DNP Essentials

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) essentials represent the curricular features that should be followed in DNP programs. The essentials form part of the nursing practice's foundational competencies and are recognized in the Registered Nursing practices. For example, they are applicable among nurse practitioners, midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), in 2006, published the eight DNP essentials to address the complex requirements in the modern healthcare system. The essentials apply regardless of the specialty of the practitioners. They offer introductory points on different specialties present in various organizations. They include the following:

1. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice

Nursing science has led to a revolution and expansion of the nursing sphere. Thus, the integration of terminal academic platforms that allow the adoption of appropriate knowledge is essential. In particular, the nursing theories related to middle-range practices were significantly affected. When the nursing theories are appreciated and understood at an advanced level, they offer a robust foundation for the entire nursing practice. When DNP is integrated into the learning curve of practitioners in nursing science, the recommendations can be assimilated into analytical, psychological, and biophysical sciences. With this DNP essential, more emphasis is put on utilizing scientific concepts that can be employed to enhance health care and improve the patients' medical outcomes. The essential reflects the complexities witnessed regarding laws and principles that dictate the life processes, human functioning, and well-being. Human behavior and environmental interactions during critical situations are also assessed using this DNP essential. The goal is to positively change the patient's life and promote healthy interaction with the environment. Theories integrated with this essential aid in health care delivery, ameliorate health, and evaluate the results.

2. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and System Thinking

DNP graduates play multiple roles in nursing science. Under this essential, the functions include evaluating different studies, translating research outcomes, and disseminating the information into the nursing practice. It helps eliminate any disparities in health care that may risk the health of patients and affect doctors' performance. The essential proceeds to assimilate the nursing science to address the complex wants of people. Doing this requires some primary skills, including design and understanding of guidelines used...

Thie essential also incorporates care of the community by using different care models learned in DNP programs and which respond to the contemporary needs of the patients, doctors, and the target community. Under this DNP essential, graduates understand the development and evaluation of different delivery methods for both present and future patients' needs based on scientific research. Graduates also learn accountability when offering services to the patients and formulate strategies to respond to ethical dilemmas.

. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice

Research and scholarship constitute principal elements of doctoral education. Proper preparations in the domain of leadership in organizations and thinking at the system level ensure that DNP clinicians develop strategies that can be used to address the challenges facing health care. This essential aims to enable the graduates to achieve accountability in patient safety and quality of health care. Besides, it equips the graduates with skills to address ethical dilemmas that present themselves during patient care, scientific research, and medical organizations. When doctors of nursing practice are equipped with advanced education that focuses on system leadership, they can initiate changes in different organizations. For example, through improved service delivery, collaboration with government officials, and overall improvement of the health care objectives. Under this essential, nurses understand the role of discoveries in enhancing nursing practices, especially for complex situations. A wide array of knowledge promotes the development of solutions to modern problems. Thus, nurses must provide leadership based on evidence, which requires research and evaluation of chosen practices. Graduates in the DNP program and response to this essential must use analytical methods and existing research to run evidence-based practices. They must design and deploy processes that evaluate the outcomes and trends in health care. They must also design improvement strategies for safe and patient-centered health care through the application of findings. Besides, the application of information technology is required to enhance research through collaboration and dissemination of the results generated during research.

4. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care

Technology plays a central role in delivering safe and effective care to patients. This DNP essential equips doctors of nursing practice with information and technologies that aid in leadership in the medical…