An innovative DNP post-doctorate program to improve quality improvement and implementation science skills

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs equip nurses for leadership roles in healthcare quality.
• There is a recognized need for enhanced training in implementation science and analytical skills for DNP-prepared nurses to lead system-wide quality initiatives.
• Academic-practice partnerships can bridge this gap by providing specialized training opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development, execution, and assessment of a novel post-doctoral DNP Quality Implementation Scholars Program.
• The program was designed to address the identified need for advanced skills in leading quality initiatives.
• This initiative was a collaborative effort between academic institutions and healthcare practice settings.

Main Methods:

• A one-year post-doctoral program was implemented.
• Student experiences were evaluated using qualitative focus groups and quantitative surveys (course and instructor evaluations).
• Program outcomes were assessed from the planning committee's perspective using a Qualtrics© survey.

Main Results:

• Key strengths included robust faculty mentoring and the development of strong inter-professional relationships within the healthcare system.
• Scholars and the planning team confirmed the relevance, timeliness, and quality-focus of the system-wide projects undertaken.
• The program effectively utilized DNP-prepared nurse leaders' expertise.

Conclusions:

• The innovative post-doctoral DNP program successfully enhanced the capabilities of nurse leaders.
• It provided tailored training for leading system-wide quality improvement initiatives within healthcare organizations.
• This model demonstrates the value of specialized post-doctoral training in implementation science for nursing leadership.