Reflecting on Nurse Practitioner Education

In the January 2023 issue of JNP, I published my 100th editorial, letter to editor, or commentary. They have not all been posted by JNP. started opinion editorials in 1999 with Clinical Advisor. will always be grateful managing who saw a spark me and invited continue express opinions on their pages. Being able show already had much practice this area helped earn role associate editor then chief at This type milestone begs reflection, so printed out CV began perusing titles past editorials. My first editorial was titled “We Need Preceptors.” Another one that year “Beware Antibiotic Resistance.” Both are still significant issues for our today. Issues seen some improvement since wrote about them 2000 health care reform, Affordable Care Act is law, fighting American Medical Association nurse practitioner (NP) scope practice, because full authority possible more than half United States. Some things now standard we don’t even think as novel anymore, like they were when use internet communicating patients via email 2002. More recently, addressed language describe ourselves others each other, how NPs, particularly those doctorate nursing (DNP) degree, need clear communications what degree prepares us do articulate different from traditional PhD degree. It unfair employers, colleagues, students terms “research” referencing DNP student’s evidence-based quality (EBPQI) project. Not only overhear frequently between students, faculty, but according studies totaling 160 projects, there remains persistent confusion few EBPQI methods.1Roush K. Tesoro M. An examination rigor value final scholarly projects completed students.J Prof Nurs. 2018; 34: 437-443https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2018.03.003Crossref PubMed Scopus (38) Google Scholar,2Waldrop J. Reynolds S. Curricular revision increase principles doctor projects.J Nurse Pract. 2023; 19104530https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2022.104530Abstract Full Text PDF (1) Scholar Instead, quasi-experimental design, often small sample sizes, inappropriate statistical analyses.3Carpenter R. Waldrop Carter-Templeton H. Statistical, practical clinical significance Doctor Nursing Practice projects.Nurse Author Ed. 2021; 31: 50-53https://doi.org/10.1111/nae2.27Crossref doing so, implemented can overlooked focus P significant. Statistical process controls clearly help differentiate instead. To any faculty reading special collection articles innovation NP education, ask you commit becoming experts yourselves, if an expert, share expertise other teach programs. The sooner reach consensus begin consistently preparing NPs systematic skill set EBPQI, demonstrate organizations make impact populations beyond direct 1:1 patient care. degrees degrees, which great! Let’s celebrate differences embrace work together best: provide highest improving systems promote