Strategies for Strengthening Quality Improvement Projects in a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.

Background: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs must assure that attention to safe quality healthcare is threaded throughout the curriculum and prepare students to lead quality improvement (QI) initiatives in healthcare systems.

Objective: This article illustrates the integration of implementation science, QI methods, process and evaluation tools, and faculty enrichment as strategies to strengthen QI projects in a DNP program.

Methods: A three-phased approach to implement strategies to strengthen QI projects in a DNP program and to enhance faculty engagement was undertaken. A needs assessment drove the development of strategies to strengthen QI in a DNP program.

Results: Outcomes of implementing strategies to strengthen QI in a DNP program showed rapid uptake of the concepts of QI process models into course content within the DNP curriculum.

Conclusions: Strategies consisted of assessment of courses for gaps in QI content, faculty enrichment sessions on implementation science, QI processes and models, QI metrics and data analytics, embedding new content in the DNP program courses and the use of a rigorous evaluation tool for QI projects.

Implications for nursing: When provided with QI mentors and tools, DNP students are prepared to lead QI initiatives in healthcare systems to improve the safety and quality of healthcare.