dnp capstone project writing services

dnp capstone project writing services

Best Practices in Writing DNP Capstone Projects

1. Introduction to DNP Capstone Projects

Advanced nursing practice occurs in a socio-political context of ongoing dialogue among the profession, government, higher education and health care organizations. Contributions to academic dialog include the development of evidence-based practice, patient outcome research, health policy research, critical outcome management and the identification of disparities of access and care. Colloquially, doctoral-prepared nurses are the “think tanks”. As a future doctoral-prepared nurse, you are completing a synthesis project that will contribute to the dialogue currently ongoing in academic and healthcare organizations. This dialogue must identify the impact that healthcare policies have on access to care and the care provided for a specific population focusing on the area of practice you choose. Your work will be a “white paper” providing information for those engaged in dialogue.

DNP Capstone Projects represent a compilation of scholarly work conducted by DNP-prepared nurse scientists. This scholarly exploratory project demonstrates excellence in advanced nursing practice. The clinical practice area used to investigate clinical or systems problems is congruent with the nurse’s area of expertise, his or her current or desired professional role and the program outcomes (i.e. Advanced Clinical Practice, Leadership or Executive Leadership). This project is called a capstone because it represents the scholarly achievements that learners have made over a period of study. The project is intended to demonstrate “synthesis, synthesis, synthesis”.

2. Key Components of a DNP Capstone Project

Problem Statement/Purpose should include why the project is needed and should be supported with evidence of the need, including relevant statistics. Briefly summarize the current state of practice. What evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines are currently in place, and what is or isn’t working? What literature exists related to the components of your EBP? If you are replicating a program that someone else is doing, what literature supports the efficacy of that program? Clearly identify by name, setting of care, and location the clinical site at which you will implement the QI project. Highlight details related to the population served as it applies to the clinical question and practice.

Patients: Who is affected by the project? What are the characteristics of the population? You may use the literature to provide statistical findings that have generalizable populations, but you must also cite statistics if something is specific to Montana. Additionally, if pertinent, discuss the setting of care.

Your scholarly paper requirements include the following elements: the paper will follow the same guidelines in level of evidence and define the clinical problem and project.

1. Define the Quality Improvement Project (QI), the clinical problem, and proposed interventions. 2. Include a clear, concise title that captures the project. 3. Include your name and credentials.

Great DNP Capstone projects begin with an idea. Take the time today to find and focus on your area of interest. Below are the key components of a DNP or Capstone project. Ensure that your scholarly paper includes the required components, as lacking these will result in a refusal to schedule your DNP Project Presentation.

3. Research Methodologies and Data Analysis in DNP Capstone Projects

Throughout the systematic review process, the elements of a DNP capstone project warrant specific treatment. Deciding how to measure or assess the subject matter in the problem statement helps researchers determine a methodology dependent on the collected data. Methodology sections within DNP project capstone papers often include guidance on data analysis processes. The data analysis plan of DNP projects largely depends on the research and design factors. In a program description based on the systematic review, the data collection and analysis procedures should include the following forms and methodology elements. All literature identified during the Initial Review must have analyzed the qualitative and quantitative methods (if applicable), making specific mention of how data was collected, analyzed, and reported. Designing each included study in a DNP capstone review not only gives researchers details on how data is collected but also on how it is analyzed. Data analysis was shown to shed light on the nature of DNP project implementation in addition to the review results.

DNP students most commonly perform literature reviews, educational sessions, and clinical performance improvement projects. A recent comparison of DNP project designs found that evidence-based practice projects were most typical and were larger and more likely to use the experimental approach or apply an intervention. Additionally, DNP projects were constructed around a variety of research designs: experimental serving as a standard conditioning method for predictive research variables; quasi-standard designs testing a variety of interventions; and non-experimental designs (cohort, correlational, etc.), serving as the most common design when studying outcomes. A range of research methodologies has been applied in DNP studies surprisingly, but one approach addressing the current lack of primary research is to focus on examining DNP deliveries with your stakeholders. To establish quality insight and generalizability of findings, utilizing a systematic review methodology should be necessary.

3. Research Methodologies and Data Analysis

4. Writing Style and Formatting Guidelines for DNP Capstone Projects

Formatting: Spacing: All pages should be double-spaced with one-inch margins. The exception is the Abstract, which is single-spaced. Indentation: all paragraphs should be indented. References, tables, and figures may be single- or double-spaced, depending on their length. Writing standards: The scientific writing component should be scholarly and reflective of doctoral criteria. The DNP abstract can be a descriptive abstract, rather than the standard informative abstract found in research. Focus on the DNP executive summary. MCN Wisdom Writers This section will provide writing style and formatting guidelines specific to a DNP capstone project.

Writing Style: It is important that you write your hermeneutic on the problem area with energy and depth. Use both description and narration to convey the experience, as well as information gleaned from the literature, focus groups, interviews, surveys, etc. Your presentation of the relevant problem should be powerfully wrought. Take time and exert energy to write a compelling presentation of the situation. Writing can, when pressed on, be a form of “Thinking Out Loud.” In other words, sometimes we don’t know what we know about our thinking until we begin to write. Be willing to write your thoughts out and then come back to them the next day. Share your work with readers who will be honest, direct, and yet respectful toward you. Despite the title “Doctorate in Nursing Practice,” journal style will direct you to write as doctorally prepared nurses who can effectively communicate what they have learned in science but share their philosophy of thinking about the sciences in nursing.

An original contribution to the field of nursing can only be as effective as its potential to reach a reader. In this section, we will provide writing style and formatting guidelines that we strongly encourage you to follow.

5. Tips for Successfully Completing and Defending a DNP Capstone Project

The process for conducting DNP Capstone Projects can be a long, yet rewarding task. The steps for completing this scholarly endeavor include: selecting a topic that is thoughtful, innovative, and timely; conducting an extensive review of the literature; coordinating a capstone committee; completing an IRB application if necessary; collecting, entering, and analyzing data; writing the Capstone; and defending the Capstone. A number of challenges may arise while working on your final project, but tips and suggestions are included in this work to help you successfully meet these challenges and navigate barriers. The study results can be the first step in advancing an intervention, written leadership plan, and evidence-based project proposal change in our field, thereby improving nursing and patient outcomes. However, the presentation, publication, and dissemination process can bring new challenges but can also offer a number of profound rewards.

The completion and defense of a DNP Capstone Project is a major milestone in a professional doctoral nursing program. The Capstone Project represents the culmination of focused coursework and writing, typically involving a year or more of study, analysis, and evaluation. The final project should be presented in a scholarly format and should meet the criteria of published work, including originality, significance, and innovative thought. Best practices for formatting, number of pages and/or sections, and creating a DNP Capstone Project vary among and within academic programs. The aim of this writing is to offer tips and recommendations that will help you to successfully complete, defend, and navigate the “publish or perish” environment involved with successful presentation and dissemination of your work.