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

Little is known about how Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates apply translational research competencies in the practice setting. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore the barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for engaging in translational research among DNPs in practice. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 DNPs working within an 8-hospital health system from November 2020 through July 2021. 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 recognition of nurse role in translational research; DNPs are interested in role expansion to include translational research). DNPs have the interest and training to engage in translational research but face structural barriers to doing so. •Job opportunities enabling DNPs to apply their full scope of education are limited.•The competencies of DNPs are not fully utilized or recognized in practice settings.•DNPs are interested in roles that combine patient care with translational research.•Roles combining patient care and translational research may leverage DNP skillsets.