Your DNP Project

Conducting Ethical Research Driven by Strong Sufficient Evidence

Bradley University copyright J. Walloch

Seeing the DNP project through the eyes of academia

The world of academia looks at the DNP project as a sustainable health system change—one that is supported by evidence and produces a deliverable. It includes evaluation and dissemination. Hence, the need for IRB checkoff.

Flow chart 1

  1. Clinical question goes to
  2. Preliminary search for evidence goes to
  3. PICOT goes to
  4. Search for evidence goes to
  5. Appraise the evidence.

Flow chart 2

  1. Is the evidence strong enough?

    2. If yes, either go to

    1. QA project
    2. Pre-IRB checkoff
    3. Improve the local knowledge

    Or go to

    1. EBP project
    2. Pre-IRB checkoff/IRB
    3. Apply the knowledge to the new situation

    If no go to

    1. Not enough evidence? Research
    2. IRB
    3. Create new knowledge

Whether this is a QI project, or an EBP project, or research the process starts the same way. DNP nurses implement a change in practice. If there is evidence to support a change, either the QI or EBP project is completed, leading to a system change. In contrast, PHD nurses complete a research project, where new knowledge is discovered.

Seeing the DNP project through the eyes of the institutional review board (IRB)

The IRB views these projects differently from academia. In the IRBs vision, there exists either QI or research.

Flow chart 1

  1. Clinical Question goes to
  2. Preliminary search for evidence goes to
  3. PICOT goes to
  4. Search for evidence goes to
  5. Appraise the evidence

Flow chart 2

  1. Does it include human subjects?

    2. If no go to

    1. Not research
    2. Pre-IRB checkoff/IRB
    3. Apply the knowledge to a system

    If yes go to

    1. Includes human subjects: research
    2. IRB
    3. Create new knowledge

Sometimes an EBP project can involve human subject interaction and so the project may be considered research by the IRB.