New York University College of Nursing (NYUCN) received a three-year, $1,018,323.00 grant from the Human Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to facilitate "Enhancing Clinical Leadership Through DNP Education" at NYUCN.
"The purpose of this project is to prepare advanced education nurses to improve the quality of care through the enhancement of advanced nursing education and practice in a recently instituted post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at NYUCN," said NYUCN Clinical Associate Professor Jamesetta A. Newland, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, DPNAP.
"The DNP is the logical evolution of graduate curricula created by the increasingly complex role of advanced practice nurses (APNs) today and in the future. The NYUCN program will blend clinical expertise and leadership based on evidence-based practice (EBP), organizational, policy, economic, and leadership content," Newland said.
The project's overall goal is to prepare APNs to assume clinical leadership positions in health care organizations and become clinical faculty in advanced nursing education programs. Three objectives for the project include:
1) Improve clinical leadership preparation of nurse practitioners (NPs) and [certified] nurse midwives (CNMs) at a system or organizational level, to promote excellence in practice, lead change, and improve the quality of health care for underserved populations;
2) Enhance cultural competence of NPs and CNMs by threading core cultural competency content across the DNP curriculum in health promotion and disease prevention for culturally diverse populations; and
3) Enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of NPs and CNMs about EBP and competencies, to critically appraise and translate the latest evidence into clinical practice to improve health care outcomes and quality of care for underserved populations, demonstrating cultural competence.
The curriculum has been designed to give students advanced knowledge and leadership skills within a rich, stimulating, and challenging environment. The NYUCN has numerous linkages with other schools and organizations within the University, large and small medical centers, and community-based clinical practices. Courses will be taught using an executive format to make full-time study possible, using faculty from the NYUCN with expertise in gerontology/aging, chronic disease prevention and management, workforce strategy and capacity, and infectious disease/global public health; and exceptional faculty from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and the Wagner School of Public Service.
The DNP students will be assessed at the beginning and end of the academic program on the main concepts of leadership (Change Style Indicator); cultural competence (Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool), and EBP (EBP Beliefs and Implementation Scales). The DNP program will also implement the NYUCN systematic outcomes assessment plan (SOAP), which utilizes feedback from students, alumni, and employers for evaluation. DNP students' scholarly clinical Capstone Project will also provide additional data for evaluation.
"DNP graduates will significantly and positively impact health care outcomes," said Newland. "They will be prepared to lead inter-professional practice initiatives at a systems level that focus on patient safety, quality of care, and performance improvement," she said.
About the New York University College of Nursing
NYU College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Master of Arts and Post-Master's Certificate Programs; a Doctor of Philosophy in Research Theory and Development, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. For more information, visit www.nyu.edu/nursing.