The role of Doctor of Nursing Practice programs' mission, vision, and values statements in the development of students' professional identity: A qualitative study

The effectiveness of university and program mission, vision, and values statements in shaping Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) programs' curricula and their students' professional identity is insufficiently understood. This qualitative research project explored how these statements inform DNP program curricula and contribute to the development of the professional identity of students Three DNP programs in the U.S. American Midwest participated in this research. Participants included students, alumni, and faculty from these three programs. 33 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The transcriptions were analyzed, using the Grounded Theory approach, and the results were interpreted in light of the statements of participating programs. While a wide range of themes related to interviewees' professional identity was identified, it became apparent that students' professional identity is centered on (1) being citizens engaged in social, democratic, and political processes, (2) building caring relationships and communities, and (3) addressing health inequities. Such priorities are explicitly aligned with the statements of participating programs. The results (1) highlight the potential of statements to foster students' development of a professional identity as DNPs and (2) underscore that this identity is aligned with nursing programs' specific mission and values.