DNP-prepared nurses play a crucial role in strategic management decisions within healthcare organizations. Their unique skill set allows them to contribute to the design of change plans and facilitate the involvement of all stakeholders. By modeling respect, transparency, and establishing clear pathways for success, DNP nurses foster collaboration and ensure widespread buy-in from the bedside nurses, preventing regression to previous sub-par practices (Rundio & Wilson, 2015).
Nurses possess inherent strategizing abilities as they constantly identify, prioritize, and implement complex plans of care for multiple patients. However, they may not always recognize these skills. The DNP degree builds upon this foundation, equipping nurses with executive and collaborative skills to navigate obstacles and find equitable solutions that advance the cause of health promotion (Zaccagnini, 2015). The combination of clinical expertise and academic prowess empowers DNP nurses to translate and implement evidence-based interventions, addressing the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery and quality outcomes (Grove et al., 2015).
One significant factor driving the need for strategic management decisions is the transition of healthcare reimbursement from volume-based to quality-based under the Affordable Care Act. In response, healthcare organizations are focusing on improving measurable outcomes, reducing harm, readmission rates, fraud, and abuse (Sherwood & Barnsteiner, 2017). DNP nurses are well-positioned to contribute to this goal by studying quality measures and identifying opportunities for process improvements. By analyzing data and conducting a comprehensive literature review, DNP nurses can develop evidence-based plans to improve nursing processes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care (Sherwood & Barnsteiner, 2017).
Additionally, fostering a culture of safety is paramount in healthcare organizations. Incident reporting for errors or near misses plays a crucial role in improving and developing this culture. DNP-prepared nurses can encourage nurses to report all patient care and unit process concerns, ensuring a non-punitive approach to investigation and improvement. Regular review of policies and procedures is necessary to maintain consistency with nursing board advisories. The DNP nurse can play a vital role in this process by assessing the standard of care and preventing cultural drift away from best practices (Sherwood & Barnsteiner, 2017).
In conclusion, DNP-prepared nurses have a unique skill set that enables them to contribute significantly to strategic management decisions in healthcare organizations. By designing change plans, facilitating stakeholder involvement, and fostering collaboration, DNP nurses ensure the successful implementation of change initiatives. They bring a combination of clinical expertise and academic prowess to translate and implement evidence-based interventions, with a focus on improving measurable quality outcomes and fostering a culture of safety. Through their strategic management abilities, DNP nurses contribute to the advancement of health promotion and the delivery of high-quality care in the dynamic healthcare landscape.