Development of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Workforce, Coursework Example

DNP students must demonstrate competency in evidence-based practice in order to master the profession and the associated knowledge base. This reflects the importance of utilizing resources and technology to identify evidence and to support the growth and educational advancement of this group of students (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006). The expansion of DNP practice methods demonstrates the importance of understanding how healthcare environments have grown and become more diverse in their offerings and the utilization of research-based evidence in daily practice (Edwarson, 2014). This process also reflects the importance of clinical decision-making in supporting the evidence base and in determining how to best bridge evidence with practice methods and tools to improve outcomes and quality of care for the patient population who is served in this capacity (Levin & Feldman, 2006).

In the context of oncology practice settings, DNPs have become increasingly relevant in supporting improvements in education and knowledge sharing to achieve subject matter expertise in this area and to apply this knowledge to end-of-life care and other experiences (Nevidjon et.al, 2010). It is expected that DNPs will continue to explore new methods that are applicable to oncology patients to improve their lives and to influence outcomes in a positive manner, while also reflecting upon emerging trends within this area to impact nursing practice as a whole. There must be a greater emphasis on the identification of the best interests of patients with the demands and responsibilities of the nurses who care for these patients in specialty and in primary care settings. These competing interests and the core values of nursing practice and patient quality of care must be balanced in order to be effective in the identification and dissemination of evidence in the appropriate manner to have successful application in the oncology-based environment.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2006, October). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC: AACN.

Edwarson, S. R. (2014). Introduction. In M. E. Zaccagnini & K. W. White (Eds.), The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Levin, R. F., & Feldman, H. R. (2006). Teaching evidence-based practice in nursing: A guide for academic and clinical setting (1st ed.). New York, NY: Springer.

Nevidjon, B., Rieger, P., Murphy, C. M., Rosenzweig, M. Q., McCorkle, M. R., & Bailey, K. (2010). Filling the gap: Development of the oncology nurse practitioner workforce. Journal of Oncology Practice, 6(1), 2-6. doi:10.1200/JOP.091072