DNP ESSENTIALS
The 2006 AACN DNP Essentials outline the foundational competencies expected of nurses completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, these eight Essentials define the core knowledge and skills required for advanced nursing practice across all specialties, including scientific underpinnings of practice, systems leadership, evidence‑based clinical scholarship, the use of information technology, health policy advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, population health, and advanced clinical expertise.
Together, they serve as the national framework for DNP curriculum design and reflect the role of the DNP as a practice‑focused terminal degree aimed at improving patient and population outcomes.
DNP Exemplars
The following exemplars demonstrate how my doctoral work aligns with the 2006 AACN DNP Essentials, which outline the core competencies required for competency-based doctoral nursing education. Each exemplar highlights specific scholarly activities, projects, or clinical achievements that reflect my competency and growth within these foundational areas of advanced nursing practice.