Your questions about the My DNP Manuscript program, answered.
The Q&A below pertains specifically to the on-demand writing program. More information will be added about the instructor-led program in the weeks to come.
Q. What is the time commitment for this program?
A. Each of the 6 instructional videos in the on-demand program is 10 to 21 minutes in length. Bonus Videos, available to those who purchase access to the complete instructional program, are 3 to 12 minutes in length. During the access period that you purchase (1 week for individual videos; 3 months when you buy access to the entire series of instructional videos), you can view your rented videos as many times as you like.
Q. Do I need access to the internet to use this program?
A. Yes, you will need a normal internet connection to view session videos. The videos that make up the My DNP Manuscript on-demand program are now viewable via Vimeo On Demand. Thus, sessions can be viewed on any device with an internet connection: laptop and desktop computers, iPads and tablets, smartphones, and TV apps such as Apple TV and Roku. See this link for complete information about where and how the program videos can be viewed.
Q. What if I only need help writing one specific part of my manuscript? Do I need to purchase access to the whole 6-session series?
A. You always have the option of renting single videos from the 6-session main instructional program for one week at a time. However, be aware that the videos were developed and meant to be used as a comprehensive, 6-session instructional program, with each session building on the one that precedes it. You'll follow one "step" at a time until your manuscript is completed. If you rent access to just one of the videos, you'll miss out on important, helpful information, and you won't have access to any of the Bonus Videos. Therefore, we always recommend you purchase access to the whole program for one month first. If you wish to rent a single session video as a refresher down the line, you're welcome to do so.
Q. Does the My DNP Manuscript program detail exactly how to write a manuscript following SQUIRE 2.0?
A. Not exactly. The good news is, it's typically not required. Your university might require that you use SQUIRE guidelines, but very few journals require that authors write a manuscript addressing each specific item in the guidelines. Rather, they prefer you to use the SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines as a guide to ensure that you don't leave out anything important when writing your manuscript. The authors of the guideline itself state, "Authors should carefully consider the relevance of each SQUIRE item but recognize that it is sometimes not necessary, nor even possible, to include each item in a particular manuscript." [read the authors' full commentary here; a new page will open in your browser]. The My DNP Manuscript program is designed to help you meet the general requirements of a high-quality journal article, but it does not walk you through each item in the SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. A future program may specifically address these guidelines if their usage becomes more widespread.
Q. It would be great if my nursing school offered this program to all of its DNP students. Is it possible for universities to get group access?
A. Yes. DNP program administrators are welcome to contact us about making the My DNP Manuscript on-demand program available to all DNP students enrolled at their institution. Group discounts will apply.
Q. I'm only at the proposal-writing phase of my DNP degree program. Could the My DNP Manuscript program help me, too?
A. Yes. DNP students who pilot tested the original program told us that they wished they had had access to this program at earlier phases of their project development, because they found the instruction not only helped with manuscript writing, but with project development as well. The earlier you can solve problems in your project development, the better your chances of writing a meaningful project manuscript later on.
Q. Can you guarantee that my final DNP manuscript will be accepted after I use this program?
A. No. It's never possible to guarantee that a DNP student's manuscript will be accepted by her doctoral committee or her selected journal. Too many factors affect a manuscript's acceptability: the quality of the project's design and implementation, the quality of the data collection tools, the quality of the data analyses, the usefulness of the project's findings, and the needs and requirements of a student's targeted journal. The only thing we guarantee if you participate in this pilot program is that, after your participation, you will know a lot more about how to write a DNP manuscript than you did before you enrolled.
Q. How do I know that the program is worth my time?
A. The main contributor to this comprehensive program is expert manuscript editor and writing instructor Sara D. Hauber. In this pilot program, she has attempted to compile as much of her wisdom and expertise as possible, and she has consulted additional nursing faculty and other writing experts to ensure her instruction is useful and meaningful. You can read about Ms. Hauber here. Or you can read dozens of positive testimonials from current and former nursing students and faculty who have learned from Ms. Hauber how to improve their writing and their manuscript submissions. Also be sure to read the page of positive feedback from DNPs who pilot tested the program in 2018 and 2020.
Q. Will I get one-on-one feedback on my DNP manuscript as part of this program?
A. No, not with the on-demand program. However, personalized feedback is an integral part of the instructor-led program. Further individualized instruction, in the form of DNP manuscript editing, is available for a fee. We recommend you complete the My DNP Manuscript on-demand program or enroll in one of our instructor-led programs before engaging the services of a manuscript coach or editor, however. Editing fees are high (at least $70/hour), and the more help you get before hiring an editor, the better.
A. Each of the 6 instructional videos in the on-demand program is 10 to 21 minutes in length. Bonus Videos, available to those who purchase access to the complete instructional program, are 3 to 12 minutes in length. During the access period that you purchase (1 week for individual videos; 3 months when you buy access to the entire series of instructional videos), you can view your rented videos as many times as you like.
Q. Do I need access to the internet to use this program?
A. Yes, you will need a normal internet connection to view session videos. The videos that make up the My DNP Manuscript on-demand program are now viewable via Vimeo On Demand. Thus, sessions can be viewed on any device with an internet connection: laptop and desktop computers, iPads and tablets, smartphones, and TV apps such as Apple TV and Roku. See this link for complete information about where and how the program videos can be viewed.
Q. What if I only need help writing one specific part of my manuscript? Do I need to purchase access to the whole 6-session series?
A. You always have the option of renting single videos from the 6-session main instructional program for one week at a time. However, be aware that the videos were developed and meant to be used as a comprehensive, 6-session instructional program, with each session building on the one that precedes it. You'll follow one "step" at a time until your manuscript is completed. If you rent access to just one of the videos, you'll miss out on important, helpful information, and you won't have access to any of the Bonus Videos. Therefore, we always recommend you purchase access to the whole program for one month first. If you wish to rent a single session video as a refresher down the line, you're welcome to do so.
Q. Does the My DNP Manuscript program detail exactly how to write a manuscript following SQUIRE 2.0?
A. Not exactly. The good news is, it's typically not required. Your university might require that you use SQUIRE guidelines, but very few journals require that authors write a manuscript addressing each specific item in the guidelines. Rather, they prefer you to use the SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines as a guide to ensure that you don't leave out anything important when writing your manuscript. The authors of the guideline itself state, "Authors should carefully consider the relevance of each SQUIRE item but recognize that it is sometimes not necessary, nor even possible, to include each item in a particular manuscript." [read the authors' full commentary here; a new page will open in your browser]. The My DNP Manuscript program is designed to help you meet the general requirements of a high-quality journal article, but it does not walk you through each item in the SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. A future program may specifically address these guidelines if their usage becomes more widespread.
Q. It would be great if my nursing school offered this program to all of its DNP students. Is it possible for universities to get group access?
A. Yes. DNP program administrators are welcome to contact us about making the My DNP Manuscript on-demand program available to all DNP students enrolled at their institution. Group discounts will apply.
Q. I'm only at the proposal-writing phase of my DNP degree program. Could the My DNP Manuscript program help me, too?
A. Yes. DNP students who pilot tested the original program told us that they wished they had had access to this program at earlier phases of their project development, because they found the instruction not only helped with manuscript writing, but with project development as well. The earlier you can solve problems in your project development, the better your chances of writing a meaningful project manuscript later on.
Q. Can you guarantee that my final DNP manuscript will be accepted after I use this program?
A. No. It's never possible to guarantee that a DNP student's manuscript will be accepted by her doctoral committee or her selected journal. Too many factors affect a manuscript's acceptability: the quality of the project's design and implementation, the quality of the data collection tools, the quality of the data analyses, the usefulness of the project's findings, and the needs and requirements of a student's targeted journal. The only thing we guarantee if you participate in this pilot program is that, after your participation, you will know a lot more about how to write a DNP manuscript than you did before you enrolled.
Q. How do I know that the program is worth my time?
A. The main contributor to this comprehensive program is expert manuscript editor and writing instructor Sara D. Hauber. In this pilot program, she has attempted to compile as much of her wisdom and expertise as possible, and she has consulted additional nursing faculty and other writing experts to ensure her instruction is useful and meaningful. You can read about Ms. Hauber here. Or you can read dozens of positive testimonials from current and former nursing students and faculty who have learned from Ms. Hauber how to improve their writing and their manuscript submissions. Also be sure to read the page of positive feedback from DNPs who pilot tested the program in 2018 and 2020.
Q. Will I get one-on-one feedback on my DNP manuscript as part of this program?
A. No, not with the on-demand program. However, personalized feedback is an integral part of the instructor-led program. Further individualized instruction, in the form of DNP manuscript editing, is available for a fee. We recommend you complete the My DNP Manuscript on-demand program or enroll in one of our instructor-led programs before engaging the services of a manuscript coach or editor, however. Editing fees are high (at least $70/hour), and the more help you get before hiring an editor, the better.
More questions? Ask them here.
It's time to share your DNP project results with nurses everywhere.
The My DNP Manuscript writing program is here to help you do that.
Six simple steps will get you on your way.
Six simple steps will get you on your way.