The aim of the DNP program is to nurture and train nurses to become specialized in the field of advanced nursing practice which require them to have certain qualities necessary for a leader and clinician. Moreover, DNP-nurses are also expected to engage in evidence-based inquiries and research (California State University, 2014). Due to the dynamics of the health care system, experts who are skilled and trained with the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise are necessary to be able to improve patient outcomes (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006).
Currently, a study by Nichols, et al. (2014) focused on the utilization and impact of DNP-prepared nurses. The study revealed that there has been a concern about the presence of gaps in knowledge when it comes to roles expectation and projected outcomes of DNP-prepared nurses. Thus, as a result, it is important for nurse leaders to maximize and use these resources to provide improved quality of care and services. Since ethics is considered as the cornerstone of the nursing profession, it is necessary to discuss the ethical principles associated with DNP to be able to provide useful strategies for the improvement of DNP-nursing roles (Silva & Ludwick, 2006).
Some of the ethical principles closely linked to DNP include social responsibility, respect for persons, do no harm, and justice as fairness. Social responsibility is the ethical principle that revolves around social issues that affects the society (Silva & Ludwick, 2006). To be able to improve the roles of DNP-prepared nurses, it is necessary for different institutions and organizations to be fully informed and educated about the various knowledge, skills, roles, and trainings that can be beneficial to the improvement of patient outcomes (Nichols, et al., 2014). According to Fitzgerald, et al. (2012), one strategy that can be used to improve roles of DNP nurses include development and maintenance of collaborative partnerships to allow expansion of programs related to nursing education. These partnerships can greatly help attain social responsibility by ensuring that patient outcomes are improved as a result of improved facilities and equipment.
Another ethical principle is respect for persons which is necessary especially when dealing with different individuals (Silva & Ludwick, 2006). Community immersion or fieldworks can greatly help in the improvement of this principle. When a nurse is exposed to a new environment with individuals of various backgrounds, the ability of nurses to develop and strengthen their respect for persons will be observed. In addition, do no harm is also an ethical principle associate with DNP-prepared nurses (Silva & Ludwick, 2006). This principle is evident when nurses handle patients and provide treatment. To be able to improve the roles of nurses in the field of treatment, increased opportunities for nurses to engage with patients and provide treatment will be able to improve their skills in patient handling and care. Justice as fairness, which is focused on the equal access of patients to health resources, is the last mentioned principle associated with DNP (Silva & Ludwick, 2006). To apply this principle, nurses should engage in leadership trainings and internships to be able to develop their skills in management of resources and services.
Upon completion of my DNP program, I will be able to handle different roles in health institutions especially those that require higher level of knowledge and skills. Since I was able to practice the ethical principles listed above because I worked as a nurse at elderly homes, I will be able to show that I am more skilled and trained than other nurses. Thus, my nursing practice will be more focused on handling ethical dilemmas, managing conflicts, providing evidenced-based practices, and improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. As a result, my work will be able to affect a greater number of individuals.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Washington, DC: American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
California State University. (2014). Student Outcomes Assessment Plan (SOAP). California State University, Fresno. Retrieved from https://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/oie/documents/SOAP/Health_Human_Services/nursing-dnp-oct2014.pdf [Accessed on 8 Feb 2016].
Fitzgerald, C., Kantrowitz-Gordon, I., Katz, J., Hirsch, A. (2012). Advance Practice Nursing Education: Challenges and Strategies. Nursing Research and Practice, Article ID 854918.
Nichols, C., O’Connor, N., and Dunn, D. (2014). Exploring Early and Future Use of DNP Prepared Nurses Within Healthcare Organizations. The Journal of Nursing Administration 44(2):74-78.
Silva, M. and Ludwick, R. (2006). Ethics: Is the Doctor of Nursing Practice Ethical?. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing 11(2).
