Oral defense is a near final step in your pursuit of DNP degree journey. It is less than one hour activity that determines if you partially fulfill the requirements to earn the coveted DNP degree. It offers you unique platform to demonstrate ability to synthesize, translate and apply clinical knowledge into practice, which are vital skills in DNP practice. In your DNP project oral defense you will be required to show mastery in your chosen research topic, deep understanding of the chosen clinical nursing scope and effectively communicate the findings and patient outcomes to the DNP committee.
Key DNP Project Oral Defense Expectation
Is this your first time to do an oral defense? Then you might be wondering what the chair and DNP committee expects from me during the defense. Based on my prior experience as a DNP student your final oral defense should focus on chapter 4 (results and findings) and chapter 5(Discussion, Conclusion, recommendation and future research). Be able to connect the results and findings to your research questions and explain how your results answer the research questions and hypothesis and support your conclusion and recommendations.
However, if you are at proposal stage, your defense should address chapter 1 (Introduction), chapter 2 (literature review) and chapter 3 (research methodology). In this case, your defense should able to show how your DNP research will fill the existing research gap and enhance patient care outcomes.
Tips To Ace your DNP Project Oral Defense
You’ve probably been to a crass DNP viva voce which made you cringe. Avoid embarrassing yourself before the committee by learning these actionable tips to ace through DNP oral defense.
It’s two short hours before the curtain falls on a tedious study program littered with tomes of clinical books and a nerve-racking DNP project. Make the years of midnight reading count when you take to the podium.
Also See: Excellent Tips to Master the Art of Capstone Paper Writing
Tip #1: Open the DNP Project Oral Defense With a Compelling Statement.
Choose an opening statement that grabs the attention of every professor in the room. Perch in their spotlight, and don’t budge until they are convinced you know your stuff. The following is a sample template of a memorable expository.
“Welcome to the DNP project defense on ( title of your capstone paper ) this morning / afternoon. On the podium is ( your full name ) If you ask around college, they’ll also tell you ( a brief description of your academic background and occupation ) Thank you for attending, and may we please begin.”
Tip #2: Approach the Mic With a Structured Format
After earning the ear of your audience, clearly explain the logic behind your research statement choice. Ponder on the DNP project’s significance to clinical practice and dive deep into the theoretical framework of your study. Whet the appetites of the audience with solid justification to your methodology and the extent of your findings.
Impress the DNP oral defense committee with a deliberate show of deep, contextual understanding of the research question. Roll out the key DNP project issues in a logical, concise, and fluid narration.
Remember This!
Before the dreaded Q&A session, settle any anticipated questions by structuring your presentation around the question areas.
Tip #3: Know Your Research Inside Out
Know your DNP capstone paper by rote. Be vigilant of any new developments in your area of clinical research and be sure to highlight it. The last thing a good ole’ professor wants is listening to a discordant DNP oral defense from what they read in your final project paper!
In as much as you are defending your DNP research, subtly communicate a willingness to learn and improve. It’s a hint to a great DNP practitioner in the future.
Ensure you are conversant with every detail of your research methodology and be prepared to explain every aspect. This include: research design, research methods, data collection instruments, data analysis tools, ethical considerations and limitations.
Keep in mind that this is an examination, albeit oral.
Tip #4: Simulate a DNP Oral Defense and Prepare Essential Materials
Create a mock DNP oral defense with your peers and project team supervisor. Let them cosplay the committee as you make your presentation. A simulation helps you to sharpen public speaking skills, improve time management, and to build confidence in readiness for the real deal.
Remember that cliché about 1000 words for a single visual? Make your DNP oral defense a visually-engaging event. My advice is to focus your slides on methodology, key findings, and recommendations segments of your research.
Practice spoken and non-verbal communication skills, solicit objective criticism, and incorporate it in your final presentation. Make your DNP oral defense visually engaging. Test every piece of equipment you’ll need before the big day!
Here are some of the common DNP project oral defense questions you can anticipate from your panel. Practice answering them today
- Take us through the research design of your study?
- Give us a step by step approach of your research methodology?
- Why did you choose the stated methodology for your study?
- Are there discrepancies between your findings and previous researches?
- What limitations did you have during your research and how did you overcome them?
- What was your sample size and how did you arrive at your sample size?
- Is your research generalizable? And if not why?
- Walk us through the data collection and analysis phases?
- Discuss the ethical considerations in your research and how you overcame them?
- Do you think your research has clinical implications in nursing practice?
- How do you intend to disseminate your findings to other nurses?
- Recommend future research areas based on your research findings
- Identify key stakeholders who can benefit from your research besides patients
Tip #5: Focus on The Audience
Know your audience, and factor them in the DNP oral defense. The whole sense of the occasion is to convince them, anyways. When a particular professor crowds you, you’ll know how to answer them in short, laser-like answers and in the most confident way.
Maintain eye contact and use formal body language. A little stage fright is normal, and a bead of cold sweat means you’re doing fine already. Engage the professors throughout the DNP oral defense without ceding control.
Overall, focus on engaging the audience. Demonstrate confidence and an ability to think critically throughout the DNP oral defense.
Tip #6: Get Ready for Questions
If you sneak in on a public DNP oral defense in your discipline, you’ll soak in lots of expected (and obvious) questions. Some supervisors will hint at pertinent questions for your specific DNP oral defense. I advise you to subtly solicit for the questions from your instructors.
Contextual questions devour the hourglass. They also present unexpected, discomforting moments during the oral defense. Get ready for them.
Sample this calm response when answering a contextual DNP oral defense question:
“ I’m not sure the project concerned itself with your question, but this study led me to Dr. A.N Other. Based on their evidence, I would confidently conclude….”
Tip #7: Manage Time Effectively
Practice ensures that you deliver the DNP oral defense within the allocated time. Too little time on the podium means under-preparation. Stretching allocated time is an indicator of one too many digressions.
Make your 1-or-2 hours of fame count. Set aside enough minutes in your DNP oral defense schedule for the Q&A session. A good simulation and practice will effectively sort this out.
Tip # 8: Articulate the Significance of Your DNP Project
It’s why you are here in the first place – to publicly showcase the impact of your research to real-world clinical practice. Demonstrate the impact of your project outcomes on shaping the future of nursing, while recognizing and addressing the encountered limitations. Use the DNP oral defense as a platform to highlight the symbolic importance of your expertise.
Tip #9 : Dress, Speak, and Behave Formal
A DNP oral defense is a formal event. Appear in formal wear, speak formal, and use formal non-verbal communication. Nursing practice is best carried out in formal etiquette.
While addressing the never-lacking DNP oral defense inquisitors, remain calm. Listen carefully to their questions. Ask for clarification where necessary. Respond honestly and if possible, cite examples from the particular interrogator’s research.
Wrap Up
Acing the DNP oral defense requires meticulous planning and deliberate preparation for a winning presentation. Embrace objective feedback, stay composed, and highlight your contributions.
Approach your DNP project oral defense as an opportunity to shine. Always provide clear examples to support your answers and amplify your points. Stay calm and demonstrate mastery of your topic.
Best of luck on the podium!
