The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) differs from a PhD in nursing in that it focuses on innovative practice and the practical application of research in nursing settings, rather than on generating research itself (AACN, 2006). To prepare nurses to function at the highest levels of practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing implemented a task force charged with developing the curriculum guidelines that would ensure standardization of DNP education. Thus, the DNP Essentials were born. Eight essentials now serve as competency benchmarks that must be met by the DNP student prior to being conferred the doctoral degree. From this page, definitions of each of the eight essentials can be reviewed and specific work highlighting my competency in each of them is included.