What Is the DNP Scope of Practice? Overview and FAQ
As healthcare demands rise and physician shortages worsen, organizations may find it difficult to provide the care quality patients deserve. Facility leaders often employ advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to divide the workload and assist with care management. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — the highest level of APRN — is often brought on to conduct research, help with administrative duties, and assist with direct patient care.
You may be wondering — what is the DNP scope of practice and how does it shape the care these clinicians provide? In this article, we’ll introduce the role of DNP-prepared nurses, explain the duties they’re authorized to perform, and provide tips to help your team provide safe and effective patient care.
DNP Scope of Practice: FAQs
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest clinical degree a nurse can earn. Individuals who hold this degree are considered APRNs and continue to work under their nurse practitioner (NP) license. DNP-prepared clinicians can work in a variety of settings and often serve as:
- Clinical leaders
- Facility administrators
- Educators
- Nursing Managers
- Informaticists
Like other nursing degrees, the daily duties, tasks, and responsibilities of DNP-prepared nurses vary depending on the role they serve. However, the rules that govern the professional practice of DNP-educated nurses are consistent, regardless of their role or clinical setting.
Understanding these regulations is essential to maintaining regulatory compliance. While the intricacies of each state’s nursing laws make it challenging to generalize practice guidelines, we’ll broadly answer some frequently asked questions pertaining to a DNP-prepared nurse’s legal scope.
What is the DNP scope of practice?
Nurses who have earned their DNP degree function as specialized nurse practitioners (NPs) in the clinical setting. This means that their scope of practice falls within the scope of general NPs. However, the extra training they’ve earned in addition to their nurse practitioner (NP) education qualifies them for additional leadership and management responsibilities.
According to AANP scope of practice guidelines, DNP-prepared nurses are responsible for:
- Serving as nursing team leaders.
- Spearheading systemwide evidence-based practice (EBP) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives.
- Conducting research aimed at improving patient outcomes.
- Developing healthcare policies that promote patient safety and staff wellness.
- Communicating organizational goals to nursing staff.
- Collaborating with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop care plans.
- Advocating for nurses at the local, state, and federal level.
- Incorporating health technology and informatics into patient care strategies.
- Educating and training the next generation of nursing professionals.
What regulations shape a DNP-prepared nurse’s scope of practice?
The rules that govern the professional practice of DNP-prepared nurses come from a combination of state laws and professional organization guidelines. The three main documents that outline the roles and responsibilities of DNP-educated APRNs are listed in the table below:
| Source | Roles and Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| NSCBN APRN Consensus Model | This document outlines the requirements for practicing as an APRN in the U.S. APRN Consensus Model regulations outline the professional roles, education, accreditation, licensure, and certification of all nursing professionals who have earned a Master’s Degree of Nursing (MSN) or higher. |
| AANP Standards of Practice | These regulations outline the clinical responsibilities of all master’s, post-master’s, and doctoral level nursing professionals. It reviews patient care priorities for DNP-prepared nurses and other APRNs. |
| State Nursing Practice Acts | Each state and U.S. territory is required to develop their own Nurse Practice Act to govern nursing practice. These laws outline the rules, delegation responsibilities, and licensure requirements for nursing professionals (LPNs, RNs, and APRNs) practicing in that state. |
How does the DNP scope of practice vary by state?
As mentioned in the table above, each board of nursing independently governs their own professionals and outlines the unique duties, responsibilities, and rules that pertain to their specific APRNs. While most of these state documents contain similar licensure requirements and rules surrounding practice, each lists unique delegation responsibilities and penalties for law violation.
Nurse Practice Acts hold clinicians accountable for the type and quality of care they provide. Be sure to review your state’s Nurse Practice Act for more details on the unique legal scope of DNP-prepared nurses who practice as APRNs in your state.
DNP vs. MD scope of practice: What are the differences?
The degree “Doctor of Nursing Practice” can be confusing. Many individuals may think this is a type of provider who offers the same level of clinical care as a medical doctor (MD) or physician. However, these terms are not synonymous and describe completely different clinical roles.
The main difference between DNP-prepared nurses and MDs is their approach to patient care. DNP-prepared nurses provide holistic and person-centered care, while the MD scope is more disease-centered and focuses on diagnostics. Additionally, DNP-educated APRNs tend to work in administrative or leadership roles, whereas most MDs work in patient-facing positions and provide direct clinical care.
Stay Up-to-Date On the Latest Healthcare Regulations
Understanding the DNP scope of practice is the first step to ensuring your team practices safely and effectively. Looking for an easier way to stay informed on regulatory changes and updates? Our free, expert-written newsletter can provide you with the healthcare tools and insights you need to improve care quality, boost patient satisfaction, and optimize staff wellness.