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 0 1 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
Introduction DNP degree becoming standard for entry into advanced practice nursing. Number of programs growing exponentially to 229+ in early 2012
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
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
Online survey of 2 groups- Administrators Students Anonymous Opportunity for comments for both
Administrators Email request for participation to Dean/Program Chair at 160 US DNP programs Enrollment, graduation, & attrition 2005-1010 Send invitation and link to survey to current and former students Comments
Students Asked administrators to send survey link to students Currently enrolled Completed Withdrew
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
Response 19 administrators 329 students
Administrator Survey 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 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 122 91 77 68 54 Completed DNP late Withdrew voluntarily Required to withdraw 41 17 5 0 0 51 23 9 2 0 4 7 2 0 0
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
Student Survey Results
Demographics Sex N % Female 300 90.6 Male 30 10.1 Race White 287 86.7 Black/African American 14 4.2 Hispanic 16 4.8 Asian/Pacific Islander 9 2.7 Native American 1 0.3 Other 3 0.9
Demographics Age at Entry to DNP Range 21-66 years Mean 45.21 years Years of Nursing Experience Range 0-46 Mean 20.28
Marital status Married 69% Legal partnership 3% Widowed 4% Divorced/separated 13% Never married 11% Dependents 0 30% 1-2 49% 3 + 21%
Practice focus FNP 30% Nurse educator 16% Administration 13% ANP 8% PNP 7% MHNP 4% CRNA 2% Other 20%
MSN to DNP 81.9% BSN to DNP 14.5% CNL to DNP 0.6% Other 3% Program Type
Course Delivery Entirely on-line 7% On campus Once in program 9% Once/semester 15% Twice/semester 9% Weekly 8% Other 52%
Enrollment status Currently enrolled 56.5% Completed DNP 40.6% Withdrew voluntarily 3%
Reasons for selection of university Would be able to continue employment status Would not have to relocate Reputation of the program
Satisfaction Courses 77% Accessibility of staff 76% Accessibility of faculty 75% Advisor 68% Academic workload 71% Program organization 64% Integration into SON community 59%
Program Satisfaction Broad foundation 88% Foundation for Capstone 78% Overall academic workload 71% Communication with advisor 64%
Personal Support Satisfaction Personal support systems 84% Employer support 65% Juggling school, work, family 62% Financial support 53%
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
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
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
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
Prepared to assume anticipated new responsibilities 68% well or very well prepared 12% poorly or very poorly prepared
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.
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!
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