1,903 DNP Authored Scholarly Publications: 2012-2018

Purpose: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the terminal degree with the highest level of preparation for nursing practice (Chism, 2019). Graduate outcomes are based on the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006). For over a decade, scholarly publications by these graduates have impacted practice (Becker, Johnson, Rucker, & Finnell, 2018; Broome, Riner, Allam, 2013; Minnick, Kleinpell & Allison, 2019). The purpose of this study is to provide a preliminary and high-level summary of DNP scholarly publications from 2012 through 2018, which includes a summary of DNP first authors, DNP solo authors, top five journals, and top ten topics. A secondary purpose is to use the summary as a starting point for a continued and expanded examination into the DNP scholarly publications.

Methods: The method used was a literature search through WorldCat Database. Key terms for the review by Author was DNP, and by Year was 2012-2018. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed scholarly articles with at least one DNP credentialed author and included research, education, administration, and clinical practice articles. The search yielded 1,903 articles meeting criteria. The articles were sorted, categorized, and reviewed by year, authors’ credentials, title, and journal publication.

Results: The findings included 1,903 total scholarly DNP publications. The total DNP solo authored publications comprised 26% of publications. DNP first author of publications was 56%. DNP scholars collaborated Interprofessionally in 62% of publications. Trends show a recent publishing proliferation in 2017 and 2018 by 40%.

Conclusion: Contributions to nursing include: a) increased DNP scholarship impact; b) increased recognition of DNPs as practice scholars; c) increased dissemination of translational science; and d) increased DNP-interprofessional collaboration (Cygan & Reed, 2019). Future research includes a plan to examine the impact of DNP publication on nursing practice and education, the collaboration with other professionals, the rigor of DNP research and projects, and the DNP publication impact factors. Audiences that would benefit from the outcomes of this study include DNP students, nursing scholars, DNP faculty and interprofessional colleagues.