Barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for Doctor of Nursing Practice engagement in translational research

Background: Little is known about how Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates apply translational research competencies in the practice setting. Purpose: This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore the barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for engaging in translational research among DNPs in practice. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 DNPs working within an 8-hospital health system from November 2020 through July 2021. Discussion: We identified four themes related to barriers (invisibility of the DNP degree and skillset; lack of role clarity and organizational structure for DNPs; lack of time for engagement in translational research; lack of support for engagement in translational research), one theme related to facilitators (encouragement from colleagues and supervisors), and two themes related to opportunities (DNP education promotes re-cognition of nurse role in translational research; DNPs are interested in role expansion to include trans-lational research). Conclusion: DNPs have the interest and training to engage in translational research but face structural barriers to doing so. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.