The DNP scholar is well-positioned to promote health and improve outcomes for many. Reflect on your future role as a DNP scholar and address the following.
- Identify one evidence-based strategy for leading efforts to attain optimal health for populations, on a local, national, or global scale.
- Describe one evidence-based strategy for leading population healthcare reform efforts within and across healthcare systems.
- Describe one program designed to improve the health of populations. How will you help advance the outcomes of this program?
Week 8: Student Lesson Plan for Learning Success
Outcomes, Objectives, and Concepts
| Weekly Outcomes | Weekly Objectives | Main Topics and Concepts |
| Formulate strategies for providing culturally-relevant and high-quality healthcare for vulnerable and high-risk populations. (PO 1)Evaluate the impact of the global burden of diseases on population health. (PO 1) | Appraise the role of the DNP-prepared nurse in managing population health issues.Define the role of the practice scholar in addressing the global burden of disease and the impact on population health. | DNP Essentials: Population HealthHealth PromotionHealth EducationHealth PolicyHealth Advocate |
Foundations for Learning
Start your learning for the week by reviewing AACN’s (2006) The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice (Links to an external site.).
Also, be sure to review a recent publication on health advocacy by Chamberlain’s president, Karen Cox. Cox, K. S., & Naegle, M. A. (2019). The opioid crisis. Nursing outlook, 67(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.12.016 (Links to an external site.)
Student Learning Activities
| Learning Activities | This week you will complete: PrepareAssigned ReadingsExplore Interactive LessonTranslate to PracticeDiscussion Question ReflectReflection on Learning |
| Additional Resources | View the American Nurses Association’s position on Policy and Advocacy. (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) |
Learning Success Strategies
- Review assigned readings to ensure you understand the role of the DNP scholar in leading population health outcomes.
- As you review weekly content, consider how each concept and discussion can be translated into practice at your unique setting.
- Be ready to share your thoughts through the interactive discussion. Review the discussion guidelines and rubric to optimize your performance.
- You have access to a variety of resources to support your success. Click resources on the home page to access program and project resources.
- Your course faculty are here to support your learning journey. Reach out for guidance with study strategies, time management, and course-related questions.
American Nurses Association—Policy & Advocacy: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy (Links to an external site.)
Bemker, M. A. & Ralyea, C. (2018). Population health and its integration into advanced nursing practice. DEStech Publications, Inc.
- Chapter 4: Political Advocacy
Week 8: The Role of the DNP Practice Scholar: Population Health Advocate
DNP Essentials: Population Health
In 2006, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., which delineates the curricular components and competencies for a practice doctorate in nursing. The below Essentials address the provision of care for populations.
Essential VI:Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
The skill sets needed to improve health in individuals and populations are an integral part of the DNP educational experience. According to the AACN essentials, the DNP graduate is prepared to do the following:
- Employ effective communication and collaborative skills in the development and implementation of practice models, peer review, practice guidelines, health policy, standards of care, and/or other scholarly products.
- Lead interprofessional teams in analysis of complex practice and organizational issues.
- Employ consultative and leadership skills with intraprofessional and interprofessional teams to create change in healthcare and complex healthcare delivery systems (AACN 2006,p.15).
Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
“This essential defines population health that includes aggregate, community, environmental/occupational, and cultural/socio-economic dimensions of health. Aggregates are groups of individuals defined by a shared characteristic, such as gender, diagnosis or age” (AACN, 2006 p. 15). According to the AACN essentials, the DNP graduate is prepared to do the following:
- Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data related to individual, aggregate, and population health.
- Synthesize concepts, including psychosocial dimensions and cultural diversity, related to clinical prevention and population health in developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to address health promotion and disease prevention efforts, improve health status and access patterns, and/or gaps in care of individuals, aggregates, or populations.
- Evaluate care delivery models and/or strategies using concepts related to community, environmental and occupational health, and cultural and socioeconomic dimensions of health.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials (Links to an external site.)
American Nurses Association (ANA). (2018). Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
Health Promotion
The goal of all healthcare professionals is health promotion. Population health promotion focuses on advancing health outcomes for populations or aggregates through the provision of education and resources. The DNP scholar plays a significant role in promoting health and preventing disease and disability for populations across the nation. Through population-level health assessment, intervention, and evaluation, the DNP scholar holds the key to improving lives in the communities he or she serves.
Health Education
Education is an important aspect of all healthcare. The goal of education in population health is to provide awareness about risk factors and resources to promote health to vulnerable populations. Although preventing all illnesses or every disaster is impossible, the risk of illness or the impact of disaster can be lessened and needed resources made available to improve lives. The unique contributions of the DNP scholar are critical to meeting the challenges of improving the nation’s health.
Health Policy
Health policy is a driving force in advancing population health outcomes. You will gain insight into the role of the DNP scholar as health policy advocate in NR708. At this point in your DNP journey, it is important to be aware of the capacity of the DNP scholar to impact policy intervention that aims for safe, effective, patient-centered care. Through advocacy in health policy, DNP-prepared nurses are making significant impact on the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care systems everywhere.
Health Advocacy
The key to improving health outcomes in a population or in the individual patient is through action. As a DNP leader, you are charged with shaping the future of healthcare.The complexity of today’s healthcare system, along with the increasing volume of new practices, policies, and information systems, have generated the need for the DNP scholar to bring his or her unique perspective to improving the health of the nation and enhancing health outcomes across settings. As such, the DNP scholar is a valuable contributor and health advocate for all populations.
