Capstone Evidence-based Paper Guidelines
PURPOSE In this final assignment of the Capstone course, the student will use skills of inquiry gained in the baccalaureate nursing program to identify a clinical issue upon which nurses have the ability to resolve or have a positive impact. With a focus on the diversity of the individual as well as the variation of cultural values of a particular population, the student will develop a plan for addressing the clinical issue. With the incorporation of other disciplines from the health care team the student will describe the role the nurse has in the implementation of an ethically sound plan.
COURSE OUTCOMES This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.  CO # 1: Synthesize knowledge from sciences, humanities, and nursing in managing the needs of humans as consumers of healthcare in a patient-centered environment.

(PO#1)

 CO # 2: Integrate communication and relationship skills in teamwork and collaboration functioning effectively with health team members and consumers of care.

(PO#3)  CO # 3: Utilize information technology to manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making with health team members and consumers of care.

(PO# 8)  CO # 4 Integrate critical thinking, clinical reasoning skills, best current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient/family preferences/values in the implementation of the nursing process.

(PO# 4)  CO # 5: Explore the impact of professional standards, legislative issues, ethical principles, and values on professional nursing, using data to monitor outcomes and improve quality and safety. (PO# 5, 6)
DUE DATE Unless otherwise instructed by the faculty, this assignment is due to be submitted in the course drop box no later the 12 am (midnight) on the Sunday at the end of Unit 6. The College’s Late Assignment Policy applies to this activity.
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE 200 points
REQUIREMENTS

• When selecting a clinical issue to be addressed in the assignment, the student is expected to draw from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint: assurance of a safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance of health, the preservation of the patient’s psychosocial integrity and physiological integrity.
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• Length of paper 8-10 pages excluding the title page and the reference page.

• The sources cited both in text and on the reference page for this assignment will be formatted according APA 6th edition guidelines.

• A minimum of six (6) peer-reviewed scholarly sources are required in support of the Evidence-based Capstone Evidence-based Paper.

• This assignment will be graded using the Capstone Evidence- based Paper Rubric available in Unit 6 of the course.
PREPARING THE ASSIGNMENT The student will be required to:

 Produce an 8-10 page evidence-based paper addressing a significant clinical issue

 Identify and explore a solution to a clinical issue

 Gather additional background information on: o the clinical issue o the patient population

 Develop a plan that could be carried out by a nurse to resolve the clinical issue.

 Reflect on the knowledge and experience gained in the nursing program

 Draw from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint o assurance of a safe and effective care environment, o health promotion and maintenance of health, o preservation of the patient’s psychosocial o preservation of the patient’s physiological integrity
With the exception of the Introduction, each criterion listed below will serve as the major headings of this assignment due in Unit Six and will include the following:
 Title Page: (APA 6th edition formatting)

 Introduction:

 Offers a detailed description of the statement of purpose for the paper.

 Identifies a clinical issue or problem drawn from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint: o Assurance of a safe and effective care environment o Health promotion and maintenance of health o Preservation of the patient population’s psychosocial integrity o Preservation of the patient population ’s physiological integrity

 In this paper the student will provide a detailed description of the relationship between the category from the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint and the clinical issue.

 The reference to the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint found at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website constitutes one scholarly reference.

 Importance: The student will describe the importance of the clinical issue to the health of a patient population. This discussion will include the potential negative effect of leaving the clinical issue unresolved.
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 Patient Population: The student will describe the patient population that is impacted by the clinical issue. With a focus on the diversity of the human condition found within this patient population, the student will describe the influence that cultural values may have on the proposed solution.

 Proposed Solution: The student will set the stage for proposing the best solution to the clinical problem by using appropriate evidence-based data and integrating data from peer-reviewed journal articles. In this paper, the student will: i. Propose a clear solution to the clinical problem that is supported by a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. ii. Expand on the ethical considerations when developing the plan.  Goals: While the intervention will not actually be carried out, the student will discuss the plan that could be implemented by a nurse to address the clinical issue. One short-term and one long-term goal of the intervention will be identified. The student will include a description of how attainment of each of the goals would be measured.

 Barriers: The student will identify a minimum of two potential barriers to the success of the plan as well as a strategy for addressing each one.

 Benefits: The student will describe a minimum of one benefit to the patient population and one benefit to the nursing profession that will result from carrying out the plan. Provides a minimum of one scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the benefit of the plan to the patient population.  Participants and Interdisciplinary Approach: The student will identify all of the parties whose participation is important for the success of implementing the plan.

i. This list will include a minimum of two members of disciplines outside of nursing.

ii. A description of the benefit of including each member from another discipline to the success of the plan.

iii. A minimum of one scholarly, peer-reviewed source providing support for the success of the plan by including the healthcare team member outside of nursing.

• Conclusion:

i. Provides a thorough recap of the purpose of the plan to prevent or help to resolve the clinical issue. ii. Includes a complete statement describing why addressing this clinical problem matters and to whom.

• Reference Page: (APA 6th edition formatting)
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DIRECTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA
Assignment Criteria
Points % Description
Introduction 20 10%

 Introduces a clinical problem drawn from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint:

 Assurance of a safe and effective care environment.

 Health promotion and maintenance of health.

 Preservation of the patient’s psychosocial integrity.  Preservation of the patient’s physiological integrity.

 This reference appropriately cites the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint found at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website and constitutes one scholarly reference. Importance 20 10%

 Describes the importance of the clinical problem to the health of the patient population.

 Includes the potential negative effect of leaving the clinical issue unresolved. Patient Population 20 10%

 Summarizes the diversity of the human condition found within the patient population.

 Identifies the influence that cultural values may have on the plan for addressing the clinical issue. Proposed Solution 20 10%  Proposes a clear solution to the clinical problem that is supported by a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources.  Expands on the ethical considerations in developing the plan for addressing the issue affecting patient population. Goals 20 10%

 Develops a minimum of one short-term goal.

 Develops a minimum of one long-term goal.

 Includes the ways in which attainment of each of the goals will to be measured. Barriers 20 10%  Identifies a minimum of two anticipated barriers to the success of preventing or resolving the clinical issue.

 Describes at least one strategy for addressing each anticipated barrier. Benefits 20 10%

 Describes a minimum of one benefit to the patient population and one benefit to the nursing profession that will result from preventing or resolving the clinical issue.

 Provides a minimum of one scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the benefit of the plan to the patient population. Participants and Interdisciplinary Approach 20 10%

 Identifies all of the parties who will be involved in the implementation of the clinical project.

 This list includes a minimum of two members of a discipline outside of nursing.
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 Includes the benefit of including each member from another discipline to the success of the project.  Provides a minimum of one scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the success of the plan by including the healthcare team member outside of nursing.
Conclusion

20 10%  Provides a thorough recap of the purpose of the plan to prevent or help to resolve the clinical issue.  Includes a complete statement describing why addressing the clinical problem matters and to whom
APA 6th edition Format, Grammar and Punctuation
20 10%  Uses clear and correct grammar.  Uses proper sentence structure and flow.  Adheres to all APA 6th edition formatting guidelines for title page, margins, and in-text citations.

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GRADING RUBRIC
Assignment Criteria
Outstanding or Highest Level of Performance A (92–100%)
Very Good or High Level of Performance

B (84–91%)
Competent or Satisfactory Level of Performance C (76–83%)
Poor, Failing or Unsatisfactory Level of Performance F (0–75%)
Introduction (20 points)
Completely sets the stage for selecting the clinical issue in terms of the impact on the health of a patient population. Offers a detailed description of the statement of purpose for the paper while introducing a clinical problem drawn from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint which is appropriately cited.

19-20 points
Partially sets the stage for selecting the clinical issue in terms of the impact on the health of a patient population. Identifies most but not all of the details describing the statement of purpose for the paper while introducing a clinical problem drawn from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint which is appropriately cited. 17-18 points
Minimally addresses the clinical issue in terms of the impact on the health of a patient population. Describes in general terms the statement of purpose for the paper but does not introduce a clinical problem drawn from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint.

16 points
Provides a description of the purpose of the paper but does not address the clinical issue in terms of the impact on the health of a patient population. Does not introduce a clinical problem drawn from one of the four main categories of the NCLEX-RN examination blueprint.

0-15 points
Importance (20 points)
Completely describes the importance of the clinical problem to the health of the patient population and includes the potential negative effect of leaving the clinical issue unresolved.

19-20 points

Partially describes the importance of the clinical problem to the health of the patient population with partial inclusion of the potential negative effect of leaving the clinical issue unresolved.

17-18 points
Minimally describes the importance of the clinical problem to the health of the patient population with minimal inclusion of the potential negative effect of leaving the clinical issue unresolved. 16 points
Provides minimal or no description of the importance of the clinical problem to the health of the patient population and/or the potential negative effect of leaving the clinical issue unresolved. 0-15 points
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Patient Population (20 points)
Clearly summarizes the diversity of the human condition found within the patient population. Completely identifies the influence that cultural values may have on the plan for addressing the clinical issue in the patient population. Provides an expanded view of the ethical considerations of the patient population.

19-20 points
Partially summarizes the diversity of the human condition found within the patient population. Provides limited identification of the influence that cultural values may have on the plan for addressing the clinical issue in the patient population. Presents an incomplete view of the ethical considerations of the patient population.

17-18 points
Minimally summarizes the diversity of the human condition found within the patient population. Provides marginal identification of the influence that cultural values may have on the plan for addressing the clinical issue in the patient population. Presents an inadequate view of the ethical considerations of the patient population.

16 points
Summary of the diversity of the human condition found within the patient population missing. Identification of the influence that cultural values may have on the plan for addressing the clinical issue in the patient population Identification of patient population missing completely or lacking in description.

0-15 points
Proposed Solution (20 points)
Proposes a clear solution to the clinical problem that encompasses pertinent ethical considerations in the development of the plan. Appropriately supported by a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. 19-20 points
Proposes a solution to the clinical problem that provides minimal reference to the ethical considerations of developing the plan. Appropriately supported by two scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. 17-18 points
Attempts to propose a solution to the clinical problem that does not provide reference to the ethical considerations of developing the plan. Appropriately supported by one scholarly, peer-reviewed journal article. 16 points
Makes reference to a solution to the clinical problem without reference to the ethical considerations of developing the plan and is not appropriately supported by scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. 0-15 points
Goals (20 points)
Develops one or more shortterm goal and one or more long-term goal. Includes a complete description of the ways in which attainment of each of the goals will be measured.

19-20 points
Provides a partial description of one short-term goal and one long-term goal. Includes a partial description of the ways in which attainment of each of the goals will be measured.

17-18 points
Provides a minimal description of one short-term goal and one long-term goal. Includes a limited description of the ways in which attainment of each of the goals will be measured.

16 points
Makes reference to a shortterm goal and at least one long-term goal but neglects to provide a description of the ways in which attainment of each of the goals will be measured.

0-15 points
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Barriers (20 points)
Completely describes minimum of two anticipated barriers to the success of the implementation of the clinical project and plans for addressing them.

19-20 points
Partially describes one anticipated barrier to the success of the implementation of the clinical project and plans for addressing same.

17-18 points
Provides a minimal description of anticipated barriers to the success of the implementation of the clinical project and minimal or missing plans for addressing them.

16 points
Little or no reference to the anticipated barriers to the success of the implementation of the clinical project and plans for addressing them.

0-15 points
Benefits (20 points)
Provides a thorough description of a minimum of one benefit to the patient population and one or more benefit to the nursing profession that will result from carrying out the clinical project. Provides one or more scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the benefit of the plan to the patient population. 19-20 points
Provides a partial overview of one benefit to the patient population and one benefit to the nursing profession that will result from carrying out the clinical project. Provides one scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the benefit of the plan to the patient population.

17-18 points
Provides a minimal overview of benefit to the patient population and benefit to the nursing profession that will result from carrying out the clinical project. Provides one reference for support of the benefit of the plan to the patient population.

16 points
Fails to provide an overview of benefit to the patient population and to the nursing profession that will result from carrying out the clinical project. Does not provide a reference in support of the benefit of the plan to the patient population.

0-15 points
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Participants and Interdisciplinary Approach (20 points)
Provides complete details identifying all of the parties who will be involved in the implementation of the clinical project. This list includes two or more members of a discipline outside of nursing. Provides a complete description of the benefit of including each member from a discipline outside of nursing to the success of the project. Provides a one or more scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the success of the plan by including the healthcare team member outside of nursing. 19-20 points
Provides partial details identifying all of the parties who will be involved in the implementation of the clinical project. This list includes at least one member of a discipline outside of nursing. Provides a partial description of the benefit of including each member from a discipline outside of nursing to the success of the project. Provides a minimum of one scholarly, peer-reviewed source in support of the success of the plan by including the healthcare team member outside of nursing. 17-18 points
Minimally details the parties who will be involved in the implementation of the clinical project. May or may not include a member of a discipline outside of nursing. Provides a minimal description of the benefit of including each member from a discipline outside of nursing to the success of the project. Provides one reference in support of the success of the plan by including the healthcare team member outside of nursing.

16 points
Minimal or missing details of the parties who will be involved in the implementation of the clinical project. Does not include a member of a discipline outside of nursing. Missing a description of the benefit of including members from a discipline outside of nursing to the success of the project. Does not provide a reference in support of the success of the plan by including the healthcare team member outside of nursing.

0-15 points
Conclusion (20 points)
Provides a thorough recap of the purpose of the plan to prevent or help to resolve the clinical issue including a complete statement describing why addressing this clinical problem matters and to whom. 19-20 points
Provides a partial recap of the purpose of plan to prevent or help to resolve the clinical issue including a partial statement describing why addressing this clinical problem matters and to whom.

17-18 points
Partially provides a minimal recap of the plan to prevent or help to resolve the clinical issue including a minimal statement describing why addressing this clinical problem matters and to whom.

16 points
Minimal or missing recap of the plan to prevent or help to resolve the clinical issue lacking a statement describing why addressing this clinical problem matters and to whom.

0-15 points
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APA 6th edition Format, Grammar and Punctuation (20 points)
APA 6th edition format is used accurately and consistently in the paper, on the title page, intext citations, and/or the Reference page. No errors in grammar or punctuation.

19-20 points
APA 6th edition formatting is used with1-2 errors, on the title page, in-text citations, and/or the Reference page. Less than 2 errors in grammar or punctuation.

17-18 points
No more than 3-5 errors in APA 6th edition formatting in the paper, on the title page, intext citations, and the Reference page. No more than 3-5 errors in grammar or punctuation. 16 points
More than 5 errors in APA 6th edition formatting in the paper, on the title page, in-text citations, and/or the Reference page. More than 5 errors in grammar or punctuation.