Document Type

DNP Project

Department

School of Nursing

Date of Degree

Spring 2018

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Primary Advisor

Karen Whitt, PhD, AGN-BC, FNP-C; Tyler Cole, DNP-C

Abstract

Background: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are enrolling in post-graduate residency programs that provide training and mentorship during transition to practice.

Objective: This project explored whether participation in NP residency improved feelings of confidence, competence, preparedness to provide care and job satisfaction among new graduate NPs who completed a residency program compared to new graduate NPs who did not complete a residency program.

Method: This mixed-methods study collected survey data from NPs who attended the 2017 AANP National Conference and two residency programs. A modified Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale (MNPJSS) (Misener & Cox, 2001) and Hart’s New Nurse Practitioner Preparedness for Practice Survey (Hart & Bowen, 2016) were utilized. This survey contained 74-items rated on a Likert scale and three open-ended questions evaluating the stated objective. The results were entered into SPSS 25 software and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: There were significant differences in resident NPs’ preparedness to practice scores compared with NPs who did not complete residency. There was no difference in competence or job satisfaction scores between the two groups. This study also found a significant difference in those NPs who graduated from Doctoral NP (DNP) programs compared to Master in Science NP (MSN) programs in preparedness to practice, competence and one area of job satisfaction.

Conclusions: This study supports DNP programs to facilitate transition to practice that improve outcomes in NP competence and overall preparedness to practice.

Open Access

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