Changes in our American health care system and imminent health care reform legislation have created a dramatic impact on the restructuring of our nursing profession. To support these amendments, the expansion of the nurse practice roles and settings are met with the emergence of a practice focused doctorate degree known as the doctor of nursing practice or DNP (Fitzpatrick & Wallace, 2009). The evolution of the DNP degree continues on a momentous journey in order to meet the growing demands of societal needs for health care, complexities of nursing care, and as well as the diminishing number of primary care physicians (Denisco & Barker, 2016). According to Denisco & Barker (2016), nearly 75% of physicians chose specialty practice over primary
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The growing demands of health care reform and the need for parity amongst healthcare professionals with the establishment of the DNP degree are emulated in the unfreezing phase (Chism, 2010). Moreover, the moving phase gains momentum as the driving forces surmount restraining forces (McEwin & Wills, 2007), demonstrated by the rapid emergence of the DNP degree along with the resurgence of many nursing programs reevaluating the plausible conclusion of the master of science in nursing (MSN) in favor of the DNP (Denisco & Barker, 2016). Lastly, the aspect of stabilization occurs during refreezing phase ensuring change remains integrated, which is a phenomenon our nursing profession awaits to determine, as the DNP continues on its intended path to become the benchmark and terminal degree for the advanced practice nurses (Huber, 2010). In conclusion, the future of the nursing profession has evolved with the adoption of the doctor of nursing practice. The establishment of the DNP as a terminal practice degree sets the example of planned change in Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory, which is then examined through Lewin’s three elements for successful change. Furthermore, the success of the DNP is met with great prognostications in meeting the needs of our American society as well as our professional growth in
The growing demands of health care reform and the need for parity amongst healthcare professionals with the establishment of the DNP degree are emulated in the unfreezing phase (Chism, 2010). Moreover, the moving phase gains momentum as the driving forces surmount restraining forces (McEwin & Wills, 2007), demonstrated by the rapid emergence of the DNP degree along with the resurgence of many nursing programs reevaluating the plausible conclusion of the master of science in nursing (MSN) in favor of the DNP (Denisco & Barker, 2016). Lastly, the aspect of stabilization occurs during refreezing phase ensuring change remains integrated, which is a phenomenon our nursing profession awaits to determine, as the DNP continues on its intended path to become the benchmark and terminal degree for the advanced practice nurses (Huber, 2010). In conclusion, the future of the nursing profession has evolved with the adoption of the doctor of nursing practice. The establishment of the DNP as a terminal practice degree sets the example of planned change in Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory, which is then examined through Lewin’s three elements for successful change. Furthermore, the success of the DNP is met with great prognostications in meeting the needs of our American society as well as our professional growth in