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”