Success in DNP Programs

Transcription

1 Success in DNP Programs M A R G A R E T P I E R C E, D N P C H A I R, D N P P R O G R A M U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E N N E S S E E C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G K N O X V I L L E, T E N N E S S E E A P R I L,

2 Acknowledgements: With thanks to Graduate student assistants Kristin Condurelis, BSN, MSN/CRNA Student Amber Wieniewitz, BSN, MSN/FNP Student Wasburn-Moses, L. who generously allowed adaptation of her survey tool Satisfaction Among Current Doctoral Students in Special Education

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4 Introduction DNP degree becoming standard for entry into advanced practice nursing. Number of programs growing exponentially to 229+ in early 2012

5 Studies of PhD student success None about DNP student success Imperative to understand issues facing students in professional doctoral programs Will help guide faculty in DNP program development Limited nursing education resources require judicious decisions

6 Methodology Aims of the study Identify completion and attrition rates in DNP programs Describe perspectives of DNP students Factors keeping them enrolled and progressing Factors inhibiting progression and completion of their degree

7 Online survey of 2 groups- Administrators Students Anonymous Opportunity for comments for both

8 Administrators request for participation to Dean/Program Chair at 160 US DNP programs Enrollment, graduation, & attrition Send invitation and link to survey to current and former students Comments

9 Students Asked administrators to send survey link to students Currently enrolled Completed Withdrew

10 Posted invitation and link to student survey on DNP LLC website Incentive...drawing for an Ipod Asked if willing to participate in follow-up interview

11 Response 19 administrators 329 students

12 Administrator Survey New students 335 (4-59) (x= 20) 218 (0-42) (x=16) 153 (0-50) (x=15) 107 (0-41) (x=12) 73 (0-37) (x=10) Completed DNP on time Completed DNP late Withdrew voluntarily Required to withdraw

13 Comments of administrators The biggest problem in admission and attrition is funding support for DNP education 2010 was very difficult for many students with the economic times Personal and family issues derailed their studies Most start and complete the program on time

14 Student Survey Results

15 Demographics Sex N % Female Male Race White Black/African American Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander Native American Other 3 0.9

16 Demographics Age at Entry to DNP Range years Mean years Years of Nursing Experience Range 0-46 Mean 20.28

17 Marital status Married 69% Legal partnership 3% Widowed 4% Divorced/separated 13% Never married 11% Dependents 0 30% % %

18 Practice focus FNP 30% Nurse educator 16% Administration 13% ANP 8% PNP 7% MHNP 4% CRNA 2% Other 20%

19 MSN to DNP 81.9% BSN to DNP 14.5% CNL to DNP 0.6% Other 3% Program Type

20 Course Delivery Entirely on-line 7% On campus Once in program 9% Once/semester 15% Twice/semester 9% Weekly 8% Other 52%

21 Enrollment status Currently enrolled 56.5% Completed DNP 40.6% Withdrew voluntarily 3%

22 Reasons for selection of university Would be able to continue employment status Would not have to relocate Reputation of the program

23 Satisfaction Courses 77% Accessibility of staff 76% Accessibility of faculty 75% Advisor 68% Academic workload 71% Program organization 64% Integration into SON community 59%

24 Program Satisfaction Broad foundation 88% Foundation for Capstone 78% Overall academic workload 71% Communication with advisor 64%

25 Personal Support Satisfaction Personal support systems 84% Employer support 65% Juggling school, work, family 62% Financial support 53%

26 Full time employment 60% Personal savings 52% Loans 47% Employer 46% Scholarship 26% Sources of Financial Support Do not go to school fulltime and work fulltime

27 If I were starting my DNP program today, I would 80% still pursue the DNP degree 72% select same advisor 71% select same university 48% decrease working Find supportive faculty for advising

28 46% would/might select same capstone project 26% would/might select a different capstone project Pick your capstone project early I wish I had better understood the difference between a dissertation and the capstone research project Select a capstone area of interest that you ARE PASSIONATE about because you will live, sleep, breathe, eat it 24 hours a day for te entire 2 years I am in capstone hell and have been there for a year It is really important to have the capstone in place and planned for to move forward in a focused way Make sure that your capstone project is approved from the beginning

29 Position expected upon completion of degree 64% expect to be at same institution 49% in the same position I will be more prepared I will combine practice and teaching

30 Prepared to assume anticipated new responsibilities 68% well or very well prepared 12% poorly or very poorly prepared

31 Prepared to meet DNP Essentials? Most felt well prepared Older, more experienced students more positive Those who completed program more positive Lowest rank (3.99/5) for Essential VII- Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation s Health.

32 My advice to others considering the DNP Go for it! Best decision I ever made! Understand at the outset that the coursework will be challenging and very time intensive. Be prepared to put your life on hold while in school. Make sure to choose a quality program. Quicker and easier is NOT the answer. Just do it!

33 Be sure to get up-to-date computer skills before you begin. Find a buddy to enter school with. Go for the PhD. It carries more weight in an academic institution. The DNP is the wave of the future for nursing