Abstract
Background: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)- and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses bring complementary expertise to evidence-based practice and research. In clinical settings, collaboration between these roles is informal and poorly defined. Guided by Convergent Care Theory (CCT), a team at a large health system developed the FUSION Model (Framework for Uniting Science, Implementation, and Organizational Nursing) aimed to formalize DNP–PhD collaboration, accelerate evidence translation, and advance nursing excellence.
Methods: A team of 11 doctoral-prepared nurses engaged in an iterative model development process. Across 9 sessions, the team reviewed 25 articles, mapped current DNP and PhD role functions, and identified barriers and facilitators to collaboration. Four thematic analysis meetings synthesized narratives and exemplars. Guided by CCT, findings were organized into four interdependent pillars of the FUSION Model: Organizational Support (OS), Team Alliance (TA), Family-Centered Care (FCC), and Personal/Professional Care (PPC).
Results: The FUSION Model defines essential structures and behaviors for effective DNP–PhD collaboration. OS establishes the foundation through recognition of doctoral roles, protected time, and access to resources. TA promotes bidirectional collaboration grounded in communication and respect. FCC centers outcomes on patient and family priorities. PPC sustains collaboration through accountability and mentorship to foster growth and prevent burnout. Operationalization of the model included the creation of a DNP-PhD Collaborative Council to coordinate and align projects with system priorities and track outcomes.
Implications: The FUSION Model offers a clinically grounded, scalable framework for integrating nursing science and practice within health systems.
Notes
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Sigma Membership
Delta Theta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Doctorally Prepared Nurses, Research Nurses, Scholarship, Nursing Research, Nursing Science, Collaboration, Evidence-Based Practice, Evidence-Based Professional Practice, Professional Role
Recommended Citation
Branson, Kaylan; Brooks, Malorie; Stephen, Jennifer; Miller, Roberta; and Van Orne, Julie, "The FUSION Model: Advancing DNP–PhD Collaboration to Bridge Nursing Science and Practice" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 36.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/36
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-23
The FUSION Model: Advancing DNP–PhD Collaboration to Bridge Nursing Science and Practice
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)- and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses bring complementary expertise to evidence-based practice and research. In clinical settings, collaboration between these roles is informal and poorly defined. Guided by Convergent Care Theory (CCT), a team at a large health system developed the FUSION Model (Framework for Uniting Science, Implementation, and Organizational Nursing) aimed to formalize DNP–PhD collaboration, accelerate evidence translation, and advance nursing excellence.
Methods: A team of 11 doctoral-prepared nurses engaged in an iterative model development process. Across 9 sessions, the team reviewed 25 articles, mapped current DNP and PhD role functions, and identified barriers and facilitators to collaboration. Four thematic analysis meetings synthesized narratives and exemplars. Guided by CCT, findings were organized into four interdependent pillars of the FUSION Model: Organizational Support (OS), Team Alliance (TA), Family-Centered Care (FCC), and Personal/Professional Care (PPC).
Results: The FUSION Model defines essential structures and behaviors for effective DNP–PhD collaboration. OS establishes the foundation through recognition of doctoral roles, protected time, and access to resources. TA promotes bidirectional collaboration grounded in communication and respect. FCC centers outcomes on patient and family priorities. PPC sustains collaboration through accountability and mentorship to foster growth and prevent burnout. Operationalization of the model included the creation of a DNP-PhD Collaborative Council to coordinate and align projects with system priorities and track outcomes.
Implications: The FUSION Model offers a clinically grounded, scalable framework for integrating nursing science and practice within health systems.
Description
The FUSION Model provides structure for collaboration between DNP and PhD-prepared nurses in clinical settings. Grounded in Convergent Care Theory, the model’s four pillars align nursing science and practice to improve outcomes, sustainability, and scholarly impact.