Evaluation of Quality in Health Care for DNPs, 3rd Edition

This book provides a high-quality resource on evaluation for nurses. It addresses the special needs of Doctorate of Nursing Practice nurses to understand the principles of conducting large scale evaluations, and translating those principles into developing smaller projects, such as unit-based projects or projects required in DNP degree programs. Along with the higher expectations for DNP nurses come greater opportunities to lead evaluation teams and influence high-level decision making in all areas of health care. The book recognizes that the reader does not necessarily read a book from first chapter through the last. The intended audiences for this book are students enrolled in master and doctoral level programs, including advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) and DNP programs; DNP graduates and practicing APRNs; nurse administrators; directors of quality improvement; faculty teaching evaluation; and others interested in evaluation of health care from a practice and clinical perspective. The book provides an overview of the state of the science and knowledge of evaluation, and its application to common practice issues in which DNP, APRN, and master's prepared nurses lead and participate. Students, graduates, and colleagues provided information about their particular needs which was greatly appreciated. The intent of this book is to lay a foundation in evaluation for DNPs/APRNs to assume their important role in the process. Evaluation principles (concepts) as applied to health care continue to be underdeveloped and evolving. Evaluation is a nonlinear and messy process. While there is no one right way to conduct an evaluation, it is driven by the intended purpose and use of the evaluation findings.