The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) journey is an essential step in transforming nursing professionals into leaders who shape healthcare systems through evidence-based innovation, clinical expertise, and policy influence. The course NURS FPX 9020 – Introduction to the DNP Project marks the starting point of this transformative process. In Assessment 1, learners embark on the initial phase of their DNP project journey, where they define the scope, purpose, and direction of their scholarly project. This foundational assessment introduces students to the principles of doctoral-level nursing scholarship, project development NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1, and the integration of evidence into practice to improve healthcare outcomes.
The primary goal of NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 is to orient learners to the expectations, framework, and methodology of the DNP project. It provides an opportunity to identify a clinical or organizational problem, explore its relevance, and begin conceptualizing an evidence-based solution. This assessment emphasizes scholarly writing, critical inquiry, and professional reflection—skills that are crucial for success in the DNP program and in nursing leadership roles.
Understanding the Purpose of NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1
NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 serves as the foundation for the entire DNP project sequence. It encourages learners to understand what constitutes a high-quality DNP project and how it differs from traditional research. The DNP project focuses on applying evidence to practice, not generating new research. Its purpose is to solve real-world healthcare problems using existing evidence, clinical expertise, and systems thinking.
In this first assessment, students typically:
Identify a clinical or organizational issue that requires improvement.
Explore preliminary evidence and data supporting the need for change.
Articulate the significance of the problem to patient outcomes, safety, and healthcare quality.
Discuss how addressing this problem aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) DNP Essentials (2021).
Begin reflecting on potential stakeholders, settings, and implementation strategies.
By doing so, learners lay the groundwork for subsequent assessments, which involve detailed project design, implementation planning, and evaluation.
The Importance of the DNP Project
The DNP project represents the culmination of advanced nursing practice education. It allows nurses to demonstrate mastery of the AACN’s DNP Essentials, including organizational leadership, clinical scholarship, and systems-level thinking.
The project bridges the gap between theory and practice by addressing specific challenges within healthcare systems. Examples of DNP project topics include:
Reducing hospital readmission rates through improved discharge education.
Enhancing medication safety in older adults using evidence-based screening tools.
Improving staff retention through mentorship and leadership development programs.
Implementing telehealth protocols to enhance access for rural populations.
Each project not only benefits the organization in which it is conducted but also contributes to the body of nursing knowledge by demonstrating how evidence can be applied to achieve measurable, sustainable change.
Identifying a Practice Problem
The cornerstone of NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 is selecting a meaningful and relevant practice problem. This process begins with reflection on one’s clinical experiences, observations NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 2, and organizational challenges. The selected issue should be significant enough to warrant scholarly inquiry and feasible enough to be addressed within the DNP program timeframe.
A well-defined problem should meet these criteria:
Relevance: The problem affects patient outcomes, safety, or care quality.
Evidence: There is existing literature or data that supports the need for change.
Feasibility: The project can be implemented within the learner’s clinical or organizational setting.
Alignment: The issue aligns with organizational goals and DNP program outcomes.
To structure the problem statement, many learners use the PICO(T) framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time). For example:
In adult surgical patients (P), does implementing a standardized pain management protocol (I) compared to the current practice (C) reduce postoperative pain scores (O) within three months (T)?
This clarity ensures that the project has a focused purpose and measurable outcomes.
Conducting a Preliminary Literature Review
Evidence-based practice is the foundation of all DNP projects. In Assessment 1, learners begin conducting a preliminary literature review to explore what is already known about the identified problem. This review helps establish the significance of the issue and identify potential interventions supported by current evidence.
Key steps in this process include:
Searching scholarly databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest Nursing Journals.
Identifying peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines published within the last five years.
Evaluating the quality and level of evidence using frameworks like Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s hierarchy of evidence.
Synthesizing findings to determine common themes, gaps, and recommendations.
This initial evidence synthesis allows learners to justify their problem selection and build the rationale for future project planning. It also fosters critical appraisal skills—essential for doctoral-level scholarship.
Linking the Problem to Organizational and National Priorities
An essential component of NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 is demonstrating how the chosen problem aligns with broader healthcare priorities. Effective DNP projects are not only relevant to the local setting but also contribute to national health goals and organizational missions.
Learners should consider how their project supports initiatives such as:
Healthy People 2030 objectives for health promotion and disease prevention.
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Triple Aim—improving patient experience, population health, and cost efficiency.
The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS) quality metrics.
Organizational goals related to patient safety, satisfaction, and performance improvement.
By connecting the problem to these frameworks, learners show that their DNP project addresses system-level needs and contributes to the ongoing evolution of healthcare delivery.
Considering Stakeholders and Setting
In NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1, learners begin identifying key stakeholders who will play a role in project development and implementation. Stakeholders may include:
Nurse leaders and administrators.
Physicians and advanced practice providers.
Quality improvement and data analysts.
Patients, families, and community partners.
Early engagement with stakeholders is vital because it promotes collaboration, secures organizational buy-in, and ensures access to resources.
Similarly, defining the project setting—such as a hospital unit, outpatient clinic, or community health program—provides contextual clarity. Understanding the setting’s culture, workflow, and infrastructure helps anticipate barriers and tailor the intervention effectively.
The Role of the DNP Scholar
A critical aspect of NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 is reflecting on the role of the DNP-prepared nurse as a scholar-practitioner. This dual identity emphasizes both clinical expertise and academic rigor. DNP scholars are expected to:
Integrate research into practice to improve care outcomes.
Lead interprofessional teams through evidence-based change.
Evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare interventions using data-driven analysis.
Advocate for health equity and policy reform.
By engaging in this reflection, learners begin to see themselves not just as clinicians but as innovators capable of shaping the future of healthcare through scholarly leadership.
Ethical and Professional Considerations
Ethics and professionalism are central themes throughout NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1. As learners conceptualize their DNP projects, they must ensure adherence to ethical standards, including:
Respect for human subjects: Protecting patient privacy and autonomy.
Informed consent: Ensuring participants understand their role in any intervention.
Equity: Designing projects that promote fairness and inclusivity.
Integrity: Accurately representing data and evidence.
These principles align with the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, which guides all advanced nursing practice.
Reflection on Professional Development
One of the most transformative aspects of NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 is the reflective process. Learners are encouraged to think about how the DNP journey aligns with their personal and professional growth.
Reflection helps learners:
Identify strengths and areas for development in leadership, communication, and critical thinking.
Recognize how the DNP role differs from traditional clinical roles.
Envision how their project can create lasting impact in their practice setting.
Through reflection, students gain a deeper appreciation of how advanced practice nursing is not merely about clinical excellence but also about system-wide leadership and evidence-based transformation.
Conclusion
NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 serves as the launching pad for the DNP project—a scholarly journey that combines evidence, leadership, and innovation to improve healthcare outcomes. In this initial stage, learners define their practice problem NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 3, review relevant evidence, and begin conceptualizing their approach to implementing meaningful change.
This assessment instills the principles of doctoral-level scholarship: critical inquiry, ethical integrity, collaboration, and strategic thinking. It empowers nurses to move beyond bedside care into leadership roles where they can shape policy, redesign systems, and elevate the standards of healthcare delivery.
Ultimately, NURS FPX 9020 Assessment 1 is more than an academic task—it is the first step in becoming a visionary nurse leader. By embracing the DNP philosophy and committing to evidence-based transformation, learners set the stage for a project that not only fulfills academic requirements but also makes a lasting difference in the lives of patients, communities, and the profession of nursing itself.
