Starting a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Walden University begins with the core course, NURS 8006 – Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. This 5-credit course provides the foundation for success by sharpening scholarly writing, strengthening critical-thinking skills, and preparing students for the rigor of doctoral-level learning.
At DNP Writing Help, we know that this first course often sets the tone for the entire DNP program. Students are expected to adapt quickly to the online curriculum, balance professional and academic responsibilities, and begin developing the mindset of a nurse leader. This article explains what NURS 8006 covers, why it matters, and how our expert support can help you achieve excellent results.
Table of Contents
NURS 8006 – Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Overview
NURS 8006 introduces students to Walden University’s online learning environment while emphasizing professional standards and evidence-based nursing practice. It also prepares learners for future coursework, the DNP Practicum, and the Capstone Project.
Main Focus Areas:
- Scholarly Writing and Critical Thinking – Strengthening academic writing and analytical skills for doctoral work.
- Communities of Practice – Understanding intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare.
- Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) – Examining the broader factors that shape health outcomes.
- Professional Standards and Ethics – Applying national and global nursing standards to practice.
- Capstone and Practicum Preparation – Early exposure to the DNP Project process.
Why NURS 8006 – Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Matters
This course is the gateway to becoming a doctoral-level nurse scholar-practitioner. It ensures that students:
- Gain confidence in academic and evidence-based writing.
- Learn how to identify practice gaps and propose meaningful solutions.
- Begin shaping their DNP Capstone Project ideas.
- Understand the ethical and professional expectations of advanced nursing.
- Explore how nurses can create social change within healthcare systems.
Mastering NURS 8006 is essential for long-term success in the DNP program, since it provides skills that carry forward into every subsequent course.
Course Outcomes
By completing NURS 8006 – Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, students are expected to:
- Demonstrate scholarly writing skills aligned with Walden standards.
- Apply critical-thinking strategies to identify and analyze practice issues.
- Collaborate across disciplines to improve healthcare outcomes.
- Integrate professional standards and ethical principles into practice.
- Explore evidence-based approaches for practice change.
- Begin preparing for the DNP Practicum and Capstone Project.
Common Challenges Students Face
- Adjusting to doctoral-level writing and research.
- Managing time while balancing coursework, work, and family.
- Moving from descriptive writing to critical analysis.
- Correctly applying APA formatting.
- Understanding how early assignments tie into the DNP Project.
Sample DNP Assignment for Walden University (NUR8006)
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Write a paper in which you address the following:
- Describe the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that you selected for this Assignment.
- Identify the four Domains from The Essentials you identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change.
- Justify your Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change you selected.
Safe Discharge Planning in Acute Care: Aligning AACN Essentials With Practice Gaps
Introduction
Safe discharge planning is essential for ensuring smooth transitions of patients from acute hospital settings back into their communities. When discharge planning is poorly executed, patients may experience medication mismanagement, readmissions, or disruptions in continuity of care. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Essentials for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) provide a structured framework that can help close this practice gap. This paper highlights four AACN Essentials domains that support safe discharge planning in acute care and demonstrates how each domain addresses critical shortcomings in current practice.
Description of the Organization Type and Practice Gap
The focus of this discussion is the acute hospital setting, where patients are admitted for sudden and severe illnesses or injuries. Within this environment, a significant practice gap exists in discharge planning. Effective discharge planning involves preparing patients with the necessary instructions, resources, and follow-up care to reduce complications and prevent hospital readmissions. Research emphasizes that inadequate discharge practices compromise patient safety, reduce satisfaction, and increase system-level burdens (Author & Secord, 2021). Addressing this gap ensures continuity of care, reduces risks, and supports optimal patient outcomes.
Essentials Domains Supporting Safe Discharge Planning
Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice
This domain provides the foundation for comprehensive patient assessment and evidence-based decision-making. Nurses must apply clinical guidelines and research evidence to design tailored discharge plans, particularly for patients with complex conditions. By integrating evidence-based practices, nurses help patients recognize risk factors, manage medications effectively, and adhere to follow-up care, thereby reducing adverse outcomes (García‐Sierra et al., 2023).
Domain 2: Person-Centered Care
Safe discharge planning must prioritize the unique values, preferences, and circumstances of each patient. Person-centered care ensures that patients and their families are actively engaged in recovery, understand their roles, and are provided with clear communication regarding post-discharge expectations. This approach also accounts for environmental and social factors, creating individualized plans that foster smoother transitions.
Domain 5: Health Equity and Ethical Practice
Discharge planning must consider socioeconomic barriers that affect compliance with care plans. Costs of medications, limited access to follow-up services, or lack of transportation often impede patients’ ability to adhere to discharge instructions. This domain underscores the importance of equitable care by addressing such barriers, ensuring all patients receive fair and ethical support that promotes improved health outcomes (Flaubert et al., 2021).
Domain 9: Clinical Prevention and Population Health
Preventive care is essential for minimizing readmission risks and supporting long-term stability after discharge. Nurses play a critical role in educating patients about symptom management, lifestyle adjustments, and preventive strategies. Early recognition of potential complications and structured follow-up care allow patients to engage in proactive health practices, thereby reducing avoidable rehospitalizations (Kisling & Das, 2023).
Conclusion
The AACN Essentials provide a structured, patient-centered framework for addressing the critical gap in safe discharge planning within acute hospital settings. By leveraging knowledge for practice, prioritizing person-centered care, ensuring health equity, and emphasizing prevention, nurses can design and implement effective discharge processes. Ultimately, aligning these domains with discharge planning strengthens continuity of care, reduces readmissions, and enhances patient satisfaction, leading to improved outcomes and a safer healthcare system.
References
Author, & Secord, S. (2021). Contributing factors to acute care hospital flow: International ideas: CADTH health technology review. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592732/
Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Educating nurses for the future. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573912/
García‐Sierra, R., Fernández‐Cano, M. I., Jiménez‐Pera, M., Feijoo‐Cid, M., & Arreciado Marañón, A. (2023). Knowledge about the best practice guidelines in the nursing degree: A non‐randomized post‐test design. Nursing Open, 11(1), e2074. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.2074
Kisling, L., & Das, J. (2023, August 1). Prevention strategies. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537222/
Foundation Course
OR
- NURS 8006 – Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice
- BSN-DNP Entry Only: Essential Courses
- DNRS 6052 – Essentials of Evidence Based Practice
- DNRS 6211 – Finance and Economics in Healthcare Delivery
Core Courses
- NURS 8114 – Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing
- NURS 8100 – Healthcare Policy and Analysis
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- NURS 8310 – Epidemiology and Population Health
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- NURS 8211 Data Collection and Analysis for Evidence-Based Practice
- NURS 8210 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
- NURS 8601 – DNP Field Experience (1 credit = 80 practicum hours)
- DNP Project and Practicum Courses
- NURS 8312 – Leading Quality Improvement
- NURS 8512 – DNP Project and Practicum I
- NURS 8513 – DNP Project and Practicum II
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