Introduction
The Denver College of Nursing Capstone is a culminating experience for RN-BSN students. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by completing a research project related to nursing and healthcare. The Capstone is a challenging but rewarding experience, and it is an important part of the BSN program.
What is the Denver College of Nursing Capstone?
The Denver College of Nursing Capstone is a two-semester course that begins in the seventh semester of the RN-BSN program. The course is designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct a research project, write a scholarly paper, and present their findings to an audience.
Why is the Capstone important?
The Capstone is important for several reasons. First, it helps students to develop their research skills. These skills are essential for nurses who want to stay up-to-date on the latest research and evidence-based practice. Second, the Capstone helps students to develop their writing skills. Nurses need to be able to communicate effectively in writing in order to document patient care, write research papers, and develop educational materials. Third, the Capstone helps students to develop their presentation skills. Nurses need to be able to communicate effectively verbally in order to educate patients and their families, present their findings at conferences, and teach nursing students.
What are the key components of the Capstone?
The key components of the Denver College of Nursing Capstone include:
- Choosing a Capstone project: Students work with their faculty advisor to choose a Capstone project that is of interest to them and that is feasible to complete within the two-semester timeframe.
- Conducting research: Students conduct a literature review and collect data to support their research project.
- Writing a Capstone paper: Students write a scholarly paper that describes their research project, findings, and conclusions.
- Presenting their Capstone project: Students present their Capstone project to a panel of faculty and peers.
How to prepare for the Capstone
There are several things that students can do to prepare for the Denver College of Nursing Capstone:
- Talk to your faculty advisor: Your faculty advisor can help you to choose a Capstone project, develop a research plan, and write your Capstone paper.
- Start early: The Capstone is a big project, so it is important to start early. Give yourself plenty of time to complete all of the requirements.
- Be organized: Keep track of all of your research notes and sources. This will make it easier to write your Capstone paper.
- Seek help when needed: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your faculty advisor, classmates, or other resources.
Tips for success
Here are some tips for success on the Denver College of Nursing Capstone:
- Choose a project that you are passionate about. This will make it easier to stay motivated throughout the process.
- Develop a clear and concise research plan. This will help you to stay on track and to avoid getting overwhelmed.
- Be organized and keep track of your research notes and sources. This will make it easier to write your Capstone paper.
- Write regularly. Don’t wait until the last minute to start writing your Capstone paper.
- Get feedback from your faculty advisor and classmates. This feedback can help you to improve your paper.
- Practice your presentation. The more you practice, the more confident you will be on the day of your presentation.
Choosing a Capstone project
The first step in the Capstone process is to choose a project. This can be a daunting task, as there are many potential project ideas to choose from. Here are some tips for choosing a Capstone project:
- Choose a topic that you are interested in and passionate about. This will make it easier to stay motivated throughout the process.
- Choose a topic that is feasible to complete within the two-semester timeframe. The Capstone is a big project, so it is important to choose a topic that is not too broad or too complex.
- Choose a topic that is relevant to nursing and healthcare. The Capstone is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills as a nurse.
Conducting your research
Once you have chosen a Capstone project, you need to start conducting your research. This includes conducting a literature review and collecting data.
Conducting a literature review
A literature review is a critical examination of the existing research on a particular topic. It helps you to identify the gaps in the literature and to develop your own research questions.
Collecting data
The type of data that you collect will depend on your research question. Some common data collection methods include surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
Writing your Capstone paper
Once you have collected and analyzed your data, you need to write your Capstone paper. Your paper should include the following sections:
- Introduction: The introduction should provide an overview of your research topic, research question, and findings.
- Literature review: The literature review should summarize the existing research on your topic and identify the gaps in the literature.
- Methodology: The methodology section should describe how you conducted your research. This includes describing your data collection methods and analysis techniques.
- Results: The results section should present your findings in a clear and concise manner.
- Discussion: The discussion section should interpret your findings and discuss their implications for nursing practice and research.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize your key findings and implications.
Presenting your Capstone project
The final step in the Capstone process is to present your project to a panel of faculty and peers. Your presentation should be clear, concise, and informative. Be sure to practice your presentation beforehand so that you feel confident on the day of your presentation.
Conclusion
The Denver College of Nursing Capstone is a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the tips and advice provided in this guide, you can set yourself up for success. Remember to stay organized, manage your time wisely, and seek help when needed. Good luck!
FAQs
Q:What are the most common Capstone project topics?
Some of the most common Capstone project topics include:
- Patient safety
- Quality of care
- Nursing education
- Nurse retention
- Healthcare disparities
- Rural health
- Public health
- Mental health
- Gerontology
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Women’s health
Q:How much time should I spend on my Capstone project?
You should expect to spend several hundred hours working on your Capstone project. It is important to start early and to give yourself plenty of time to complete all of the requirements.
Q:How do I get help with my Capstone project?
There are several ways to get help with your Capstone project. You can talk to your faculty advisor, classmates, or other resources. You can also use the library resources and online databases to help you with your research.
Q:What if I don’t feel prepared for my Capstone presentation?
If you don’t feel prepared for your Capstone presentation, talk to your faculty advisor. They can help you to practice your presentation and to give you feedback. You can also practice your presentation in front of a mirror or with a friend or family member.
Q:What are the benefits of completing the Denver College of Nursing Capstone?
There are many benefits of completing the Denver College of Nursing Capstone. The Capstone helps you to develop your research skills, writing skills, and presentation skills. It also helps you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills as a nurse.
