Brown (2014), improving access to health care is all about creating awareness not only to the remote areas but is a global initiative that can be done through campaigns. Then, it is vital to open more health facilities to all areas which I know as an individual I cannot attain but through teamwork and campaigns is achievable. By ensuring that health facilities are in all regions is one of the best ways of improving access. On the same note, the cost of health services can be reduced when the facilities are in all regions. This will minimize traveling expenses and even importation of specific equipment. Also, I will ensure that electronic systems of payment are in most facilities to reduce money wastage through corruption and human errors.

My new role will positively change the clinical realm through evidence-based practice. The DNP program provides opening practice competences such as honed valuation skills and the use of biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral, sociopolitical, cultural, and economic knowledge in practice settings. As a DNP graduate, I will function as an advanced practice nurse who utilizes a holistic viewpoint to help families, patients, and communities in decision-making, maintaining optimistic lifestyle vicissitudes and self-care. Since the advanced practice nurses assess, manage, and evaluate patients at the most significant sovereign point of clinical nursing practice, the Doctor of Nursing Practice student is required to have courses in advanced health assessment, physiology and pathophysiology and pharmacology. Since situations might require individual patient populations or families, I will be able to include cultural understanding in diverse circumstances.

As DNP, I will also contribute to addressing policy changes that impact the clinical realm in a given facility through emphasizing on the systems thinking by developing and evaluating patient care delivery methods and approaches to meet anticipated and current requirements of patient populations.  The assessment and growth are only based on the scientific finding in nursing that can only be achieved in this program through economic theories, organizational research, and political science.  As a DNP, I will be equipped with sound communication skills and processes that directly lead to quality improvements and patient initiative in the healthcare systems. According to the study carried by Schmidt and Brown (2014), the advanced communication processes are included in technological expertise which requires me to be skilled with several forms of computerized communication which are very imperative in this technological era to impact the clinical realm positively.

Recommendations for Transforming the Future

Realization of the transformation of healthcare systems and practice environment requires skills and certain perspectives among nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Conversely, planned healthcare personnel organizing to achieve the balance is hindered by lack of satisfactorily consistent data. For example, the types and numbers of health specialists presently employed places they are engaged and what roles, and type of actions they do. Such kinds of information are obligatory to define regional and international healthcare staff requirements and to create plans and targets for suitably growing the number of health specialists. Therefore, to achieve a transformation of health care system and make health institutions a safe place for patients, the Eight Recommendations for Transforming the Future must be implanted.

One of the recommendations that I resonate with is doubling the number of nurses with the doctorate degree by 2020. Mainly, I am of the view that not only the number of nurses with the doctorate but the number of all nurses.  This is because locally and globally, the ratio of nurses to the patient is still below the expectation which put a lot of workload to the few who ones who are available. This later turns into work negligence and several malpractices such as omissions and human errors. It is for this reason that I believe the addition of nurse in the field will prevent several blunders that are being experienced.  Notably, the national league for nursing and accrediting commission should check the progress of each accredited nursing school in order ensure that about ten percent of the baccalaureate graduates register for doctoral or master program within five years of their graduation. This will provide the solution to the serious shortage of nurses with the doctorate by the year 2020.  On the same note, Academic superintendents and university representatives should establish benefit and salaries packages that are very market competitive to employ and retain qualified individuals.  As a DNP, I will design several programs which will motivate both nurse students and registered nurses to go for doctorate and master programs by highlighting the importance of such courses. It is important to note that the principal function of Doctor of Nursing Practice is an emphasis on clinical practice and oriented leadership training. Such skills will give me an opportunity to create simple time for the working nurses to attend school-based learning programs adequately to advance their knowledge.

Another recommendation that I would like to be implemented is ensuring that nurses engage in lifelong learning.  With the emergence of technology and frequent occurrence of different diseases which require diverse attention, it is important for nurses to participate in a continuous learning process. According to Buppert (2017), the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education should demand that all nursing students prove inclusive clinical performance capabilities which include the skills and knowledge needed to offer care across all settings. Also, Academic administrators should require that all faculties participate in the ever professional development and perform with utmost competence in teaching, practice, and research. As a DNP, the only way I can facilitate this recommendation is using my leadership skills to create individual programs that are aimed at educating nurses on the current trends and technology. However, provision of pieces of advice on the importance of continues learning will be my priority.

Skills and Knowledge

As nurse faculty member, I have done several types of research that are important to the health institutions to improve quality services. One of the skills that I would bring to the table after several studies is the number of nurses in a facility determines the number of errors that are experienced. According to Masters (2015), few number professionals leads to high workload which in turn create burn out. In the end, work negligence become the order of the day hence human errors. As stated by Schmidt and Brown (2014) human errors contribute to high causes of deaths in hospitals. As a politician, I would influence the voters to support those medical acts and regulations that would positively impact health care as a whole. Mainly, I would advocate for a universal insurance policy which allows every individual in the country irrespective of his/her economic status get quality service at the lowest price.  According to the study carried by Schmidt and Brown (2014), one of the reasons healthcare cannot achieve its goals is the inability of certain individuals to meet the cost of services. However, if the government can assist all people to pay for healthcare services, it will be easy to transform its future. As a quality improvement specialist, new skills, and knowledge I will bring forth compared to a nurse quality consultant with his or her MSN or MPH is the value of electronic system and acquisition of evidence-based practices.

Conclusion

Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, constructed by the previous Nursing Doctorate (ND) degree, is concentrated on practice capabilities. The program establishes learners to address critical skills required to interpret evidence-based care into practice, advance systems of care, and measure results of groups of communities and patients. My main purpose to pursue Doctor of Nursing Practice program is to progress and develop my expertise and knowledge in nursing in preparation for a career as a nurse and resolve copious problems which affect humans as a result of both existing and emerging diseases. It is important to note that program prepares the learner to guide and champion healthcare novelties and influence policies which are founded on science and theories of nursing, evidence-based practice, analytic principles, and sturdy leadership skills at the uppermost level of an organization. As a DNP, I will change the realm of nursing positively through evidence-based practice, clinical skills, and improve both cost, quality, and access.  While it is evidenced that there is a significant transformation of healthcare delivery, it is important to implement Eight Recommendations for Transforming the Future (2011). The two recommendations that I have chosen in this case are ensuring that nurses engage in lifelong learning and doubling the number of nurses with the doctorate degree by 2020. Although after Doctor of Nursing Practice I shall have gained more knowledge on this particular field, I intend to remain one of the nurses who is readily available and easy to access and be addressed by both physicians and non-physicians.

 

 

References

Buppert, C. (2017). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Chism, L. A. (2015). The doctor of nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Dahnke, M. D., & Dreher, H. M. (2015). Philosophy of science for nursing practice: Concepts and application. Springer Publishing Company.

Masters, K. (2015). Role development in professional nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Rich, K. L. (2013). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2014). Evidence-based practice for nurses. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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