Program Overview
NUR 49800: Capstone Course in Nursing
The Capstone Course in Nursing is a comprehensive program designed to support students in their final year of study. This course aims to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students for their future careers in nursing.
Course Readings
The course readings include a range of articles and book chapters that cover various topics in nursing, such as evidence-based practice, research designs, and critical analysis. Some of the specific readings include:
- Wyant, T. (2017). Adopt an evidence-based practice model to facilitate practice change. ONS Voice.
- Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). A Guide to Critical Appraisal of Evidence. Nuring Critical Care, 14(3), 24-30.
- Harvey, G., & Kitson, A. (2015). PARIHS revisited: from heuristic to integrated framework for the successful implementation of knowledge into practice. Implementation Science (11) article 33.
PICO Questions
PICO questions are a crucial component of the Capstone Course in Nursing. PICO stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. Students are expected to formulate PICO questions to guide their research and critical analysis. The course provides resources and support to help students develop their PICO questions, including worksheets and tutorials.
Library Research Help
The library offers research help and support to students enrolled in the Capstone Course in Nursing. Students can access various resources, including databases, journals, and books, to aid in their research. The library also provides guidance on how to conduct effective searches, evaluate sources, and cite references properly.
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice is a key concept in the Capstone Course in Nursing. Students learn how to integrate the best available research evidence with individual clinical expertise and patient values and preferences. The course covers the seven steps of evidence-based practice, including:
- Cultivate a spirit of inquiry
- Ask clinical questions in PICO(T) format
- Search for the best evidence
- Critically appraise the evidence
- Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values
- Evaluate the outcomes of the practice decisions or changes based on evidence
- Disseminate EBP results
Research Designs
The course covers various research designs, including:
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Randomized controlled trials
- Cohort studies
- Case control studies
- Case series/case reports
- Cross-sectional studies
Critical Analysis and Appraisal
Students learn how to critically analyze and appraise research studies, including evaluating the quality, validity, and reliability of the evidence. The course provides tools and resources to aid in critical analysis, such as the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Clinical practice guidelines are an essential component of the Capstone Course in Nursing. Students learn how to develop, implement, and evaluate clinical practice guidelines, using evidence-based practice as the foundation. The course covers various clinical practice guidelines, including those from the American Academy of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Grey Literature
Grey literature refers to information sources that are published outside of traditional, commercial publishing. Examples of grey literature include government reports, conference proceedings, and unpublished research. The course provides resources and support to help students locate and evaluate grey literature.
Professional Organizations
The course covers various professional organizations relevant to nursing, including the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nursing, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Students learn about the roles and responsibilities of these organizations, as well as their contributions to the field of nursing.
APA Style and Citation
The course emphasizes the importance of proper citation and referencing, using the American Psychological Association (APA) style. Students learn how to format their papers, cite references, and avoid plagiarism, using resources such as the APA Publication Manual and online tutorials.