CAPSTONE PROJECT

• CAPSTONE PROJECT:
The Capstone Project is designed to focus on synthesis, integration and/or application of acquired knowledge to improve health care outcomes.

The project addresses three General Education Learning Goals:

1. Communication
2. Critical and Integrative thinking
3. Information Literacy

Guidelines:
• The paper will be 6 pages in length, APA style will be followed (16%)
• Identify & describe a nursing or patient care topic/issue encountered during yourclinical experience and its significance to nursing

and health care. (20%)
• Review the current literature related to the chosen topic/issue/concern and provide supporting data using APA style.(20%)
• Analyze, compare or contrast the review of the literature (evidence based practice) with the N483 experience.(20%).
• Synthesize the nursing implications from recent literature to the specific topic or issue and include implications for the following

areas.(20%)
o Practice- What are the best or preferred nursing practice for this concern? Provide supporting data, rational and evidence. What

improvements can be made: is it a practice issue or a process problem? How could it be changed? Develop an action plan which can be implemented

by the nurse.
o Education- What are the current guidelines for educating staff about patient care or nursing practice related to area of concern/ topic,

provide rationales and evidence.
o Research- What are the priorities for further studies, from a nursing clinical or leadership perspective.
• The paper will reflect information literary skills (4%)
• Information literacy form must be attached to paper.
** Note: The following information literacy table must be completed and attached to your capstone paper to obtain full credit on the capstone

paper.

Your topic State the topic you chose for this project, and explain why you chose it.

Search process and Source(s) used Describe your search process as completely as possible. Where did you begin your search, and what steps

did you take to get to the information you ended up with? List the information source(s), why and how you used it.t
Search terms: What search terms did you use? Which searches proved the most productive? You can cut and paste the search terms or print out a

‘search history’ when available. How many results did you get from your search?

Citation: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition

Information found: What type of information did you find? (e.g. primary or secondary) Describe or summarize. Explain why you used this

information.

Critique of information: Explain why you chose this information for this project. Do you feel it is authoritative, accurate, relevant to

your topic? Why or why not?

Time spent: Keep track of how much time you spent during your information search and list it here.

Feelings: How did you feel about your search experience? Was it easy, frustrating, challenging, difficult, etc.? Why did you feel that

way?

Grading Rubric for Capstone Project:
Transition to Professional Practice
Capstone Project Paper
General Education Learning Goal Rubric – Communication
SKILL MASTERY SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY NO DATA
Disciplinary
Conventions Project format is perfectly consistent with APA style. Citations and source attribution exactly follow APA style.
5 – 4 Format is generally consistent with APA style. Citations and source attribution generally follow APA style.

3 – 2 Format is not consistent with APA style. Citations and source attribution do not exactly follow APA style.

1 – 0
Clarity of Expression Project is virtually free from grammatical and spelling errors. Sentences are clear, concise, well-structured and

pleasingly stylish. Word choice is exacting and appropriate.
5 – 4 Project is virtually free from grammatical and spelling errors are sporadic and do not detract from meaning. Sentences are generally

clear and well-structured if not stylish. Word choice is generally appropriate.
3 – 2 Project contains numerous grammatical and spelling errors. Sentences are often difficult to understand and follow. Vocabulary is

difficult to interpret and often misused.

1 – 0
Structure and Organization Project consistently portrays a purposeful sequencing of ideas.
3 – 2 Project portrays occasional inconsistency in sequencing of ideas.

2 – 1 Project is unstructured and disorganized. No sequencing of ideas is found.

0
Voice Reader consistently believes in writer’s authority. Tone and level of project is consistently appropriate for intended audience.
3 – 2 Reader generally believes in writer’s authority. Tone and level of project is occasionally consistent and appropriate for intended

audience.
2 – 1 Reader does not believe in writer’s authority. Tone and level of project is never consistent and appropriate for intended audience.

0

General Education Learning Goal Rubric – Critical Thinking and Integrative Thinking

SKILL MASTERY SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY NO DATA
Identified topic / issue Identification, description and significance of topic / issue on nursing and health care are clear and

appropriate.

20 – 15 Identification, description and significance of topic / issue on nursing and health care are generally clear and appropriate.

14 – 6 Identification, description and significance of topic / issue on nursing and health care are not clear and appropriate.

5 – 0
Review of Literature Consistently identifies, extracts and evaluates, and constructs and presents data and evidence from literature review.

20 – 15 Generally is able to identify, extract and evaluate, and construct and present data and evidence from literature review.

14 – 6 Unable to identify, extract and evaluate, and construct and present data and evidence from literature review.

5 – 0
Clinical Experience Able to consistently analyze and compare and/or contrast review of literature with clinical experience.

20 – 15 Able to generally analyze and compare and/or contrast review of literature with clinical experience.

14 – 6 Unable to analyze and compare and/or contrast review of literature with clinical experience.

5 – 0
Synthesis and Nursing Implications Able to consistently synthesize information and implications for future nursing practice regarding

practice, education and research.

20 – 15 Able to generally synthesize information and implications for future nursing practice regarding practice, education and research.

14 – 6 Unable to generally synthesize information and implications for future nursing practice regarding practice, education and research.

5 – 0

General Education Learning Goal Rubric – Information Literacy

SKILL MASTERY SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY NO DATA
Information relevant to topic Identified, located and distinguished the most appropriate resources to support the needs of the project.
2 Identified, located and distinguished adequate resources to support the needs of the project.

1 Unable to identify, locate and distinguish adequate resources to support the needs of the project.

0
Ethical and legal use of source information Adheres to appropriate ethical and legal uses of source material.

2 Occasional errors in the appropriate ethical and legal uses of source materials.
1 Does not cite sources correctly or fails to attribute written work appropriately.
0