Week 1 discussion
Types of Nursing Models and Frameworks of EBP
What are some of the models and frameworks of EBP currently in use? How does the strength of the evidence determine translation into practice? Why is it important to integrate both evidence-based practice and patient and family preferences? What is the nurse’s responsibility when EBP and patient and family practice do not match?
Week 2 discussion
The Clinical Question and Systematic Reviews
Your capstone change project begins this week when you identify a practice issue that you believe needs to change. The practice issue must pertain to a systematic review that you must choose from a list provided to you in Course Resources.
Choose a systematic review from the list of approved reviews based on your interests or your practice situation.
Formulate a significant clinical question related to the topic of the systematic review that will be the basis for your capstone change project.
Relate how you developed the question.
Describe the importance of this question to your clinical practice previously, currently, or in the future.
Describe what a research-practice gap is.
Week 3 discussion
Feasibility of Your Design Proposal and Importance of Communication
Now that you have identified your capstone change project, it is time to look its feasibility.
What tangible and intangible resources will be needed to implement your project?
What improved outcomes do you anticipate will occur that could indicate the project produced a successful return on investment (ROI) of these resources?
How will you communicate your plan for change with key decision makers so that they will support the allocation of the resources you are seeking?
Week 4 discussion
Evaluating Quality Patient Outcomes
How can data provide information to evaluate quality patient outcomes? Give an example of data that can reflect poor quality in care. How can quality improvement be a daily task in patient care? Why does continuous quality improvement need to be associated with change?
Week 5 discussion
Core Competencies for Nurses
Explore the website for the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) initiative at http://www.qsen.org. How can the QSEN competencies for nurses be implemented into your workplace or professional nursing setting? If you are not currently employed as a nurse, consider a previous work setting that would have benefited from implementation of the QSEN competencies.
Week 6 discussion
Implementing Change Despite Resistance
Change can be difficult to implement. Now that you are almost finished with your change project, if you were to implement your project in your clinical practice, what type of resistance do you expect from staff? List at least three ways that you can lessen the resistance you may encounter to help ensure the success of your project.
Week 7 discussion
Healthcare Policy: What You Need to Know About the Affordable Care Act
Please go to www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/03/23/look-six-years-affordable-care-act to read the latest about the Affordable Care Act from the White House.
Respond to the questions below.
What are some benefits of the healthcare reform that has been prompted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
Why is it important to be aware of changes in healthcare policy?
Why do you believe we spend more on healthcare than any other country but have the worst outcomes?
Week 8 discussion
Your Future!
Now that you are very close to completing this major accomplishment in your nursing career, what are your plans for your future? Please share your plans to keep up to date in your chosen specialty and nursing in general. What professional and nursing organizations do you plan to actively participate? Have you considered continuing your education to pursue a graduate degree?
