Step 1: Identify a Clinical or Organizational Issue
What to Do : Select a problem or opportunity for improvement in nursing practice, healthcare delivery, or patient outcomes. This could be something you’ve encountered in your workplace or a broader issue affecting the nursing profession.
Example Topics :
Reducing hospital-acquired infections.
Improving patient satisfaction scores.
Enhancing medication adherence in chronic disease management.
Addressing workforce burnout among nurses.
Step 2: Develop a PICOT Question
What to Do : Use the PICOT framework to create a focused, answerable research question.
Example :
Population: Adult patients with diabetes.
Intervention: A structured education program on medication adherence.
Comparison: Standard care without additional education.
Outcome: Improved medication adherence rates.
Timeframe: Over a 6-month period.
PICOT Question : “In adult patients with diabetes, does implementing a structured education program on medication adherence compared to standard care lead to improved medication adherence rates over 6 months?”
Step 3: Conduct a Literature Review
What to Do : Search for peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and other relevant sources to support your proposed solution. Summarize and synthesize the findings.
Tips :
Use databases like PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library.
Focus on recent studies (within the last 5 years) whenever possible.
Critically evaluate the quality and relevance of each source.
Step 4: Design an Intervention or Solution
What to Do : Develop a detailed plan for addressing the identified issue. Include:
Objectives : What specific goals will your intervention achieve?
Methods : How will you implement the solution? Who will be involved?
Timeline : When will each step occur?
Resources Needed : What materials, personnel, or funding are required?
Step 5: Evaluate the Proposed Solution
What to Do : Describe how you would measure the success of your intervention. Include:
Outcome Measures : What metrics will you use to assess effectiveness (e.g., infection rates, patient satisfaction scores)?
Data Collection Methods : How will you gather data (e.g., surveys, chart reviews)?
Evaluation Plan : How will you analyze and interpret the results?
Step 6: Reflect on Professional Growth
What to Do : Write a reflective essay discussing:
How the BSN program has prepared you for advanced roles in nursing.
Specific competencies you’ve developed (e.g., leadership, critical thinking, EBP).
Your future career goals and how this capstone project aligns with them.
Deliverables for FPX 4700: Capstone Project
Capstone Proposal :
A brief overview of your project, including the problem statement, PICOT question, and proposed solution.
Literature Review :
A comprehensive synthesis of research supporting your project.
Intervention Plan :
A detailed description of your proposed solution, including objectives, methods, timeline, and resources.
Evaluation Plan :
An explanation of how you would measure the effectiveness of your intervention.
Reflection Paper :
A reflective essay on your professional growth and future aspirations.
Final Presentation :
A professional presentation summarizing your project for stakeholders (e.g., slides, handouts).
