Much like every field around us, the nursing discipline has also evolved over the years. We now witness emerging roles, such as the Nursing Leader and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), lead the healthcare system. The creation of these roles was only necessary,considering the changing needs of healthcare services and patient management.
DNP or The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a doctorate level program that equips nursing graduates for more advanced roles that include leadership. A DNP qualified nursing professional is well-versed in assessing and devising patient care models. They can influence health care policies and have the skills to evaluate the effectiveness of patient care policies. DNPs have a deeper understanding of the underlying issues in a healthcare system, which is why they can add significant value towards its improvement and efficiency.
Elaborating further, here we list the impactful roles DNPs play in transforming healthcare services:
PROVIDING SOUND LEADERSHIP ON AN ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL
Since DNPs have a far more excellent grasp of the healthcare systems and patient management, they can lead the organization by providing the right direction and setting appropriate goals. Quality improvement is also one aspect that DNPs can add value to by advising better strategies and healthcare policies.
IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH ACCESS
When serving the public health department, DNPs can play a significant role in creating awareness among the general public. Since they have vast knowledge, they can address public health issues effectively. Some people are suffering from obesity, diabetes, etc., which is mounting each day. Public awareness is very crucial in curtailing the growing numbers,and the right awareness proves extremely helpful. And this is where DNPs can play a noteworthy part. If you love working as a philanthropist, you can surely take up the career path as a DNP. You should learn more about this program to get a detailed hang of what DNP courses are all about!
Moreover, DNPs can work towards providing increased healthcare access to deprived groups of the population. Such as lack of provision of healthcare based on gender differences. Since they take up leading roles, DNPs can make significant improvements in these aspects. Further, they can also combat cultural health taboos in certain areas by creating mindfulness among the masses.
DEVISING HEALTH POLICIES
Since DNPs take up leadership roles, they are often responsible for devising health policies. These can be at national, institutional, or state levels. However, the keynote is that DNPs have a say in building strategies, which can significantly improve the healthcare system. Since nurses have more experience with patient maintenance, they can offer fruitful feedback to help policy building for the better. Also, the added doctoral knowledge and experience can further enhance their decision-making prowess. It additionally helps in devising policies that are more efficient and effective on a larger-scale.
WORKING TOWARDS EDUCATING THE FUTURE NURSES
Along with serving healthcare services directly, DNPs can also work as teachers for future nurses. Since they have exposure in their field and role, they can guide the aspiring DNPs and Nursing Leaders to further their career choices.
ENHANCING HEALTHCARE IN BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS
Healthcare experts are no more only restricted to hospitals and clinics. As nutritionists and therapists, they also play a significant part in keeping students and workers healthy. Following the same concept, DNPs can work towards bettering staff health by suggesting tips and plans. The majority of people with a hectic working lifestyle often have a neglectful eating routine. DNPs can advise on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They can also transform workplaces by encouraging a healthy work environment.
Moreover, employee productivity often decreases by unnecessary workplace stress and worry. DNPs can advocate mental health and devise workers’ plans to follow to relieve them from unneeded worry and strain. All these initiatives are an indication of improved healthcare services.
INFLUENCING THE FINANCING OF HEALTHCARE
Since DNPs often take up positions of authority, they contribute their knowledge and expertise in making significant decisions such as financing. A healthcare system works over limited resources, and therefore, making choices is necessary.
However, a DNP may influence financing choices and direct what allocations of investments are more beneficial. Moreover, nurses handle patients up-close. Therefore, they are also better positioned to conclude which services the patients may need. In the case of limited resources, these financial choices are of critical importance.
SUPPORTING THE UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
The field of DNP is an emerging one. Therefore, DNPs are usually more well-aware of the modern needs of the business environment. Information technology is a discipline that has taken over every part of our lives, and it also includes healthcare as well. DNPs can encourage the use of information technology in healthcare services.
CONCLUSION
We live in a world where boundaries have significantly blurred. Every profession is now profoundly linked to the other. Likewise, healthcare services have also considerably transformed over the years. As a result, many newer roles have emerged, like the position of DNPs. These professionals are well-rounded and more informed according to the needs of the changing healthcare environment. Since they are better equipped and have advanced knowledge, they can innovate and improve healthcare services.
