What happens in a Capstone?

Nursing Students Online Learning

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Maybe a dumb question, but what do you do in a Capstone in an RN to BSN program? Some of the BSN completion programs I'm looking at have a Capstone requirement, some do not. If you are an associates degree nurse and do an online BSN degree Capstone requirement, is it essentially completed during your regular shift, or are there specific requirements that will need fulfilled during additional (unpaid) shifts?

If I want to leave the door open to masters degree and beyond, is a BSN with capstone more desirable than one without? (in eyes of the school I apply to for the masters)

I'm looking at some BSN programs that are appealing to me, but they require a capstone. Should I avoid it like the plague?

Thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

A capstone is not generally a clinical -- it's usually a final project, like a culmination of all that you've learned during your BSN program. They're not terrible, although I am not looking forward to my MSN capstone! The BSN capstone was easier.

Good luck!

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From what I understand at my school (GCU) it's a final project. We had a research methods type class before it, where we research the project, and then Capstone, which is where we work on it.

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oh.... I understand. Near the end of the schooling for my associates, we had a "capstone project" that was simply working shifts at a facility/unit of choice. I assumed the BSN capstone was additional clinical exposure to something specifically covered in BSN program.

So the capstone is more of a research/paper project? Requirements for capstone will mostly likely be different for each school, then. Hard to draw a conclusion on whether to dodge a particular college based solely on the fact that they have a capstone requirement, then.

If I decide to move on to a masters through another school, will those other schools I approach frown on my BSN degree solely because it didn't include a capstone (even if it is a CCNE accredited program/degree)?

Thanks.

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Lunah, after 680, will you start the Capstone the following semester? EC's schedule seemed like a tedious task just to apply for the MSN Capstone. This is why I'm asking.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Lunah after 680, will you start the Capstone the following semester? EC's schedule seemed like a tedious task just to apply for the MSN Capstone. This is why I'm asking.[/quote']

I think I can start it in July.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

In my school (UTA) it was a final project based on whatever specialty area we chose. I went for nurse educator.

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Capstone is a final project/research paper on an area that you choose at some time earlier in the curriculum. As for going on to your MSN, just make sure that ANY BSN program you joine gives you a GPA grade. Not a pass/fail, because you will need a GPA for your Masters. That's about it.

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