If you’re a nursing student gearing up for your final scholarly project, it’s important to understand how Nursing Capstone Projects differ from Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects—especially in their focus, scope, and impact.

This post highlights examples of nursing capstone projects versus DNP projects to give you a clear picture of what to expect and help you choose the right path.

Nursing Capstone Project Examples

Nursing capstone projects are usually completed at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level. They focus on applying nursing knowledge to specific clinical problems or practice improvements. Here are some common examples:

• Improving Patient Education on Diabetes Management
  Designing and implementing a patient education program to enhance self-care for diabetic patients in a clinic.

• Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections
  Conducting a quality improvement project to implement hand hygiene protocols in a hospital unit.

• Pain Management Strategies in Postoperative Patients
  Evaluating current pain management practices and recommending evidence-based interventions to improve patient comfort.

• Improving Medication Administration Accuracy
  Developing a checklist or protocol to reduce medication errors in a nursing home setting.

• Fall Prevention in Elderly Patients
  Implementing a fall risk assessment tool and tracking its effectiveness in reducing falls.

DNP Project Examples

DNP projects are doctoral-level initiatives with broader scope and system-wide impact. They focus on healthcare leadership, policy, and sustainable practice change. Here are typical examples:

• Implementing a Hospital-Wide Sepsis Protocol to Reduce Mortality
  Leading a multidisciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate a sepsis early detection and intervention protocol across a healthcare system.

• Improving Population Health Through Telehealth in Rural Communities
  Designing and launching a telehealth program targeting chronic disease management for underserved rural populations.

• Developing a Nurse-Led Transitional Care Model to Reduce Readmissions
  Creating and assessing a care coordination program for patients discharged from the hospital to prevent avoidable readmissions.

• Policy Advocacy to Improve Nurse Staffing Ratios in State Hospitals
  Conducting research and engaging stakeholders to advocate for legislation that mandates safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

• Enhancing Pain Management Practices Using Predictive Analytics
  Utilizing data analytics tools to identify patients at risk for chronic pain and implementing personalized care plans.

Key Differences in Project Scope

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re completing a Nursing Capstone or a DNP Project, choosing a topic that aligns with your interests and career goals is crucial. Capstone projects prepare you for clinical excellence, while DNP projects position you as a leader in healthcare innovation and policy.

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