The Future of Nursing Leadership

As one of the two main terminal degrees of nursing education, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) focuses on preparing nursing professionals with the knowledge and skills to improve patient health outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices. To mitigate the challenges from recent and future complex healthcare systems, DNP nurses are well prepared for the future of nursing leadership.

Leadership is one of the invaluable skills nurses can obtain from a DNP program. The leadership role of DNPs not only means high-level positions or working as a leader within an organization but also, more importantly, means competency and responsibility. With respect to its role in the healthcare system, the DNP-Prepared Nurse is unique and different from other programs. First, DNP-prepared nurses should be able to develop scientific methods and technologies from lots of available evidence and then effectively apply what they have found in practice settings. Secondly, DNP-prepared nurses should be able to use their knowledge and skills to become or influence the policymakers and impact health care policies. Finally, DNP-prepared nurses will have to take the responsibility to convey their knowledge to the next generation of nurses. All these unique roles of DNP-prepared nurses require them to be real leaders in the healthcare system. To lead nursing science research and enhance clinical practice, it needs leadership; To influence healthcare policy and improve the working environment of nurses, it needs leadership; and to educate nurses and prepare them to meet the challenges of the complex healthcare environment, it also needs leadership. And where can nurses be prepared with leadership? The best answer is the DNP program.

Nurses with DNP degrees can pursue high-level positions, and their leadership responsibilities range from clinical settings to nursing education in academia. Earning a DNP degree is the most effective way to build up leadership skills. Becoming a strong nursing leader is the most efficient way to improve patient outcomes for nurses.