DNP Essentials and Advanced Nursing Practice
Questions and Answers
What are the key characteristics of health care promoted by groups in nursing? - ✅✅Health care that
is safe, effective, client-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable.
What is emphasized in the education of health professionals for patient-centered care? -
✅✅Education should focus on interdisciplinary teamwork, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, and informatics.
What significant change occurred in graduate nursing programs from 1986 to 2006? - ✅✅The number
of institutions offering doctoral programs increased from 39 to 101 and master's programs from 180 to
417.
What advanced practice roles are increasingly being certified in nursing programs? - ✅✅Nurse
practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.
What trend has been observed in health professional education regarding doctoral degrees? -
✅✅Many health professions have moved to the professional or practice doctorate for entry into their
fields.
What did the AACN review of master's level nursing programs indicate? - ✅✅Many programs have
expanded curricula significantly, raising concerns about the adequacy of the degree for complex nursing
practice.
What is the historical significance of the master's degree (MSN) in nursing? - ✅✅The MSN has been
the degree for specialized advanced nursing practice.
What is the preferred preparation for specialty nursing practice with the development of DNP
programs? - ✅✅The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
What foundational education is required for the DNP degree? - ✅✅A generalist foundation acquired
through a baccalaureate or advanced generalist master's in nursing.
,What are the two primary education pathways for terminal degrees in nursing? - ✅✅Professional
entry degree (baccalaureate or master's) to DNP degree or to PhD degree.
Can individuals combine degrees in nursing education? - ✅✅Yes, some individuals may choose to
combine a DNP with a PhD.
What is the purpose of DNP curricula? - ✅✅To ensure that all students attain DNP end-of-program
competencies.
What has contributed to the extension of educational programs in nursing? - ✅✅The explosion of
information, technology, and new scientific evidence guiding practice.
What is the significance of the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education published by AACN? - ✅✅It
summarizes the core knowledge and competencies expected of baccalaureate prepared nurses.
What concerns arise from the expansion of credit requirements in master's level nursing programs? -
✅✅Concerns that graduates may not receive an appropriate degree for the complexity of their
academic experience.
What is the relationship between the DNP and the master's degree in nursing? - ✅✅The DNP is
becoming the preferred degree for advanced practice specialty preparation, transitioning from the
master's degree.
What are the implications of the transition from master's to DNP programs in nursing? - ✅✅There
will be various program articulations and pathways planned for students.
What is the role of interdisciplinary teams in nursing education? - ✅✅To prepare health professionals
to deliver patient-centered care effectively.
What has been a major trend in health professional education over the past two decades? - ✅✅The
expansion of graduate programs and specialization in advanced practice roles.
, What is the impact of technological advancements on nursing education? - ✅✅They have led to
longer educational programs to incorporate new evidence and practices.
What is the significance of the DNP core competencies? - ✅✅They establish a base for advanced
nursing practice in a specific area of specialization.
Why must DNP curricula be individualized for candidates? - ✅✅Because different entry points exist
based on candidates' prior education and experience.
What prior education do many students entering DNP programs typically have? - ✅✅A master's
degree built on AACN's Master's Essentials.
What is the purpose of the DNP program for graduates with a master's degree? - ✅✅To provide DNP
competencies not previously attained.
How does the program length differ for candidates with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees? -
✅✅Their program of study is likely longer than for candidates with a baccalaureate or master's in
nursing.
What role does the DNP degree specifically prepare individuals for? - ✅✅Specialized nursing practice.
What document articulates the competencies for nurses practicing at the DNP level? - ✅✅The
Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.
What dual roles may DNP graduates seek to fill? - ✅✅Practice experts and nurse scientists.
What additional preparation should individuals desiring educator roles have? - ✅✅Preparation in the
science of pedagogy.
What teaching strategies will be incorporated into the DNP curriculum? - ✅✅Strategies related to
patient education.
Questions and Answers
What are the key characteristics of health care promoted by groups in nursing? - ✅✅Health care that
is safe, effective, client-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable.
What is emphasized in the education of health professionals for patient-centered care? -
✅✅Education should focus on interdisciplinary teamwork, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, and informatics.
What significant change occurred in graduate nursing programs from 1986 to 2006? - ✅✅The number
of institutions offering doctoral programs increased from 39 to 101 and master's programs from 180 to
417.
What advanced practice roles are increasingly being certified in nursing programs? - ✅✅Nurse
practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.
What trend has been observed in health professional education regarding doctoral degrees? -
✅✅Many health professions have moved to the professional or practice doctorate for entry into their
fields.
What did the AACN review of master's level nursing programs indicate? - ✅✅Many programs have
expanded curricula significantly, raising concerns about the adequacy of the degree for complex nursing
practice.
What is the historical significance of the master's degree (MSN) in nursing? - ✅✅The MSN has been
the degree for specialized advanced nursing practice.
What is the preferred preparation for specialty nursing practice with the development of DNP
programs? - ✅✅The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
What foundational education is required for the DNP degree? - ✅✅A generalist foundation acquired
through a baccalaureate or advanced generalist master's in nursing.
,What are the two primary education pathways for terminal degrees in nursing? - ✅✅Professional
entry degree (baccalaureate or master's) to DNP degree or to PhD degree.
Can individuals combine degrees in nursing education? - ✅✅Yes, some individuals may choose to
combine a DNP with a PhD.
What is the purpose of DNP curricula? - ✅✅To ensure that all students attain DNP end-of-program
competencies.
What has contributed to the extension of educational programs in nursing? - ✅✅The explosion of
information, technology, and new scientific evidence guiding practice.
What is the significance of the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education published by AACN? - ✅✅It
summarizes the core knowledge and competencies expected of baccalaureate prepared nurses.
What concerns arise from the expansion of credit requirements in master's level nursing programs? -
✅✅Concerns that graduates may not receive an appropriate degree for the complexity of their
academic experience.
What is the relationship between the DNP and the master's degree in nursing? - ✅✅The DNP is
becoming the preferred degree for advanced practice specialty preparation, transitioning from the
master's degree.
What are the implications of the transition from master's to DNP programs in nursing? - ✅✅There
will be various program articulations and pathways planned for students.
What is the role of interdisciplinary teams in nursing education? - ✅✅To prepare health professionals
to deliver patient-centered care effectively.
What has been a major trend in health professional education over the past two decades? - ✅✅The
expansion of graduate programs and specialization in advanced practice roles.
, What is the impact of technological advancements on nursing education? - ✅✅They have led to
longer educational programs to incorporate new evidence and practices.
What is the significance of the DNP core competencies? - ✅✅They establish a base for advanced
nursing practice in a specific area of specialization.
Why must DNP curricula be individualized for candidates? - ✅✅Because different entry points exist
based on candidates' prior education and experience.
What prior education do many students entering DNP programs typically have? - ✅✅A master's
degree built on AACN's Master's Essentials.
What is the purpose of the DNP program for graduates with a master's degree? - ✅✅To provide DNP
competencies not previously attained.
How does the program length differ for candidates with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees? -
✅✅Their program of study is likely longer than for candidates with a baccalaureate or master's in
nursing.
What role does the DNP degree specifically prepare individuals for? - ✅✅Specialized nursing practice.
What document articulates the competencies for nurses practicing at the DNP level? - ✅✅The
Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.
What dual roles may DNP graduates seek to fill? - ✅✅Practice experts and nurse scientists.
What additional preparation should individuals desiring educator roles have? - ✅✅Preparation in the
science of pedagogy.
What teaching strategies will be incorporated into the DNP curriculum? - ✅✅Strategies related to
patient education.
