Search

Collaboration between Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) scholars and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholars is crucial to efficiently advance and disseminate nursing science. Also, DNP-PhD collaboration can help achieve priorities outlined in the recent National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Strategic Plan. The purpose of this series of case studies is to describe exemplars of ongoing DNP-PhD collaborations across three NINR-funded trials (1 completed, 2 ongoing) testing physical activity interventions for women at risk for cardiovascular disease. In our three physical activity intervention trials for women, we categorized examples of DNP-PhD collaboration by the four phases of the team-based research model (development, conceptualization, implementation, and translation). Across all three trials, DNP and PhD scholars contributed successfully to all phases of research in an iterative manner. Future work should focus on expanding DNP-PhD collaboration in behavioral trials, which can inform adapted, contemporary models of iterative DNP-PhD collaboration.

Doctorally prepared nurse scholars with the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees are equally well suited to engage in scholarship to advance cardiovascular nursing and health outcomes. Collaboration between DNP and PhD scholars is crucial to develop interventions to improve cardiovascular outcomes and encourage efficient translation of research findings into practice. The purpose of this paper is to (1) provide a targeted review of the current state of literature on examples of DNP-PhD collaboration, and (2) describe ongoing DNP-PhD collaborations across three NIH-funded trials (1 completed, 2 ongoing) testing physical activity interventions for women at risk for cardiovascular disease. First, a targeted review was conducted to identify examples of DNP-PhD collaboration, and identified 12 published articles. Articles described the DNP-PhD collaborations in research/scholarship ( n = 8) and education ( n = 5). Of the research articles, there was evidence of collaboration in evidence-based practice projects for various health outcomes. However, none of the articles described DNP-PhD collaboration in NIH-funded clinical trials, including behavioral interventions for cardiovascular health. Three physical activity interventions for women at risk for cardiovascular disease were or are being tested in three trials (NCT01700894, NCT03558828, NCT04556305). Examples of DNP-PhD collaboration are categorized according to the four Team Science Phases. Research teams are led by PhD nurse scholars who oversee design and implementation (Development, Conceptualization, Implementation, Translation). DNP scholars provide clinical feedback in advisory panels and focus groups (Development, Conceptualization), provide training to intervention teams, lead personal call and group interventions (Implementation), facilitate patient referrals for participation (Implementation), oversee intervention safety (Implementation, Translation), and contribute to dissemination (Translation). DNP-PhD collaboration is important for all phases of NIH behavioral trials to optimize outcomes. There is a need for additional publications to detail applicable DNP-PhD collaborations in NIH-funded nursing research.

Background The global effort to vaccinate people against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during an ongoing pandemic has raised questions about how vaccine breakthrough infections compare with infections in immunologically naive individuals and the potential for vaccinated individuals to transmit the virus. Methods We examined viral dynamics and infectious virus shedding through daily longitudinal sampling in 23 adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 at varying stages of vaccination, including 6 fully vaccinated individuals. Results The durations of both infectious virus shedding and symptoms were significantly reduced in vaccinated individuals compared with unvaccinated individuals. We also observed that breakthrough infections are associated with strong tissue compartmentalization and are only detectable in saliva in some cases. Conclusions Vaccination shortens the duration of time of high transmission potential, minimizes symptom duration, and may restrict tissue dissemination.