Closing the Gap Between Practice and Research Through PhD and DNP Collaborations

BACKGROUND: Combining the research expertise of PhD-prepared nurses with the clinical insights of DNP-prepared nurses creates a collaboration to translate research into actionable practice. Despite the potential benefits, there are barriers to this collaboration. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article was to explore the "why" and "how" regarding inconsistent collaboration between PhD- and DNP-prepared individuals within cancer care organizations and to develop strategies for improved PhD-DNP collaboration in oncology nursing. METHODS: The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) held a think tank at ONS Congress® for PhD and DNP participants. An abstraction laddering exercise explored a challenge statement regarding inconsistent collaboration between PhD- and DNP-prepared individuals within cancer care organizations. FINDINGS: The findings from the PhD-DNP Think Tank highlight the barriers and opportunities for collaboration between PhD- and DNP-prepared nurses in oncology care. The strategies developed provide a road map for individuals and organizations to foster a culture of collaboration, ultimately enhancing patient care, education, and research in oncology nursing.