DNP graduate nurses need to be equipped with the knowledge and skill to analyze and plan for the health needs of their patients and populations, and to identify ways to prevent illness before it starts. By doing so, advanced practice nurses have a strong part to play in influencing the health of the nation (AACN, 2006). Having a foundational competency in public health concepts like health promotion, disease prevention, and understanding how the social determinants of health impact their patients and populations is needed to develop and implement the most effective evidence-based solutions (AACN, 2006). A DNP graduate needs to hold skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, and the synthesis of data into usable information for decision-making.

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In 2015, I received my Master of Public Health degree from the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While the program emphasized leadership, my core concentration areas were in epidemiology and in public health practice. My DNP project included a heavy epidemiology component, entailing the development of a method to quantify the number of cases of vaccine-preventable disease averted through vaccinations administered specifically by public health nurses. Further, the sensitivity analysis of the project took into account the impact of the vaccine program on socioeconomically disadvantaged people in Wyoming; specifically, those qualified for public vaccine. The outcome of this analysis found that our return on investment is even greater when serving those who are disadvantaged. 

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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