[Linh Tran]

This topic by Mark Lawrence Schrad touches me on a different note. With this pandemic that is catastrophic in the Unites States compared to elsewhere, working in frontlines in a developed nation, it does make us wonder where did we go wrong, and about how can we educate community and prepare ourselves better for the future events. Back in march when the first cases were announced, California went into quarantine “shut down” stage, healthcare workers were praised as heroes for their commitment for patients care. Behind those appraisals were healthcare workers’ fear about entering a “war zone” we did not sign up for, not having enough protected personal equipments, and potential of brining harm home to our loved ones. The battle and patriotic act that we do were outfar for anything we would ever imagine would happen in our professional lifetime. Eventually, we had nurse managers at a New York most-hit hospital confirmed Covid death, and a NYC physician committed suicide. The patriotic act is such a graceful word to describe the chaos and pain we feel having colleagues admitted with Covid, of management not having enough governmental support for supplies, and lastly of how the community are not educated enough to trust the professionals at preventive stages. We are the top among developed countries with the most advanced healthcare system and military weapons, yet we are also the number one nation in confirmed cases. Let that sink in. So as DNP leaders, what patriotic feeling brings you about changes in your personal commitment to patient practice and changes to our healthcare system?

[Linh Tran]

Thank you for brining up about this topic. DNP preparation and readiness for future roles has been greatly discussed over the expansion of more graduates and complexity in healthcare within recent years. Dr. Mundinger and Dr. Carter mentioned the expanded roles of leadership and scholarship has left practicing curriculum to be shortened. Indeed, DNP roles has expanded beyond advanced practice roles into administrative leadership, research, and faculty roles. Being in a DNP program right now, I do see many introductory courses of management and research which is doctorate core essentials. It does leave me wonder given the compacted program of DNP curriculum, how can we look for a better position forward. I do believe the current curriculum depending on each school will provide requires practicing hours and these hours are adequate to provide clinicians. However, for future clinicians who would like to specialize in their field, perhaps, new jobs should have a nurse fellowship program just as how medical school does have fellowship options in complexity fields. This will help nurses who are more geared towards practicing essentials while ensuring every DNP graduates can be a potential strong leader and researcher.

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