Are you using your degree?

ARickli · Jul 23, 2014

Isn't the DNP a clinical and not a research degree? I'm confused as to how you would utilize research in the hospital more.

caliotter3 · Jul 23, 2014

Even if you had a lot of passion for your current position, that does not mean that it would have that quality of work that you are seeking. If you would rather do research, then you should look for a position where research is clearly the objective.

cruisin_woodward · Jul 28, 2014

The DNP looks at issues that are found at the "bedside" (I use the term bedside, because that is where I feel most comfortable), and looks for solutions and implements changes based on current research. Perhaps I misspoke in my original post. I think I am lacking the passion in my current position. I want to help implement changes. My clinical inquiry project was all geared toward nutrition of the critically ill patient. I worked on nursing, advanced practice nursing, and resident education regarding best practices, and current standards and guidelines. They were seriously lacking in the hospital that I did my project in.

I am currently working in orthopedics. I could look into nutrition and the effects of weight loss in arthritis, and work on making practice changes where we discuss weight loss more frankly with our patients. Or something about bone healing and smoking. Or teaching ERs not to prescribe NSAIDS for new fractures. But in reality, we barely have time to examine the patient, nevertheless do teaching. In a hospital setting, there is often time allotted for projects of this nature, and they are supported by administration (well, I should say, in a teaching based hospital).

PG2018 · Aug 4, 2014

You sound like you need an academic appointment so you can join the faculty of a nursing school affiliated with an academic medical center. In this instance, you could stop working directly with patients to earn a living and instead focus on teaching EBP issues and engaging in your own research with the help of the university and grants. I admire you. I have no desire to do any of that but wish I did because I'd love to be a tenured faculty professor and just instruct or administer.

The DNP looks at issues that are found at the "bedside" (I use the term bedside, because that is where I feel most comfortable), and looks for solutions and implements changes based on current research. Perhaps I misspoke in my original post. I think I am lacking the passion in my current position. I want to help implement changes. My clinical inquiry project was all geared toward nutrition of the critically ill patient. I worked on nursing, advanced practice nursing, and resident education regarding best practices, and current standards and guidelines. They were seriously lacking in the hospital that I did my project in.
I am currently working in orthopedics. I could look into nutrition and the effects of weight loss in arthritis, and work on making practice changes where we discuss weight loss more frankly with our patients. Or something about bone healing and smoking. Or teaching ERs not to prescribe NSAIDS for new fractures. But in reality, we barely have time to examine the patient, nevertheless do teaching. In a hospital setting, there is often time allotted for projects of this nature, and they are supported by administration (well, I should say, in a teaching based hospital).

cruisin_woodward · Aug 6, 2014

I would like that, but I want to work with patients, and I love teaching (in a clinical capacity). So I best suited for doing projects that sort of thing. I like looking at things in a pragmatic way. I wouldn't really just want to do research. I want that connection. I see things that we do, out of tradition instead of based on evidence, and when I know that something is not being done the best way possible, I like to do literature searches and work as a change agent. But this is more patient and nursing focused. Not research focused. If that makes sense? This is why I chose to get my DNP and not my PhD. I am currently a nursing professor, and I do love it, but I love working with patients and families as well.

Julie Reyes, DNP, RN · Aug 7, 2014

You can do quality improvement projects associated with your area of work - make a project out of it like you did with your DNP - and see if you can implement ebp into the care of your patients. However, if you want to do more of a research project, I still see that it can be done with you having brief contact with your patients in that you can do follow up phone calls, or pre/post education and phone call follow up to assess where they are, what they need, etc. It is more challenging and it will be more time consuming if you have to schedule time to reassess patients on your own time, but if you get the IRB backing from your work, I think you could find some great projects.

You are looking at some really interesting areas (nutrition, education, etc). Maybe you can give them handouts to read or create a video for them to watch while they are waiting - since we all know that patients wait forever to be seen, it would give them something to do! I bet you can be really creative - I like where you are going with your ideas!