• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) set forth a set of standards, the DNP Essentials, that define the foundational competencies that should be acquired and focused throughout a DNP degree program’s curriculum. Additionally, the DNP Essentials represent those competencies and areas that will inform your areas of practice as a DNP-prepared nurse. Take special note that in addition to your personal and academic motivations for pursuing a DNP degree, you will be required to demonstrate and enact these essentials in your daily practice.

• Photo Credit: Coloures-Pic/Adobe Stock

For this Assignment, review the AACN DNP Essentials document and reflect on the competencies presented. Reflect on your personal and academic goals and consider how those goals align with both Walden University’s mission and vision and with the AACN DNP Essentials.

To prepare:

• Review The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) in this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the competencies presented.
• Review Walden University’s mission, vision, and university outcomes.
• Reflect on your professional and academic goals. Consider how Walden’s mission and vision as well as the AACN’s perspective may fit with your goals. How might you incorporate a commitment to social change into your academic and professional plans?

The Assignment: (2–3 pages)

• Explain how your academic and professional goals align with Walden’s vision, mission, social change message, and university outcomes and the AACN DNP Essentials. Be specific.
• Explain how you plan to incorporate social change throughout your program of study and in professional practice. Be sure to include how social change may contribute to your practicum/field experience and your role in professional practice.

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2020). Fact sheet: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/DNP-Factsheet.pdf

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/White-Papers/DNP-Implementation-TF-Report-8-15.pdf

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf

Read, C. Y., Pino Betancourt, D. M., & Morrison, C. (2016). Social change: A framework for inclusive leadership: Development in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 55(3), 164–167. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20160216-08

Walden University. (n.d.). Walden catalog. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/catalog/home

• Review the “Introduction” to the Walden Catalog, noting in particular the “Vision, Mission, and Goals” section of the Walden University Catalog.

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Walden University. (2021). DNP glossary [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu