The DNP prepared nurse is not only adept at managing the needs of a patient, but also those of the organization and community (AACN, 2006). This requires the ability to think broadly about the impacts of interventions and policy beyond a single person and to commit to the continuous pursuit of quality improvement to lead multilevel changes that impact population health. The advanced practice nurse is skilled in quickly adapting to the needs of both populations and organizations and understands the need to strategize interventions across the ecological model. These nurse leaders require not just clinical knowledge to assess health needs, but organizational and leadership knowledge to assess financial, strategic, and policy needs. 

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My doctoral project, entitled "Determining the Return on Investment of Public Health Nurses Delivering Immunization Services in Wyoming," is a prime example of my ability to consider the needs of both a population and an organization, and develop a strategy and framework to describe the value public health nurses bring to the state. In so doing, I was also able collect and analyze a great deal of financial data related to the program which will enable future policy decisions to be made with greater clarity. 

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American Academy of Colleges of Nursing (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf