Capstone - what do you think?

[jules0793]

Hello! I am BSN to DNP student due to graduate next year.... AS LONG AS I CAN SUCCESSFULLY PULL OFF MY SCHOLARLY PROJECT.

I have access to ~200 nurses (pediatric hourly home care) who I think would be a great population to use as subjects.

The problem is, I'm stuck on WHAT to do the Capstone project on. I thought about back safety knowledge and pre/post testing with education... my professor didn't hate the idea, but asked how I could consider that "advanced practice" or "primary care." And that I'm not sure...

So I have support and site approval to use these nurses, but no project idea - I'm working backwards. Before I scarp the whole thing and start over from scratch I wanted to see if anyone has any interesting ideas or tools I could maybe trial in special needs pediatric home care nurses (RNS and lpns) that may fit into the requirements for Capstone.

My my last ditch effort before I go back to the drawing board.

thanks!

[Aromatic]

If you put the word feelings, or flawnce nightngayle in your proposal enough times they will bow down to your project without a question.

on a serious note just make it something useful, What problems do you notice in society that we can fix? How can we fix them? What can actually be used in practice? I would do something related to an EHR, technology is interesting and better than some of the silly capstones I have seen people do such as "feelings toward an asthma inhalor," and "patient satisfaction with IM glut injections" Unfortunately I am not kidding.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Just to offer a totally different perspective ...

Could you consider those nurses as your "patients" and do something with them related to their health, wellness, fitness, weight, rest, etc. After all, the ANA has established a focus this year on nurses' personal health. Plan, implement, and evaluate some sort of "healthy nurse" initiative with them as your participants.

[jules0793]

Thanks for you comments!

Aromatic - yes.... that's been the cloud over me during this entire process of thinking it through. I'd want to do a project that matters, or is at least somewhat interesting, since I have to dedicate the next year to it! But; i always want to graduate and complete on time without any hiccups; so unfortunately I need to think "what is simple" and "what will my professors like"!!

llg - that was just what I was trying to think of how to do... how to make the nurses into patients! Your ANA suggestion is SO AWESOME. I started looking into that already!

Thank you both for your comments; I wasn't expecting replies, but you made me happy by providing them!

I have an Emergency Meeting with my professor to help me brainstorm; I'm hoping to find some more clarity!

Thanks! the ANA Healthy Nurse initiative.... really great suggestion, seriously - thank you for pointing that out :)

[SirJohnny]

Hi there:

Your capstone project may have to reflect on patient improvement outcomes versus nurse improvement outcomes. Depends

on your institution, so be sure to verify before really digging in too far with your project. Also, be sure to secure your committee

members early on.

I know at my university (DNP/PMHNP), we can develop protocols that improve nursing efficiency, but the overall goal has to

be improved patient measures (e.g., satisfaction, outcomes, lower costs, etc.). A completed project that does not show significant

patient improvement at the end of data collection and statistical analysis, is still a valid project.

I am in the middle of my DNP capstone project ... and it takes forever to get approvals from the capstone committee, and the

IRB. My population is demented nursing home residents, and I am in the process of writing inquiry letters (as well as knocking

on a few DON doors) to see if I can generate any interest. As mentioned earlier, the process takes forever.

Good luck!!!!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Thanks for you comments!

Aromatic - yes.... that's been the cloud over me during this entire process of thinking it through. I'd want to do a project that matters, or is at least somewhat interesting, since I have to dedicate the next year to it! But; i always want to graduate and complete on time without any hiccups; so unfortunately I need to think "what is simple" and "what will my professors like"!!:)

That's a smart way to approach it. Yes, do something that interests you ... but keep an eye on what will be do-able in a reasonable amount of time and with minimal hassle.

[LTinAK]

Hi Jules,

I'm in the same boat as you right now! Just wanted to offer that at my school, they highly recommend process improvement projects for the DNP students and their Capstone. It sounds like you have received some excellent suggestions, good luck!