The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares nurses for advanced practice and leadership roles in improving healthcare delivery. There is a need for nurses to pursue doctoral education to align with the dynamic healthcare environment. For so long, I have harbored a dream to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and maximize my ability to help future patients. Pursuing a DNP makes it possible to actualize my dreams. A DNP will build upon my Masters of Science in nursing knowledge.
Moreover, a DNP will help me improve patient outcomes through advance base practice, influence health policy, and obtain the highest level of nursing expertise. Most importantly, a DNP will equip e with the skills needed to address health disparities. Health disparities are the result of a complex interaction of factors, including individual, genetic, and environmental risk factors (Olden and White 2005).
Once I graduate from the DNP program, I intend to focus entirely on health disparities. With the knowledge and skills gained during the program, I will be able to identify the issues that lead to health disparities and rally support to create policies that can help reduce health disparities. Moreover, with a DNP, I can be able to apply the broad scientific base of scientific research to reduce health disparities.
I realize that the DNP program will not be easy, mainly because I am a practicing advance Practice. My work involves managing patients who are having single joint replacement surgery educating patients and family on their upcoming surgical procedures. I am the only nurse trained for the position. Consequently, I need to put extra effort to succeed in my DNP. I am committed to the success of my DNPI also plan to invest in mentorship to help keep me grounded so that I do not lose focus from my DNP. My current work will be useful in demonstrating my resourcefulness and autonomy. Nevertheless, I need to invest in time management to strike a balance between work and studies. Therefore, I plan to make use of diaries so that my work and study requirements do not crash.