title: Opening doors: The practice degree that changes practice.
abstract: This descriptive, qualitative research study describes the educational experience and preparation for future practice of the initial three cohorts of DNP graduates of a Northwest university. "Opening doors: The practice degree that changes practice" was the overarching theme identified. Five additional themes included students and faculty as colearners; explaining the DNP; thinking differently about practice; navigating the capstone; and building bonds/collegial connections.
authors.affiliation: Marie Annette Brown is a professor at the University of Washington, Department of Family and Child Nursing, and a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Washington Medical Center, Women's Health Care Clinic, Seattle, Wash. Louise Kaplan is an associate professor and nursing program director at St. Martin's University, Olympia, Wash. and family nurse practitioner at Tumwater Family Practice Clinic, Tumwater, Wash.
authors.forename: Marie Annette
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D036301:Qualitative Research