Abstract
BACKGROUND: Doctorally prepared nurses bring different experiences and expertise depending on whether they have a PhD or DNP. The Institute of Medicine report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health called for greater collaboration between the two. OBJECTIVES: This article describes a collaborative effort using DNP and PhD nurse leaders at a comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: The organization intentionally combined leaders from two strong departments-research and evidence-based practice-to support a professional governance council. With this change in structure, DNP and PhD professionals were able to collaboratively conduct a research study, drawing on their respective areas of expertise. FINDINGS: The collaboration between the DNP and PhD professionals enhanced the knowledge and understanding of the research and evidence-based practice processes in the professional governance council.