Relationship between 4 DNP Program Outcomes and 8 Essentials - Assignment Example

Comps Study Guide Name Date Course Question 1 DNP Programs The DNP graduates are supposed to generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes (Redman, et al, 2015). This is relevant to a DNP working in clinical practice as continuous knowledge generation is required. The generation and dissemination of nursing practice is also useful in terms of ensuring that a high level of professionalism is maintained. Solving the nursing problems that emerge from time to time is a perfect example. The DNP graduates are supposed to improve the health outcomes through scientifically-based advanced practice within a specialty (Oermann, et al, 2015). This is useful in terms of treating illnesses and developing the strategies that can be used for dealing with human behaviors. The use of scientific based practices to reduce the suffering faced by patients with chronic conditions and life threatening illnesses such as cancer is a good example. The health disparities among a diverse population can also be addressed through scientifically advanced practices. DNP graduates are supposed to engage in and lead collaborative practice teams. This is relevant in the medical profession as one is required to work in collaboration with the other professionals (Brown & Crabtree, 2013). The nurses are supposed to work with doctors, psychologists, social workers and the community members. The collaborative practices also enhance the skills of the DNP graduates in terms of the teamwork. The DNP graduates are supposed to influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives (Fulton, et al, 2014). This is relevant in terms of dealing with new challenges that face the profession. Influencing the clinical practice and policy initiatives is useful in advocating for social justice, equity and ethical policies related to the healthcare. The policies could be useful in terms of promoting the use of safe procedures in order to improve on the outcome of the patients and reduce health risks among the nurses. Question 2 Relationship between 4 DNP program outcome and 8 essentials The DNP curriculum has two main components with one being the 8 DNP essentials. The 8 eight DNP essentials are mainly the foundational outcome competency for all the graduates of the DNP program. The 4 DNP outcomes are mainly what the graduates should be able to do or the knowledge that they should have after the completion of the program. The 8 DNP essentials are related to the 4 outcomes as it provides the foundation for the outcomes. The areas of core components of the DNP programs are defined in the 8 essentials and therefore play an important role in terms of providing the guidelines for the outcome. The 8 DNP essentials are useful in terms of promoting innovations and integration in the curricula for the purposes of ensuring that the 4 outcomes are achieved (Jones & Taylor, 2015). This is an indication that the 8 essentials and the 4 DNP outcomes are closely related. A better understanding of the 4 outcomes is also highlighted in the 8 essentials. This means that the 8 essentials prepare the nurses to meet the 4 outcomes. The 8 essential are also useful in terms of preparing the DNP graduates for the learning experience. Question 3 Research stats In research statistics, parametric statistical tests make assumptions about the parameters of the population distribution from which the data has been drawn. The non parametric tests is considered null category since no assumptions are made with regards to the data. The t-test is one of the examples of parametric tests (Gibbons & Chakraborti, 2011). It can be used for the purposes of analyzing the health variations among diverse populations. An example of non parametric test includes the distribution free methods which may include the random observable behaviors. The research design and basics is considered as the blueprint of the study. It may involve a quasi experiment which involves an empirical study used to evaluate the impacts of an intervention in a population. This is commonly used in nursing when providing different health interventions to targeted populations. The cross sectional approach is used in medical research for the purposes of analyzing a population through observations (Bickel & Lehmann, 2012). The concepts of qualitative research mainly deal with the use of case studies and hypothesis. Internal and external validity determines the soundness of the research. The threat to internal validity includes failure to control the study as well as flaws within the study. This can be mitigated by using proper research designs. The threats to external validity involve extent that the findings are generalized (Yin, 2013). The mitigation measures involve ensuring that the research is more inclusive of different populations. The research instruments are mainly used for the purposes of measuring the quality of the research. The two main instruments that are commonly used in a research include validity and reliability. Validity deals with the extent that the instrument measures what it is supposed to be measured (Gibbons & Chakraborti, 2011). Reliability deals with the consistency of the instruments used in the research. Systems and organizations Types of systems The open systems allow the interaction between the environment and the internal elements while the closed systems are usually held to be isolated from their environment. A simple system is comprised of a small number of elements and a few interactions between the elements. A complex system on the other hand has a high number of elements with high levels of interactions (Creswell, 2013). Complexity science mainly explores the emergent behaviours of the complex systems by focusing on the interconnection of the components and architecture of the system. Complexity science mainly deals with the healthcare technologies. According to the general systems theory, all systems share certain characteristics that allow them to function as systems regardless of their levels of organization. The theory was put forward by a biologist Ludwig Von Bertalanffy. Systems Assessments Morgan’s Metaphorical perspective is used for the purposes of understanding organizations. The major metaphor that has been identified in the theory includes organizations as machines, cultures, brains, psychic prisons, flux and transformation and instruments of domination. The theory further indicates that the notion of management as well as organization is a metaphor as every word that is used to understand the world is a metaphor. The contemporary organizational theory is involved with the study of how people act within an organization (Daft, 2012). The contemporary organizational theories can therefore be used for the purposes of assessing the performance of systems and organizations. The concept of leadership as well as the interaction between the systems in the organization is analyzed through the contemporary organizational theory. Systems change theories Lewins change theory is one of the theories that deal with the issues of change within a business organization. According to the theory, all the types of businesses have to undergo change at some point and the change has to be handled well. Lewins change theory has three main stages with the first being unfreeze, the second being change and the last being refreeze (Thompson, 2011). Six sigma is comprised of a set of tools and techniques for process improvements. Six sigma was developed by Motorola in 1986 as a means for improving the quality output of processes. Six sigma seeks to remove defects or errors and minimize variability in the business and manufacturing processes. Lean production is mainly involved in the elimination of wastes within a manufacturing system. This is through taking into account the wastes created by unevenness of the workload as well as overburden. Leadership theory Leadership style refers to the characteristic behavior of the leader when carrying out their duties which includes motivating, guiding and managing groups of people. According to Lewins theory, there are three major leadership styles which includes authoritarian, democratic and laissez-fair (Miner, 2013). The authoritarian leadership involves a high level of control as well as strictness by the leaders. The democratic leadership involves sharing decision making abilities with the followers. Laissez-faire involves full powers granted to the followers to make decisions. Other leadership styles includes transactional where the leader focuses on motivating the followers through a system of rewards (Landis, et al, 2014). Transformational leadership involves changing the followers and redirecting their thinking. Evidence based practice Models of evidence based practice Stetler model is one of the models that are commonly used in nursing for evidence based practice. It involves the examination of evidence in order to create formal change within an organization. It also examines how well individual nurses can use research on an informal basis in terms of critical thinking and reflective practice. Establishing research and use of evidence is commonly associated with stettler's model. This model can be used by the nurses on a daily basis in the development of health standards, policies and tools. Iowa model was developed for the purposes of knowledge transformation and to provide guidance during the implementation of research in clinical practice. It mainly highlights the importance of considering the relevance and importance of the entire healthcare system. This includes the providers, patients and the infrastructure. The Iowa model can be used for the purposes of establishing the effects of certain nursing practices on the recovery rate of the patients. This may include the relationship between the nursing practices and hospital acquired infections. The relationship between the patients and provider outcomes can also be established through this method. ACE model was developed for the purposes of dealing with the acutely ill older patients who in most cases experiences a permanent decline in their ability to perform daily activities such as personal care. This evidence based model is built around four core principles. The first principle is that care is patient centered. The second principle is that care team is interdisciplinary. The third core principle is that planning for discharge is part of care. The final core principle is that the hospital environment must be elder friendly. Evidence hierarchy In the evidence based practice, evidence usually comes in many forms and variation in quality. This has led to the development of hierarchy of evidence in order to provide guidance for considering the effectiveness of evidence. In the first level, the evidence is strong with at least one being from the systematic review of well designed randomized controlled trials. An example of the level one evidence is the Cochrane collaboration. Level two is comprised of evidence from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trials of appropriate size (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014). An example of evidence in this level is articles published in peer-reviewed journal. The evidence is mainly obtained from observational study. Level three is comprised of evidence from a well design trial, trials without randomization or observational study. It may be comprised of matched case controlled studies. Articles published in peer review journals are also classified in this level. Level four evidence is from well designed non-experimental studies from more than one research group (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). The case series are considered as part of level four evidence. The poor quality cohort and case control is also considered as part of level four. Level five is the evidence from the textbook and expert opinion without critical appraisal. The views from the peers, colleagues and multidisciplinary team are also under level 5. The expert opinions are also ranked in level 5. The ideal source of evidence is from level one as it also offers more information about a subject. One of the main criticisms of hierarchy of evidence is that it allows Randomized Controlled Trials too much authority (Hamer & Collinson, 2014). The hierarchy of evidence is useful in terms of determining the quality of a research article in the field of nursing. Nursing theory and philosophy The nursing theory is a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas for the purposes of projecting a tentative, purposeful and systematic view of phenomena. There are three types of nursing theory that can be applied in different areas including the DNP. The grand nursing theories provide the insights that are useful for practice and also reflection for DNP graduates. The predictions of nursing outcomes can also be carried out through the use of this nursing theory. The broad perspectives for practice as well as the conceptual frameworks can be defined through the use of grand theories (Butts & Rich, 2013). The mid range nursing theories are much narrower in scope. It however plays a significant role in bridging the grand nursing theories and the nursing practice. This is useful to the DNP graduates in terms of enhancing their efficiency in terms of evidence based practice. The nursing practice theories have a limited scope and can only be used within a specific range of nursing situation. The nursing philosophy is based on being empathetic, compassionate and holistic during the provision of care to the patients. The philosophies can be enhanced through the DNP program as well as future continuous training. Evaluation methods A culture of evaluation is important in terms of reinforcing the reflective thinking as well as practice. The evaluation can be carried out through the use of several methods including the scientific evaluation methods. The evaluation is useful in ensuring that evidence is not discounted when it does not use the methods that have been listed in the hierarchy of evidence. The feedback by the clients is one of the methods than can be used for the revaluation process. This means that the providers can be evaluators when this method is used. An external evaluator may also be involved in the evaluation process (Riley, 2012). The external evaluators in most cases are experts or consultants who are experienced in carrying out evaluation. The outcomes of different evidence based practice can be measured in during the evaluation process. The timing of the interventions is an important aspect in determining its success. The timing therefore needs some evaluation in order to determine whether it was appropriate in the given situation. It is however important to carry out an evaluation process in collaboration with the external evaluators if the method is selected. This is for the purposes of making use of in-house knowledge and system. Policy and healthcare systems The policies are aimed at ensuring that the high quality standards of healthcare are provided to the adults in acute care. The policy requires that best practices should be implemented when providing Care to the adults in acute conditions. About 8 standards are in place for the purposes of promoting best practices in the provision of healthcare services. This includes rooting out age discrimination, person centered care, general hospital care, intermediate care, stroke, falls, mental health and promotion of health. The nurses are required to provide care to the patients while adhering to the policies. Constant communication with the patients or their family members is also important in order to enhance the decision making process (Hirano, 2012). The criteria for analyzing the policies are based on the role of the nurses as well as the need for maintaining best practices. The analysis of the policies is also dependant on the need of the patients and the impacts that it is likely to have on them. The impacts that the policies have on the decision making abilities of the nurses is also an important consideration. This is considering that the nurses are usually faced with a lot of challenges when providing care to the adults in acute conditions. The goals and objectives of the policies should therefore be for addressing the needs of the patients as well as the nurses. Some policies may create difficulties in the area of practice and hence impacting negatively on the operations of the nurses. Changing of the policies is however a complicated situation and it requires a lot of consultations (Riley, 2012). Consultations with the colleagues are important for the purposes of building consensus and obtaining their views with regards to the policies. This is considering that the policies may not necessarily affect all the nurses. The issues can then be raised with the management before the policy makers can provide their inputs. The payment system is largely based on paper and telephone calls. This method has been in use for a long period of time despite the advancement in technology. However, changes are being implemented step by step. This can also be attributed to the inconveniences that are caused by the manual method. Electronic forms of payment are increasingly being used in most parts of the world and it is being embraced in the healthcare system. The use of technology will enhance the process and ensure that the services are delivered effectively to the clients. The levels of accuracy in the payment system will also be improved through the use of the method. References Redman, R. W. et al. (2015). Nurses in the United States with a practice doctorate: Implications for leading in the current context of health care. Nursing outlook, 63(2), 124-129. Oermann, M. H. et al. (2015). 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