The document discusses a DNP student's scholarly project that aims to implement the NICE Guidelines for exercise to decrease symptoms of depression in adult patients aged 18 years and older over 8-10 weeks. The student identifies DNP Essential V, which involves interprofessional collaboration to improve patient outcomes, as being demonstrated in their project. Successful implementation of the project requires collaboration between the DNP student and staff at the practicum site to recruit participants, educate them, collect data, implement the exercise program, evaluate outcomes, and ensure sustainability.

1. Onwu, Practice Question: In adult patients aged 18 years and
Onwu, Practice Question: In adult patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of
depression, will implementing the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Guidelines for exercising impact depression scores over 8-10 weeks?Which DNP Essentials
could be demonstrated in your scholarly project?The DNP essential I demonstrate in my
scholarly project is essential V1, interpersonal collaboration for improving patient
outcomes. The aim of my project is to decrease symptoms of depression in patients
with the diagnosis of mild to moderate depression using routine physical exercise such as
walking. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of exercise in reducing
depression and depression symptoms (Bigarella et al., 2021; Hu et al., 2020; Lok et al., 2017;
NICE, 2009). In some studies, the effects of exercise in reducing depression symptoms were
comparable to the effects of antidepressant medications on depression (Blumenthal et al.,
2007). In others, exercise was used as an intervention or treatment ally for the management
of depression and depressive symptoms (Bigarella et al., 2021; Hu et al., 2020; Lok et al.,
2017; NICE, 2009). Exercise or physical activity is evidence-based, non-pharmacologic,
affordable, cost-effective, highly tolerable, and easy to perform without significant adverse
effects (Bigarella et al., 2021; Hu et al., 2020; Lok et al., 2017; NICE, 2009). The DNP student
cannot successfully single-handedly implement the project rather its success requires a
team-based approach. The successful implementation of my project requires great
interpersonal collaboration between the DNP student, practicum site leadership, staff,
therapists, nurses, and providers. The DNP student collaborates with the rest of the
mentioned team members to help recruit participants, educate, collect data, implement,
evaluate, and sustain the change. Together, the team implements the change so patients’
outcomes can be improved.Does your project idea consist of breadth and depth of
knowledge within a defined area? Is there the potential for innovation and creativity to
affect an outcome?Yes, my project idea consists of breadth and depth of knowledge within a
defined area of mental health. Walking exercise is implemented to help patients with the
diagnosis of mild to moderate depression improve their quality of life, improve mood, and
live a well-fulfilled life worthy of celebrating. Patients are equipped with creative and
innovative ways to help improve their lives. Participants are encouraged to use applications
such as MyFitnessPal which they already have in-built unto their phones to help them track
and record their walks.What areas of expertise and passion do you bring that you can build
on? What skill sets do you need to develop to successfully implement your DNP project?As a
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, I must successfully collaborate with other members

2. of the team daily as I provide anesthesia so patients will have positive outcomes. I must
communicate and collaborate with my anesthesiologist, the surgeon, nursing staff, and the
patients to deliver safe and effective anesthesia. These are great skills I must bring on for
the successful implementation of my project.What skill sets do you need to develop to
successfully implement your DNP project?The ability to delegate and let go is an area I’m
continuing to develop. For the successful implementation and sustenance of my project, I
must educate and delegate the project to the practicum site staff so they can join in the
implementation of the project. I am not at the site daily and must leave the site at the end of
my DNP program. I must therefore educate and delegate the project tasks to the staff so
they can successfully carry out the project with or without me.Please provide your
instructor and student colleagues with an update on the implementation phase of your DNP
Project. Share any successes, challenges, or barriers you experienced this week.This week I
revised and completed the final draft of my literature synthesis and the evidence-based
portion of my DNP proposal. I look forward to successful advancement into the final week of
this course.References Bigarella, L. G., Ballotin, V. R., Mazurkiewicz, L. F., Ballardin, A. C.,
Rech, D. L., Bigarella, R. L., & Selistre, L. d. S. (2021). Exercise for depression and depressive
symptoms in older adults: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-
analyses. Aging & Mental Health, 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2021.1951660 (Links to an external site.)Hu, M. X.,
Turner, D., Generaal, E., Bos, D., Ikram, M. K., Ikram, M. A., Cuijpers, P., & Penninx, B. (2020).
Exercise interventions for the prevention of depression: A systematic review of meta-
analyses. BMC public health, 20(1), 1255. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09323-
y (Links to an external site.)Lok, N., Lok, S., & Canbaz, M. (2017). The effect of physical
activity on depressive symptoms and quality of life among elderly nursing home residents:
Randomized controlled trial. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 70, 92–98.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2017.01.008 (Links to an external site.)National Institute
for Health and Care Excellence. (2009). Depression in adults: Recognition and management.
Clinical guideline [CG90]. Retrieved March 13, 2021,
fromhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG90 (Links to an external site.)