Steps to Complete FPX 4700: Capstone Project

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

  1. Capstone Proposal :
    • A brief overview of your project, including the problem statement, PICOT question, and proposed solution.
  2. Literature Review :
    • A comprehensive synthesis of research supporting your project.
  3. Intervention Plan :
    • A detailed description of your proposed solution, including objectives, methods, timeline, and resources.
  4. Evaluation Plan :
    • An explanation of how you would measure the effectiveness of your intervention.
  5. Reflection Paper :
    • A reflective essay on your professional growth and future aspirations.
  6. Final Presentation :
    • A professional presentation summarizing your project for stakeholders (e.g., slides, handouts).