Through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program's progression, I continue to identify strengths and gaps in learning. Identification of gaps will help outline objectives for myself in the next phase of education. A weakness that has resonated long term with me is having a passive nature and difficulty with leadership. The DNP Essential VI: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes identifies that the DNP graduate is an effective leader with an interprofessional team (AACN, 2006). Therefore, my first personal objective, the DNP Project II, is

• Work toward becoming an effective leader within my project group by taking ownership and leading in monthly meetings, and communicating effectively with all project team members.

One of my main goals for obtaining my DNP was to learn how to translate new science into practice with the implementation of quality improvement projects within the neonatal intensive care (NICU). DNP Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice discusses that DNP graduates must be competent in translating research into practice, evaluation of practice, improvement of healthcare practices, and participation in research (AACN, 2006). This semester entails defending my proposal and begin implementation on the standardized discharge program in the NICU. My second personal objective for DNP Project II is

• Work toward becoming someone experienced in clinical scholarship with the continued development of the standardized discharge program and establish a timeline for implementation.

The above two objectives will be most of my focus this semester as my project comes together and with the beginning steps of implementation.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice.