DNP Preparation: Long-Term Professional Goals

Academic and Professional Goals: Doctorate in Nursing Practice

Shortly after beginning my career as a licensed practical nurse I became interested in palliative and hospice care, in addition to advancing my professional career through further academic preparation to become a registered nurse. After earning a two-year associates degree in nursing and obtaining licensure in the State of Florida, I obtained a staff nursing position at Hope Hospice and Community Services in Lee County. While there I earned the trust of my colleagues and supervisors and took on the roles of case manager for Medicare home visits, after hour's triage manager, and charge nurse for a 36-bed inpatient free-standing facility.

The clinical experience I obtained as an RN increased my awareness of persistent unmet care needs within this patient population and how pursuing further academic training could help me address these needs. Accordingly, I completed a four-year nursing degree as preparation for pursuing and completing a Master of Science in Nursing. This academic experience equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and for providing high-quality primary healthcare to palliative and hospice patients residing in Lee County, Florida.

As I was beginning to practice as an ARNP in primary care the U.S. healthcare system was undergoing rapid changes, including an increasing emphasis on the implementation of evidence-based care. In order to stay current with a rapidly changing healthcare environment and improve my ability to meet or exceed increasingly stringent quality and safety standards, I pursued a Doctorate in Nursing Practice with a subspecialty in palliative medicine. The long-term professional goals I hoped to attain included, among others, improved cultural competency skills, religious and spiritual tolerance skills, patient and colleague communication skills, and the critical thinking skills necessary for translating research into practice.