Translating the Evidence: Analyzing DNP Capstones as Exemplars of Excellence in Clinical Outcomes

Anderson, Barbara

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to enable the participant to identify and use creative strategies in doctoral education in analyzing clinical outcomes through using exemplars: completed DNP capstone projects.

Methods: The method used is content analysis of selected exemplars of excellence in completed DNP projects that addressed quality improvement in clinical outcomes, using the American Association of Colleges of Nursing DNP Essentials as the benchmark.

Results: Eight completed DNP capstones are analyzed using the 8 DNP Essentials as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Key components of the Essentials were applied to each capstone to determine translation of evidence, impact on quality improvement and clinical outcomes, failures and barriers in implementation as well as successful implementation, and specific clinical lessons learned from each capstone. Topical areas of capstones included burnout as a barrier to practice; compassion fatigue among military and emergency room nurses in emergent situations; micro-costing of community-based care; equity in reimbursement for advanced practice nurses; groups visits to modify diabetes outcomes and to change hypertension profiles; rural community-based education to decrease neonatal hypothermia; use the clinical case narrative as an educational strategy; clinical and graduate student clinical practice outcomes after high-fidelity simulation

Conclusion: Content analysis of completed DNP capstone projects from the perspective of impact on clinical outcomes and population-based health provided a rich tapestry of data on nursing leadership and identified impacts on health care delivery, advocacy and quality improvement. This analysis adds to the body of literature on the impact of the DNP degree upon clinical practice. Eight selected completed capstones exemplified various elements identified in the Essentials that provided leadership for change in clinical practice, promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, contributed to promoting advocacy and policy changes, or have enhanced quality improvement in health care systems. This project enabled the selected DNP graduates to have an opportunity to critically examine their work related to translating the evidence and impact on clinical outcomes.