Direct answer: Define a DNP problem of practice by identifying a specific, observable gap between current and desired practice in a defined setting and population, supporting the gap with evidence, explaining its consequences, and setting boundaries that make an applied doctoral project feasible.
A problem of practice is not simply an important health topic. It is a setting-specific performance, quality, implementation, or outcome gap that can be investigated or improved through doctoral nursing practice.
Separate the problem from the intervention
“Implement a new education program” describes a solution. The problem statement should first demonstrate what is happening now, who is affected, how current practice differs from an evidence-based or organizational expectation, and why the gap matters.
Six elements of a defensible problem
| Element | Question |
|---|---|
| Setting | Where does the problem occur? |
| Population | Who experiences or contributes to the gap? |
| Current state | What practice, process, or outcome is observed? |
| Desired state | What evidence-based, policy, or organizational expectation provides the comparison? |
| Evidence of the gap | What local or credible external evidence shows magnitude and significance? |
| Consequences | How does the gap affect quality, safety, equity, experience, cost, workflow, or outcomes? |
Use evidence at two levels
Context evidence shows that the broader problem matters. Setting evidence demonstrates that the gap exists in the proposed project environment. When local data are unavailable or restricted, follow the assessment requirements, state limitations, and do not imply that national data are local results.
Set project boundaries
Define what the project will and will not address. Consider the population, site, process, timeframe, authority, data access, ethical requirements, and resources. A narrow problem can produce a stronger doctoral project than a broad problem that cannot be measured or influenced.
Too broad: “Hospital readmissions are a serious national problem.”
More focused: “In the defined outpatient setting, follow-up within the required period after discharge is inconsistent among adults with the specified condition, contributing to missed medication and symptom-management needs.”
The focused version identifies a process, population, setting, and observable gap without assuming the intervention.
Problem-statement sequence
- Introduce the practice setting and population.
- State the current process or outcome.
- Present evidence demonstrating the gap.
- Identify the relevant desired practice or benchmark.
- Explain consequences and stakeholders.
- Define scope and transition to the project purpose.
Check alignment before choosing a method
The problem should align with the project purpose, question or objective, evidence review, intervention, implementation plan, and evaluation measures. If the proposed measure cannot detect change in the stated problem, alignment is weak.
Common DNP problem-statement errors
- Describing a national issue without proving a local or setting-specific gap.
- Writing the intervention into the problem statement.
- Combining several unrelated problems.
- Using an outcome that the project cannot reasonably influence.
- Ignoring stakeholders, workflow, or implementation context.
- Using unsupported claims about organizational performance.
Final problem-of-practice checklist
- The setting and population are defined.
- The current and desired states are distinguishable.
- Evidence demonstrates the gap and its consequences.
- The statement does not assume the solution.
- The scope is feasible for the project context.
- The problem aligns with the purpose and potential measures.
Related resources
Use the DNP assignment and course guidance for broader doctoral project planning, and the DNP project evaluation measures guide when the problem statement must connect to measurable project outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
Does a DNP problem have to be clinical?
Follow the program and assessment requirements. Problems of practice may involve clinical care, quality, leadership, systems, policy, education, implementation, or other nursing-practice domains.
Can published research prove my local problem?
It can establish broader significance and expected practice, but local or scenario-specific evidence is usually needed to demonstrate the gap in the proposed setting.
When should I select the intervention?
After the problem and contributing context are sufficiently understood and the evidence supports a feasible response.