Doctor of Nursing Practice National Study, Part II: Study Findings

Questions continue to arise as to what exactly Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) practitioners are doing differently in practice. The DNP Leaders in Practice Assessment (DNPLPA) Tool was developed for this reason and was the instrument used in this study.

Data from a mixed-methods online study of a national sample of 208 practicing DNP nurses are reported.

Means are reported, and the Staff Outcomes-based questions had the highest mean, followed closely by the Patient/Population Outcomes questions. Themes were created from the qualitative data that reflected three main categories: Implementation, Dissemination, and Professional Expectations. Exemplars demonstrated the wide range of activities of DNPs in practice today.

Data validate that DNP practitioners are making major impacts in practice, education, and service, and through scholarly activities. The DNPLPA Tool collected a wealth of data that adds depth and breadth to the nursing body of DNP practice today.