NR 730 Week 1 Program Competencies & Weekly Objectives

Grace J.
September 17, 2025September 17, 2025
CU DNP, NR-730

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-730: DNP Project

Prof. Name

Date

Program Competencies

The program competencies focus on strengthening the advanced nursing professional’s ability to integrate evidence-based knowledge into practice. Nurses are expected to apply scientific principles to daily clinical decision-making, ensuring that patient care aligns with current best practices. Competency also involves the use of analytical tools to critically appraise and translate research findings into practical applications that enhance innovation in healthcare delivery. Furthermore, graduates are expected to evaluate healthcare policies and advocate for fair access to services, addressing disparities influenced by social determinants of health. These skills prepare nurses to be leaders in advancing equitable care and promoting social justice across diverse populations.

Table 1

Program Competencies and Associated Practice Outcomes

Program Competency	Description	Practice Outcomes (POs)
Scientific underpinnings in practice	Apply scientific foundations to guide everyday clinical decision-making.	POs 3, 5
Analytical methods for evidence use	Employ research appraisal and evidence to develop innovative strategies for practice improvement.	POs 3, 5
Health policy analysis and advocacy	Critically evaluate policies to ensure healthcare equity and advocate for vulnerable populations.	POs 2, 9

Weekly Objectives

Weekly objectives are designed to strengthen critical thinking and leadership in addressing practice gaps. Students are expected to analyze areas where current clinical practices fail to achieve optimal outcomes, and identify the impact these shortcomings have on quality and safety. Another focus is on understanding how stakeholder engagement influences successful change initiatives. Finally, learners will recognize the importance of crafting a clear purpose statement as a foundational step in driving effective practice improvements.

Table 2

Weekly Objectives and Linked Competencies/Outcomes

Weekly Objective	Related Competencies (PCs)	Practice Outcomes (POs)	Course Outcomes (COs)
Analyze gaps in clinical practice affecting quality and outcomes	1, 3, 5	3, 5, 9	2
Examine influence of stakeholder support on practice change	1, 3, 5	3, 5, 9	2
Appraise the importance of developing a purpose statement	1, 3, 5	3, 5, 9	2

Main Concepts

The central themes of the week focus on three critical areas. First, students will practice identifying and exploring gaps between existing clinical approaches and evidence-based standards. Recognizing these gaps is essential for improving patient outcomes and ensuring quality care. Second, emphasis is placed on stakeholder identification. Understanding who the stakeholders are and how their buy-in affects implementation is vital for sustainable change. Third, the development of a purpose statement serves as a guiding framework for practice improvement projects, ensuring that initiatives remain aligned with measurable goals and desired outcomes.

Additional Resources

To deepen understanding, students are encouraged to explore additional scholarly resources. These studies highlight real-world applications of identifying practice gaps, engaging stakeholders, and utilizing innovative strategies:

Eekholm et al. (2020) examined the inconsistencies between existing practices and guideline-based care for older adults with pneumonia, stressing the importance of evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes.
Lisk et al. (2020) discussed the development of virtual nursing teams designed to close patient care gaps through predictive analytics, showing how technology can transform nursing roles.
McClure et al. (2020) explored strategies nurses can adopt to address asthma management gaps in school-aged children, emphasizing the critical role of advanced practice nurses in community health.

References

Eekholm, S., Ahlstrom, G., Kristensson, J., & Lindhardt, T. (2020). Gaps between current clinical practice and evidence-based guidelines for treatment and care of older patients with community-acquired pneumonia: A descriptive cross-sectional study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-4742-4

Lisk, L. E., Buckley, J. D., Wilson, K., Martinez, V. A., Cadiz, V. R., Poropat, L., & Scruth, E. A. (2020). Developing a virtual nursing team to support predictive analytics and gaps in patient care. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34(1), 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000496