dnp research project ideas

Exploring 120+ DNP Project Ideas to Elevate Your Nursing Career

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects serve as the pinnacle of a nurse’s academic journey, providing a platform to delve into complex issues, make meaningful contributions to healthcare, and enhance one’s nursing practice. Selecting the right DNP project ideas are crucial, as it can significantly impact your career and the nursing profession as a whole. 

In this blog, we’ll explore a range of DNP project ideas within different categories and offer guidance on how to choose the most suitable project for your aspirations and capabilities.

How To Choose the Right DNP Project?

Table of Contents

Now that we’ve explored various DNP project ideas, it’s essential to discuss how to choose the right project for you. Here are some considerations:

• Identify Personal Interests and Strengths: Select a project that aligns with your passion and strengths. This will not only make the project more engaging but also allow you to leverage your expertise effectively.
• Assess Feasibility and Resources: Consider the resources required for your project, including time, funding, and access to data or facilities. Ensure that your project is feasible within the constraints of your program.
• Consider Potential Impact: Reflect on the potential impact of your DNP project. Will it contribute to improving patient care, nursing practice, or healthcare policy? Choose a project that has the potential to make a difference.

General DNP Project Ideas Categories

DNP projects can broadly be categorized into four main areas:

Clinical Practice Improvement

Health policy and advocacy, education and training, advanced nursing research.

Let’s take a closer look at each category and some specific project ideas within them.

• Implementing telemedicine for rural healthcare.
• Reducing sepsis mortality through early detection.
• Enhancing nurse-led wound care practices.
• Improving pain management protocols.
• Optimizing perioperative patient care.
• Implementing patient-centered care models.
• Streamlining medication administration processes.
• Enhancing pediatric nursing practices.
• Reducing falls in geriatric care.
• Diabetes education and management programs.
• Stroke prevention and care initiatives.
• Nurse-led hypertension control clinics.
• Promoting breastfeeding support in maternity wards.
• Improving end-of-life care and communication.
• Minimizing healthcare-associated infections.
• Enhancing trauma care in emergency departments.
• Implementing evidence-based fall prevention.
• Cardiac rehabilitation program development.
• Pain assessment in non-verbal patients.
• Telepsychiatry for mental health support.
• Enhancing nurse-led preoperative education.
• Palliative care in long-term facilities.
• Introducing innovative wound care products.
• Falls prevention in home healthcare.
• Nurse-managed ventilator weaning protocols.
• Pediatric vaccination adherence programs.
• Maternal health and prenatal care initiatives.
• Improving seclusion and restraint practices.
• Pediatric weight management interventions.
• Nurse-led anticoagulation therapy clinics.
• Medicaid expansion impact on vulnerable populations.
• Mental health parity legislation effectiveness.
• Healthcare access for undocumented immigrants.
• Opioid crisis intervention policies.
• Medicare for All and single-payer healthcare.
• Health disparities in underserved communities.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy through policy.
• Telehealth regulation and reimbursement.
• Health equity in LGBTQ+ communities.
• Maternal mortality reduction initiatives.
• Medical marijuana legalization and regulation.
• Environmental health and pollution policies.
• Gun control and public health.
• Healthcare workforce shortages and policy solutions.
• Telemedicine licensure reciprocity.
• Prescription drug pricing and affordability.
• The role of nurse practitioners in primary care.
• Palliative care access and policy.
• End-of-life and advance care planning.
• Medicare and Social Security sustainability.
• Healthcare data privacy and security.
• Patient rights and informed consent.
• Public health emergency preparedness.
• Health information exchange and interoperability.
• Childhood obesity prevention policies.
• E-cigarette and vaping regulations.
• Health insurance marketplace stability.
• Telepsychiatry and mental health access.
• Rural healthcare access challenges.
• Value-based care models and outcomes-based payment.
• Online nursing education best practices.
• Bridging the education-practice gap in nursing.
• Enhancing clinical preceptorship programs.
• Innovations in nursing curriculum development.
• Cultural competency in nursing education.
• Simulation-based training for healthcare providers.
• Technology integration in nursing education.
• Promoting lifelong learning for nurses.
• Leadership development for nurse educators.
• Interprofessional education in healthcare.
• Evidence-based teaching strategies.
• Competency-based education in nursing.
• Promoting critical thinking in nursing students.
• Promoting empathy and compassion in nursing education.
• Curriculum design for healthcare institutions.
• Blended learning in nursing programs.
• Using gamification in nursing education.
• Educating nurses on healthcare disparities.
• Nurse educators’ professional development.
• Strategies for teaching clinical reasoning.
• Assessment methods in nursing education.
• Promoting diversity in nursing programs.
• Innovations in nurse preceptorship.
• Online clinical training platforms.
• Teaching resilience and self-care to nursing students.
• Integrating cultural humility into nursing education.
• Simulation lab design and management.
• Student mentorship programs in nursing.
• Teaching telehealth and eHealth skills.
• Fostering clinical decision-making skills in nursing students.
• The impact of nurse-patient communication on patient outcomes.
• Nurse staffing ratios and patient safety in critical care units.
• The effectiveness of telehealth interventions for post-operative care.
• Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice in nursing.
• Exploring the role of nurses in promoting organ donation.
• The relationship between nurse burnout and patient satisfaction.
• Patient experiences with culturally competent nursing care.
• Strategies to reduce medication errors in pediatric nursing.
• The use of technology in improving elder care by nurses.
• The effects of bedside reporting on nurse-patient relationships.
• The impact of mentorship programs on nursing career development.
• Assessing the knowledge and practices of neonatal nurses in pain management.
• Exploring the benefits of mindfulness training for nursing staff.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy lifestyles among adolescents.
• The impact of leadership styles on nursing unit performance.
• Strategies to improve palliative care in oncology nursing.
• The effectiveness of fall prevention programs in geriatric nursing.
• Analyzing the outcomes of nursing interventions in sepsis management.
• Investigating the use of alternative therapies in pain management by nurses.
• The role of nursing in promoting early detection of mental health issues.
• Nurse-led initiatives to reduce hospital-acquired infections.
• Patient satisfaction with nurse-led discharge education.
• Exploring the challenges of providing care to diverse patient populations.
• The impact of clinical simulation training on nursing competency.
• Strategies to improve medication reconciliation in nursing practice.
• The role of telemedicine in improving access to nursing care in rural areas.
• Nurse-led interventions to enhance the care of pediatric asthma patients.
• The use of technology in enhancing nursing documentation practices.
• Exploring the benefits of nurse-led support groups for chronic disease patients.
• The role of nurses in addressing domestic violence and abuse.

Tips to Select DNP Project Topics

Selecting a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) project topic is a critical decision in your academic and professional journey. Your DNP project represents the culmination of your education and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on nursing practice, patient care, and healthcare policy. Here are some essential tips to help you choose the right DNP project topic:

• Passion and Interest: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you. Your passion for the subject will keep you motivated throughout the project’s duration.
• Alignment with Career Goals: Consider how your DNP project can align with your long-term career goals. Selecting a project related to your desired nursing specialization or future role can enhance your career prospects.
• Relevance to Current Healthcare Challenges: Look for topics that address current issues and challenges in healthcare. This ensures that your project’s findings have practical applications and contribute to the ongoing improvement of healthcare.
• Feasibility: Assess the feasibility of your project. Consider the available resources, access to data, time constraints, and your ability to execute the project successfully. A project that is too ambitious or lacks necessary resources can be frustrating and less impactful.
• Consult with Advisors and Faculty: Seek guidance from your academic advisors and faculty members. They can provide insights, recommend potential topics, and help you refine your ideas.
• Patient-Centered Focus: DNP projects often revolve around improving patient care. Consider topics that directly impact patient outcomes, safety, satisfaction, and the overall quality of care.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Nursing is an interdisciplinary field. Explore topics that allow you to collaborate with professionals from other healthcare disciplines, such as medicine, psychology, or social work. Interdisciplinary projects can lead to more comprehensive solutions.
• Policy and Advocacy: Addressing healthcare policy and advocacy issues can be highly impactful. Consider topics related to healthcare policy analysis, legislative advocacy, or addressing healthcare disparities.
• Research Opportunities: If you have a strong interest in research, look for topics that involve original research, evidence-based practice, or data analysis. Such projects can contribute to the nursing knowledge base.
• Education and Training: If you are passionate about education and training, explore topics related to curriculum development, nursing education programs, or clinical preceptorship.
• Patient Populations: Focus on specific patient populations that interest you, such as pediatric, geriatric, or mental health. Tailoring your project to a particular population allows for more targeted and impactful interventions.
• Sustainability: Consider the sustainability of your project’s outcomes. Can your interventions or recommendations be sustained and continue to benefit patients or healthcare systems in the long term?
• Ethical Considerations: Be mindful of ethical considerations in your chosen topic. Ensure that your project adheres to ethical standards and respects patient rights and privacy.
• Potential for Publication: If you aim to contribute to nursing literature, choose a project that has the potential for publication. Original research and innovative solutions are more likely to be published in nursing journals.
• Practicality: Finally, select a topic that is practical and relevant to your target audience. Your DNP project should provide real-world solutions and insights that can be applied in healthcare settings.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is a significant undertaking that can shape your nursing career and contribute to the nursing profession’s growth and development. By exploring various DNP project ideas and considering your personal interests, strengths, and available resources, you can select a project that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

Whether you choose to focus on clinical practice improvement, health policy and advocacy , education and training, or advanced nursing research, your DNP project has the potential to bring positive change to healthcare. The key is to embark on this journey with dedication and a commitment to excellence in nursing practice.

In closing, we encourage you to take your time in selecting the right DNP project and to seek guidance and mentorship from experienced nurses and faculty. Your DNP project is not just an academic requirement but a chance to leave a lasting mark on the field of nursing. Choose wisely and embrace the opportunity to elevate your nursing career.

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• Understanding the Basics of a DNP Project
• How to Develop a DNP Project Using an Evidence-Based Approach
• Stages and Components of a DNP Project
• DNP Project Ideas

Sponsored School(s)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP project represents the culmination of your doctoral studies and an opportunity for you to translate your acquired knowledge into practice. It is also the epitome of the practice-focused DNP and an essential part of the integrative practice experience. Preparing your DNP project is an exciting time, as it allows you to lay the groundwork for future scholarship while at the same time giving you a chance to make a potentially meaningful contribution to improving nursing practice and patient outcomes.

In a whitepaper published in August 2015 entitled The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations , the AACN recommended that the DNP Project be referred to simply as the “DNP Project” as a way to distinguish it from final projects in other types of graduate programs. While the term DNP Project is still commonly used, it’s worth noting that schools and professional organizations are in the process of uniformly adopting the term “DNP Project.”

Here’s what you’ll want to know:

What is a DNP Project?

A DNP project is the umbrella term used to describe a scholarly project with the express purpose of translating evidence into practice. You may also hear it referred to as a final or research DNP project. Your DNP project will reflect your specialization/area of interest, allowing you to delve deep and create a project focused on clinical practice . You will use your DNP project to demonstrate mastery of your advanced nursing specialty.

Fortunately, given the wide breadth of clinical nursing practice, your choices for a DNP project are nearly limitless.

For example, your DNP project may be a practice portfolio that explores the impact or outcomes of nursing practice, or it may be a practice change initiative represented by a program evaluation. It may be a quality improvement project, a consulting project, or the evaluation of a new practice model. It may be a practice topic dissemination, a systemic review, or a manuscript submitted for publication—and that’s just to start.

Although DNP projects may take on various forms, depending on your college/university’s requirements and your area of advanced nursing practice, all DNP projects have three things in common: They all include planning, implementation, and evaluation components.

These components reflect the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) DNP Essentials, which states that a DNP project should be able to successfully integrate some or all of the following into practice:

• Focus on a change that impacts healthcare outcomes through either direct or indirect care
• Have a systems (micro-, meso-, or macro-level) or population/aggregate focus
• Implement the appropriate area of practice
• Include a plan for sustainability (e.g., financial, systems, or political realities)
• Include an evaluation of processes and/or outcomes

All projects should be designed so that processes/outcomes can be evaluated to guide practice and policy, and all should provide a foundation for future practice scholarship.

What is the Purpose of the DNP Project?

The goal of the DNP project is to inform the methods you will use to deliver care and educate others in your chosen population/community. You will use the DNP project to demonstrate your ability to lead and practice at the highest level of clinical nursing practice.

You will be asked to integrate a number of skills into your final project:

• Expertise in reflective practice
• Expertise in your area of interest
• Independent practice inquiry (identifying existing problems/needs in nursing practice and/or healthcare systems)
• The ability to evaluate, translate, and use research and evidence to improve health and quality of care outcomes
• Organizational and systems leadership skills (developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to improve outcomes for diverse populations and/or communities)
• Knowledge of advanced healthcare policy, ethics, and law to develop a population-based program based on the best available and current evidence

Back to Top

This is your time to shine, so don’t let the task of choosing a DNP project stress you out.

Using your area of clinical expertise as a springboard, develop your project using an evidence-based process:

• Formulate a well-developed question: Describe an innovation or clinical inquiry; identify a problem/issue
• Review the literature to identify evidence-based resources that answer your question: Apply the best evidence from literature
• Assess the validity of your resources using evidence: Collect data using standard and acceptable methods/tools
• Apply that evidence: Define outcomes to be measured upon implementation
• Implement outcomes and/or analyze results: Re-evaluate the application and identify areas for improvement

An example of how one DNP student followed this 5-step evidence-based process to develop a change project with the goal of increasing vaccination among healthcare personnel working in a college:

Step 1. A change project was initiated to increase influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel at a college

Step 2. Barriers to vaccination as well as factors that would help facilitate vaccination were identified using a pre-intervention questionnaire survey

Step 3. Interventions were planned based on the findings of the pre-intervention questionnaire survey

Step 4. Interventions were implemented

Step 5. The effectiveness of the interventions was assessed through a post-intervention survey

An example of how one DNP student followed this 5-step evidence-based process to develop a quality improvement project with the goal of reducing delays in treatment for patients with hand trauma:

Step 1. A quality improvement project was initiated to avoid delays in care for patients with hand trauma

Step 2. Over 2,000 consultations and notes from emergency room and urgent care departments were reviewed to assess adherence to guidelines for treating hand trauma

Step 3. Factors associated with a lack of adherence to treatment guidelines were identified

Step 5. Outcomes were assessed

Questions to Ask

One of the best ways to ensure your DNP project accomplishes your objectives is to ask yourself questions to make sure the project meets the required standards:

• Does my project focus on individuals, communities, populations, and/or systems?
• What problems/issues will my project address?
• Is my DNP project grounded in clinical practice? Will it solve problems or directly inform my practice?
• Will my project demonstrate mastery of DNP competencies achieved through my doctoral education?
• Is my project supported by evidence provided through existing literature?
• Does my project address outcomes associated with patients and healthcare?
• Does my project provide a foundation for future scholarship in nursing?
• Executive summary of the project
• Introduction to the project
• Description of the problem, how it is defined, and the clinical setting/environment and target environment
• Data supporting the existence of the problem
• Description of the creative approach to resolving the problem

The steps required to complete a DNP project will also vary somewhat from one program to the next. Generally speaking, DNP projects include the following stages:

• Student identifies a focus area for the DNP project.
• A Capstone Chairperson is selected based on mutual agreement of the student and faculty member and the clinical/scholarly interests and area of expertise of the faculty member. Note: Careful selection of a capstone chairperson is important, as the student and chairperson will develop a plan of study and work closely throughout the process .
• Student selects a Capstone Committee (usually includes at least three faculty members, one of whom is the Capstone Chairperson).
• Student earns eligibility to defend the capstone proposal (the proposal must be formally approved by all Committee members).
• Student works with Capstone Chairperson to develop the proposal, using the Committee in an advisory capacity, as needed.
• Student prepares and distributes the proposal defense to the Committee members.
• Student arranges a meeting of the Committee to discuss the proposal and to rule on its acceptability (Committee members ensure the proposal’s feasibility, clinical relevance, and quality.).
• Upon acceptance of the proposal, the student begins the process of implementing the DNP project (must receive administrative approval for all steps of the project).
• Student schedules the final defense of the DNP project upon completing the written project and upon getting approval from the Capstone Chairperson.
• Student distributes the final copy to the Committee members and prepares for the oral defense of the DNP project.
• Committee members critique the project, identify any changes or additional work to be done, and determine the outcome of the DNP project defense.
• Smoking Cessation Program for Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
• Safe Foot Care in African American Type 2 Diabetes
• A Community Based Approach to Promoting Nutritional Awareness and Improving Dietary Habits
• Standardized Procedure for Assessment and Documentation of Pain in Long-Term Care
• Evidence-Based Practice Update for Nurse Practitioners in Urgent Care
• Strategies to Improve Patient Flow in an Urgent Care Facility
• Empowering Community Health: A Faith-Based Approach
• A Medication Safety Education Program to Reduce the Risk of Harm Caused by Medication Errors
• Integrated Model of Dementia Care in a Nursing Home
• An Evaluation of a School-Based Asthma Protocol
• A Strategy to Reduce Distress Among Isolated Blood and Marrow Transplant Patients Post-Transplantation
• An Evidence-Based Toolkit to Prevent Meningococcal Meningitis in College Students
• An Evidence-Based Ovarian Cancer Education Toolkit: A Pilot Study
• Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment of Childhood Overweight and Obesity
• Prevalence of Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
• Obesity Prevention in Young Children
• Predictors of the First-Year Nursing Student at Risk for Early Departure
• The Predictive Value of Second Trimester Blood Pressures on the Development of Preeclampsia
• Nursing Informatics Certification and Competencies: A Report on the Current State and Recommendations for the Future
• Development of a Web-Based Health Information Database and Call Center
• Translation of Autism Screening Research into Practice
• Effectiveness of Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs for Mentally Ill Inmates with Diabetes
• Optimizing Inpatient Heart Failure Education to Support Self-Care After Discharge
• Strategic Plan for a Patient-Centered Medical Home Adaptation
• Development of a Virtual Nursing Learning Lounge to Bridge the Practice Gap
• Leadership, Advocacy, and Policy: Development of a Professional Organization for Doctors of Nursing Practice
• Media Influence on Nutritional Choices in School-Age Children
• Interdisciplinary Simulation Training for Evidence-Based Obstetric Crisis Management
• A Web-Based Group Intervention for Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
• Evaluation of Pain Management Practices Among Laboring Women
• A Multi-Method Approach to Evaluating Online Distance Learning in Nursing Education
• Effects of Health Education on Nutrition and Physical Activity of School Children
• Clinical-Academic Partnership Education and Socialization into the Nursing Role
• Development of a Strategic Plan for a Dedicated Education Unit and Clinical Teaching Associate Role
• A Strategic Plan for Promoting Health in the Hispanic/Latino Population through Internet-Based Social Networks
• A Criterion-Based Job Description and Performance Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse
• A Strategic Plan for the Development of an Inpatient Hospice Program
• Deploying a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner in an Emergency Department to Improve Outcomes for Geriatric Patients
• Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in an Acute-Care Hospital
• A Strategic Plan for the Development of a Model of Care for HIV Co-Infected Diabetics in an Inner-City Clinic
• Implementation of Routine HIV Testing for the Hospitalized Patient
• Development of an Evidence-Based, In-Patient Alcohol Detoxification Guideline for Culturally Diverse Adults
• Conducting a Randomized Household Survey in an Underserved Urban Community
• Fall Prevention in the Medical Surgical Setting
• A Comprehensive Systematic Review of the Influence of Transformational Leadership Style on Nursing Staff in Acute Care Hospitals

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• DNP Student Project Examples

Here are some examples of projects from former DNP students.

Addressing maternal outcomes in rural Indiana mothers through improved prenatal care utilization Yadira Santiago Banuelos, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CLC | PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Examining Knowledge and Knowledge Retention in Nurse Practitioners after the Implementation of an Online Educational Module on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Jessica J. Pietras, BSN, BS, RN | Executive Summary

The impact of a resilience and self-care intervention on senior BSN students and their perception of readiness for practice during the COVID-19 pandemic Paula Morrow, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, CEN

Screening of Postpartum Depression and Stress Among Mothers of Infants in a Pediatric Cardiovascular Care Unit: A Pilot Study Alessi Miller , BSN, RN | Executive Summary

Care of the Obstetric Patient in the Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Study Caitlin Luebcke , MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, AGNP-C, CCRN | Executive Summary

Examining Factors That Influence Confidence and Competence Among Nurse Practitioners Kelsey Allbright

Best Shot: A Motivational Interviewing Approach to Address Vaccine Hesitancy in Pediatric Outpatient Settings Kristin Jamison, MSN, RN, FNP-C | Executive Summary

The Effect of Text Message Reminders on HPV Vaccination Rates in Adolescent Males Madison Plumer, BSN, RN | Executive Summary

Introduction of a Conversation Starter Tool to Improve Health Habits in Young Children Rachel Knafel, MSN, RN, FNP-BC | Executive Summary

The Association Between Use of Nurse Practitioners and Quality Measures in the Long-Term Care Setting Katie Begle, DNP, BSN, RN

Comparing Models of Nurse Practitioner Preceptorship Using a Simulation Approach Samantha Tielker, DNP, MSN, ACNP-BC | Executive Summary

Does Provider Education Increase Rates of Adolescent Sexual Health History Taking? Elizabeth Sigler, DNP 

Identifying Sustainable Improvements to the Nurse-to-Nurse Patient Handoff Process: A Policy Capturing Study Taylor Vandervort, DNP | Executive Summary

Risk Perceptions and E-cigarette Use Among College Students: A Socioecological Model Approach Nachel Rhoades, DNP, BSN, RN | Executive Summary

Increasing Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Referrals in a Pediatric Clinic Amber Barney, DNP, RN, MSN, MBA, APRN, CPNP | Executive Summary

The Utilization of Sunscreen Prescriptions to Increase Patient Use: Examination of Healthcare Provider Perceptions James M. Roush, DNP, RN | Executive Summary

Testing a Pediatric Palliative Care Education Workplace Intervention Courtney James, DNP | Executive Summary

Anxiety and Coping Styles of First-Year Nursing Students During COVID Anne Campbell, DNP | Executive Summary

Utilization of Spanish Medical Interpreters for Diabetes Education in a Community Health Center Mariah Scheker, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, Summer 2021 | Executive Summary

Impact of Expedited Partner Therapy Implementation on STI Reinfection in an Urban Public Health Clinic Amy Evans, MSN, NP-C | Executive Summary  | Manuscript

Early Prediction of Cardiac Arrest Using Machine Learning Laura Moffat, MSN, MSK, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN | Executive Summary

Indicators of Transport Nurses Safety Competency Donna York Clark, MS, RN, CMTE | Executive Summary

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Home > ETDs > DNP Projects

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Dnp projects from 2024 2024.

Nurse-led Telehealth Visits for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond , Eun Hye Kim

Asthma and Peak Flow Assessments Based on NHLBI Asthma Guidelines , Julia Gliceria Almario Regalado

Increasing the Optimal Usage of the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 Screening Tools to Better Detect Co-Occurring Disorders in an Alcohol Use Disorder Clinic , Lauren Swansick

Education for Primary Care Providers on Advance Care Planning , Lindsey Ward

DNP Projects from 2023 2023

Implementing an African American Cultural Awareness Program for Skilled Nursing Facility Staff , ADEKEMI T. ADEDIPE

Community Health Worker Certification Program - Motivational Interview, Advocacy, Communication and Conflict Resolution , Stella Antony

Predicting the Risk of Falling with Artificial Intelligence , Ann Aquino

Mindfulness Based Self Care Toolkit for Psychiatric Healthcare Staff , Harkirat K. Bajwa

Mindfulness Based Self Care Toolkit for Psychiatric Healthcare Staff , Harkirat Kaur Bajwa

Trauma-Informed Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: Improving Long-Term Recovery , Aline M. Bales

Improving Patient Safety for Surgical Clearance: A PreOp One Stop Shop , Anna Benedictos

Using Critical Incident Debriefing after Code Blue Events to Support Registered Nurses , David L. Boyd

Improving New Nurse Manager Orientation and Onboarding Program , Leanne E. Deegenaars

Effects of Leadership Education and Mentoring for Assistant Nurse Managers , Karen T. Descent

Promoting Parent-Child Relationships Through Community-Based Family Wellness Programs to Improve Mental Health in Children , Maria Elena Falcon

Supporting Mental Health in Children by Providing Basic Skills and Knowledge of Mental Health to Middle-School Teachers , MariaElena Falcon

Reducing 30-day Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions Through the Implementation of a Telehealth Education and Screening Program , Madison Geib, Jo Loomis, and Maria (Dupi) Gomez Cogan

Responding to a Deteriorating Patient: An Educational Intervention for Outpatient Clinic Nurses , Angela N. Ikeme

Screening for Uterine Fibroids in Black Women , Winnie N. Kagendo

School-Based Development and Implementation of Adolescent Mental Health Educational Toolkits , Chantel M. Kilford Ms

School-Based Development and Implementation of an Educational Toolkit , Chantel M. Kilford Ms

Assuring a Continuum of Care for Heart Failure Patients Through Post-Acute Care Collaboration , Purnima Krishna

Save the Children Community Health Worker Program – Adverse Childhood Events Prevention , Jieun Lee

Educating Community Health Workers and Gatekeepers to Screen for Suicide , Jennifer Maina

The importance of suicide screening training for healthcare providers as part of suicide prevention , Jennifer Maina

Mental Health Services: Reaching the Homeless , Gurdeep Mann

Improving Outcomes in Persons Who Inject Drugs: A Multidisciplinary Healthcare Initiative , Carla S. Martin

Implementation of a Community Health Worker (CHW) training program to improve birth outcomes , Emiko Maruri

Beyond the Physical Wounds: A Proactive Approach to Mental Health Recovery After a Traumatic Injury , Christine McGahey

Environmental and Occupational Health Risks: Educating Undergraduate (ADN-BSN) Nursing Students for Safer Practice , Dorinda A. Mercado

Enhancing Mental Health Assessments for Hysterectomy Patients: Implementing a Depression Screening Tool for Healthcare Clinicians , Dede Mihedji

Depression Screening Tool for Hysterectomy Patients , Dede C. Mihedji

Developing and Implementing an Infection Prevention Practice Fellowship Program , Sejal Naik

Implementing Community Health Workers to Improve the Management of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Children , Julia L. Newell

Implementing an Infant-Driven Feeding Practice Model , Ann P. Nguyen

Reducing 30-Day Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital Readmission of Mentally Ill Homeless Men with Substance Use Disorder by Using a Discharge Checklist , Chibuogwu E. Ogbuka

A Quality Improvement Project on Anxiety Management Before Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy , Kiera Paulo

Enhancing Nurse Manager Resilience with a Resilience-Enhancing Toolkit , Rosarina A. J. Pelikan

Strategies to Reduce Chronic Disease: Adding Role to Community Health Workers , Ingrid J. Renwanz DNP, PMHFNP-BC/APRN, MSN, RNC

Community Health Worker Program: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Early Childhood , Arelis Sandoval

Implicit Bias in Nursing: Raising Awareness, Fostering Change , Jeanette C. Sandoval

Determining Care Delivery Model Feasibility Using Discrete-Event-Simulation , Tanya Scott

Implementation of Implicit Bias Training in a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner Program , MacDana Selecon

Improving Health Outcomes for LGBTQ+ Youth Through Provider Education , Marissa Simko

Implementation of Fast-Track Triage Process to Improve Ambulance Patient Offloading Time (APOT) in a Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) Unit , OKE AUGUSTINE UMEUGOJI

Improving Health Outcomes Among Patients with CHF Through Implementation of Telehealth Depression Screening and CHF Symptom Management , Akudo Udodiri Unanwa

The Dedicated Education Unit: Increasing Capacity and Confidence , Heather Marie Van Housen

DNP Projects from 2022 2022

Save the Children Community Health Worker Program—Project Management , Lauren Loree Burchfield

Increasing vaccination rates in the Latin X communities through a public health initiative for increasing education and vaccination , Gabriela Carrico

Educating Providers Without Prescriptive Authority About Psychopharmacology Basics: Bridging the Interdisciplinary Work Among Psychotropic Prescribers and Psychologists , Olivia Ceja

Psychosocial Distress Screening for Patients with Cancer: A Value-Based Approach to the Integration and Delivery of Holistic Care , Candy Cheung

Engaging Rural Providers About the Potential of Low-Earth Orbit Internet Satellite Supported Rural Telehealth Programs , Joshua M. Cleary

Development and Implementation of a Standardized Protocol for Nurse Practitioners Working in an AUD Treatment Telehealth Program , CJ Dea

Oleoresin Capsicum Gel: Enhancing Safety for the Home Health Clinician , Lilly Dickens

Diabetes Prevention and Management Education for Punjabi-Sikh Older Adults , Mandeep K. Gill

Improving Home Health Nurses' Knowledge of Heart Failure Self-Care Management , Nenette Hoffman

Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening in Primary Care , Bushra iqbal

Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening in Primary Care , Bushra Iqbal

Community Health Worker Program - Substance Use Disorder in Pregnancy , Alicia Claire Kletter DNP

Improving Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) Among Patients with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): A Patient-Centered Education Model , Maria Hannah Tiangha Mandecote

Save the Children® Community Health Worker Program - Prenatal Care , Deirdre A. Martinez

MITIGATE Toolkit for Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship: Enhancing Safe Antibiotic Prescribing Practices , Allyssa Marie Montemayor and Allyssa Marie Montemayor

Implementing a Diabetic Foot Care Program in a Virtual Primary Care Clinic , Zahra Naderi Asiabar

Decreasing Seclusion and Restraint Events Among Clients Within an Inpatient and Crisis Stabilization Behavioral Health Facility , Karen Lee Richards

Utilization of the Nurse Practitioner Skillset in Partnership with the Medical Device Industry , Daniel C. Rowland

Integrating Culturally Tailored Interventions to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening: A Quality Improvement Initiative in a Primary Care Clinic , Marife Centeno Solomon

Advancing Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in a Rural Emergency Department , Jill M. Wabbel

DNP Projects from 2021 2021

Technology-Based Advance Care Planning Education for Primary Care Patients , Taryn Achong

Development and Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Mentor Fellowship , Stacy L. Alves

Promoting Antibiotic Stewardship in Primary Care Setting: An Evaluation Process of Treatment Practices for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Premenopausal Non-Pregnant Women , Ira Amayun

Manager Onboarding to Improve Retention, Knowledge, and Confidence to Lead , Christine Asiimwe

Manager Onboarding to Improve Knowledge and Confidence to Lead , Christine (Tina) K. Asiimwe

Designing and Implementing a De-Escalation Toolkit to Improve Staff Education and Competency on De-Escalation within a Mental Health Outpatient Setting , Balraj Bajwa

Increasing Chlamydia Screening in the High-Risk Population using Electronic Notification and Targeted Education: A Primary Care Approach , Michael Barnett

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Implementation of Shared Decision-Making , LIESEL BUCHNER

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Staff Training Program to Tackle Postpartum Depression , Helen XUMIN Chen

Implementation of an Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit in a Community Hospital , Kimberly A. Colonnelli

Bullying in the C-Suite: A Nurse Leader Perspective , Kimberly Ann Colonnelli

Educating Providers to Screen for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder , Alyssa Fraino

Creating a Pipeline to Increase Diversity in Executive Leadership Positions , Trarina Harris

Developing a Culturally Relevant Mental Health Assessment for Persons of African Descent , Roberta Iyamu

A Peer Feedback Process to Improve Assistant Nurse Manager Job Satisfaction , Juanita A. Jularbal-Walton

Development of an eHealth Harm Reduction Resource to Address Opioid Use Among Youth in Rural Northern California , Carolyn Perrotti Lake

Implementation of a Mental Health Environmental Risk Assessment Tool , Alan Le

Purposeful Nurse Hourly Rounding: A Plan To Decrease Patient Falls During a Pandemic , Robbie Masangkay

Purposeful Nurse Hourly Rounding: Plan to Decrease Patient Falls During a Pandemic , ROBBIE MASANGKAY

Regulatory Orientation to Support Transition to Academic Leadership , Annmarie Munana

Preparing Nurses in Management Positions for Bedside Care During Times of Crisis , Trevor Murray

Utilizing Digital Technology to Address Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults through a Community-Based Connection Model: Responding to a Pandemic , Melissa A. Nagel

The Nurse Will See You Now: Improving Nurse-Led Chemotherapy Teaching , Laura Oka

PROVIDING HYPERTENSION EDUCATION FOR AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AT A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CONGREGATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC , Esther Oshunluyi

PROVIDING HYPERTENSION EDUCATION TO AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AT A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CONGREGATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC , Esther Oshunluyi

Increasing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Compliance with Various Telemedicine Interventions: An Integrated Literature Review , Tracy Partington

Telehealth Appointments to Increase Therapy Compliance in Patients with MOSA , Tracy J. Partington

Behavioral Health Patients and Agitation in the Emergency Department: A Synthesis of Literature , Adam Pelzl

Implementation of an Agitation Scale in Three Emergency Departments in an Urban Area of Northern California , Adam Pelzl

Targeting Pre-Operative Booking Processes to Decrease Risks of "Never Events" , Rebecca Lynn Poths and Rebecca Lynn Poths

Building Excellence through Shared Governance and Continuous Process Improvement , Deborah Reitter

Streamlining Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Siavash Rostami Jafarabad

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90 dnp project ideas & dnp scholarly project paper topics, rachel r.n..

• September 6, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas

If you are a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, then you know that choosing the right DNP project is essential to your success. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to decide what to do. Luckily, we have compiled a list of DNP project ideas to help you get started. From improving patient outcomes to reducing healthcare costs, there is a wide range of topics that you can cover in your DNP project. So take a look and see what inspires you!

What You'll Learn

DNP Project Ideas

Looking for DNP project ideas ? You’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of thirty great ideas to help get you started.

• Develop a community health outreach program.
• Create a nurse-led clinic within your community.
• Implement a falls prevention program in your facility.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of a new medication or treatment protocol.
• Develop a care plan for a specific population (e.g., elderly, pediatric, chronic illness).
• Investigate the root cause of a problem or adverse event within your facility.
• Implement best practices for wound care management.
• Evaluate staff compliance with hand hygiene protocols.
• Develop and implement a new orientation program for nursing staff.
• Investigate ways to reduce length of stay in your facility.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your facility’s discharge planning process.
• Identify ways to improve patient satisfaction scores.
• Implement a new evidence-based practice in your facility.
• Develop and implement a plan to reduce hospital-acquired infections.
• Evaluate staff knowledge and compliance with infection control protocols.
• Investigate the root cause of medication errors in your facility.
• Implement best practices for managing hazardous medications.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your facility’s pain management protocols.
• Investigate ways to reduce readmission rates in your facility.
• Develop and implement a plan to improve patient safety in your facility.
• Evaluate staff compliance with safety protocols in your facility.
• Investigate the root cause of sentinel events in your facility.
• Implement best practices for managing risk in your facility.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your facility’s quality improvement initiatives.
• Investigate ways to reduce variation in care in your facility.
• Develop and implement a plan to improve communication among interdisciplinary teams.
• Evaluate staff knowledge and compliance with policies and procedures in your facility.
• Investigate the root cause of employee turnover in your facility.
• Implement best practices for managing human resources in your facility.
• Evaluate the financial impact of new initiatives in your facility.

DNP Project Paper Topics

• Evaluating the impact of a nurse-led intervention on patient satisfaction in an acute care setting
• Examining the effect of a collaborative care model on provider burnout and turnover rates
• Investigating the feasibility of implementing a telehealth program for chronic disease management
• Determining the best strategies for improving medication adherence in patients with chronic illnesses
• Identifying barriers to palliative care access and developing strategies to overcome them
• Developing a tool to assess older adults’ readiness for self-management of their chronic conditions
• Investigating how to increase advance care planning discussions among primary care providers
• Assessing the impact of a community health worker intervention on health outcomes in low-income, minority populations
• Implementing and evaluating a fall prevention program in an assisted living facility
• Conducting a needs assessment to determine gaps in mental health services for college students
• Implementing an evidence-based practice change in wound care at a long-term care facility
• Investigating factors that contribute to missed appointments among patients with chronic diseases
• comparing the effectiveness of two different models of diabetes self-management education
• Studying the effect of caregiver training on caregivers’ stress levels and health outcomes
• Evaluating a weight loss program for obese patients with type 2 diabetes
• Assessing the impact of a workplace wellness program on employees’ health risks and absenteeism
• Implementing and evaluating a smoking cessation program for pregnant women
• Developing a tool to screen for perinatal depression in primary care settings
• Investigating the efficacy of an online breastfeeding support intervention
• Determining the most effective strategies for managing postpartum pain
• Examining the effect of a home visiting program on maternal and child health outcomes
• Studying the impact of a nurse-led care coordination intervention on hospital readmission rates
• Investigating how to improve provider compliance with evidence-based guidelines for management of hypertension
• Developing and testing a patient education tool on self-management of type 2 diabetes
• studying the feasibility of implementing a telehealth program for postpartum women
• Examining the effectiveness of different models of home-based care for elders with chronic illnesses
• Investigating how to increase access to dental care for low-income, minority populations
• Conducting a needs assessment to determine gaps

The DNP project is a significant component of the doctoral program in nursing. It is an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in their coursework to a real-world problem or issue in nursing. The DNP project can take many different forms, but all projects must be evidence-based and address a specific problem or need within the field of nursing.

DNP Scholarly Project Paper Topics

Choosing a topic for your DNP project can be a daunting task. To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of 30 potential DNP Scholarly Project Paper Topics that you could use for your project. These topics were chosen based on their relevance to current issues in nursing, as well as their potential to make a positive impact on patient care.

• Implementing a nurse-led intervention to improve compliance with hand hygiene guidelines in the hospital setting
• Evaluating the effectiveness of bedside shift report in improving patient safety
• Investigating the impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes in the ICU
• Examining the relationship between nurse burnout and patient satisfaction scores
• Developing a tool to assess frailty in older adults admitted to the hospital
• Investigating the feasibility of using telehealthto deliver primary care services in rural areas
• Assessing the impact of a nurse-led discharge planning intervention on readmission rates
• Implementing and evaluating a falls prevention program in an assisted living facility
• Comparing the effectiveness of two different models of diabetes self-management education
• Developing and testing a patient
• Improving access to care for underserved populations
• Implementing novel approaches to care delivery
• Reducing health disparities in vulnerable populations
• Developing and testing new models of care delivery
• Studying the impact of health care policy on care delivery and outcomes
• Evaluating the effectiveness of different types of interventions
• Investigating the use of technology in improving care delivery
• Addressing the social determinants of health
• Improving patient safety and quality of care
• Reducing the cost of health care

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All about the DNP project

Understanding the process helps ensure a successful project..

The final doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project provides students with the opportunity to systematically translate the best current evidence into practice. However, variability in how projects are implemented exists among programs. In response, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) commissioned white papers from two internal task forces: the Implementation Task Force (ITF) and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Clinical Training Task Force. The ITF’s white paper, The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations, describes and clarifies the characteristics of DNP graduate scholarship (including the DNP project), efficient resource use, program length, curriculum considerations, practice experiences, and collaborative partnership guidelines. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Clinical Task Force white paper, Re-envisioning the Clinical Education of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses , explores how APRN education can adapt to include more simulation opportunities, academic-practice partnerships, competency-based assessments, and nontraditional APRN clinical education models, such as technology or informatics. However, the AACN doesn’t make specific recommendations with regard to the final DNP project, pointing instead to the DNP Essentials to explain the project’s scope and depth.

This article discusses the issue of project variability, then explores DNP project fundamentals to help eliminate ambiguity and confusion and broaden students’ understanding of the project’s significance. Before initiating a DNP project, several key elements—mentoring, time management, organizational and academic support, potential institutional review board approval, and planning for dissemination—must be in place. (See 8 steps to completion.)

8 steps to completion

Students should take these eight steps to complete their doctor of nursing practice (DNP) projects.

• Identify and obtain approval for the area of interest.
• Write a proposal.
• Create a project timeline.
• Acquire institutional review board approval (if needed).
• Implement project.
• Write final report.
• Present an oral presentation.
• Disseminate the project.

Source: Anderson et al. 2015.

DNP project variability

With the increased volume of new programs and growing interest in the DNP degree, the profession must clarify the scope of the final project, including implementation, impact on system and practice outcomes, extent of collaborative efforts, dissemination, and degree of faculty mentorship and oversight. Some universities require students to complete a practice improvement project over the span of a course, whereas others require students to initiate an evidence-based practice (EBP) innovation project when they begin the program and continue it through the final semester.

Despite projects’ various forms, many elements—including planning, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability—must be consistent across programs. Without concrete guidelines, programs have employed several interpretations, including portfolios, case studies, systematic reviews, and writing projects. (See Project dissemination variability. )

Project dissemination variability

Several doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project types are included in the DNP Essentials . The table compares the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN’s) white paper recommendations and AACN DNP Tool Kit with regard to dissemination.

Reasons for variability include:

• lack of faculty familiarity with quality improvement (QI) and EBP methods
• strain on faculty capacity and time commitment for project completion
• lack of faculty expertise in DNP education
• inability to find clinical sites that allow students to implement projects
• lack of DNP faculty resulting in programs led by PhD faculty
• lack of graduate-level writing skills
• differing student education levels (for example, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP)
• time constraints within the iterative process requiring multiple revisions of written work.

Although some program variability is expected, concern about the lack of adherence to the DNP Essentials exists . In response, the AACN is committed to enhancing program congruency. To ensure consistency, post-master’s and post-baccalaureate DNP students (who begin their doctoral programs with different education and practice backgrounds) should graduate with the same comprehensive skill set as described in the DNP Essentials .

Project fundamentals

The DNP project, previously called the capstone project or the scholarly project, should demonstrate translation of acquired knowledge into clinical practice and exhibit the student’s growth in clinical knowledge, expertise, and use of the DNP Essentials and DNP Tool Kit. (See DNP Essentials and Tool Kit.)

DNP Essentials and Tool Kit

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN’s) eight DNP program essentials prepare nurse leaders for advanced practice.

• Scientific underpinnings for practice
• Organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking
• Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice
• Information systems/technology and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of healthcare
• Healthcare policy for advocacy in healthcare
• Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes
• Clinical prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health
• Advanced nursing practice

DNP Tool Kit

The DNP Tool Kit, which continues to evolve, provides schools with the resources for formatting a DNP program. It combines information from the DNP Essentials and recommendations from the AACN DNP white paper to provide templates, exemplars, frequently asked questions, and other resources.

Projects can focus on QI, executive outcomes management, or an EBP change initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare. (See DNP project examples.)

Project examples

The following are examples of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) projects completed by the authors when they were DNP students.  

Quality improvement projects

• After evaluating evidence-based practices for type 2 diabetic foot management, the student developed a new standardized protocol for staff education and patient care practices for foot care assessment and management.
• The student reinforced nursing education as a means to overcoming adherence barriers to an evidence-based sedation protocol for improved ICU outcomes.

Evidence-based practice projects

• The DNP student used an evidence-based survey tool to measure student anxiety when caring for dying patients. Based on the results, an education module was developed to help students manage their stress.
• To decrease nonurgent use of the emergency department and increase fever knowledge, the student created an educational program for caregivers of pediatric patients.

Guideline development and improvement project

• After a systematic evidence search, the student developed a neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment guideline to standardize care and reduce treatment duration, symptom severity, length of hospitalization, and costs.

While working on their projects, students learn to build strong, collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and mentors.

DNP programs throughout the United States require students to conduct various types of projects, which contributes to ongoing confusion about DNP preparation and role. However, all projects should reflect the DNP Essentials in a single, cumulative work that evolves as the student progresses through the program. In addition, this scholarly synthesis should serve as a platform for future scholarship after graduation.

According to the AACN DNP Tool Kit, all projects should:

• focus on a change that impacts the outcome of healthcare through direct or indirect care
• have a systems (micro-, meso-, or macro-level) or population/aggregate focus
• demonstrate implementation in the appropriate practice area
• include a plan for sustainability (it should take into account financial, systems, or political realities, not only theoretical abstractions)
• include an evaluation of processes and outcomes (formative or summative).

Frequently, a project is the outcome of a student’s identified need for improvement in clinical practice or patient outcomes guided by the spirit of inquiry. The project results are a compendium of graduate education immersed in nursing leadership, education, health policy, or clinical practice.

Dissemination

All DNP projects should emphasize positive change that advances quality outcomes, attention to systems thinking, strategies for sustainability with an appraisal of processes and outcomes, and a structure for future practice. The expectation is that DNP-prepared nurses will contribute to the body of knowledge in nursing practice by sharing their work with others so that they can apply it to their practice roles. Platforms for dissemination include social media, peer-reviewed journals, presentations, professional conferences, brochures, posters, policy briefs, organizational team meetings, media interviews, academia, and press releases. Many programs require students to summarize their projects for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

The final requirement of the DNP project is a student’s presentation before their institution’s doctoral panel. In this venue, students deliver elemental details about their project’s processes and impact, including purpose, evidence synthesis, project design, data analysis, frameworks, and dissemination.

Be a trailblazer

DNP students’ final projects reflect the culmination of their educational journey and prepare them to share their work with others to benefit patients, the healthcare system, and the nursing profession. The result is a body of information that bridges the gap between research theory and clinical practice. As trailblazers, DNP-prepared nurses can empower other professionals to improve patient outcomes and achieve benchmarks for practice change supported by collaborative endeavors.

The following authors are DNP graduates from the University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler: Barbara Chapman is a family NP with the INTUNE Mobile Unit and assistant clinical professor in the school of nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler. Chiquesha Davis is department head of post-licensure programs, graduate programs, and assistant professor at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Sonya Grigsby is a critical care NP at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, adjunct nursing faculty at University of Texas at Tyler, and locum NP at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Cyndi B. Kelley is a nurse manager in the special care nursery and chair of the doctoral collaboration council at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and adjunct faculty in the ADN-to-BSN program at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Rebecca Shipley is a family NP at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. Christian Garrett is a DNP student at the University of Texas at Tyler, a family NP at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, and an adjunct professor in the school of nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler.

Alexander S. Scholarship in clinical practice: An update on recommendations for doctor of nursing practice programs. Clin Nurse Spec. 2016;30(1):58-61. doi:10.1097/NUR.0000000000000177

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) tool kit. aacnnursing.org/DNP/Tool-Kit

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations. August 2015. aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/DNP/DNP-Implementation.pdf

Anderson BA, Knestrick JM, Barroso R. DNP Capstone Projects: Exemplars of Excellence in Practice. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 2014.

Bednash G, Breslin ET, Kirschling JM, Rosseter RJ. PhD or DNP: Planning for doctoral nursing education. Nurs Sci Q. 2014;27(4):296-301. doi:10.1177/0894318414546415

Broome ME, Riner ME, Allam ES. Scholarly publication practices of doctor of nursing practice-prepared nurses. J Nurs Educ. 2013;52(8):429-34. doi:10.3928/01484834-20130718-02

Brown MA, Crabtree K. The development of practice scholarship in DNP programs: A paradigm shift. J Prof Nurs. 2013;29(6):330-7. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2013.08.003

Dols JD, Hernández C, Miles H. The DNP project: Quandaries for nursing scholars. Nurs Outlook. 2017;65(1):84-93. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2016.07.009

Dreher HM, Glasgow MES. DNP Role Development for Doctoral Advanced Nursing Practice. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 2017.

Grigsby S, Chapman B, Kelley CB, et al. DNP and PhD: Complementary roles. Am Nurse Today. 2018;13(7):8-13.

Holly C. Scholarly Inquiry and the DNP Capstone. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 2014.

Moran KJ, Burson R, Conrad D. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Project: A Framework for Success. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2019.

Murphy MP, Staffileno BA, Carlson E. Collaboration among DNP- and PhD-prepared nurses: Opportunity to drive positive change. J Prof Nurs. 2015;31(5):388-94. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2015.03.001

Pandi-Perumal SR, Akhter S, Zizi F, et al. Project stakeholder management in the clinical research environment: How to do it right. Front Psychiatry. 2015;6(71). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00071

Shipley R, Chapman B, Davis C, et al. (2019). DNPs: Healthcare change agents. Am Nurse Today. 2019;14(7):16-8.

White KA, Hitzler ET, Anderson KM, et al. Essential knowledge, skills, & attitudes of mentors and mentees for successful DNP scholarly projects. Nurse Educ Today. 2018;71:107-10. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2018.09.015

Zaccagnini ME, White KW. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2017.

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DNP Scholarly Projects

DNP Projects address context-specific needs, problems, and/or opportunities to advance healthcare quality and equity, improve health outcomes, enhance healthcare work environments and the work life of healthcare workers, advance community health and wellness, improve healthcare economics, and sustain the culture of continuous learning requisite to the complex healthcare environment.     

Students actively engage in discussions at their project site (typically at the student’s place of employment or practice) to accurately identify practice issues/problems that are of high importance to the project site. See what the class of 2023 has been working on!

Student Presentations

Included below are links to three exemplary DNP Project presentations by 2nd year students across our three DNP Program tracks: Executive Leadership, Nurse Anesthesia, and Post-Masters. The three unique DNP projects exemplify how the Penn Nursing DNP program prepares leaders to improve healthcare and healthcare outcomes through translating research, evaluating evidence-based practice and implementing innovative ideas.

Screening for Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Anxiety in Adolescents DNP Track: Post-Masters Presenters: Kate Bender, MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC, ANP-BC

Implementation of a Light Therapy Team to Administer Photobiomodulation Therapy: A Standardized Protocol to Prevent and Treat Oral Mucositis in the Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Population DNP Track: Executive Leadership Presenter: Kathleen Magee, MA, RN, CPHON

Evaluating and Improving Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation Techniques DNP Track: Nurse Anesthesia Presenters: Amy Becker, BSN, RN, CCRN; Joseph Ippolito BSN, RN, CCRN; Nicholas Lutz BSN, RN, CCRN

Visual Abstracts

Visual abstracts are visual summaries of information about a project that are typically included in a narrative abstract of a project. A visual abstract is a dissemination tool that is focused on a single major message, or very few main messages, about a project. All 2nd year DNP scholars developed a DNP Project visual abstract as one of several dissemination products of the DNP Program.

Executive Leadership Track DNP Project Visual Abstracts

Taylor Anzidei, MSN, RN, CCRN

Point-of-Care A1C Testing in the Primary Care Setting: A Standardized Approach to Addressing Gaps in Care for Patients with Diabetes Melody Belay, MSN, RN, FNP-C; Jackie Raab, MSN, RN

Fertility Counseling in the Cancer Patient: The Development of a Wireframe to Assist Providers in Referring Appropriate Patients Sarah Jones, MSN, RN, CPHQ

Identifying Fall Risks in Skilled Nursing Care Facilities   Luann Ljubic, MBA, BSN

Implementing Standard Nursing Orders to Reduce Provider Burnout in the Primary Care Setting   Nora Lueth, MSN, FNP-BC

Implementation of a Light Therapy Team to Administer Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Population: Creating a Sustainable Staffing Plan   Kathleen Magee, MA, RN, CPHON

Nurse Leaders’ Psychological Safety Education and Culture of Safety in Medical Surgical Units Alfredo Sagisi, MS, RN, FACHE

Nurse Anesthesia Track DNP Project Visual Abstracts

Effectiveness of Online Modules in Anesthesia Providers to Increase Scrub the Hub Adherence David Angeles, BSN, RN; Cheska Flicker, BSN, RN; Brittney Harris, BSN, RN

Evaluating Anesthesia Professionals’ Understanding of Opioid-free Anesthesia Guidelines for Prostatectomy Procedures Jessica Agas, BSN, RN, CCRN; Angelie Itas, BSN, RN, CCRN; Virginia Urdaneta, BSN, RN, CCRN

Unleashing the Power of Cultural Simulation: Evaluating and Educational Tool for Nurse Anesthetists to Achieve Cultural Competency Perpetua Auguste, BSN, RN; Brittany Harris, BSN, RN; Ledys Janett Perez, BSN, RN

Evaluating and Improving Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation Techniques Amy Becker, BSN, RN, CCRN; Joseph Ippolito, BSN, RN, CCRN; Nicholas Lutz BSN, RN, CCRN

A Quality Improvement Project to Monitor and Reduce Operating Room Traffic Within Neurosurgical Implant Surgery Navdeep Boporai, BSN, RN; Stacey Bowditch, BSN, RN; Surunya Guerquin, MSc, BSN, RN

Utilization of an Educational Tool by Anesthesia Providers for Breastfeeding Mothers Receiving Anesthesia Vaunique Brown, BSN, RN, CCRN; Nguyen Bui, BSN, RN, CCRN; Navjot Hira, BSN, RN, CCRN

  The Role of Assessing Emotional Intelligence in Nurse Anesthesia   Programs Sara Chubb, Anna Ma, Jasmine Russell

Peripheral Rapid Infusion Catheter: Education and Implementation Davindra Lall, BSN, RN; Linda Metheny, BSN, RN

Post-Master’s Track DNP Project Visual Abstracts

The Acceptability, Appropriateness and Feasibility of Implementing a Music-Based Intervention for Same-Day Vascular Surgery Patients Ambika Alagona, MSN, APN, FNP-BC

Training Obstetric Nurses in Clinical Care: Evaluation of an Intervention to Promote Self-Efficacy in Nurses Providing Care to a Critically Ill Obstetric Patient Zafar Anwar, MS, CRNA

Screening for Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Anxiety in Adolescents   Kate Bender, MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC, ANP-BC

Gratitude as an Intervention to Reduce Burnout in Inpatient Psychiatric Nurses and Mental Health Workers: a Quality Improvement Project Kristen Casale, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Improving Primary Care Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in Adolescent Patients Meghan Colleran, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C

Screening Chronic Pain Patients for Co-Occurring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Jessica Costa, APN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Promotion of Smoking Cessation in Correctional Facilities Christine Foreman, MSN, CRNP

Psychological Impact of Peer-to-Peer Group in NICU Fathers Rickey Logan, MSN, NNP-BC, CCRN, CELBW

Using a Media Presentation Patient Decision Aid to Positively Impact Patient Participation, Satisfaction and Reduce Consultation Time with Patients Presenting for TAVR Evaluation and Procedural Consent Courtney Lucyk, AGACNP, MSN, RN, BSN

Patient Self-Assessment of Symptom Burden and Quality of Life with Subcutaneous Furosemide Protocol in an Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic Mariah Martin, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC

Nonpharmacological Treatment of Adolescent Depression Using the Guidelines for Adolescent Depression (GLAD-PC) Toolkit Amanda Moroz, MSN, PMHNP

Implementation of Reproductive Healthcare Education and Onsite Reproductive Healthcare Services in a Medication Assisted Treatment Program Toni Primas, MSN, RN, CARN

Use of a Scheduling Process to Increase Follow-up Visits Subsequent to Hospital Admission for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Sue Robertson, MSN, ACNP

Family-Centered Rounds in the Adult ICU Setting Sarah Shumsky, MSN, CRNP

Use of Patient Education to Impact Maternal Mortality in Philadelphia Sruti Vyas, MSN, CNM, WHNP, C-EFM

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Screening for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Patients Keiko Wahlin, NP-BC, APHN-BC, MSN, OCN

Improving Adherence with Lipid-Lowering Agents   Lau Yan Yung, NP-AGPCNP-BC

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About DNP Projects

Preceptor opportunities.

Precepting opportunities available for the following DNP program specialties: FNP, AGNP and PMH. Preceptors must be two or more years post-graduation from a board-certifying program.

Interested? Contact Pamela Paplham , clinical professor.

What is it and how do I get it done?

On this page:

Defining nursing scholarship and practice scholarship.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2018), nursing scholarship is defined as the generation, synthesis, translation, application and dissemination of knowledge that aims to improve health and transform care. Nursing scholarship entails the communication of knowledge that is generated through multiple forms of inquiry that inform clinical practice, nursing education, policy and healthcare delivery (AACN, 2018). As a practice discipline, nursing scholarship informs science, enhances clinical practice, influences policy and impacts best practices (AACN, 2018). According to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) (2019), “scholarly work represents an evidence-based inquiry using scholarship skills resulting in an academically sound product to improve clinical practice” (p. 9).

What is a DNP Project?

The DNP project provides opportunity for students to integrate newly learned skills into practice and to demonstrate how to apply principles of nursing practice scholarship guided by competencies outlined in the AACN’s eight DNP Essentials (AACN, 2019b).

A DNP Project may focus on an intervention, a program, a policy, a quality improvement project, a nursing informatics project, or a creative entity that promotes improvement or change related to the health of individuals and populations or healthcare and systems.

The DNP Essentials and DNP Project Focus

The DNP Essentials define the curricular elements that must be present in DNP programs. Required by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for schools seeking accreditation for DNP programs, the DNP Essentials outline the foundational competencies that are core to all Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) roles including nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), nurse anesthetists (CRNA) and nurse midwives (AACN, 2019a).

The DNP Essentials (AACN, 2019a)

• Essential I: Scientific Underpinnings for Practice To address current and future practice issues within their specialty, DNP graduates are prepared with a strong scientific foundation
• Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking DNP graduates are prepared to be leaders with sophisticated expertise in assessing organizations, identifying system’s issues, and facilitating organization wide changes in practice delivery.
• Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice DNP graduates in engage in advancing nursing practice through participating in collaborative research and translating research into practice to improve health care practices and outcomes.   
• Essential IV: Information Systems/ Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care To support quality improvement, practice and administrative decision-making initiatives, DNP graduates are proficient in the use of information systems/technology resources.
• Essential V: Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care DNP graduates are prepared with leadership skills that allow them to proactively develop and implement health policy at all levels and to be a critical interface between practice, research and policy in their specialty area of practice.
• Essential VI: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes DNP graduates are prepared in methods of effective team leadership that allow them to play central roles in establishing, participating in, and assuming leadership roles when working with interprofessional teams.
• Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health DNP graduates are prepared as leaders who promote and use best evidence to improve individual, community, population, and national health in their specialty are of practice.
• Essential VIII: Advanced Nursing Practice DNP graduates receive diverse clinical practicum experiences and are taught foundational competencies that prepare them to care for patients within their scope of practice.

Project Question

A good DNP Project question answers the following:

• WHO (population involved in the research)
• WHAT (exactly what is being done)
• WHERE (the actual physical place)
• WHY (reason for doing the project)

Where to Get Ideas for a DNP Project

Project ideas are generated by asking yourself the following:

• What am I passionate about? Patient care, administrative process, improvement of service quality? Diabetes Management? Healthcare Costs?
• Is/was there a better way to do things at my current/former place of employment? What about my clinical training sites? Did I have a personal experience with a health care policy or procedure that really made me think about it?
• Is there a way to improve quality or outcomes? Would a protocol help?
• Is there a tool I could develop to improve patient care or assist healthcare providers with a clinical issue?
• If a previous student’s DNP project caught my interest, could I expand on that project’s findings for my own DNP project?  

Previously Completed Projects

Ideas for DNP projects can be found by searching through University Institutional Repositories that house previously completed projects.

DNP project ideas can also be generated by attending an actual DNP oral or poster dissemination at UB. Oral dissemination announcements are posted through the DNP listserv and poster disseminations are held in April at UB School of Nursing's Research Day.

How the Coursework Will Help You Succeed

All courses in the DNP program curriculum are designed to prepare you to complete the DNP Project requirement. See below for how our curriculum relates to each section of the DNP Project.

DNP Coursework

I have an idea now what.

After establishing a DNP project idea/area of interest, the next step is to research your idea by performing a literature search to determine what type of research has or has not already been done on your topic of interest. Look at your idea through different views such as the view of the project site stakeholder(s), patient(s), and/or provider(s). Each view will have a different perspective on your idea. Look at theoretical frameworks that match the view on which you want to focus.

The final step is to find a project site stakeholder interested in your idea. Remember, faculty are always here to help you (by appointment) through coursework designed to assist you through the planning, implementation and dissemination of your DNP project.

After establishing a DNP project idea/area of interest, your program advisor can guide you through the next steps. 

· Quality Improvement · Translating Evidence into Practice · Clinical or Practice-Based Information · Health Care Delivery Innovation · Program Development and Evaluation · Demonstration Project · Health Care Policy · Generating New Evidence or Knowledge

Project Dissemination

Dissemination examples for DNP projects include the following (AACN, 2019b; COA, 2019):

• Publishing in a peer reviewed print or on-line journal (students work closely with their DNP Project Advisor from the beginning of the project and plan writing the final project paper according to target journal guidelines)
• Poster and podium presentations
• Presentation of a written or verbal executive summary to stakeholders and/or the practice site/organization leadership
• Development of a webinar presentation or video (i.e., YouTube or other public site)
• Submission and publication to a non-refereed lay publication
• Oral presentation to the public at large
• Development and presentation of a digital poster, grand rounds presentation, and/or PowerPoint presentation

An excellent DNP project resource is Abbott Library’s (HSL)  Research Help website . Here you will find Research Guides, Tips, Workshops, Educational Services and Scholarly Publishing.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2019a). DNP essentials . https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2019b). The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) toolkit . https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/Tool-Kit

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2018). Defining Scholarship for Academic Nursing . https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Position-Statements/Defining-Scholarship.pdf

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Task Force on the Implementation of the DNP. (2015). The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations . https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/DNP/DNP-Implementation.pdf

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. (2019 ). Scholarly Work for Practice Doctorate Nurse Anesthesia Programs: Current State and Guidance . https://www.coacrna.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/White-Paper-on-Scholarly-Work-Final.pdf .

Moran, K., Burson, R. & Conrad, D. (2020). The Doctor of Nursing Practice Project: A Framework for Success (3 rd Ed.). MA:Jones & Bartlett.

The DNP project provides opportunities for students to integrate newly learned skills into practice and to demonstrate how to apply principles of nursing practice scholarship. Learn more about recent UB SON projects published in scholarly peer-reviewed journals.

Moran, K., Burson, R. & Conrad, D. (2020). The Doctor of Nursing Practice Project: A Framework for Success (3 rd Ed.). MA: Jones & Bartlett.

• Washington State University

DNP Student Projects

A hallmark of the DNP-prepared nurse is the ability to utilize the concept of practice inquiry to translate meaningful health research into practice. Students learn this process through the completion of a final DNP project. Students investigate an area of nursing practice, the health care delivery system, or a health care policy issue to develop a project meaningful to the organization as well as one that meets the scope of doctoral level work. DNP projects may take the form of quality improvement initiatives, practice change programs, program evaluation or translating evidence into practice. See examples of DNP student projects below.

2023 DNP Graduate Projects

Peimaneh Abdolhosseini Quality Improvement: Increasing Mindfulness Mediation to Prevent Burnout Among Mental Health Nurses

Kimberly Ashmore A Program Evaluation: Evaluating the Impact of a Nurse Practitioner Residency Program (NPRP) on the Development of Confidence and Competence in the Novice Nurse Practitioner 

Emina Polovina Bayomy Screening for Development Delays in Early Childhood and the Need for a Standardized Protocol: A Quality Improvement Project 

David Califf A Quality Improvement Project: Improving Outcomes for Code Gray Responses at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center 

Samantha Capoeman Improving Medication Reconciliation at Roger Saux Health Center: A Policy Project 

Dustin Carlson Quality Improvement: Mindfulness to Build Resilience to Burnout Among Nurse Leaders.

Rachel Carnes Quality Improvement: Using Simulation to Improve Acute Care Nurses’ Self-Efficacy in Caring for Post-Procedure Arterial Access Patients

Anna Caruso A Quality Improvement Project: Meeting the Healthcare Needs of LGBTQ+ Youth Through Implementation of an Affirmative Approach in the Acute Care Setting 

Brittnie Curtis Quality Improvement Project: Increasing patient satisfaction using the Teach-Back Method 

Daniel Davidson A Quality Improvement Project: An Educational Program for Nurses to Improve the Care for Patients Diagnosed with Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome 

Jessica Davis A Quality Improvement Project: Implementing Stop the Bleed at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, Saving Lives in Hemorrhagic Situations 

Jade Graff Quality Improvement Project: Implementing Education on a Communication Framework to Improve Palliative Care Staff Knowledge and Confidence in Goals of Care Conversations 

Michealle Gregory Quality Improvement Project: Supporting Transgender Youth’s Mental Health 

Cassie Hummel Quality Improvement: Improving Menstrual Health Outcomes for an Immigrant and Refugee Organization Using Popular Training

Jessica Jajesnica Teaching Mindfulness Techniques to Behavioral Health Care Staff for Stress Reduction and Self-Care

Jamie Jordan A Quality Improvement Project: Implementation of an Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) Program in a Behavioral Health Agency 

Lindsey Karlsen Quality Improvement: Implementing a Medication Container Review Process   to Reduce Medication Discrepancies or Errors at the New Heights Clinic, a Free Primary Care Clinic 

Svitlahna Kasko Improving Practitioner Skills in Managing Vascular Occlusions: A Quality Improvement Project at a Private Plastic Surgery Clinic in Seattle, Washington 

Jeffrey Kasnick Quality Improvement Project: Creating a Culture of Evidence-Based Practice Through the Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Toolkit  

Samantha Knapp A Quality Improvement Project: Providing Anxiety Web-based Psychoeducational Resources and Tools to Rural School Districts for Advancing Mental Health Awareness of Rural Adolescents and Children (Project TAMARACK)

Stanley Kong Program Evaluation: Assessing Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Consistency in Migraine Assessment Workflow in the Neurology Clinic

Crystal Kostelyk Program Evaluation: Evaluating Implementation of Antibias Training in the Perinatal Setting 

Diana Meresi A Quality Improvement Project: Implementing the Use of a Violence Assessment Tool in Assessing the Risk of Violence in Behavioral Health. 

Danielle Metz A Quality Improvement Project: Implementing an Educational Offering to Increase Nursing Staff Confidence in Using the Teach-back Method for Patient Education 

Courtney Morley A Quality Improvement Project: Initiating Contingency Management to Improve Retention in Medication Assisted Treatment for Adults with Opioid Use Disorder    

Katherine Novak A Quality Improvement Project: Restoring Reimbursement Parity 

Pedersen A Policy Proposal for Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy as a Non-Pharmacologic Approach in Mental Health Treatment. 

Courtney Robbins Quality Improvement: Implementing a Program to Increase Caregiver Confidence Regarding Advanced Care Planning Conversations Within a Large Healthcare Organization

Stephanie Rudin A Program Evaluation: The Impact of The Spanish-Speaking Nurse Navigator Role on Staff Engagement and Patient Outcomes 

Jessica Saxton Policy Project: Creating a Diabetes Care Policy for Spokane Public Schools 

Danielle Scala A Quality Improvement Project: Impact of GAIN-SS Tool on Outcomes of a Rehabilitation

Crystal Swain Implementing Postpartum Depression Screening in the NICU: A Quality Improvement Project

Sienna Tanner A Quality Improvement Project: Providing Web-Based Sleep Education in a School-Based Setting 

Mesha Thomas Quality Improvement: Closing Care Gaps for Patients with Diabetes Through Integration of Telehealth and In-Home Care

Natasha Tobias-White Policy: Improving abscess management care during street rounds: Developing an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for abscess management adapted to street medicine practice.  

Victoria Wallin A Quality Improvement Project: Promoting Antibiotic Stewardship for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection

Stacey Williams A Quality Improvement Project: Utilizing Cancer Survivorship Care Plans for Survivors of Bladder Cancer Post-Cystectomy in a Urology Outpatient Setting

2022 DNP Graduate Projects

Alyssa Aurisy Quality Improvement: Implementing Transgender/Gender Diversity Education for Parents at Unity Center for Behavioral Health

Amelia Mahoney Quality Improvement Project: Addressing the Problem of Nurse-Patient Communication at a Critical Access Hospital 

Amy Behler Quality Improvement: Improving Nutritional Knowledge Among Residents of a Residential Rehabilitation Unit 

Andy Worley Quality Improvement: Optimizing Screening for Substance Use Disorder in a Primary Care Clinic 

Angelo Davis Program Evaluation: Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Education Process at NW Children’s Hospital  

Austin Brekke Quality Improvement: Implementing and Evaluating a Palliative Care Education Program 

Brianna Melvin Quality Improvement: Modeling Safe Sleep among Hospitalized Infants 

Britney Allison Organizational Change/Quality Improvement: Respecting Gender Diverse Patients and Caregivers: A Microlearning Training Program 

Cameron Maleki Quality Improvement: Improving the Care of Domestic Violence Survivors in a Labor and Delivery Unit 

Danette Delo Quality Improvement: Effective Screening for Symptoms of Postpartum Depression 

DeAnna Hamlik Program Evaluation: Palliative Care in the Emergency Department 

Deborah Orth Quality Improvement: Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) to Reduce High School Faculty and Staff Stress 

Diana Rambo Quality Improvement: Reducing Inpatient Seclusion for Psychiatric Patients 

Erik Rammelsberg  Quality Improvement: A Process to Decrease Door to Electrocardiogram Time in the Emergency Department 

Gabriela Byrne (Hurst) Quality Improvement: Improving Hypertension Management in an Indian Health Service Clinic 

Gilleann Rivera  Program Evaluation: Evaluating a CAUTI Reduction Program Seeking to Standardize Practice with External Collection Devices 

James Zachary Quality Improvement: An Initiative to Reduce Hypertension in the Primary Care Setting Using the Health Literate Care Model 

Jennifer Hanlon-Wilde Quality Improvement: Increasing Primary Care Engagement in the Treatment of Problem Drinking in a Rural Northwest Family Practice  

Jennifer Quinn Program Evaluation: Addressing Tobacco Use by Cancer Patients and Supporting Cessation Using a Health Care Provider-Led Tobacco Cessation Program: Methodology Data Management  

Jessica Bailey Quality Improvement: Increasing Registered Nurse Confidence in Caring for Pediatric Emergencies at a Community Hospital 

Jessica Dear Quality Improvement: Implementation of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in the Perioperative Environment 

Jessica Wallingford Quality Improvement: Implementation of Interdisciplinary SBAR with New Graduate Nurses to Increase Confidence Levels with Communication 

Juliana Crisman Quality Improvement: The Integration of Palliative Care Within Primary Care Clinics in Rural Okanogan County 

Juliana Whitaker Quality Improvement: Implementing Usage of The Adverse Childhood Experience Screening Tool  

Justine Mings Quality Improvement: Implementing Universal School-Based Mental Health Screening at a Residential School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents 

Kari Cunningham-Rosvik A Program Evaluation: The Effectiveness of The Arc of King County Parent to Parent, Parent Matching Program for Spanish-Speaking Parents and Caregivers of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities  

Kari Wallace Qualitative Improvement: Addressing Barriers to Early Mobility in the Intensive Care Unit by Improving Caregivers Perception of Early Mobility Practices 

Kayla Lamb Quality Improvement: Standardizing Heart Failure Care Across a Clinic System 

Kelsey Eidem Program Evaluation: Evaluating a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program. 

Lindsey Davidson Program Evaluation: The Care, Assistance, Resiliency, Encouragement (CARE) 4 U Program: One Urban Medical Center’s Approach to Mitigate Burnout and Improve Well-Being in Health Care Professionals. 

Lisa Rodriguez Quality Improvement: Improving Cultural Responsiveness in Outpatient Behavioral Health Care: The Effect of Cultural Formulation Interview Education and Implementation on Culturally Responsive Care 

Madeline Gottlieb Quality Improvement: Increasing Mindfulness in Assisted Living Caregivers 

Manjot Singh Organizational Change/ Quality Improvement: Zero Harm for Caregivers: A Microlearning Training Program 

Mattie Keltner Quality Improvement: Increasing Accuracy of Specimen Labeling through Bedside Technology and Staff Development. 

Megan DePaolo Program Evaluation: Assessing the Effectiveness of Sepsis Bundle Adherence at an Urban Teaching Medical Institution  

Meghan Fitzpatrick Quality Improvement: Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Disclosure to Health Care Providers 

MJ Pastor Quality Improvement: Approaches to Improving Hyperphosphatemia in Adults Undergoing Home Peritoneal Dialysis  

Nicole Falkin Quality Improvement: Implementing Distress Screening for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer 

Pawandeep Kaur Program Evaluation: The Food Farmacy Program and its Effectiveness in Overcoming Food Insecurity 

Quinn Fihn Program Evaluation of a Collaborative Care Model Pilot at a Critical Access Hospital in San Juan County, Washington 

Rashida Ullah Quality Improvement: Increasing Skin to Skin Rates Following Birth in the Operating Room  

Rebecca Randall Quality Improvement: Implementing and Evaluating a Shared Decision-Making Tool to Address Cannabis Use in the Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain 

Rosa Casillas  Quality Improvement: Reducing Patient Falls on an Acute Care Unit 

Scott Kluth Quality Improvement: Emergency Department Initiated Buprenorphine Bridge Pilot Program  

Stephanie Tougas Program Evaluation: Patient and Staff Perspective on the Quality of Telemedicine Visits at a Community Clinic 

Sue Weeks Quality Improvement: Implementation and Evaluation of the SBIRT Toolkit to reduce Substance Use Among Patients at a Student Health Clinic 

Teresa Mendoza Quality Improvement: Implementing a Confusion Assessment Method Scale for the Fragility Fracture Patient 

Teresa Robinson Quality Improvement Project: The Effects of a Mindfulness Program to Reduce Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Among Hospitals Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants 

Teri Walker Quality Improvement: Improving End of Life Symptoms with Use of the Macy Catheter  

Tofik Shkrea Quality Improvement: Addressing Lack of Activities and Boredom in a Psychiatric Unit 

Tony Blagikh Quality Improvement: Implementation and Evaluation of a Handoff Tool in an Emergency Psychiatric Unit  

Vanessa Hutton Quality Improvement: Addressing Mental Health Crises in Blind Adolescent Population:  Triage and Management within a Residential Setting

2021 DNP Graduate Projects

Teresa P. Abernathy, BSN, RN, CGRN, DNP-FNP Student Quality Improvement: Implementing a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Approach Among Patients on Chronic Opioid Therapy (PDF)

Vanessa R. Albert Recognizing Post Intensive Care Syndrome in Intensive Care Survivors in the Outpatient Setting: Policy Change (PDF)

Micah F. Anderson, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation: Identifying Barriers for a Clinical Pathway for Heart Failure in the Emergency Department (PDF)

Alex Arnold, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation: Assessing the Current STEMI Process from ED to Cath Lab (PDF)

Carly Beesley, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Improving Post-Pathogen Exposure Safety (PDF)

Rosemaria Blackstone, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Increasing Cultural Competency to Improve Medication Administration Documentation (PDF)

Samantha Anne Campbell, BSN, RN,DNP-FNP Student A Program Evaluation of Falls Prevention in a Medical/Renal Unit (PDF)

Ashley B. Dalgarno, RN, BSN, DNP-DNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Improving Nurse Proficiency in Quantitative Blood Loss Measurement (PDF)

Cathleen M. Daly, BSN, RN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation: Assessing the Effectiveness of Advance Directive Planning for Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients (PDF)

Allison L. Davis, DNP-S, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC A Quality Improvement Project: Implementation and Evaluation of a Preceptor Preparedness Program (PDF)

Sophia Dunton Assessment of EHR Implementation and Training Processes at a Pilot Site for a National Initiative: A Program Evaluation (PDF)

Ginnette Erb RN, BSN, CEN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation: Improving Access to Healthcare in the Emergency Department to Identify, Monitor, and Create Solutions for Efficient Throughput of Patients (PDF)

Mandie R. Gardner, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Increasing Depression Screening and Intervention (PDF)

Andrew Given, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation: Alprazolam and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: One Washington Opioid Treatment Program’s Approach to Risk Management and Patient-Centered Care (PDF)

Allen J Gonzalez, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation to Assess Process and Outcome Causes for Unsuccessful Colonoscopies (PDF)

Johannah Gregg, BSN, RN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Improving Value in Total Joint Replacement Care: The Effect of Perioperative Education on Patient Quality of Care (PDF)s

Grace Hiner, RN, BSN, FNP-FNP Student A Nurse Residency Program’s Impact on Nurse Retention and Turnover in a Rural Hospital: A Program Evaluation (PDF)

Sarah M. Howard Implementation of an Educational Teach-Back Program: A Quality Improvement Project in a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (PDF)

Joanne M. Iverson, MN, RN, DNP Student Program Evaluation: Evaluating a Social Emotional Learning Program for Youth Living Homeless (PDF)

Calperna C Lucas, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Strategies to Reduce Violence in an Inpatient Mental Health Setting (PDF)

Diane Marines, MSN, RN, DNP student Program Evaluation of Mammogram Screening: In the Rural and Underserved in a Coastal NW Clinic (PDF)

Chelsea Mellett, RN,BSN, DNP-FNP Student Program Evaluation: The Diabetic Prevention Program (PDF)

Amanda C. Moore, RN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Treating Procedural Needle Pain in Pediatric Patients Using Non-Pharmacologic Techniques (PDF)

Zach R. Nelson Using Group Cognitive Behavioral Teletherapy to Increase Student Access to Counseling Services: A Quality Improvement Project (PDF)

Maria Nikolao, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student Maternal Mental Health Capture: A Program Evaluation for Standardized Mental Health Screening (PDF)

Phoebe Ortman Improving Spinal Fusion Surgical Outcomes, Patient Expectations, and Patient Satisfaction: A Quality Improvement Project (PDF)

Kim L. Pederson, BSN, MSN, RN, DNP-Student Policy Proposal:Gender Affirming Care for PeaceHealth Systems

Ryan T. Pederson Improving Emergency Department Sepsis Bundle Compliance: A Quality Improvement Project (PDF)

Suzanne K. Puryear Improving Awareness and Knowledge of Post-ICU Syndrome in the Outpatient Setting: A Quality Improvement Project (PDF)

Nik Rademaker Evaluation of Fall rates on a Medical-Oncology Unit after the Implementation of Fall Prevention Education: A Program Evaluation (PDF)

Kimberly Riano, MSN, DNP Student, ARNP Innovations to Increase Access to IUD Training for Nurse Practitioners (PDF)

Catherine Shutty, BSN, RN, DNP-FNP Student Addressing Health Literacy through Staff Development in a Primary Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Project (PDF)

Oksana Solovyanchik, BSN, RN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project: Increasing Early Detection and Self-Management of Prediabetes in a Community Clinic (PDF)

S. Robert Spence, Jr., RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student A Quality Improvement Project in a Culturally Diverse Community: Easing Access to Early Childhood Learning with Micronesian Islanders (PDF)

Mari C. Sullivan, DNP-S, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC A Program Evaluation Project: Implementation of Health Promotion Activities Using the Teach-Back Method with Micronesian Islander Community Parent Leaders (PDF)

Caleb Tadesse, RN, DNP-FNP Student A Program Evaluation: Fall Prevention Program at a Long-Term Care Facility (PDF)

Misty Van Cleave, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student An Urban Emergency Department Quality Improvement Project: Improving Cultural Competency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Patients (PDF)

Jennifer L Venable, RN, BSN, DNP-FNP Student Quality Improvement: Initiating Protected Sleep Time to Improve Postpartum Patient Satisfaction and Reduce Postpartum Fatigue (PDF)

Benjamin Verbil Reducing Specimen Labeling Errors in a Large Metropolitan Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Initiative (PDF)

Sara E. Welty Patient Navigation Program Based on Identified Social Determinants of Health in an Emergency Department in Spokane, Washington: A Quality Improvement Project (PDF)

Washington State University acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, there are 42 tribes, 35 of which are federally recognized that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represents multiple tribes and bands. The University expresses its deepest respect for and gratitude towards these original and current caretakers of the region. As an academic community, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in teaching, research and programming. Washington State University established the  Office of Tribal Relations  and  Native American Programs  to guide us in our relationship with tribes and service to Native American students and communities. We also pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.

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The School of Nursing works in partnership with our communities to investigate possible improvements to our health care system.

Our Doctor of Nursing Practice students partner with you to  improve these systems and evaluate how these system improvements impact the patients and communities.

We are excited  to explore with you what would be required to make these quality improvement projects a reality.

Please submit your ideas for quality improvement projects

Enter your project idea

Some examples of projects include:

• Patient Fall Prevention Education In a Small Rural Community Hospital
• Implementing a Pediatric Rapid Response Team through Interprofessional Partnership
• Interprofessional Team Huddles to Improve Quality and Collaboration in Obesity Care of Adults

University of Minnesota School of Nursing has defined the DNP project as:

• Student identification of a systems based, quality improvement problem in health care
• Implementation of an evidence-based solution to address the problem
• Evaluation of process and outcome objectives of the project
• Completion of a paper that describes the project and outcomes.

The DNP project needs to include:

• The DNP Project should include planning, implementation, and evaluation components to focus on a change that impacts healthcare outcomes either through direct or indirect care
• The DNP project must include an evaluation of processes and/or outcomes 
• DNP Projects should be designed so that processes and/or outcomes will be evaluated to guide practice and policy.

The Community partner will: 

• Serve as this student’s DNP project site partner/facilitator and will assist the student in completing the project at their site
• Support the student to gain project approval and implementation support at the project site
• Assist with the site based human subjects protection process
• Set realistic project objectives - goals
• Provide feedback to the student and DNP adviser as needed

Typically project work lasts 3 contiguous semesters (or one year) and start every January or September

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DNP project guide: Designing your DNP project

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DNP project design

• A Nurse's Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Dissertation or Capstone by Karen Roush Call Number: Available online Publication Date: 2015
• DNP capstone projects : exemplars of excellence in practice by Barbara A Anderson; Joyce M Knestrick; Rebeca Barroso Call Number: Available online Publication Date: 2015
• Inquiry and leadership : a resource for the DNP project by Kathleen Reavy Call Number: Available online Publication Date: 2016
• Proposal Writing for Nursing Capstones and Clinical Projects (2nd edition) by Wanda Dr PhD RN Bonnel; Katharine Dr PhD RN Smith Call Number: Available online Publication Date: 2017
• The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project : a framework for success by Katherine J Moran; Rosanne Burson; Dianne Conrad Call Number: RT75 .D57 2014 Publication Date: 2014
• The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project : a framework for success (2nd edition) by Katherine J Moran; Rosanne Burson; Dianne Conrad Call Number: On order for SU Libraries Publication Date: 2017

Sample DNP projects

• The Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository (Henderson Repository) A resource of the honor society of nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International and the only digital repository solely dedicated to openly sharing works created by nurses. Includes full-text nursing research and evidence-based practice materials.
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Open ProQuest's open access repository with over 200 DNP projects available in full text
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global This link opens in a new window Provides access to digital dissertations, theses, and DNP projects worldwide
• DNP Final Document Projects From Ohio State University's institutional repository Knowledge Bank
• Nursing Commons Part of the Digital Commons Network. Includes a collection of DNP projects. From the menu on the left hand side, select Other Refinements - Publication - DNP Projects.
• Doctoral project repository From Doctors of Nursing Practice, Inc.
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• Last Updated: Sep 8, 2022 1:45 PM
• URL: https://libraryguides.salisbury.edu/DNPprojects

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DNP Projects

Sample of Pitt Nurse Anesthesia DNP Projects (published)

Except from the 2019 Annual Simulation Report from Washington Health System:

Operating Room In 2019, 50 in-patient OR staff at Washington Hospital participated in a clinical judgment simulation in the OR where 10 sessions were offered. This simulation was conducted by a University of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthetist student, Cigi Henderson. The purpose of this simulation was for staff to identify signs of malignant hyperthermia and follow hospital procedure and guidelines instituted by Stanford Anesthesia Cognitive Aid Group.

Practice Changes that occurred as a result of the simulation experience:

1. Movement of cooling fluids from Anesthesia Workroom to central core for access by OR nurses.

2. RNs and OR staff were made aware of the location of MH cart. Typically it is the anesthesia techs job to retrieve the cart when a crisis is called, however if she is not available every needs to be aware of its location.

3. Update in visual aids on the MH cart.

4. Education on the change in formulary from Dantrolene to Ryanodex and its administration.

Dunworth, B. A, Sandberg, W. S, Morrison, S, Lutz, C, Wanderer, J. P, & O'Donnell, J. M. (2018). Implementation of acceleromyography: A quality improvement project designed to increase use of quantitative neuromuscular blockade monitoring. AANA Journal, 86(4).

Easton, A., O’Donnell, J. M, Morrison S., & Lutz, C. (2017). Development of an online, evidence based CRNA preceptor training tutorial (CPiTT): A quality improvement project. AANA Journal, 85(5), 331-339.

Morrison, S. R., O'Donnell, J. M., Ren, D., & Henker, R. H. (2014). Perioperative glucose monitoring and treatment of patients undergoing vascular surgery in a community hospital setting. AANA Journal, 82(6), 427-430.

Ostrowski, A., O’Donnell, J. M., Lutz, C., & Morrison, S. (2019). Development of a training program for PICC placement by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) utilizing an n-of-1 methodology, AANA Journal, 87(1), 11-18.

Palmer, L., O’Donnell, J. M., Ren, D., & Henker, R. A. (2014). Comparison of nurse anesthesia student 12 Lead EKG knowledge, interpretation skill, satisfaction and attitude: Traditional instruction vs. asynchronous online video lecture. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 10(3).

Wiggins, L. L., Morrison S., Lutz, C. T, & O’Donnell, J. M. (2018). Using evidence-based best practices of simulation, checklists, and deliberate practice to develop and improve a regional anesthesia training course. AANA Journal, 86 (2), 119-126.

Sample of 2019 Pitt Nurse Anesthesia DNP Projects (submitted for publication or in press

Heidecker J., Neft, M., Nelson, D., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2019). Training anesthesia providers in cricoid pressure application with an augmented-reality simulator: A quality improvement project.

Schmack, D. J., O’Connell, B., Neft, M. W., Phrampus, P. E., Bircher, N., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2019). Design, implementation and evaluation of a simulation course in difficult airway management: A pilot study.

Patel, S. A., O’Donnell, J. M., & Ren, D. (2019) The validation of the STBUR questionnaire in children aged 2-12 undergoing polysomnography.

Deslate, S., Chasens, E., & Henker, R. (In Press) STOP-BANG as a pre-procedure risk assessment tool to predict intra-procedure airway maneuvers and adverse events in a gastrointestinal laboratory. AANA Journal.

Sasala, L., Crippen, L., & Neft, M. (In Press). Cost analysis of the use of intravenous (IV) propofol monotherapy compared to IV combination sedation in patients undergoing outpatient gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. AANA Journal.

Anderson, S., Miner, L., & Neft, M. (2019). The efficacy of prewarming to reduce perioperative hypothermia in urology cases receiving general anesthesia.

Sohn, D., Henker, R., Lakdawala, L., & Neft, M. (2019). Identifying barriers to screening for obstructive sleep apnea using the STOP-Bang questionnaire and assessing the impact of education on screening rates.

Press, S., & & Neft., M. (2019). Postoperative assessment and safe discharge tool for ambulatory dental surgery for special needs patients.

Perkins, J., Beach, M., Esper, S., Gruen, G., Perera, S., & Neft, M. (2019). Probable delirium as a risk factor for surgical outcomes in geriatric patients with acute hip diagnosis: Pre-operative assessment using a short screening tool.

AANA Presentations of DNP Projects

Tedeschi, E., Henker, R., & Wesmiller, S. (2019). Reducing the incidence of post-operative complications with the use of sugammadex vs. typical reversal agents after general anesthesia. Poster presentation at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Congress, Chicago.

Fatigati, A., Fortune, K., Minahan, C., Henker, R., Klem, M. L., Adams, P., Lim, G., Fortune, S., & Skelton, M. (2019). Development and evaluation of usability of anesthetic recommendations for parturients with fontan palliation. Poster presentation at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Congress, Chicago.

Deslate, S., Chasens, E., Steward, K., & Henker, R. (2019). STOP-BANG as a pre-procedure risk assessment tool in a gastrointestinal laboratory. Oral and Poster presentation at the 2019 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Congress, Chicago.

Sample of 2020 Pitt Nurse Anesthesia DNP Projects (in process)

Achtzehn M., Bircher, N., Phrampus, P. E., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). Retrospective analysis of a tertiary medical center’s in-situ mock code program: Recommendations for system change.

Altmeyer, E., Cade, M., Miara, C., Neft, M. W., Mermigas, J. A., Dill, M., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). Implementing a maternal hemorrhage simulation in an obstetrics department to standardize care and improve patient outcomes.

DeLima, D., Dixon, B. A., & Neft, M. (2020) Development and implementation of an ultrasound training program to improve basic ultrasound knowledge and technical skills of anesthesia providers.

Faddish, K., & Henker, R.A. (2020). Needlestick and sharps injuries amongst healthcare workers in Cambodian hospitals.

Feldmiller, A., Mermigas J. A., & Neft, M. E., (2020) Correlation of acute perioperative opioid administration and persistent opioid use following adult colorectal surgery: A retrospective enhanced recovery after surgery cohort study.

Gladysiewski, A., Mermigas, J. A., & Miner, L. A. (2020). A Retrospective analysis of intraoperative methadone administration on post-operative opioid consumption in adult cardiac surgery.

Kostiak, E., Peters, A., Mermigas, J., Goode, J. S., Henker, R. A., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). Impact of perioperative-focused BLS/ACLS/PALS training on provider knowledge, skills, and attitudes: A pilot study.

McAtee E., Lupica, K., Hernandez, E., Bircher, N., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2020). The development of a cognitive aid for anesthesia providers to optimize anesthetic technique for intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring.

Fatigati, A., Fortune, K., Minahan, C., Henker, R., Klem, M. L., Adams, P., Lim, G., Fortune, S., & Skelton, M., (2019). Development and evaluation of usability of anesthetic recommendations for parturients with fontan palliation.

Areas of DNP Faculty Expertise

• Epidemiology
• Global health
• Health care policy
• Simulation education
• Translation of clinical guidelines into practice
• Patient safety
• Substance abuse screening and intervention
• Patient Awareness

Opportunity for DNP students to participate in a research study

The School of Nursing has been asked by a PhD candidate from the School of Nursing at Rutgers, The State University of New York to notify DNP students at our School of Nursing about an opportunity to participate in a research project. The purpose of the study is to examine the associations among debriefer engagement, student engagement, debriefing quality, and student learning outcomes in advanced nursing practice simulation-based education. This study has been approved by the IRB committee at the researcher’s home institution.  It is not an expectation that you participate. This is something you can do if you wish. Faculty at the UW Madison School of Nursing will not know who decides to participate. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete a 10-15 minute anonymous online survey. If you have any questions about the study, please review additional information in the attached flyer and/or contact the study leads: Dr. Rula Btoush ( [email protected] ) or Monina Franco-Tantuico ( [email protected] ).

Debriefing in ANP Simulation-Based Education: A Survey

This post was authored by Linsey Steege on 05/16/2024.

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Prevention Research Centers Special Interest Projects NOFO

Deadline for Applications: March 4, 2024 by 11:59 PM Eastern time

This Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO (RFA-DP-24-062) invites applications from CDC Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers (PRCs), selected for funding under RFA-DP-24-004, to apply for supplemental funding to conduct Special Interest Research Projects (SIPs) to inform public health practice.

Approximately $36,075,000 is available for the period of performance (9/30/2024–9/29/2029). CDC anticipates making up to 28 awards under this NOFO. Awards issued under this NOFO are contingent upon the availability of funds and receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

The purpose of this NOFO is for awarded PRCs to conduct high-quality applied health promotion and disease prevention research projects in real-world settings to identify, design, test, evaluate, disseminate, and translate interventions (i.e., programs, practices, policies, or strategies) to prevent and reduce risk for the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States.

SIPs are supplemental funding awards that focus on topics of interest or gaps in knowledge or research and can also support the development of state and local public health interventions and policies. SIP topics are aligned with public health priorities, such as the Healthy People 2030 Objectives—the Health and Human Services’ national objectives for improving Americans’ health. SIPs are sponsored and primarily funded by CDC Centers, Institutes, and Offices (CIOs).

SIPs can have different structures including funding one or multiple PRCs to conduct community-based applied prevention research projects:

• Single PRC: The SIP supports one PRC to conduct a specific research project.
• Multiple PRCs: The SIP supports two or more PRCs to conduct different dimensions of a research project or to test strategies in different populations.
• Thematic Research Networks: The SIP supports multiple PRCs that collaborate on research of a specific health issue.

PRCs selected for funding under RFA-DP-24-004 are encouraged to apply for SIPs that expand and strengthen their PRC’s mission and increase their applied public health research activities—to contribute to preventing and reducing risk for the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States.

Eligible PRCs funded under RFA-DP-24-004:

• Emory University
• Georgia State University
• Harvard School of Public Heath
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• New York University School of Medicine
• San Diego State University
• University of Arizona
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• University of California, San Francisco
• University of Iowa
• University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
• University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Rochester
• University of South Carolina at Columbia
• University of Utah
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

CDC will be hosting a pre-application informational call Thursday, February 1, 2024, 1:30–3:30pm Eastern time. Register for the call.

Letters of Intent (LOIs) are due February 2, 2024. Although LOIs are optional, they are highly encouraged and should be emailed with “NOFO RFA-DP-24-062” in the subject line to [email protected] . Please refer to NOFO “Section IV. Application and Submission Information, 3. Letter of Intent” for information to include.

Please email any questions about this NOFO to [email protected] with “NOFO RFA-DP-24-062” in the subject line. Questions must be received by February 16, 2024, 5 PM Eastern time to ensure a response by the application deadline of March 4, 2024.

• Opening date: December 15, 2023
• Pre-application information call: February 1, 2024, 1:30-3:30pm Eastern time. View the call script and presentation
• Closing date: March 4, 2024
• The last day to submit questions regarding RFA-DP-24-062 is February 16, 2024 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Apply for this Funding Opportunity

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Submit a Question

Call Script

Submit Letter of Intent by February 2, 2024

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2022 DNP Student Scholarly Projects

Miesha Anderson

Viia Anderson

Chad Andrews

Laurie Berg

Trudylee Chandler

Jenna combs.

Kelli Ann Craven

Jennifer Curwen

Joseph Daesch

Roula dandalides.

Rachel DeCoster

Mary Dowling

Tara Duffie

Elizabeth Espinoza

Cameron Ethridge

Christine Faulds

Vanessa Figueroa

Jason Francis

Shana Gaynor-Champion

Emmalee Gerstenberger

Keon Gregory

Cheryl Groth

Danielle guy, courtney hall.

Katy Harker

Sherah Harney

Danielle Henry

Hannah Hirschfeld

Isatu Kargbo

Brittany Kirby

Alicia Kleinhans

Wendy Kollross

Catherine Lucid

R Mansfield

Hannah Mehochko

Heather Meissen

Stacy Miller

Molly Morrison

Fikile Mpofu

Elizabeth Muñoz

Erin Najarian

Jennifer Rice

Violet Robb

Kelly Robke

Gloria Rothenberg

Laurie Scheid

Molly Shine

Scott Tilton

Kristen Trimble

Cassen Uphold

Precious Uwaezuoke

Chuck Venable

Jocelyn wehner.

Ralphine Whitfield-Walton

Thomas Young

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