RN Capstone Project Paper and Electronic Poster Description: The RN Capstone Project is an opportunity for the BSN student to identify an issue, topic, or challenge that is relevant to their work place. The student will examine the research related to their topic and investigate the literature regarding a potential solution for, or intervention to improve, the clinical issue. The student will create a final project, intervention, or solution to their identified topic. They will present their work in a professional paper and poster presentation. The Capstone project should have enduring value for quality improvement (QI) in ones workplace. Directions: Critically reflect on your practice environment. Identify a problem, issue of concern, or area for improvement relevant to your practice setting. Describe the importance of the area of concern (include facts, statistics etc.). Consult with the course professor regarding the depth, breadth and scope of the quality improvement project being proposed. The course professor must approve the topic before work is initiated. You may wish to consult with your manager, director etc. and solicit their support and cooperation for the project. Critically analyze the literature related to the area of concern. Identify several possible solutions to the selected area of concern. Critically review each for its strengths, weaknesses and feasibility. Select one solution. Engage in the necessary work for this quality improvement project (e.g., develop a new form and identify approvals required for its use). Implement the quality improvement activity. Include durable products as evidence of the QI activity (e.g., educational program outline, instructional pamphlets, chart form, pocket resources). Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution. If the project has successive steps which must occur before it can be implemented, outline the timeline for its continued review. The final paper and electronic poster are graded according to the specifics contained in the grading rubric. The product of the Capstone can be a pamphlet, nursing form, educational program, policy change, quality improvement project, etc. It is limited only by the students creativity. Formal e-poster presentations will take place on campus during the final week of the term. Students are expected to wear business attire, including name badges, and remain available to respond to attendees during the entire session.
