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Discussion

DNP application

So I want to get my DNP but it seems like the schools already want you to know a specific project that you want to do before you even apply. It seems like saying that you want to get the DNP "because its there" is not good enough. I dont have a specific life mission I just want to finish with the same degree that most of the new people will be getting. Anyone else feel this way and what is a good way to figure out a project you may want to do 2 years from now if you arent even in school yet?

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    I entered my PhD program in that situation -- and now that I completed that process, I can "both sides" of it.

    On one hand ... you expect to learn something from the courses you will take ... learn things that will shape your thinking and that may cause you to pick a particular topic for your project. If you can already map out the project before you start, then what is the purpose of the classes? You want to enter the program with an open mind and use the coursework to explore the possibilities.

    On the other hand ... the faculty wants you to make the most of the learning opportunities provided by the coursework. They want the class assignments to be opportunities for you to refine and build your project so that when you arrive at "project time," you already have a lot of the preliminary work (e.g. literature reviews, etc.) done. They want your doctoral work to focus on something and not be a non-focused exploration that doesn't add up to something special at the end. They see that as a waste of resources. They also do not want to accept a student into the program unless they have faculty members who share that topic interest who would want to serve on your advisory committee.

    My compromise suggestion: Begin with an idea of a general field of interest -- and say that you plan to use your coursework to refine it and narrow it down to a specific topic. That gives the faculty an opportunity to assess whether or not they have the resources to help you with that field of interest and also provides you with a focus so that you can get the most benefit from your coursework. At the same time, it leaves you room to maneuver and explore a bit before settling in on a specific project focus.

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    thanks

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    I too have two answers to this.

    1. Take a look at the structure of the DNP programs you are considering. All DNP programs have a capstone project (clinical thesis, etc). Does the program allow you to select the topic relating to your own interest? In this case, you will want to be sure that there is some faculty expertise to mentor you towards the project that you want to examine. There are other DNP programs in the US where you are assigned a topic to examine (you are doing a part of your faculty advisor's project, and therefore you are learning the 'tools' of being a DNP). If you really do not care what you want to do your capstone, look for one of these programs where you are doing someone else's research program.

    Graduate study is all about access to resources and mentoring. You want to be sure that you can benefit from faculty expertise, strong mentored guidance, and library/clinical resources.

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    Hi,

    I started the DNP program last semester at University of St. Francis. They didn't require us to identify our capstone project. It's a nice program and the faculty are very supportive. I'm taking the first part of the research now and am enjoying it. I did tons of reasearch before finding a program so check them out before you decide.

    I also liked the Duke program.

    Good luck,

    T

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