Possibilities
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
I entered the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of
South Carolina as a non-BSN idealist. My objective was to obtain the highest
level of knowledge and training offered by nursing educators in order to
make the biggest difference as a nurse. However, I can honestly say that I
did not understand the true potential of the DNP degree. I entered the
program with many questions, yet I accepted my placement with faith that I
would develop a clearer understanding of where I would fit into the nursing
community.
I have completed my first semester (of many) as a DNP student, and so many
of my questions have been answered already. I have gained a comprehensive
understanding of the expectations for those bestowed with the degree and the
opportunities for DNP graduates. At the beginning of this semester, I felt
like I was studying to arm myself with knowledge that would give me an
advantage as a clinical nurse. In addition, I now also believe that the
nursing community has founded a new movement for the future of health care
that involves a much higher level of accountability and responsibility, a
movement which I am profoundly proud of being a part.
As DNPs, we will be responsible for improving outcomes for our patients and
for improving the health care system as a whole. This will happen in many
realms—politically, scientifically, and clinically. DNPs act as leaders by
utilizing research to discover and implement the best practices, thereby
adding to the body of Nursing Science. DNPs also act as liaisons between
academia and practice in order to facilitate communication and
understanding. We will fight for correct and appropriate health care
policies, and we will holistically take responsibility for patient
populations and become experts in designing, implementing, managing, and
evaluating health care delivery systems and patient populations.
The roles for fulfilling these responsibilities are as great as our own
imaginations. This semester, I learned that if we can dream it, it can
happen. During class discussions on “Idea Job Descriptions,” the
examples themselves gave me a better understanding of the breadth of our
options as DNPs. Individual ideas about DNP role fulfillment seemed to fall
on points of a continuum as great as the spectrum of light. Three examples
come to mind. First, the Holistic Health Center Director would provide a
range of culturally competent health care services in one place to encourage
better health care opportunities, and therefore practice, for families and
individuals through convenience. Another example is the Community Clinical
Nurse Specialist. This DNP would provide consultation and comprehensive
outpatient education for patients and families in order to enhance the
patient’s ability to self-manage chronic illness. On the other hand, the
Senior Consultant for Public Health Nursing Practice DNP would work with the
Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and serve as the “voice” for Public
Health Nursing with states, commonwealths, and territories. As the class
explored this particular job description, it quickly became unanimous that
the position of the U.S. Surgeon General itself reflects the principles and
standards of nursing.
Despite the great differences in the DNP approach to practice as cited
above, the common and unifying thread underlying all of these job
descriptions seems to be one of protectorship. With the knowledge gained
though this program at USC, the DNP will be able to guide, influence, and
nurture health care, thereby assuming a protective and pro-active position
over the populations they serve.
I personally have a lot of work to do before I will know where I fit in as
a DNP. However, I know that wherever I end up, it will be with those ideals
in mind. I expect that part of my DNP journey will include figuring that
out.
I entered this program perhaps wildly idealistic, and I find that I am
still that idealist at heart. This first semester has helped me to focus
that idealism and really understand where I might be in five years. I will
be a nurse with great skills and the wonderful opportunity to help more than
I ever imagined was possible. The University of South Carolina DNP program
will help me to become one of THE leaders in nursing, in all senses of the
word—politically, scientifically, and clinically.
I look forward to the challenges and the opportunities that the next five
years will bring. Thank you for your consideration for the CampusRN
Scholarship.
posted in: South Carolina