Highlights
- •Quality improvement (QI) methods are necessary for DNP students’ projects to demonstrate practice improvements.
- •Faculty development is needed to support doctor of nursing practice (DNP) student application of QI methods.
- •Measurable DNP project aims form the basis for demonstrating impact of DNP projects.
Abstract
Background
A gap was identified related to students’ use of quality improvement (QI) methodologies
in their final project, so a curricular change was made to incorporate a health care
QI methods course in the curriculum.
Methods
We compared the use of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound)
aims and QI evaluation methodologies in doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project proposals
in 2 cohorts before and after the curriculum change.
Results
A total of 88 DNP proposals were evaluated.
Conclusion
Including a QI course increased the use of SMART aims but did not influence the use
of QI methodologies. Future interventions will target faculty development related
to QI.
Keywords
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References
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Biography
Julee B. Waldrop, DNP, FNP-BC, PNP-BC, CNE, SANE-A, FAANP, FAAN, is professor and assistant dean for the DNP Program and chair of the DNP Committee at Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC. Dr Waldrop can be reached at [email protected]
Biography
Staci S. Reynolds, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, CPHQ, is an associate professor and chair of the DNP Program Committee at Duke University School of Nursing in Durham, NC. Disclosure: Julee Waldrop is the Editor-in-Chief of JNP. This manuscript’s evaluation and revisions were managed by other JNP editors.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 02, 2023
Footnotes
In compliance with standard ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that may pose a conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
