Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40237610›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026

The Impact of Doctor of Nursing Practice Education on Career Advancement and Professional Satisfaction: A Scoping Review.

Tuba Sengul, Seda Sarikose, Violeta Lopez, Holly Kirkland-Kyhn

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tuba SengulKoç University School of Nursing, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6253-2016
Seda SarikoseKoç University School of Nursing, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0669-6451
Violeta LopezSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8844-0331
Holly Kirkland-KyhnThe Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9092-9088

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo explore the impact of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education on career advancement, job satisfaction, leadership competencies and contributions to healthcare systems.

designThe study utilised a scoping review methodology based on Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework.

methodsThe search strategy was developed with an academic librarian to ensure thoroughness and relevance. Seven databases were searched using MesH terms. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies examining DNP education's influence on career advancement, job satisfaction and leadership. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes. DATA SOURCES: Studies were selected based on their focus on DNP-prepared nurses, nursing faculty or advanced practice nursing students in healthcare or academic settings, published between 2004 and 2024.

resultsTwenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting DNP education's role in fostering leadership, professional development and evidence-based practice. Thematic analysis revealed the benefits of being a DNP graduate include contribution to professional development, contribution to leadership and contribution to the practice environment. The challenges to DNP graduates include underrecognition of competencies, high educational costs and limited academic opportunities that were also identified.

conclusionsDNP education contributes to individual and professional growth, leadership development and healthcare system improvements. However, barriers such as financial constraints and inadequate recognition of DNP competencies must be addressed to maximise the impact of this educational model. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: DNP education empowers nurses to lead healthcare innovations, enhance patient care quality and reduce disparities in health outcomes. Strengthening financial and systemic support for DNP graduates is essential for sustaining these contributions. IMPACT: DNP education is a transformative force in nursing, offering significant opportunities for leadership development and healthcare advancements. Aligning DNP programmes with evolving global healthcare challenges can further strengthen their impact on the profession and patient care. REPORTING

methodsPRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed.

Indexed as

Career MobilityEducation, Nursing, GraduateJob SatisfactionAdultFemaleHumansLeadershipMaleMiddle Agedcareer pathwaysdoctoral educationmentorshipnursingnursing practicesatisfaction

Identifiers

PMID40237610
PMCPMC12810671

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.