Self-assessment

Strengths:

The attainment of the DNP degree is an important accomplishment as a Nurse Practitioner, and is an important component for the advancement of the nursing profession. The DNP degree emphasizes the use of evidence-based practice in facilitating change in clinical practice. As a provider in both Orthopedics and Spine, the completed scholarly project using evidence-based practice has contributed to a system change in the pre-operative delivery of care. The project titled ‘evidence based pre-operative system change to decrease post-operative lumbar laminectomy pain’ has shown outcomes of decreased post-operative pain through the addition of a pain brochure and additional pre-operative education time to discuss pain, pain management post-operatively, and develop a home pain regimen plan.  Assuming a DNP leadership role in application of health policy and advocacy for healthcare at the microsystem level while integrating scientific based concepts to facilitate best practices are strengths noted with completion of this degree.

As owner of Legal Nurse Practitioner Consulting Services, LLC in Phoenix, AZ, my strengths include expertise in electronic medical records, records review, exhibit preparation and locating expert witnesses. Inter-professional collaboration and communication skills are excellent. Effective time management, respect from peers, and an outstanding work ethic are incorporated in everything I do to deliver the best outcomes.

Weakness:

The integration of nursing theory to practice can be developed further when addressing evidence-based practice changes. The scholarly project incorporated nursing theory, but it was obvious from current literature that nursing theory is seldom used.