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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
Success in DNP Programs
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”
41 17 5 0 0
Withdrew voluntarily
51 23 9 2 0
Required to withdraw
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%
Program Type
MSN to DNP 81.9%
BSN to DNP 14.5%
CNL to DNP 0.6%
Other 3%
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%
Sources of Financial Support “Do not go to school fulltime and work fulltime”
Full time employment 60%
Personal savings 52%
Loans 47%
Employer 46%
Scholarship 26%
“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
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”
Pick your capstone project early
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”
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