The ethics curriculum for doctor of nursing practice programs

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Doctoral Education
• Healthcare Law

Background:

• Nurses with Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees encounter a broader spectrum of ethical challenges.
• These include not only bioethical concerns but also complex business and legal ethics.
• DNP-prepared nurses are increasingly assuming roles that require proactive ethical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the evolving ethical landscape for DNP-prepared nurses.
• To identify the inadequacy of traditional master's-level nursing curricula in addressing these advanced ethical needs.
• To propose a comprehensive curricular framework for DNP programs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of ethical dilemmas faced by Doctor of Nursing Practice practitioners.
• Evaluation of current advanced practice nursing curricula.
• Proposal of a new curricular framework integrating diverse ethical domains.

Main Results:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice nurses confront ethical issues spanning clinical, business, and legal domains.
• Existing curricula often lack the depth to prepare nurses for these advanced ethical responsibilities.
• A gap exists in equipping DNP students with necessary decision-making skills for multifaceted ethical situations.

Conclusions:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice education requires an expanded ethical focus.
• A new curricular framework encompassing clinical, research, business, and legal ethics is essential for DNP students.
• Integrating these ethical components will better prepare nurses for leadership and complex decision-making.