Determining the Role of the Nurse with a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
Anna Song Beeber, PhD, RN; Cheryl Jones, PhD, RN, FAAN; Carrie Palmer DNP, RN, ANP-BC; Julee Waldrop DNP, PNP-BC; Mary Lynn PhD, RN
Conclusions and Policy Implications
1) Prior studies have not examined the role of the DNP in non-academic settings, nor have the perspectives of non-academic employers been assessed.
2) The role of the DNP-prepared nurse in non-academic settings is typically as an advanced practice nurse in clinical practice or as a health care system leader (administration or management), however, the number of DNPs in these settings is still limited.
3) The DNP-prepared nurse is a flexible worker that can supplement clinical care and leadership needs, however this role needs to be explored further.
4) Future research efforts aimed at quantifying the outcomes of DNP-prepared nurses’ care, could provide further information about the value of the DNP to patient outcomes.