Introduction
The Denver School of Nursing Capstone is a culminating project that all Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students must complete in order to graduate. The Capstone is a research project that addresses a relevant nursing issue. Students work with a faculty mentor to choose a topic, develop a research question, and conduct a literature review. They then collect and analyze data, and interpret their findings. The Capstone project is presented to a committee of faculty members at the end of the semester.
Why is the Capstone important?
The Capstone is an important part of the BSN program because it allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. It also helps students to develop their research skills and to learn how to communicate their findings to others.
What are the different types of Capstone projects?
There are three main types of Capstone projects:
- Improving patient care: These projects focus on developing new protocols or procedures, evaluating the effectiveness of current treatments, or identifying and addressing patient safety concerns.
- Promoting public health: These projects focus on educating the community about health issues, developing interventions to address public health concerns, or advocating for health policy changes.
- Advancing nursing practice: These projects focus on conducting research on nursing practice, developing new teaching methods or curriculum, or implementing new technologies in nursing care.
How to choose a Capstone project
When choosing a Capstone project topic, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Your interests and passions: Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you are excited to learn more about.
- Your clinical experience: Consider your clinical experience and the areas of nursing that you are most interested in.
- The needs of your community: Think about the health needs of your community and how you can address those needs through your Capstone project.
- The feasibility of the project: Make sure that you choose a project that is feasible to complete within the time constraints of the Capstone course.
Tips for success on your Capstone project
Here are some tips for success on your Capstone project:
- Start early: The Capstone project is a significant undertaking, so it is important to start early. This will give you plenty of time to choose a topic, develop a research question, conduct your research, and write your report.
- Choose a topic that you are passionate about: This will make the Capstone process more enjoyable and rewarding.
- Develop a clear and concise research question: This will help you to stay focused on your project and to collect the data that you need.
- Conduct a thorough literature review: This will help you to understand the current state of knowledge on your topic and to identify any gaps in the literature.
- Develop a realistic and feasible methodology: This will help you to ensure that you can collect the data that you need and to complete your project on time.
- Be organized: Keep track of your data and your progress throughout the Capstone process.
- Seek help from others: If you need help with any aspect of your Capstone project, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your faculty mentor, classmates, or other healthcare professionals.
Capstone Project Ideas
Here are some Capstone project ideas:
- Improving patient care:
- Developing a new protocol for preventing falls in elderly patients
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a new pain management intervention
- Identifying and addressing patient safety concerns in a specific clinical setting
- Promoting public health:
- Educating the community about the risks of smoking
- Developing an intervention to increase vaccination rates among children
- Advocating for a new health policy that would improve access to healthcare for low-income individuals
- Advancing nursing practice:
- Conducting research on the effects of a new teaching method on nursing student outcomes
- Developing a new curriculum for a nursing school course
- Implementing a new technology in nursing care and evaluating its effectiveness
Capstone Project Steps
Here are the steps involved in completing a Capstone project:
- Choose a topic: Select a topic that you are passionate about and that is relevant to nursing practice.
- Develop a research question: Your research question should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Conduct a literature review: Review the existing research on your topic to identify any gaps in the knowledge.
- Develop a methodology: Describe how you will collect and analyze your data.
Collect data: Gather the data that you need to answer your research question. This may involve collecting data from patients, nurses, other healthcare professionals, or the community.
Analyze data: Use appropriate statistical methods to analyze your data. This will help you to draw conclusions from your data and to identify any patterns or trends.
Interpret results: Explain what your findings mean and how they can be applied to nursing practice. This is the most important part of your Capstone project, as it is where you will make a contribution to the field of nursing.
Write a report: Write a report that summarizes your research findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The report should be written in a clear and concise style, and it should be easy to understand for a variety of audiences.
Present your findings: Present your findings to your classmates, faculty members, and other stakeholders. This may involve giving a presentation, writing a paper, or creating a poster.
Capstone Project Tips
Here are some additional tips for success on your Capstone project:
- Be realistic about your goals. It is important to choose a project that you can realistically complete within the time constraints of the Capstone course.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you need help with any aspect of your Capstone project, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your faculty mentor, classmates, or other healthcare professionals.
- Be organized. Keep track of your data and your progress throughout the Capstone process. This will help you to stay on track and to avoid any surprises.
- Proofread your work carefully. Before submitting your Capstone project, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.
Conclusion
The Denver School of Nursing Capstone is a valuable learning experience that prepares students for the transition to professional nursing practice. By following the steps outlined above and using the tips provided, students can increase their chances of success on their Capstone project.
FAQs
Q: What are the requirements for the Denver School of Nursing Capstone project?
- A: The Denver School of Nursing Capstone project must be a research project that addresses a relevant nursing issue. The project must be approved by the Capstone faculty and must be presented to a committee of faculty members at the end of the semester.
Q: What are some tips for choosing a Capstone project topic?
- A: When choosing a Capstone project topic, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Your interests and passions
- Your clinical experience
- The needs of your community
- The feasibility of the project
Q: How can I get help with my Capstone project?
- A: There are a number of resources available to help you with your Capstone project, including:
- Capstone faculty members
- Other students who have completed the Capstone project
- Librarians
- Healthcare professionals in your community
