what is a capstone project for bsn

List of 500 Plus Nursing Capstone Project Ideas to Consider as a nursing Student

what is a capstone project for bsn

In most nursing schools, you might be required to work on a capstone project, often known as a senior capstone. It is usually a prerequisite for your final course in a degree program that requires its completion. Most nursing students prefer undertaking a capstone nursing course.

A capstone project is an individualized research project on a specific nursing topic of your professional or personal interest. It is usually completed within between 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the nursing school and the program you are pursuing. It is usually part of a project-based nursing capstone course that runs within a selected duration and is led by a capstone instructor. The first step of writing a capstone is choosing a topic that focuses on the quality improvement process, procedure, or policy and creating a nursing capstone project proposal/nursing project proposal or presentation.

A standard nursing capstone project is between 20 to 100 pages, but that depends on the institutional requirements and the preference of your capstone instructor. It is a chance to show what you have learned, enhance your professional development, specialize in your nursing career, and investigate/solve community-related health issues. The capstone project paper is based on evidence-based practice (EBP) project , which makes it necessary to follow the PICO format . Therefore, the first step is choosing the topic when doing the capstone at BSN, MSN, or DNP level.

This guide is about the first step, specifically to help you choose a good and manageable topic for your nursing capstone project. Cognizant that selecting a topic depends on the area of specialization that you are interested in (Family nursing, forensic nursing, informatics, pediatrics, nursing administration and management, nursing education, or public health, etc.), we have categorized the ideas and topics into nursing specialties to make it easier for you to brainstorm and choose a good topic for your nursing capstone paper.

General Nursing Capstone Ideas

  • Patient-controlled fluid restriction monitoring
  • The effects of tai chi on cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension, BMI, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and its safety and feasibility
  • Exercise to improve cancer-related fatigue
  • CPM machine protocol for knee replacements
  • Managing hypertension with lifestyle modifications
  • Self-engagement to decrease blood pressure readings and reduce non-compliance
  • The application of the ABCDE bundle in ICU
  • Controlled donation after circulatory death
  • Effectiveness of using virtual reality in oncology settings
  • Impacts of the clinically aligned pain assessment tool (CAPA) on pain management
  • The influence of "deliberate practice" on skill competency
  • Consequences of massage therapy for agitation in dementia
  • Impact of virtual simulation on knowledge transfer
  • Increased discharge compliance through mental health follow-up
  • Impacts of early mobilization
  • Impacts of bedside shift reports on patient safety
  • Effects of physical activity and patient education on rheumatoid arthritis
  • Benefits of non-physician-led hypertension management
  • Reducing the rates of use of emergency departments by homeless and at-risk homeless through screening
  • Improving discharge timeliness and patient outcomes
  • Role of Nurses in policymaking
  • Video education on fever to empower and educate caregivers
  • Protecting the health and safety of nurses working with at-risk populations

Forensic Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Forensic nursing is a very lucrative area of specialization in nursing. If you consider specializing in forensic nursing to become a Nurse Death Investigator (NDI), sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), legal nurse consultant, forensic psychiatry nurse, correctional nurse consultant, forensic nurse educator, or forensic nurse examiner, consider these topics and ideas for your capstone. It is not exhaustive but gives you an upper hand when selecting a suitable topic for your forensic nursing capstone project. If you are looking for nursing ebp project ideas related to forensic nursing, check out these:

  • Impacts of forensic nurses in preventing intimate partner violence
  • Role of forensic nurses in developing community interventions to prevent elderly abuse and neglect
  • Coordinated community response as a strategy to address elderly abuse
  • Role of forensic nurses in identifying and preventing sexual abuse in pediatric emergency departments
  • Does Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training affect the attitudes of Emergency Department nurses toward sexual assault survivors?
  • How sexual assault nurse examiners practice trauma-informed care
  • Roles of forensic outpatient nurses
  • Use of simulation in training forensic nurses
  • Attitudes of forensic nurses working at psychiatric facilities
  • Benefits of incorporating forensic nurses as part of the multidisciplinary teams in psychiatric health facilities
  • Importance of forensic nurse research
  • Collaboration between forensic nurses and law enforcement agencies
  • Implementation of sexual assault services in a clinic setting
  • Effects of an emotional education program on prisoners
  • Occupational injuries and workplace violence among forensic nurses
  • Stress and burnout among forensic nurses working in mental health facilities
  • Role of forensic nurses in examining medical error
  • Role of forensic nurse examiner in patient education for victims of sexual assault
  • The rhetoric of therapy in forensic psychiatric nursing
  • Evaluation of a Standardized Patient Simulation on Undergraduate Nursing Students' Knowledge and Confidence On Intimate Partner Violence
  • Evidence-based practice in forensic mental health nursing
  • Standards of practice for forensic mental health nurses
  • Innovative assessments for retention of sexual assault nurse examiners
  • Collection and preservation of evidence by forensic nurses
  • Compassion fatigue among pediatric forensic nurse examiners
  • Investigating chronic traumatic encephalopathy among national football league players
  • Nurses and Medicolegal Death Investigation
  • Strategies for documenting evidence used by forensic nurses
  • Forensic nurses as expert witnesses in courts of law
  • Role of forensic nurses in research in correctional facilities
  • Causes and consequences of forensic nurse shortage
  • Ethical issues encountered by forensic nurses in correctional facilities
  • De-escalation and limit-setting in forensic mental health units
  • How forensic nurses can prevent human and organ trafficking
  • Risk factors for domestic minor sex trafficking in the United States
  • Mental illness as a vulnerability for sexual assault
  • Cardiovascular risk factors among prisoners
  • Establishing the therapeutic relationship between a forensic nurse and a patient
  • Benefits of a holistic approach to training forensic nurse examiners
  • Impacts of trauma-informed care training on the competency and confidence of forensic nurses
  • Forensic nursing interventions with patients with personality disorder
  • A forensic nurse's perspective of trauma-informed care approaches to medico legal death investigation
  • How forensic nurses handle families and loved ones of those who succumb in emergency departments
  • Forensic nurses and human rights abuse
  • Responsibilities of forensic nurses
  • SANE vs. non-SANE forensic nurses
  • Required skills for forensic psychiatric nurse
  • Veracity for children in pediatric forensics
  • Strategies for screening children for abuse and neglect
  • Trauma-Informed Care Education in Baccalaureate Nursing Curricula in the United States
  • Understanding nonfatal strangulation
  • Role of forensic nurses in advocating for pregnant women in correctional facilities
  • The professional identity of prison nurses
  • Role of education and continuous professional development in strengthening the science of forensic nursing
  • Stress and burnout in forensic health nursing
  • Using telehealth for sexual assault forensic examinations
  • Promoting professional quality of life and resiliency in sexual assault nurse examiners
  • Child labor trafficking essentials for forensic nurses
  • Sexual assault nurse examiner forensic examinations for immigrant victims

You can find more topics concerning forensic nursing from Topics by Science.gov

Critical Care Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Critical care nursing, also called intensive care nursing , is a domain of nursing practice that deals with seriously ill patients. If you are interested in pursuing critical care/ICU nursing, you can focus your capstone project on a related topic. Here are some ideas for critical nursing or ICU nursing capstone project.

  • Impacts of critical incident stress debriefing for nurses in acute care departments
  • Strategies to address stress and burnout among critical care nursing staff
  • Role of critical care nurses in palliative care
  • Nursing interventions to prevent central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in the ICU settings
  • Benefits of SNF infection prevention online training on CLABSI prevention
  • The role of law and policy in addressing healthcare-associated infections in critical care
  • Impact of needleless connector change frequency on central line-associated bloodstream infection rate
  • Effects of surveillance of hospital-acquired CLABSI in pediatric NICU
  • Impacts of CLABSI on length of stay and readmission in ICU
  • Using Nurse-Driven Protocols to Eliminate Routine Gastric Residual Volume Measurements
  • Implementing a standardized communication tool in an intensive care unit
  • Decreasing 30-day readmission rates in patients with heart failure
  • Strategies for assessing discomfort in critically ill patients
  • Increasing nurses' knowledge of and self-confidence with family presence during pediatric resuscitation
  • The link between perceived and actual risk assessment by ICU nurses and the use of catheters
  • How critical care nurses can prevent blood contamination during transfusion
  • Risk factors and preventive measures for pressure ulcers among patients in critical care units
  • Factors Leading to critical nurses shortage in the USA
  • Compassion fatigue among ICU nurses and strategies to prevent it
  • Pain assessment by critical care nurses through physical and physiological monitoring
  • The use of CDSS in decision-making within the ICU
  • Critical Nurses' education and Competencies in the USA
  • Impacts of nurse-patient Ratio on patient safety and Outcomes in critical care units
  • Prevalence of nurse burnout syndrome among ICU nurses
  • Strategies to help critical nurses achieve excellence
  • Collaborative decision-making between ICU nurses and patients in end-of-life care
  • Attitudes of critical care nurses on terminally ill patients
  • Hand hygiene adherence among critical care nurses
  • How critical care nurses can leverage big data and AI to improve safety and outcomes
  • Strategies to optimize intubation in the ICU
  • The link between ICU staffing and patient outcomes
  • Quality improvement strategies for neonatal ICU
  • The application of telemedicine in ICU settings
  • Strategies to optimize mechanical ventilation in the neonatal ICU
  • Patient education strategies for children with adult patients in the ICU
  • ICU nurses assist patients in making the DNR orders
  • Payment Structure and morale among ICU nurses
  • Challenges experienced by ICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Intensive care nurses' knowledge and practice on endotracheal suctioning of the intubated patient
  • Benefits of promoting shared decision-making in the ICU
  • Intensive care nurses' experiences and perceptions of delirium and delirium care.
  • Reasons why nurses should have empathy with newborn families in neonatal ICU
  • Nurses' Perceptions of Telemedicine Adoption in the Intensive Care Unit
  • Importance of allowing ICU nurses to grieve when patients die
  • The perceptions and attitudes of ICU nurses on the use of ICU diaries
  • The experiences of new nurses in ICU units
  • Strategies ICU nurses use to screen delirium among ICU patients
  • Impacts of brownout on ICU nurses
  • Attitudes of ICU nurses on caring for patients with mental illness
  • Impacts of hemodynamic monitoring training for ICU nurses on patient safety and outcomes
  • Readiness of novice nurses to practice in ICU
  • Nurses' experiences of caring for patients during a prolonged critical illness
  • Oral practices for ICU nurses
  • Caring for non-sedated mechanically ventilated patients: Attitudes of ICU nurses
  • Knowledge and practice of physical restraints in ICU

Nursing Education Topics and Ideas

Nursing education is a vast area. You can never run out of ideas to explore in your nursing education capstone. Here are some potential rn to bsn capstone project ideas to consider:

  • The impacts of the Nurse Residency Program
  • Undergraduate pediatric nursing education: Issues, challenges, and recommendations
  • How mentorship post-residency affects the experiences of new graduates transitioning from novice to competent
  • Benefits of mindful meditation for nursing students
  • A new leadership development model for nursing education
  • Evidence-based practice and quality improvement in nursing education
  • Role of stakeholder engagement in nursing education
  • Strategies to improve nurse to patient ratio through nursing education
  • Use of simulation in nursing education
  • Effectiveness of a venous thromboembolism course using flipped classroom with nursing students
  • Perceptions of the use of reflective learning journals in online graduate nursing education
  • Effects of nursing education on students' pain management knowledge
  • Cultural competencies for graduate nursing education
  • Implications of virtual reality and augmented reality in nursing education
  • The use of gamification in education with digital badges
  • Strategies to dismantle racism and disparities in nursing education
  • Importance of teaching reflective practice among nursing students
  • Arts-based inquiry in nursing education
  • Supporting the integrative health care curriculum in schools of nursing
  • Educational pathways to becoming a registered nurse
  • Strategies to make nursing education lucrative for the millennial generation
  • How educators can influence the success of nursing students
  • Philosophical perspectives of nursing education
  • Use of social media and technology in nursing education
  • Should nurses stay longer in college?
  • Faculty shortage in nursing schools
  • Impacts of the scarcity of clinical experiences on the competency of new nurses
  • The gap between education and practice and the nursing staff shortage
  • Benefits of integrating climate change topics in nursing curricula
  • Impacts of problem-based learning models in nursing schools
  • Benefits of promoting multicultural nursing education
  • Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion topics into an undergraduate nursing research course
  • Benefits of nurses having a personal philosophy in nursing school
  • Using active simulation to enhance the learning of nursing ethics

You can also consider topics related to mental health issues or mentally ill patients. The goal is to find the best topic to stand out among the nursing capstone projects submitted to your professor. 

Health Promotion Ideas for Capstone Projects

  • Implementing community cooking courses to prevent nutritional knowledge deficit
  • Promoting the use of honey in diabetes foot ulcer management
  • Application of the health belief model in tailoring nursing interventions to prevent adolescent smoking
  • Using an educational program based on the health belief model to improve the preventive behaviors of nurses against cardiovascular diseases
  • Factors affecting health promotion activities by nurses
  • Attitudes of registered nurses and midwives toward health promotion targeting obese patients
  • Attitudes of Nurses towards health Promotion
  • Role of Nurses in health promotion and Disease prevention
  • Health promotion strategies to reduce smoking among nurse practitioners
  • Roles of Nurses in preventive care
  • Impacts of nursing advocacy on health promotion
  • Role of advanced practice nurse in health promotion
  • Healthy lifestyle behaviors and health promotion attitudes in preregistered nurses
  • Practical approaches to health promotion in nursing
  • Translating social ecological theory into guidelines for community health promotion
  • Health promotion strategies that work best with indigenous populations
  • Ethical dilemmas in health promotion by nurses
  • Strategies to promote mental health promotion in psychiatric facilities

Nursing Shortage and Burnout Topics and Ideas for Capstone

  • Benefits of having an official mentoring program on nursing retention and job satisfaction
  • Impacts of burnout and fatigue on patient outcomes
  • Results of implementing patient acuity tool on nurse satisfaction
  • Effects of meaningful recognition on med-surgical unit's staff satisfaction and retention
  • Benefits of compassion fatigue education on oncology nurses

Women's Health Topics and Ideas for Capstone

  • Benefits of early screening for postpartum depression
  • Impacts of patient education on reducing postpartum depression
  • Breastfeeding and consumption of sweetened foods
  • Challenges facing women with disabilities in exclusive breastfeeding
  • Relationship between the mental health of the mother and the outcomes of a pregnancy
  • Promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles among women
  • Helping women address the challenges that come with menopause: perspectives of a nurse
  • Long-term effects of preeclampsia on mother and neonate
  • Strategies to prevent preeclampsia
  • Preeclampsia screening within healthcare facilities
  • Diagnosis and management of atypical preeclampsia-eclampsia
  • Cardiovascular Sequels During and After Preeclampsia
  • Impacts of superimposed preeclampsia on women
  • Preeclampsia and maternal risk of breast cancer
  • Nursing care approach for women with preeclampsia and eclampsia
  • Administration of NSAIDs during pregnancy and the initiation of lactation
  • Diagnosis and management of fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Educating women on the dangers of consuming alcohol when pregnant
  • Sexual dysfunction in women with alcohol dependence syndrome
  • Impacts of female genital mutilation on the reproductive health of women
  • Assessment and prevention of postpartum depression among pregnant women
  • Etiology and consequences of postpartum depression
  • Use of oxytocin in the management of postpartum depression
  • Postpartum depression and breastfeeding efficacy
  • Diagnosis and treatment of cytomegalovirus during pregnancy
  • Relaxation techniques for pain management during labor
  • Benefits of multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy
  • Methods of milk expression for lactating women
  • Effects of disorder eating on the fertility of women
  • Hypertension disorders of pregnancy
  • Implementation of the maternal-fetal triage index to improve obstetric triage
  • Strategies to prevent obstetric hemorrhage
  • Childbirth experiences of women with an autism spectrum disorder in acute care settings

Pediatrics Topics and Ideas for Capstone

  • Efficacy of using music therapy in NICU
  • Pain and Sedation Scales in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
  • Impacts of skin-to-skin contact as a method for body warmth for infants with low birth weight
  • How to maintain normothermia among newly born infants
  • Effects of very early skin-to-skin contact on the success of breastfeeding
  • Chest-to-back skin-to-skin contact in regulating body temperature for preterm babies
  • Early intervention to achieve thermal balance in term neonates
  • Benefits of infant massage for infants and parents in the NICU

Patient Falls Topics and Ideas for Capstone

Patient falls management is another excellent area to consider for your capstone. You should inquire into some of the best strategies to solve patient falls associated with mortality and morbidity. Reducing falls is an indicator of quality improvement in healthcare settings. Here are some ideas and topics to get you started:

  • Impact of Hourly Rounding on Fall Rates
  • Evidence-based fall management strategies for patients aging in place
  • Nursing-led interventions to prevent falls in clinical settings
  • A multifactorial approach to fall management in healthcare settings
  • Impacts of patient education on fall rates
  • Multi-professional team approach in fall management
  • Use of telehealth to assess and address fall risk among elderly patients
  • Fall risk assessment and patient safety
  • Evaluation and management of fall risk in primary care settings
  • The link between polypharmacy and fall rates among older adults
  • Rates of falls and hospital readmissions among the older adults
  • Utilizing technology to prevent falls in healthcare settings
  • Benefits of patient-centered fall prevention toolkit in reducing falls and injuries among patients
  • Fall Prevention Decision-Making of Acute Care Registered Nurses
  • Occupational therapy falls prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults
  • Multifactorial falls prevention programs for older adults presenting to the emergency department with a fall
  • Fall prevention strategies for Emergency departments
  • The effectiveness of exercise for fall prevention in nursing home residents
  • Role of physical therapists and aromatherapy for fall prevention in older people
  • Use of radar and sensor technology to prevent falls in primary care settings
  • Use of alarms to prevent falls on medical-surgical floors
  • Applying bed exit alarms to prevent falls
  • Using bathroom safety constructions to prevent elderly falls
  • Application of intelligent socks system to reduce falls in clinical settings
  • Addressing the nutritional needs of elderly patients to prevent falls
  • Using smartphones to detect and prevent falls in homes and hospitals
  • Use of robots in fall management

Patient Education Capstone Project Ideas

  • Impacts of polypharmacy teaching in reducing adverse effects at an acute setting
  • Benefits of patient education in promoting healthy lifestyles
  • Patient education and reduced falls within home settings
  • Impacts of using social media to facilitate patient education
  • Role of patient-centered education in improving adherence and outcomes of patients in long-term care facilities
  • Patient education in wound management and outcomes
  • Impact of patient education on utilization of nonpharmacological modalities for persistent pain management
  • Patient education and self-care management practices
  • Benefits of patient education in medical rehabilitation
  • Therapeutic patient education and outcomes in heart failure patients
  • Benefits of multi-professional approach in diabetes patient education
  • The benefits and challenges of providing patient education digitally
  • Factors affecting patient education in healthcare settings
  • Using healthcare information infrastructure to deliver education to patients with chronic conditions
  • Impacts of using electronic health records to facilitate education for patients in rural areas
  • The Effects of Tailored Diabetic Education in the Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Emergency Nursing Topics and Ideas for Capstone

If you are struggling to develop a perfect topic for your capstone project and are interested in emergency nursing, you can consider these capstone ideas and topics. Emergency nurse practitioners often face many challenges, including workplace incivility, lateral violence, bullying, brownout, stress, and high workload, which is a great place to start. You can also address their roles in emergency preparedness and management. Here are some ideas:

  • Solutions and strategies to address Emergency Department overcrowding
  • Causes and consequences of emergency room overcrowding
  • Nurse-led strategies to prevent emergency room overcrowding
  • Evidence-based approaches to address ED overcrowding
  • Challenges for patient onboarding in the ED
  • Use of technology and data modeling to address ED overcrowding
  • Use of RFID technology to reduce ED overcrowding
  • Application of telemedicine in addressing ER overcrowding
  • Innovations to reduce demand and crowding in emergency care
  • The use of wearable tech to address overcrowding in the ER
  • Strategies to improve access to ER in rural areas
  • Role of ER nurses in disaster management
  • Factors affecting emergency nurses' perceptions of the triage systems
  • Attitudes and skills of ER nurses in triage decision-making
  • Perceptions of ER nurses in the assessment of the risk of emerging infectious disease in ED
  • Role of ER nurses in disease surveillance
  • Role of ER Nurses in disease outbreaks
  • Strategies to prevent ER nurses from burnout and stress
  • Addressing compassion satisfaction and fatigue among ER nurses
  • Benefits of cultural competence training for ER nurses
  • Feelings and emotions of ER nurses related to dying and death of patients
  • Factors causing high turnover among emergency room nurses
  • Pediatric pain management strategies that ER nurses managing pediatric patients use
  • Strategies to address work fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders among ER nurses
  • Strategies to improve communication skills among ER nurses and other healthcare practitioners in the ED
  • Enhancing systems thinking for undergraduate nursing students using Friday night at the ER
  • How ER nurses can apply nursing theories when caring for patients
  • The impact of reflective journaling and diaries for ER nurses
  • Perceptions and attitudes of ER nurses on teamwork in ED
  • Causes of occupational stress among ER nurses
  • Factors affecting radiation protection behaviors among ER nurses
  • How ER nurses provide care to patients with self-harm
  • Impacts of incivility, bullying, and workplace violence on effectiveness and performance of ER nurses
  • Strategies to foster collegiality and civility
  • Impacts of educational intervention through online training on incivility among ER nurses
  • Lateral violence among ER nurses
  • Interventions to reduce the risk of violence toward emergency department staff
  • The emergency nurse's perception of incivility in the workplace
  • Impacts of cognitive rehearsal training for ER nurses on confronting bullying and lateral violence
  • Importance of implementing a psychiatric triage algorithm
  • Use of simulation-based emergency to train ER nurses on responding to emergency situations
  • Benefits of using emergency nursing competency scale for school nurses
  • The lived experiences of ER nurses encountering patients with mental illness in prehospital emergency care
  • Knowledge and practice of nursing students regarding bioterrorism and emergency preparedness
  • Impacts of continuous competency assessment and education for ER nurses
  • Emergency nurses' knowledge, attitude, and perceived barriers regarding pain Management in Resource-Limited Settings
  • Effect of problem-based learning on severity classification agreement by triage nurses
  • Effects of a standardized patient-based simulation in anaphylactic shock management for new graduate ER nurses
  • Emergency Room nurses' perceptions of leadership, teamwork, turnover intention and patient safety
  • Attitudes of ER nurses towards patient safety
  • Factors affecting patient satisfaction in nurse-led triage in ED
  • ER Nurses' experience with emergency room psychiatry services
  • Impacts of CPR training for ER nurses on patient outcomes
  • Nurses' attitudes to supporting people who are suicidal in emergency departments

Telemetry Capstone Ideas and Topics

  • Improving cardiac telemetry use
  • Improving Quiet-at-Night on a telemetry unit
  • Reducing Cardiac Telemetry Alarm Fatigue
  • Impacts of alarm fatigues on patient safety
  • Evaluation of Telemetry Utilization in Medical-Surgical Unit
  • Customizing Physiologic Alarms in the Emergency Department
  • Impacts of default order set settings on telemetry ordering
  • Strategies for transitioning Novice Nurses to Expert Nurses in Progressive Telemetry Care
  • Preventing stress and burnout among nurses in the telemetry unit
  • Strategies to optimize the use of telemetry in nursing training
  • Is simulation efficient for telemetry nurse trainees?
  • An Evidence-Based Approach to Reducing Cardiac Telemetry Alarm Fatigue.
  • Physiologic monitoring alarm load on medical/surgical floors of a community hospital.
  • Impacts of alarm management program on alarm fatigue among telemetry and ICU RNs
  • Benefits of customizing physiologic alarms in ED
  • Effect of a Nurse-Managed Telemetry Discontinuation Protocol on Monitoring Duration, Alarm Frequency, and Adverse Patient Events
  • Impacts of introducing patient-customized monitoring bundle in decreasing alarm fatigue in ICU
  • Alternative strategies for cardiac alarm management on telemetry units
  • Role of monitor watchers in decreasing alarm burden of nurses
  • Stress and burnout among telemetry nurses

Geriatrics/Gerontology Topics and Ideas for Capstone

  • Perspectives of nursing students undertaking a practicum at a gerontology facility on their experience
  • Geriatric assessment in daily oncology practice for nurses and allied health care professionals
  • Hospital nurses' perception of the geriatric nurse practice environment
  • Use of a screening tool and primary health care gerontology nurse specialist for high-needs older people
  • Competency and skills of nurses practicing in elderly homes
  • Assessing the perceptions and attitudes among geriatric resource nurses
  • Attitudes of nurses on physical restraint for hospitalized elderly people
  • Role of geriatric nurses in addressing falls among elderly patients
  • Strategies to reduce restraint use for older adults in acute care
  • Strategies to care for elderly patients with schizophrenia and dementia
  • Addressing the nutritional needs of elderly adults who are homeless through a community nursing center
  • Strategies to promote physical activity among the elderly patients
  • How to improve the quality of life of elderly adults who are veterans
  • Caring for elderly adults with cerebrovascular accidents
  • Burnout and stress among registered nurses working in nursing homes
  • Addressing social isolation and loneliness among elderly patients
  • The application of robots in dementia care
  • Benefits of administering vitamin C supplements to elderly adults
  • Impacts of tai chi and yoga on improving the health of elderly patients
  • Nonpharmacological interventions to improve sleep patterns among elderly patients
  • Effectiveness of geriatric nurses getting trained in dementia care
  • Use of social media to reduce depression among elderly adults
  • Role of community health nurses in addressing osteoporosis among the elderly populations

To find more topics you can search for nursing capstone project examples pdf online and peer-reviewed nursing journals. You can be inspired to choose a unique, memorable, and manageable topic.

Final Remarks!

For topics on nursing informatics, check out our exclusive blog article, where we share a list of nursing informatics topics that you can choose for your capstone project.

Related Reading:

  • Critical nursing research topics for nursing papers
  • Writing an outstanding personal nursing philosophy paper.
  • Is WGU BSN worth it?
  • Tips and tricks for shadow health assessments

The main goal of a capstone project is for the nursing student to demonstrate their ability to identify specific health issues, conduct community assessments, and develop evidence-based strategies, interventions, or plans to address these critical health problems in the healthcare environment.

It is also a chance for students to demonstrate their awareness of the importance of nursing research and the nursing profession/practice in addressing societal challenges. It also helps students disseminate knowledge on pertinent issues that face the rapidly changing healthcare industry from the nursing perspective within a scholarly environment. A nursing student who completes a nursing capstone is ready to undertake leadership, administration, management, and educational functions, which promotes career growth and development.

We understand that the senior nursing capstone is an intensive and demanding project, so we have writers who can help you at every stage. As you work with your nursing capstone instructor, preceptor, or supervisor (visiting nurse), our nursing capstone project writers will work with you to produce relevant papers.

After choosing your topic from the list above or developing one of your own, you can get help from our website. As a leading nursing writing website , we guarantee 100% confidential, private, reliable, and available service. You will also get 100% original paper written from scratch using nursing lingo, format, and peer-reviewed sources published in the last 5 years.

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Capstone Project Ideas in Nursing: Exploring Innovative Approaches to Healthcare

Introduction to nursing capstone projects.

The dynamic landscape of healthcare requires nursing students to demonstrate practical knowledge through capstone projects. These projects provide an opportunity to delve into a unique aspect of nursing and contribute towards improving the healthcare system. Selecting the perfect topic for your nursing capstone project ideas can be challenging, but we’re here to help! This comprehensive guide will introduce Nursing Capstone Projects Ideas, how to choose them, and several promising themes to explore.

What is a Nursing Capstone Project?

A nursing capstone project is the pinnacle of your academic journey, marking the transition from student to full-fledged healthcare professional. This project provides a platform for students to apply classroom learning to a real-world clinical scenario, driving them to expand their knowledge and refine their nursing skills.

The capstone project isn’t just about showcasing what you’ve learned—it’s about contributing to the nursing field by exploring and addressing a critical healthcare issue. Capstone projects vary in nature. They can take the form of evidence-based practice (EBP) projects where students identify a problem in healthcare, review the current literature on the topic, and propose a solution based on their findings. Alternatively, they may involve research studies where students design and carry out a study to contribute to nursing knowledge.

Furthermore, nursing capstone ideas for different projects offer an opportunity to specialize in a specific area of interest within the vast nursing field. Be it pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency nursing, or community health, this project enables you to delve deeper into a chosen niche, strengthening your expertise.

Nursing capstone papers are hands-on learning experiences that significantly augment your understanding of nursing theories, models, and frameworks. They push you to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and research skills, making you adept at evidence-based practice.

How To Write Nursing Capstone Projects Ideas

Indeed, writing a nursing capstone project requires significant planning, research, and execution. This is not a task that can be completed overnight—it’s a process that will test your analytical and problem-solving skills. Here are the steps to use when writing Ideas for a nursing capstone project:

Step 1: Identify the Problem

The first step in any nursing capstone project is identifying a real-world issue relevant to the nursing field. It could be a gap in patient care, an operational inefficiency, or even an unexplored area of nursing practice. To identify a problem worth exploring, you can reflect on your clinical rotations, speak to professionals in the field, or review recent nursing literature.

Step 2: Select a Topic

Once you have identified the problem, the next step is to narrow it down into a specific topic for your capstone project. This specific area of interest should align with your career goals. Remember, the more passionate you are about the topic, the more motivated you will be throughout the process.

Step 3: Develop a Proposal

After selecting a topic, the next step is to develop a project proposal. This proposal should outline the problem you have identified, the objectives of your project, the methods you plan to use to address the problem, and the expected outcomes. Your proposal will require approval from your faculty advisor before you can move forward.

Step 4: Conduct Extensive Research

Now comes the part where you roll your sleeves and dive deep into nursing research. This involves thoroughly reviewing relevant literature, data collection, and analysis. You’ll need to gather and evaluate evidence to support your proposed solution. Please keep track of all your sources; you’ll need to reference them in your final report.

Step 5: Implement the Project

Depending on the nature of your project, you may need to implement your proposed solution in a real-world setting. This could involve initiating a new nursing intervention, developing a program, or testing a new approach to patient care.

Step 6: Write the Final Report

After collecting and analyzing your data, it’s time to write your final report . This report should include an introduction presenting the problem and research objectives, a literature review, a detailed description of your methodology, findings, discussion, and conclusion. Be sure to adhere to your institution’s formatting guidelines.

Step 7: Presentation

Often, nursing capstone projects also require an oral presentation upon completion. This is your chance to share your work with your peers, faculty, and sometimes even professionals in the field. Ensure to rehearse thoroughly, know your content, and be ready to answer questions.

How To Choose Topic For Capstone Project?

Choosing the right topic ideas for your nursing capstone project is critical to your capstone journey. A well-chosen topic can engage the process and yield more impactful results. Here are some key considerations to help guide you in making this significant decision:

Identify Your Interests and Strengths

Start by reflecting on your nursing education and clinical experience so far. Are there specific areas or specialties that you find particularly engaging? Are you passionate about pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, surgical nursing, or public health? Your capstone project is an excellent opportunity to further explore and specialize in an area you are passionate about. Moreover, working on a topic you love can make the rigorous capstone process more enjoyable and less overwhelming.

Consider the Practical Implications

While personal interest is essential, it’s also crucial to consider the practical implications of your potential topic. Ideally, your capstone project should address a real-world problem in nursing or healthcare and contribute towards improving patient care. Ask yourself, “How will this project potentially impact the nursing field? Will it contribute to better patient outcomes or advance nursing practice?”

Feasibility is Key

Feasibility is another essential consideration when choosing a capstone topic. Given your time frame, resources, and available data, you want to ensure that your selected topic can be thoroughly explored. Ambitious projects are admirable, but remember that it’s better to thoroughly explore a narrower topic than to scratch the surface of a broader one barely.

Seek Feedback

Once you have a potential topic, seek feedback from your instructors, peers, and mentors. They can provide valuable insights, help refine your ideas, and guide you toward a viable and impactful project.

Be Flexible

Finally, remember to stay flexible. As you delve deeper into your topic, you might need to adjust your research question or tweak your project’s focus. That’s perfectly okay and part of the learning process.

Ideas Of Capstone Project Topics For Students

There are countless topics students can choose for their capstone projects. Below are some of the best nursing capstone project ideas.

Noteworthy Capstone Project Ideas For Nursing

  • The Impact of Nurse-led Health Counseling on Lifestyle Diseases
  • Effective Pain Management Strategies for Oncology Patients
  • Role of Nurses in Enhancing the Quality of Palliative Care
  • The Influence of Family-centered Care on Patient Outcomes
  • Holistic Nursing Approaches to Chronic Disease Management
  • Exploring the Role of Nursing in Care Coordination
  • Understanding Nurses’ Roles in Patient Advocacy
  • The Effects of Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice
  • Exploring the Role of Nursing in Home Care
  • Analyzing the Importance of Patient Education in Nursing Practice
  • Impact of Continuing Education on Nurses’ Professional Development
  • The Role of Nursing in Managing Alzheimer’s Patients
  • Impact of Nurse-led Interventions on Medication Adherence
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Infection Control
  • Understanding Nurses’ Roles in Health Promotion and Prevention

Health Promotion Project Ideas For Nursing Students

  • Assessing the Efficacy of Community Health Programs on Childhood Obesity
  • Exploring the Role of Nurses in HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns
  • Influence of Health Promotion Initiatives on Mental Health Outcomes
  • Evaluating the Impact of School-based Health Promotion Programs
  • Role of Nursing in Promoting Physical Activity Among Elderly Patients
  • Nurse’s Role in Promoting Healthy Eating in Communities
  • Impact of Health Promotion Strategies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
  • The Role of Nurses in Sex Education and STI Prevention
  • Examining the Effect of Nurse-led Exercise Programs on Patients with Arthritis
  • Effectiveness of Nurse-led Health Check-ups in Early Disease Detection
  • Impact of Health Education on Medication Adherence in Elderly Patients
  • Role of Nursing in Preventing Alcohol and Substance Abuse
  • Effectiveness of Health Promotion Campaigns in Reducing Stigma Around Mental Health
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Family Planning Services
  • Role of Nurses in Health Education for Patients with Diabetes

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas for Mental Health

  • Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Patients with Anxiety Disorders
  • The Impact of Group Therapy on Patients with Bipolar Disorder
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Assessing the Effect of Nurse-led Mindfulness Techniques on Stress Reduction
  • Exploring the Role of Nursing in Substance Abuse Treatment
  • The Impact of Nursing Interventions on Quality of Life for Schizophrenia Patients
  • Examining the Effect of Art Therapy on Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • The Role of Nurses in Managing Insomnia in Psychiatric Patients
  • Nursing Interventions for Patients with Eating Disorders
  • Exploring the Impact of Family Therapy on Patients with Personality Disorders
  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nurse-led Psychoeducation for Patients and Families
  • Role of Nursing in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Mental Health Disorders
  • The Impact of Nursing Care on Long-Term Mental Health Outcomes
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Community Mental Health Services
  • Role of Nurses in Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention

Capstone Project Topics on Nursing Burnout

  • Evaluating the Impact of Flexible Work Schedules on Nursing Burnout
  • Assessing the Role of Peer Support Programs in Reducing Nurse Burnout
  • Understanding the Correlation Between Nurse-Patient Ratios and Burnout
  • The Impact of Organizational Culture on Nurse Burnout
  • Studying the Effect of Mindfulness Programs on Nursing Burnout
  • Evaluating the Efficacy of Stress Management Workshops in Reducing Burnout
  • Role of Leadership in Managing Nurse Burnout
  • Impact of Emotional Intelligence Training on Nurse Burnout
  • The Effects of Work-Life Balance Initiatives on Nursing Burnout
  • Assessing the Relationship Between Nurse Burnout and Medical Errors
  • Exploring the Role of Continuing Education in Preventing Nurse Burnout
  • Nurse Burnout: A Comparative Study of Different Specialties
  • Evaluating the Role of Resilience Training in Reducing Nurse Burnout
  • The Impact of Nurse Burnout on Job Satisfaction
  • Understanding the Link Between Nurse Burnout and Patient Satisfaction

Women’s Health Capstone Project Ideas

  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Breast Cancer Screening Programs
  • The Impact of Nurse-led Counseling on Postpartum Depression
  • Exploring the Effect of Health Education on Women’s Knowledge of Cervical Cancer
  • Assessing the Role of Nurses in Reproductive Health Services
  • The Impact of Nursing Care on Women’s Health During Menopause
  • The Role of Nurses in Health Promotion for Pregnant Women
  • Examining the Impact of Nurse-led Support Groups for Women with Infertility
  • Understanding the Role of Nursing in Domestic Violence Prevention
  • Evaluating the Effect of Nurse-led Interventions on Maternal Mortality Rates
  • Nurse’s Role in Managing Hormonal Imbalances in Women
  • Exploring the Impact of Nursing Care on Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • The Role of Nurses in Managing Pre- and Postnatal Care
  • Examining the Efficacy of Nursing Interventions on Prenatal Nutrition
  • The Role of Nurses in Fertility Counseling and Treatment
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Managing Endometriosis

Pediatric Nursing Capstone Project Topics

  • The Impact of Nurse-led Asthma Education Programs on Pediatric Asthma Control
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Managing Childhood Diabetes
  • Exploring the Efficacy of Nurse-led Interventions for Childhood Obesity
  • The Impact of Pediatric Nursing Care on Neonatal Mortality Rates
  • Nurse’s Role in the Early Detection and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Evaluating the Impact of Nurse-led Parental Education on Childhood Vaccination Rates
  • Assessing the Role of Nurses in Pediatric Pain Management
  • The Effect of Nursing Care on Quality of Life for Children with Chronic Illnesses
  • Role of Nurses in Pediatric Palliative Care
  • The Impact of Nurse-led Interventions on Adherence to Treatment in Pediatric Patients
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Managing Pediatric Mental Health
  • Assessing the Impact of Nurse-led School Health Programs on Children’s Health Outcomes
  • Role of Nurses in Managing Childhood Allergies
  • Evaluating the Impact of Nurse-led Play Therapy on Hospitalized Children
  • Exploring the Role of Nurses in Supporting Families of Children with Special Needs

Patient Falls Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

  • Evaluating the Impact of Nurse-led Fall Prevention Programs in Hospitals
  • The Role of Nurses in Fall Risk Assessment for Elderly Patients
  • Assessing the Effectiveness of Bed Alarms in Reducing Patient Falls
  • Understanding the Link Between Medication Administration and Patient Falls
  • The Impact of Patient Education on Fall Prevention
  • Evaluating the Efficacy of Physical Therapy in Reducing Falls Among Hospitalized Patients
  • Role of Nursing in Implementing Fall Prevention Protocols
  • The Impact of Environmental Modifications on Patient Fall Rates
  • Examining the Effect of Multifactorial Interventions on Patient Falls
  • The Influence of Cognitive Assessment on Fall Risk Management
  • Understanding the Relationship Between Staffing Levels and Patient Falls
  • Assessing the Impact of Mobility Aids on Fall Rates in Hospitals
  • Role of Nurses in Managing Fall Risks in Patients with Neurological Disorders
  • The Effect of Patient and Family Education on Falls Prevention in Home Care
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Post-fall Care and Management

Emergency Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Triage Decision-making
  • Assessing the Impact of Rapid Response Teams on Patient Outcomes
  • The Role of Nurses in Managing Disaster Response
  • Evaluating the Efficacy of Advanced Life Support Training for Emergency Nurses
  • The Impact of Nursing Interventions on Patient Satisfaction in the ER
  • Understanding the Role of Emergency Nurses in Pediatric Care
  • Assessing the Role of Nurses in Preventing Medication Errors in the ER
  • The Effect of Nurse-led Crisis Intervention in Emergency Care
  • Role of Nurses in Emergency Mental Health Care
  • The Impact of Simulation Training on Emergency Nurses’ Competency
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Airway Management in the ER
  • The Impact of Emergency Nursing Care on Trauma Patient Outcomes
  • Understanding the Role of Emergency Nurses in Pain Management
  • Examining the Efficacy of Telemedicine in Emergency Nursing Practice
  • The Impact of Nurse-led Rapid Assessment on Patient Flow in the ER

Medical Surgery Capstone Project Ideas

  • The Impact of Preoperative Nursing Interventions on Postoperative Outcomes
  • Role of Nurses in Managing Postoperative Pain
  • Assessing the Efficacy of Nurse-led Patient Education on Surgical Complication Rates
  • The Impact of Nursing Care on Post-surgery Recovery Times
  • Exploring the Role of Nurses in Pre- and Postoperative Patient Assessment
  • Understanding the Influence of Nursing on Surgical Wound Healing
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Surgical Risk Assessment
  • The Impact of Nursing Interventions on Postoperative Delirium
  • Exploring the Role of Nurses in Managing Perioperative Hypothermia
  • Assessing the Efficacy of Nurse-led Preoperative Counseling on Patient Anxiety
  • The Role of Nursing in Reducing Postoperative Infections
  • Understanding the Impact of Nursing on Patient Satisfaction in Surgical Care
  • Assessing the Role of Nurses in Postoperative Rehabilitation
  • Exploring the Influence of Nursing on Nutrition Management in Surgical Patients
  • The Role of Nursing in Palliative Care for Surgical Patients

Excellent Nursing Capstone Project Ideas BSN

  • Exploring the Role of BSN Nurses in Promoting Patient Safety
  • The Impact of BSN Education on Patient Outcomes
  • Evaluating the Role of BSN Nurses in Care Coordination
  • Understanding the Influence of BSN Education on Nursing Leadership Skills
  • Assessing the Impact of BSN Nurses on Reducing Hospital Readmissions
  • Evaluating the Role of BSN Education in Promoting Evidence-Based Practice
  • The Impact of BSN Nurses on Interdisciplinary Communication in Healthcare Teams
  • Understanding the Influence of BSN Education on Nursing Ethics
  • Evaluating the Role of BSN Nurses in Managing Chronic Disease Care
  • The Impact of BSN Education on Quality Improvement in Healthcare
  • Exploring the Role of BSN Nurses in Health Education and Promotion
  • Understanding the Impact of BSN Education on Global Health
  • Assessing the Role of BSN Nurses in Community Health
  • Evaluating the Influence of BSN Education on Culturally Competent Care
  • The Role of BSN Nurses in Improving Healthcare Access

Latest Nursing Capstone Projects Ideas

  • The Role of Nurses in Telehealth: An Emerging Trend
  • Assessing the Impact of AI Technology on Nursing Practice
  • The Influence of Social Media on Health Promotion: A Nurse’s Role
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Precision Medicine
  • The Impact of Digital Health Records on Patient Safety and Care
  • Exploring the Role of Nurses in Remote Patient Monitoring
  • Understanding the Impact of Smart Devices on Nursing Care
  • The Role of Nurses in Using VR Technology for Pain Management
  • Assessing the Impact of Automated Medication Dispensing Systems on Patient Safety
  • The Role of Nurses in Genomic Medicine
  • Evaluating the Impact of E-Learning on Nursing Education
  • Exploring the Role of Nurses in Disaster Management in the Era of Climate Change
  • Understanding the Impact of Advanced Diagnostics on Nursing Practice
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in the Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • The Impact of Health Informatics on Nursing Practice

Examples of Capstone Projects For Nursing

  • A Quality Improvement Project on Reducing Medication Errors in Hospitals
  • Implementing a Nurse-led Health Education Program for Diabetic Patients
  • Evaluating the Impact of a Fall Prevention Program in a Long-term Care Facility
  • Implementing a Nurse-led Smoking Cessation Program in a Community Health Setting
  • A Research Project on the Correlation Between Nurse Staffing Levels and Patient Outcomes
  • Developing a Peer Support Program for Nurses to Reduce Burnout
  • Implementing an Infection Prevention Protocol in an ICU
  • Evaluating the Impact of a Nurse-led Weight Management Program for Obese Children
  • A Research Project on the Impact of Palliative Care Training for Nurses on Patient Satisfaction
  • Implementing a Nurse-led Pain Management Protocol in a Surgical Unit
  • Evaluating the Impact of a Skin Cancer Screening Program in a Community Health Center
  • A Quality Improvement Project on Reducing Patient Wait Times in an ER
  • Developing a Nursing Protocol for the Care of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
  • A Research Project on the Impact of Continuing Education on Nursing Competency
  • Implementing a Nurse-led Health Promotion Program for Pregnant Women

Capstone Nursing Ideas For Professionals

  • Investigating the Role of Nursing Leadership in Improving Patient Safety
  • Evaluating the Impact of Interprofessional Collaboration on Patient Outcomes
  • Developing a Nurse-led Wellness Program for Healthcare Professionals
  • Understanding the Impact of Advanced Nursing Education on Healthcare Quality
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Health Policy Development
  • Implementing a Nursing Mentorship Program in a Healthcare Facility
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurses in Reducing Healthcare Disparities
  • Understanding the Impact of Evidence-based Practice on Healthcare Delivery
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
  • Developing a Nursing Ethics Education Program for Healthcare Professionals
  • Assessing the Role of Nurses in Chronic Disease Management
  • Implementing a Culture of Safety Initiative in a Healthcare Facility
  • Evaluating the Role of Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care Delivery
  • Understanding the Impact of Nurse-led Intervention on Patient Satisfaction
  • Examining the Role of Nurses in Healthcare Innovation

Creative Nursing Projects Ideas

  • Designing a Mobile App for Patient Education and Health Monitoring
  • Creating a Virtual Reality-Based Pain Management Program
  • Developing a Creative Art Therapy Program for Mental Health Patients
  • Implementing a Community Art Project for Health Promotion
  • Creating a Digital Storytelling Project for Pediatric Patients
  • Developing a Music Therapy Program for ICU Patients
  • Creating a Digital Health Game for Diabetes Education
  • Developing a Creative Writing Program for Patients with Dementia
  • Implementing a Photovoice Project for Community Health Assessment
  • Creating an Interactive Web-Based Health Education Platform
  • Developing a Theater-Based Health Education Program for Adolescents
  • Creating a Virtual Support Group for Patients with Chronic Illnesses
  • Developing a Garden Therapy Program for Elderly Patients
  • Implementing a Dance/Movement Therapy Program for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
  • Creating a Pet Therapy Program for Hospitalized Patients

Nursing Leadership Project Ideas

  • Assessing the Role of Nursing Leadership in Reducing Medical Errors
  • Implementing a Leadership Training Program for Charge Nurses
  • Examining the Impact of Nursing Leadership on Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Understanding the Influence of Transformational Leadership on Nursing Team Performance
  • Assessing the Role of Nursing Leadership in Quality Improvement Initiatives
  • Implementing a Nurse Leader Mentorship Program
  • Examining the Impact of Nursing Leadership on Patient Satisfaction
  • Understanding the Influence of Leadership Styles on Nurse Job Satisfaction
  • Assessing the Role of Nursing Leadership in Change Management
  • Implementing a Leadership Development Program for Novice Nurses
  • Examining the Impact of Nursing Leadership on Patient Safety Culture
  • Understanding the Influence of Nurse Leaders on Health Policy
  • Assessing the Role of Nursing Leadership in Conflict Resolution
  • Implementing a Leadership Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Nursing
  • Examining the Impact of Nursing Leadership on Healthcare Innovation

Nursing Capstone Projects Examples For Undergraduates

  • Developing a Peer Tutoring Program for Nursing Students
  • Understanding the Impact of Simulation Training on Nursing Student Competency
  • Examining the Role of Cultural Competency Education in Nursing Practice
  • Implementing a Health Screening Program on a College Campus
  • Assessing the Impact of Stress Management Interventions on Nursing Student Well-being
  • Creating a Peer Support Program for First-Year Nursing Students
  • Understanding the Influence of Clinical Preceptorship on Nursing Student Confidence
  • Evaluating a Community Health Promotion Project Led by Nursing Students
  • Assessing the Impact of Interprofessional Education on Nursing Student Perspectives
  • Creating a Study Skills Workshop for Nursing Students
  • Understanding the Influence of Reflective Practice on Nursing Student Development
  • Evaluating a Nursing Student-led Health Education Program in a School Setting
  • Assessing the Impact of a Mentorship Program on Nursing Student Success
  • Implementing a Self-Care Initiative for Nursing Students
  • Understanding the Influence of Nursing Student Volunteer Work on Professional Development

Senior Project Topics on Nursing

  • Assessing the Impact of Geriatric Nursing Training on Elderly Patient Care
  • Understanding the Role of Nurses in Promoting Healthy Aging
  • Implementing a Fall Prevention Program in a Senior Living Community
  • Assessing the Impact of a Memory Care Program on Dementia Patient Outcomes
  • Understanding the Role of Nurses in End-of-Life Care for Seniors
  • Implementing a Nutrition Education Program for Seniors in a Community Setting
  • Assessing the Impact of a Physical Activity Program on Senior Health
  • Understanding the Role of Nurses in Medication Management for Seniors
  • Implementing a Health Screening Program for Seniors in a Community Center
  • Assessing the Impact of a Home Safety Assessment Program on Senior Falls
  • Understanding the Role of Nurses in Assisting Family Caregivers of Seniors
  • Implementing a Health Literacy Program for Seniors
  • Assessing the Impact of a Nurse-led Chronic Disease Management Program for Seniors
  • Understanding the Role of Nurses in Promoting Mental Health in Seniors
  • Implementing a Community-Based Senior Health Promotion Project

Nursing Informatics Capstone Project Ideas

  • Evaluating the Impact of Electronic Health Records on Patient Care
  • Understanding the Role of Nursing Informatics in Quality Improvement
  • Implementing a Nurse-led Telehealth Service for Chronic Disease Management
  • Assessing the Impact of Clinical Decision Support Systems on Patient Safety
  • Understanding the Role of Nursing Informatics in Enhancing Interprofessional Communication
  • Evaluating the Implementation of a Mobile Health App for Patient Engagement
  • Assessing the Impact of Health Information Exchange on Care Coordination
  • Understanding the Role of Nursing Informatics in Promoting Evidence-Based Practice
  • Implementing a Digital Health Literacy Program for Nurses
  • Assessing the Impact of Data Analytics on Healthcare Delivery
  • Understanding the Role of Nursing Informatics in Disaster Management
  • Implementing an Artificial Intelligence Tool for Patient Triage
  • Assessing the Impact of Personal Health Records on Patient Engagement
  • Understanding the Role of Nursing Informatics in Healthcare Innovation
  • Evaluating the Implementation of a Digital Health Education Platform for Patients

Nursing Practicum Project Ideas

  • Implementing a Quality Improvement Project in a Clinical Practicum Setting
  • Evaluating the Impact of a Preceptorship Program on Nursing Practicum Experiences
  • Developing a Health Education Program for Patients in a Clinical Practicum Setting
  • Assessing the Role of Reflective Practice in Enhancing Nursing Practicum Learning
  • Implementing a Peer Support Program for Nursing Practicum Students
  • Evaluating the Impact of Interprofessional Collaboration on Nursing Practicum Experiences
  • Developing a Safety Initiative in a Clinical Practicum Setting
  • Assessing the Role of Simulation Training in Enhancing Nursing Practicum Learning
  • Implementing a Stress Management Program for Nursing Practicum Students
  • Evaluating the Impact of Evidence-Based Practice on Nursing Practicum Experiences
  • Developing a Patient-Centered Care Program in a Clinical Practicum Setting
  • Assessing the Role of Clinical Supervision in Enhancing Nursing Practicum Learning
  • Implementing a Clinical Leadership Project in a Practicum Setting
  • Evaluating the Impact of a Mentorship Program on Nursing Practicum Experiences
  • Developing an Interprofessional Communication Initiative in a Clinical Practicum Setting

Final Thoughts

Nursing Capstone Projects present an opportunity to apply learned theory to real-life scenarios, display an understanding of evidence-based practice, and showcase the ability to think critically and solve problems. The choice of topic is critical, as it will guide your study and significantly impact your professional development. Therefore, make the most of this opportunity. Always remember, the key to a successful project is choosing a topic that aligns with your career goals, addresses a pertinent health issue, and can be completed within the given time frame. So, take your time, consider the ideas in this guide, and choose the one that best fits your goals and interests.

If you ever feel overwhelmed with developing a capstone project, remember that help is just a click away. Whether you need assistance brainstorming ideas, structuring your capstone paper , or polishing your final work, you can rely on our experienced writers. Our team of nursing assignment help professionals is ready to guide you to success, providing tailored support at every step of your Capstone journey.

FAQs on Capstone Nursing Project Ideas

What is a good nursing capstone project.

A good nursing capstone project allows you to apply theoretical knowledge into practice, showcases your critical thinking skills, and contributes to improving healthcare delivery. It should address a current healthcare issue, have a feasible design, and be relevant to your career goals.

How do I choose a nursing capstone project?

Choosing a nursing capstone project involves considering your areas of interest, relevance to your career goals, and significance to current healthcare practices. It would be best to consider the project’s feasibility, the availability of resources, and the guidance from your mentors or faculty.

What is a capstone project for BSN?

A capstone project for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a comprehensive project that is the culminating academic experience for nursing students. It allows students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their nursing program to address a healthcare issue or improve nursing practice.

How do I choose a good capstone project?

Choosing a good capstone project involves careful consideration of your interests, career goals, and the needs of the healthcare community. It would be best if you chose a passionate topic relevant to current healthcare scenarios and will provide a valuable learning experience. Moreover, consider your resources and the feasibility of completing the project within the designated timeframe.

What are some unique nursing capstone project ideas?

Some unique ideas could be developing a mobile health app for diabetes education, creating a virtual reality-based pain management program, implementing an artificial intelligence tool for patient triage, or assessing the impact of telehealth services on chronic disease management.

Why are capstone projects important in nursing?

Capstone projects are essential in nursing as they allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They allow students to explore areas of interest, contribute to improving healthcare delivery, and prepare for their future nursing roles.

How vital is nursing leadership in a capstone project?

Nursing leadership is crucial in capstone projects as it involves effective project management, communication, and coordination. Developing leadership skills through your capstone project can enhance your ability to lead teams and implement change in healthcare settings.

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Top 27+ Most Interesting Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Nursing capstone project ideas are a culmination of your academic field. It allows you to showcase your knowledge, skills, and passion in the field of nursing. These nursing capstone projects provide students with an opportunity to address real-world healthcare issues, make a positive impact, and demonstrate their readiness for the profession.

In this blog, we will explore 27+ intriguing nursing capstone project ideas , covering various fields within the nursing profession.

What Is the Nursing Capstone Project

Table of Contents

A nursing capstone project is a comprehensive, culminating academic assignment or project that serves as a capstone to a nursing student’s education. It is typically undertaken in the final year of a nursing program, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and is designed to demonstrate the student’s knowledge, skills, and readiness for professional nursing practice.

Basic Characteristics Nursing Capstone Project

These are the major characteristics of nursing capstone project ideas.

Basic Characteristics Nursing Capstone Project

  • Integration of Knowledge: The project brings together the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the nursing program. It often involves the application of nursing theory, clinical experiences, research, etc.
  • Real-World Relevance: Capstone projects are usually grounded in real-world healthcare settings. Students work on problems or topics.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Depending on the project’s scope, students may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, social workers, or pharmacists.
  • Research Component: Many nursing capstone projects involve research, data collection, analysis, and evidence-based practice. Students may conduct literature reviews, and design and implement studies.
  • Innovative Solutions: Nursing capstone projects often require students to propose innovative solutions, interventions, or improvements to address healthcare issues.

27+ Most Interesting Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Following are the good nursing capstone project ideas for students. it is such as;

Medical-Surgical Nursing Capstone Projects

  • Pressure Ulcer Prevention : Develop strategies and protocols to reduce pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients.
  • Medication Error Reduction : Investigate methods to minimize medication errors in healthcare settings.
  • Postoperative Pain Management : Analyze and improve postoperative pain management protocols for better patient outcomes.

Pediatric Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

  • Childhood Obesity Intervention : Design programs to combat childhood obesity and promote healthier lifestyles.
  • Immunization Campaigns : Develop strategies to increase childhood immunization rates in underprivileged communities.
  • Pediatric Palliative Care : Enhance palliative care services for pediatric patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Maternal Health Nursing

  • Teenage Pregnancy Prevention : Create educational programs aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy rates.
  • Maternal Mental Health : Explore ways to improve screening and support for maternal mental health.
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage Management : Develop protocols for the early detection and management of postpartum hemorrhage.

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas For Mental Health

  • Mental Health Stigma Reduction : Design campaigns to reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions.
  • Telepsychiatry Implementation : Investigate the effectiveness of telepsychiatry in providing mental health services.
  • Therapeutic Art and Music : Assess the impact of art and music therapy on mental health patients.
  • Health Education for Underserved Communities : Create programs to educate and empower underserved populations.
  • Community-Based Diabetes Management : Develop strategies for managing diabetes in community settings.
  • Homelessness and Healthcare : Explore ways to improve healthcare access for homeless individuals.

Geriatric Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

  • Fall Prevention in Elderly : Implement fall prevention programs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
  • Cognitive Impairment Care : Develop care plans for patients with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments.
  • End-of-Life Care in Geriatrics : Improve end-of-life care for elderly patients in long-term care facilities.

Good Pediatric Intensive Care Nursing Projects

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Protocols : Create protocols for neonatal care in the NICU.
  • Pediatric Trauma Care : Analyze and improve trauma care for pediatric patients.
  • Pediatric Cardiac Care : Enhance care for children with congenital heart conditions.

Good Public Health Nursing Capstone projects

  • Pandemic Preparedness : Develop strategies for better preparedness in response to future pandemics.
  • Tobacco Cessation Programs : Implement smoking cessation programs in the community.
  • School Health Promotion : Improve health promotion in schools, focusing on nutrition and physical activity.

Emergency Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

  • Emergency Response Protocols : Evaluate and update emergency response protocols in hospitals.
  • Disaster Preparedness : Develop disaster preparedness plans for healthcare facilities.
  • Trauma Triage Guidelines : Improve triage guidelines for trauma patients in the emergency department.

Nursing Informatics

  • Electronic Health Record Optimization : Optimize EHR systems for better patient care and data management.
  • Telemedicine Integration : Explore the integration of telemedicine technologies into healthcare settings.
  • Big Data in Nursing : Analyze the potential of big data in nursing research and practice.

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas In Education

  • Simulation-Based Training : Evaluate the effectiveness of simulation-based training for nursing students.
  • Curriculum Development : Design a nursing curriculum that aligns with current healthcare trends.
  • Mentorship Programs : Create mentorship programs for nursing students to enhance their clinical skills.

Nursing Leadership

  • Nursing Leadership Development : Develop leadership training programs for aspiring nurse leaders.
  • Patient-Centered Care Initiatives : Implement initiatives to promote patient-centered care in healthcare organizations.
  • Nurse Staffing Models : Analyze and improve nurse staffing models for better patient care.

Holistic Nursing

  • Yoga and Meditation in Nursing : Study the benefits of yoga and meditation in promoting holistic nursing care.
  • Complementary Therapies : Explore the integration of complementary therapies into nursing practice.
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction : Assess the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction programs for nurses.

Ethical Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

  • Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing : Analyze and propose solutions for common ethical dilemmas in nursing.
  • Cultural Competence Training : Develop cultural competence training for nurses to provide culturally sensitive care.
  • End-of-Life Decision-Making : Explore end-of-life decision-making and advance care planning in nursing.

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas In Research

  • Evidence-Based Practice Implementation : Promote evidence-based practice in healthcare settings.
  • Nursing Research on Quality Improvement : Conduct research on quality improvement in nursing care.
  • Patient Outcomes Research : Investigate the impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes.

How To Choose A Good Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Here are some steps and considerations to help you select a strong and meaningful nursing capstone project idea:

1. Identify Your Interests and Passions

Start by reflecting on your personal interests within the field of nursing. What topics or areas of nursing do you find most engaging and motivating? Passion for your project can drive your commitment and enthusiasm throughout the process.

2. Consider Clinical Experience

Reflect on your clinical experiences and rotations during your nursing program. Is there a particular patient population, healthcare issue, or clinical setting that left a lasting impression on you? These experiences can provide valuable inspiration for your capstone project.

3. Assess Current Healthcare Needs

Look at the healthcare landscape in your region or the world. Are there pressing healthcare issues, challenges, or gaps in care that you’re passionate about addressing? A capstone project that aligns with current healthcare needs can be impactful and relevant.

4. Review the Literature

Conduct a literature review to explore existing research and knowledge gaps in nursing. This can help you identify areas where additional research or intervention is needed. Look for recent studies and emerging trends.

5. Consult with Faculty and Preceptors

Seek guidance from your nursing faculty members or preceptors. They can offer insights into potential project ideas, recommend relevant literature, and provide valuable feedback on the feasibility of your proposed project.

6. Brainstorm and Narrow Down Ideas

Generate a list of potential project ideas and concepts based on your interests and research. Brainstorm a variety of possibilities before narrowing down your choices. Consider the scope, complexity, and feasibility of each idea.

7. Consider Resources and Access

Assess the availability of resources, data, and access to the population or setting relevant to your project. Ensure that you have the necessary support and infrastructure to carry out your project successfully.

8. Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Define clear and specific goals and objectives for your capstone project. What do you aim to achieve with your project, and what outcomes do you expect? Having well-defined objectives will guide your project’s development.

9. Think About Impact and Sustainability

Consider the potential impact of your project on patient care, nursing practice, or healthcare systems. Additionally, think about the sustainability of your project beyond the capstone course. Can your work continue to benefit patients or the healthcare community?

10. Seek Feedback and Validation

Share your project ideas with peers, mentors, and healthcare professionals for feedback and validation. Their input can help refine your concept and ensure it aligns with nursing best practices.

Conclusion – Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

These 27+ nursing capstone project ideas encompass a wide range of fields within the nursing profession. They offer students the opportunity to delve into critical healthcare issues, contribute to patient care, and demonstrate their readiness for the nursing profession. Simply choose a project that aligns with your interests and goals, and make a meaningful impact in the world of healthcare. Your dedication and passion will shine through in your capstone project, leaving a lasting impression on your academic journey and future nursing career.

What is a capstone project for RNs?

The Capstone is an individualized research project on a nursing topic of your professional or personal interest.

What is an example of a capstone project in healthcare?

Examples of capstone projects: Create a marketing campaign for a healthcare facility. Work with management to revise existing policies and procedures and maximize operational efficiency.

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Best Topics For A Nursing Capstone Project

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Table of contents

  • 1.1 15 General Nursing Capstone Project Ideas
  • 1.2 15 Health Promotion Nursing Capstone Project Topics
  • 1.3 15 Nursing Capstone Project Ideas for Mental Health
  • 1.4 15 Capstone Project Topics on Nursing Burnout
  • 1.5 15 Women’s Health Capstone Project Ideas
  • 1.6 15 Pediatric Nursing Capstone Project Topics
  • 1.7 15 Patient Falls Nursing Capstone Project Ideas
  • 1.8 15 Emergency Nursing Capstone Project Ideas
  • 1.9 15 Medical Surgery Capstone Project Ideas
  • 1.10 Nursing Informatics Capstone Project Ideas
  • 2 Need Nursing Capstone Project Help?

Is it time for your capstone project ideas ? If your answer is yes, it means you’ve reached an exciting time in your life. It’s time to finish your education as a nursing student and begin your career. These papers serve to demonstrate what you’ve learned at school and allow you to put that knowledge into practice. However, choosing the perfect topic for your task is not easy. This guide can help to look for inspiration as it presents 150 capstone project ideas in different categories. You can start by picking the area that attracts you the most. From there, browse the topics and find the perfect one for your paper! All of these capstone project topics are popular and common, and they have been the first choice of us many. You can easily find creative nursing project ideas and start with your academic paper in no time, and yes, get the grade you deserve.

What is the Nursing Capstone Project?

Nursing students will attend a suitable course or program for their future occupation. However, towards the end of their studies, they have to write a capstone project about the features of medical care in order to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or MSN (Master of Science in Nursing). This is actually a paper that’s not much different from academic assignments at other universities and colleges.

So, what is a nursing capstone project, and how should you do it? You have the freedom to choose a topic, but make sure to consult with your tutor. That means your topic might come from informatics, women’s health, or any other area of interest. The idea is to answer a question or a problem and show a deep understanding of your capstone project idea.

Your capstone project topic will require carrying out independent research and presenting a detailed analysis of the issue. The paper can be anywhere between 25 and 100 pages, as long as it offers a comprehensive answer to the proposed topic.

Here is why tutors insist on working on this paper:

  • You are demonstrating what you have learned. The crucial benefit of working on these project ideas is to showcase your knowledge. This paper shows you can apply theories and frameworks with professional practice.
  • Enhancing professional development. Identifying the right ideas and working on them will further upgrade your knowledge.
  • You might find a special interest in a particular area. You might discover the category you want to specialize in during your career.
  • You are learning more about the community and its problems. You’ll understand the community better, and you might even help to design strategies to improve it.

You may also need to choose nursing research topics 2023  while studying. Choosing from the nursing leadership project ideas and working on this capstone paper can be fun. However, some students don’t have enough time on their hands to complete the task. You can contact a premium writing service to help finish the assignment. They can turn your nursing capstone project idea into reality and ensure you deliver a superb paper in the expected timeframe.

If you are ready to start working on your project, look for inspiration in the ideas below!

Before you proceed, you need to know a few more things. All, including emergency nursing capstone project ideas, are essential, and capstone project ideas in nursing have a huge role in the overall process. They can be long, up to 100 pages, so you can deduce that a BSN nursing capstone will need a lot of time to be completed. This can be a bit easier with proper nursing project ideas, but it is still a complex matter. A nursing capstone can be based on nurse leadership,  health care,  cervical cancer,  quality of life,  standardized fall risk assessment tool, and so much more. But, it will always assess what you have learned and how well you have adopted the facts. That’s why capstone nursing is considered one of the health history most essential types of writing and one that can make a massive difference. You will have to complete countless nursing capstone ideas and capstone projects . Each one shares the overall essentials and importance. Try to make your nursing capstone projects based on your experience and learning. We will give you a lot of examples, and some are based in rural areas, which makes this a bit more complicated. Just imagine having to write on psychological rehabilitation readiness assessment. It is not simple in nursing, and these projects will require days of preparation.

Lastly, always have a lot of time to focus and develop your nursing capstone project ideas. The nursing informatics capstone project ideas are even more time-consuming, while the oncology nursing capstone project ideas are ethically hard to work on. Your nursing capstone project needs to be detailed, to the point, and include all the facts your readers need. There will be a lot of them. Hence, you do need a lot of preparation. A BSN capstone of this kind may need 2-3 weeks to be completed. Yes, you can complete mental health issues, gestational diabetes, nursing informatics, or domestic violence effects in less time, but this is not wise. These topics have a lot of importance. Hence, they need practical work experience to be understood.

Nursing is a field of study that requires experience and skill to excel in. With the growing demand for nurses and advancements in research, this field has become more competitive. Many students struggle to complete their nursing capstone projects because they lack experience, resources, and time. If you find yourself in this situation, you can always contact a nursing research paper writing service for help. They will provide you with the highest quality project and support to ensure that you succeed in your academic endeavors.

15 General Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Here are some suggestions if you need general inspiration for your nursing capstone project. As you can see, these are all about nursing training, nurse leadership, and more generic nursing capstone ideas. Don’t let this fool you. These are complicated and very essential ideas that are the most common, so you will probably have to work on one or two in your life. Some even claim that these are the most important nursing capstone projects.

  • How to Become a Registered Nurse After Being a Student
  • How HMO Organizations Can Improve Preventive Care to Enhance Patient Outcomes
  • Health History and Why It’s Crucial to Patient Care
  • How Macro Trends Affect the US and UK Healthcare
  • The Connection Between Patients Paying Ability and Care Level They Receive
  • How Leadership Affects Healthcare Service Providers
  • The Importance of Leaders in Education
  • What Qualities Should a Nurse Leader Have?
  • How Nurse Inclusion and Engagement Can Affect Patient Outcome
  • How Nurse Engagement in Treating Patients Can Affect Their Mental Health
  • Nurses and Ethical Practices
  • Managing Stress for Nurses
  • How Nurse Organizations Can Improve
  • How to Make More Affordable Care for All Americans
  • Attitudes to Healthcare Systems in Different Cultures

15 Health Promotion Nursing Capstone Project Topics

Working on health promotion can be important for the community. You can talk about health insurance, nursing practice, and improving nursing. Most teachers like these topics and believe they can make a difference in the local community. Here are some ideas to use for inspiration.

  • Improving Brain Health Programs with a Limited Budget
  • Managing Depression Among Nurses to Improve Health Services
  • Improving Awareness and Preventing Cyberbullying
  • Promoting Awareness of How to Prevent HIV
  • Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Importance Awareness
  • How Smoking Affects Passive Smokers
  • Promoting Youth Activity
  • Seniors and Preventive Practices
  • Nutrition Management for Elderly Patients in Nursing Homes
  • Managing Nutrition for Patients with a High Diabetes Risk
  • Reducing Depression in Elder Adults
  • Increasing Motivation to Improve Physical Activity Among Youth People
  • Improving Awareness of Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Promoting the Importance of Healthy Eating Habits
  • Increasing the Knowledge of How UV Radiations and Skin Cancer Are Related

15 Nursing Capstone Project Ideas for Mental Health

People have prejudice about mental health, but it’s important to discuss the issues surrounding it. You may have to write about PTSD-affected veterans, different mental problems, and so much more. You may have to touch private and public hospitals here, but the link is not that massive. Don’t forget about attitude and knowledge that have a huge role in all of that and how practicing professional nursing can make a difference. Patient outcomes are important as well. Be careful when working on adolescents’ mental health scales the best topics. These are the topics that may help you to come up with nursing project ideas:

  • How Sexual Abuse Affects Children’s Mental Health
  • Can Art Therapy Help to Improve Mental Health
  • How to Offer Mental Health Services to Deaf Users
  • Teenage Suicide Rates and How to Prevent Them
  • Domestic Violence and Its Influence on Children
  • How Yoga Can Help to Improve and Maintain Mental Health
  • How to Adapt Mental Health Programs to Different Cultures
  • Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Psychiatric Patients
  • Can Giving Up Smoking Affect Mental Health?
  • Improving Education on Providing Services to Mentally Ill Patients
  • Autonomous Decision-Making for Mentally Ill Patients
  • Addressing Mental Health Stigmas for Patients and Their Close Ones
  • Can Homelessness Worsen Mental Health Problems?
  • How to Manage PTSD Among Veterans
  • The Access to Mental Health Services for a Specific Population Group

15 Capstone Project Topics on Nursing Burnout

Burnout is a problem in many workplaces, but it can have serious consequences in hospital surroundings. These capstone projects are becoming increasingly common, affecting nursing education, leadership skills, and so much more. Many of the nursing leadership capstone project ideas are severe and complicated. If writing a project, consider these ideas:

  • How to Recognize and Stop Nurse Burnout Early
  • Nurse Burnout Statistics – Detailed City and Town Comparison in Your Area
  • How Group Therapy Affects Nurse Burnout
  • Mindfulness and Other Techniques That Help to Prevent a Burnout
  • Can Training Communication Skills Help with Nurse Burnout?
  • Methods for Recognizing and Assessing the Level of Nurse Burnout
  • A Detailed Analysis of Burnout Causes in Pediatric Nurses
  • The Specifics of the Burnout Syndrome in Oncology Nurses
  • Can You Predict a Burnout and What Are the Main Signs?
  • Can Workplace Sabotage or Bullying Lead to a Nurse Burnout?
  • How Nurse Burnout Can Affect the Safety of Patients
  • How Different Countries Approach Nurse Burnout Issue
  • Using Management Techniques to Prevent and Deal with Nurse Burnout
  • Can Medical Universities Help Students to Avoid a Nurse Burnout
  • What Are the Coping Strategies When You Experience a Burnout

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15 Women’s Health Capstone Project Ideas

Many topics are specific to women’s health, such as pregnancy and menopause. Capstone ideas may touch on effective nursing leadership styles, nursing leadership, and even multifactorial fall risk assessment. Here are some ideas to use:

  • Understanding and Dealing with Menopause
  • How Smoking Can Affect Pregnant Women and Their Babies
  • Induced Births and Epidural
  • Explaining Breast Pumps and Their Benefits and Drawbacks
  • How to Choose Whether a Woman Should Breastfeed
  • Different Birth Control Approaches Among Women
  • Improving Healthcare Services for Women with Breast Cancer
  • Pre-term Birth and Infant Mortality in African American Females
  • Nutritional Guidelines for Pregnant Women
  • How Women of Different Socio-Economic Status Approach to Working After Birth
  • How to Manage Pelvic Floor Issues
  • The Role of Nurses in Preventing and Managing Postpartum Depression in Female Patients
  • How to Manage Diabetes During Pregnancy
  • Women’s Health and Female Genital Mutilation
  • Treating Breastfeeding Women with Codeine Products

15 Pediatric Nursing Capstone Project Topics

Providing top-quality care to children is imperative for healthcare facilities. If writing a project on this topic, these are the ideas to use:

  • Sleep Apnea in Children
  • Managing Service Quality and Cost in Private Pediatric Healthcare Facilities
  • Comparing UK and US Approaches to Pediatric Care
  • How to Recognize Children That Were Abused Sexually
  • Dealing with a Child Who Has a Terminal Disease
  • How Losing a Child Patient Affects the Hospital Staff
  • Can Divorce Worsen Pre-Existing Conditions in Kids?
  • How to Make Pediatric Care More Available to Children from Unprivileged Communities
  • Abuse Victims in Children and Medical Concerns
  • Kids Who Developed Measles and Complications to Consider
  • Preventing Meningitis in Children
  • Understanding and Treating Children’s Movement Disorders
  • Meditation and Other Techniques to Help Children with Autism
  • Preventing Kidney Stones in Children
  • Improving Healthcare Services for Children with Cancer

15 Patient Falls Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Falls present a huge risk, especially for elderly patients. These are the topics you can choose in this category:

  • Preventing and Reducing Falls Among Elderly Patients in Long-Term Care
  • Assessing the Home Environment to Reduce Patient Fall Risk
  • Educating Nurses on Patient Safety and Reducing Fall Frequency
  • Managing Fall Risk in Osteoporosis Patients
  • What Can Hospital Leadership Do to Reduce Patient Falls?
  • Adjusting Hospital Settings to Minimize Fall Risk
  • Analyzing Patient Fall Rates in Healthcare Settings
  • Which Patients Have the Highest Fall Risk?
  • Using Cameras to Minimize and Reduce Fall Injury Risk Among Patients
  • How Healthcare Facility Design Can Reduce Patient Falls
  • Using Technology to Prevent Patient Falls
  • Improving Nurse Knowledge of Elderly Patient Falls
  • Using Exercises to Reduce Fall Risks in Elderly Patients
  • Increasing Patient Awareness of Safety Activities That Can Reduce Fall Risks
  • Risks in Healthcare Physical Environment That Increase Patient Fall Risk

15 Emergency Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Your project can focus on the emergency departments in healthcare facilities. These topics could be interesting:

  • Strategies to Reduce Crowding of Emergency Departments in Hospitals
  • Costs and Benefits of Freestanding Emergency Departments
  • The Potential of Tele-Emergency in Rural Areas
  • Statistics on How Nurse Shortage Affects Emergency Departments
  • Emergency Nurses and Burnout – Frequency and How to Avoid It
  • Managing Violence in Emergency Rooms
  • Safety of Pediatric Medications in Emergency Departments
  • How Emergency Department Design Can Affect Quality of Service
  • Managing Infections in the ER
  • Emergency Department Nurses – Incentive Programs
  • Decreasing the Duration of Patient Stay in the ED
  • Quality of Healthcare in Emergency Departments
  • Treating Patients with Mental Health Issues in Emergency Departments
  • Administering Medicines Nasally in EDs
  • Preparing ED Staff for Terrorist Attacks and Other Extreme Situations

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15 Medical Surgery Capstone Project Ideas

We can see all types of surgeries performed daily throughout the world. This category is vast, and these are only some suggestions to use:

  • A Detailed Overview of Treating and Managing Wounds
  • Nurse Involvement in Post-Surgery Patient Care
  • Anesthetists and Burnout
  • How to Ensure Gastrointestinal Surgery Minimally Invasive
  • A Detailed Overview of Refractive and Cataract Surgery
  • Roles of ICU Nurses in Medical Surgery
  • Comparing Minor and Major Surgeries
  • The Importance of Nurses in OT
  • General Anesthesia – Details and Complications
  • Phases of Surgery
  • Surgical Asepsis Overview
  • How to Enhance Safety in Operating Rooms
  • Neurogenic Shock and Surgical Interventions
  • Diabetic Foot Treatment and Care
  • Preventing Intraoperative Hypothermia with Thermal Heating

Nursing Informatics Capstone Project Ideas

Technology improved the healthcare industry. These are the suggestions if you want to focus on informatics in your project:

  • Data Management and Ethics in the Healthcare Industry
  • Managing Data in Healthcare Facilities
  • How to Use Robotics in Surgery
  • Nursing Informatics and Data Security
  • How Mobile Health Apps Can Improve Healthcare in Rural Areas
  • Using Electronic Medical Records in Acute Patient Care
  • Analyzing Controversy in Nurse Informatics
  • Applying Technology in Training Professional Nurses
  • How Technology Can Help to Deal with Nurse Shortage in Rural Areas
  • Ways to Upgrade the Information System in Hospitals
  • Improving Data Security for Critical Care Patients
  • The Importance of Investing in Nurse Informatics
  • The Potential of E-Learning Simulations for Medical Training
  • Data Breaches in Healthcare and Their Impact
  • Techniques to Prevent Data Breaches in Medical Facilities

Need Nursing Capstone Project Help?

Nursing capstone projects can be overwhelming, and many students struggle to find the right ideas for their projects. One helpful way to find ideas is to look for inspiration online through resources such as research papers and journals. Alternatively, you could consider hiring an online essay writer to help you brainstorm ideas and create an outline for your project.

No matter how good you are in medicine, sometimes you may not have enough time to write a project. It happens to everyone. Or you can be too busy to prepare capstone project ideas for nursing or pediatric papers. In such moments, you should ask for help from a reliable capstone project writing service by PapersOwl. We are always ready to help our clients in any difficult situation and at any time. Don’t ever hesitate to ask for help from professional writers! We have extensive experience and years of honing our professional skills. Entrust your papers to us and get a custom project that guarantees a satisfying result.

You will get a capstone course, a patient falls nursing capstone project, an essay about outpatient fall risk assessment tools, or even deaf service users outcome measures written by experts who know what they are doing. We can help you with the Morse fall risk scale, nurse leaders, patient falls, and any capstone element you have on your mind or have to write for your own purpose. Actual nurses will write some of these. If you want to, you can deduce the outcome, which is always stunning.

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NRSE 4600 Requirements

The capstone nursing course of the RN to BSN program, NRSE 4600, includes a mandatory project. This project consists of 21 hours of work and requires a registered nurse preceptor who holds a BSN degree or higher nursing degree. The goal of the capstone project is to facilitate your transition into baccalaureate nursing. Once your NRSE 4600 course begins you will develop and implement into practice your approved project with the goal to positively impact patient outcomes. All other NRSE courses contribute to the knowledge base needed in order to ensure your success in NRSE 4600. Therefore, students are required to take NRSE 4600 as their last NRSE course.

To receive permission for this course, please contact your School of Nursing advisor. Professors do not grant permission for nursing courses, and you should not request permission for any NRSE course through your My OHIO Student Center.

Every student who receives permission for NRSE 4600 will see a Blackboard course entitled “NRSE 4600 Clinical.” All students must submit the preceptor and project proposal forms found on the Blackboard NRSE 4600 Clinical course site and have them approved at least five weeks prior to the first day of the term for which they requested. Any student whose preceptor and proposal are not approved by this deadline will not be registered for the course. You should consider submitting your preceptor and project proposal well in advance of the deadline in case revisions need to be made. Please carefully follow the instructions for submission included on the Blackboard NRSE 4600 Clinical course site.

Please note it can take up to 7 days after you request enrollment before you see the NRSE 4600 Clinical course. Once you are enrolled in the Clinical course you will be emailed the link. You will not be able to access the course before you receive the link.

The NRSE 4600 project includes a component of direct engagement with the goal of impacting patient outcomes. Although the School of Nursing does not require an educational affiliation agreement contract with the facility where the approved project will be completed, some facilities will not allow the RN to BSN student to complete this component of the NRSE 4600 project without a contract in place. If this is the case with the facility where you will be completing your project, please contact the NRSE 4600 lead instructor for further instructions by emailing  [email protected] . Please note: If your facility requires a contract the School of Nursing cannot guarantee the length of time that it will take for a final agreement to be signed by both parties or that final agreement will be reached if all parties cannot agree to the terms.

If you have any questions, please call or email the School of Nursing at: 740.593.4494 or [email protected] .

*The Ohio University School of Nursing RN to BSN program is currently authorized only in the following states: Ohio, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. If you do not currently reside and also hold a valid unencumbered RN license in one of these states, your eligibility to take courses through our school is not guaranteed.

**It is possible that requirements and deadlines may change. Please contact your advisor or the School of Nursing at [email protected] or at 740-593-4494 with questions or for the most up-to-date information regarding NRSE 4600.

Important information regarding graduation if this is the last class needed to complete your RN to BSN degree : You need to apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to finish all required program and university coursework. Students applying for graduation after the stated deadlines set by the Ohio University Registrar's office will be assessed a $100 late fee (subject to change). Please visit the University Registrar website for detailed information on the deadlines and graduation application process https://www.ohio.edu/registrar/grades-and-graduation

NURS4900 Capstone Project for Nursing

The capstone course is the culmination of the BSN degree program and provides learners the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies they have gained during their program. Learners integrate new knowledge from the literature into practice via direct practicum hours in a patient, family, or group setting to demonstrate proficiency and create high-quality deliverables to apply in future practice. In the capstone experience, learners also further apply their knowledge of the program outcomes. For BSN learners only. Must be taken during the learner's final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): NURS4010, NURS4020 or MSN6016, NURS4030 or MSN6011, NURS4040, NURS4050, and completion of or concurrent registration in NURS4060.

6.0 credit(s)

WCU » Glossary » Capstone project

Capstone project

A capstone project is a comprehensive, culminating academic experience often required in nursing programs . It involves integrating knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program into a final project that addresses a real-world issue or question in healthcare.

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Ultimate Nursing Capstone Project Writing Guide for BSN - DNP Students

How to write a Nursing Capstone Paper

Every nursing student in most universities and nursing colleges must write a capstone paper or a capstone project, which is considered a mandatory requirement for attaining a nursing degree. Capstone projects are written by students pursuing BSN, MSN, or DNP nursing education degrees.

While it is a culminating paper, which relies on concepts taught throughout school sessions, some students often find it challenging to complete one. Moreover, it is an even more frustrating assignment if you have no skills to compose a good capstone project paper.

A nursing capstone project requires adequate research, a display of creativity and critical thinking skills, and proper formatting. It is the final paper you undertake before eventually gaining eligibility to work. This means that some tips and strategies can work well, and others can lead to complete failure.

We cover all the aspects of nursing capstone project writing strategies, processes, and tips to help you attain confidence as you settle down to write your capstone project. We will also cover some pitfalls that often lead to capstone project failures and how to avoid them. So let's dive right in, won't we?

What is a nursing Capstone Paper?

A nursing capstone paper is a formal academic paper that a nursing student writes in the final year of their studies. It is a research paper, evidence-based paper , outcome-based evaluation, program or policy analysis, case study, or a survey at the end of nursing training.

When writing a capstone paper, you can be required to propose solutions to distinct health issues relating to nursing practice, depending on your area of study. In many cases, you are required to apply evidence-based practice skills in solving healthcare problems. For example, you can choose to develop a new intervention strategy to promote health, enhance the quality of life, improve healthcare outcomes, and improve patient safety and satisfaction levels.

Generally, the goal of the capstone is to test how well-versed you are in applying the experiential and research evidence in solving the chosen healthcare issue. For this, you need to relate the topics to leadership, research, management, theories, frameworks, and evidence-based practice.

And when done with the capstone, a student has to present the paper to a faculty panel, which is often referred to as defending the capstone project. Sometimes, it is about strategies to help one transition through nursing education.

Are you stuck with what to write your nursing capstone about? Read our article that presents a list of 300 plus capstone project ideas for BSN, MSN, and DNP .

Although not every nursing program requires a capstone, those that make it mandatory as partial fulfillment for attaining a nursing degree culminate to either bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Basic Structure for Nursing Capstone Paper

Notably, each nursing program sets its requirements. This means that the capstone formats may differ depending on the programs. However, being a formal evidence-based practice paper or presentation, there is a standard format for the structure that you can follow if none is given. Therefore, in most cases, you will find minimal variations to the format that we are about to present.

With that in mind, you need to note that a well-crafted capstone paper generally gives an excellent first impression to your markers and makes it easy to read your paper. We will be brief on each section because most of the information will be given in the capstone project instruction briefs given in class.

Note that this is a structured research-based nursing capstone project. Therefore, we have a separate article that details the structure of a change-based nursing capstone paper, aka nursing change paper.

The title page of your capstone paper comes first before anything else. In most cases, it is referred to as the cover page. You can formulate it either on an APA or Harvard title page . Most American nursing schools prefer capstone papers written in APA. In contrast, Australian and UK nursing schools prefer capstone projects written in Harvard format.

This is the first part of the content of your nursing capstone project paper. It is usually brief, well-written, and organized as your capstone flows. It should be written last. You should focus on explaining the purpose of the capstone paper. It should be between 200 and 250 words long and must not exceed a page. Also, provide a brief background of your capstone paper topic, the problem, and some proposed solutions.

Introduction

Your introduction should begin with a good hook statement. Then, in most cases, use statistics or a shocking statement to draw your reader's attention. For instance, if you focus on Hospital Acquired Infections, you could draw from a study or publication detailing the shocking HAIs or the cost of managing otherwise preventable HAIs.

The introduction should then delve into the background of the selected capstone paper topic, why you chose it, and why you feel your issue needs solutions. You should also state your thesis statement and the outline of the paper.

Typically, the thesis statement of a capstone paper is the main idea that holds together the entire capstone.

Some programs recommend that you give a blueprint of the entire capstone in the introduction.

In terms of length, the introduction should be approximately 10% of the total word count of the capstone paper. Your introduction will also entail:

PICOT Question

Before researching for a nursing capstone paper, you are always required to formulate a nursing PICOT question that helps decide on the topic you will address. Typically, PICOT questions elaborately present the healthcare problem that you are trying to solve. 

Nursing Research Question

Based on your PICOT question, you should proceed to write a nursing research question that will form the core of your paper. It is usually a one-sentence question that summarizes your PICOT question. Some programs require students to develop PICOT questions and the nursing research question before proceeding to the other parts of the capstone paper. Sometimes, the research question replaces the PICOT question with the case where you focus on issues where patients are not involved, such as nurse education, leadership, policies, and management.

Statement of the problem

Because in a general sense, you are trying to address a healthcare issue relating to nurse practice, you must describe the problem. Here, you should use the most recent sources published within the last five years to describe the extent of the problem. For example, give the epidemiological statistics, costs of the issue, or how a given population of patients is affected. If you focus on research in management, leadership, or education, clearly state the identified problem.

Statement of Purpose

In this mini section, which sometimes is considered part of the introduction, you state the objectives, aims, and scope of your capstone project paper. For example, if you propose an evidence-based intervention, you should mention how it will address the problem.

Literature Review

After the problem statement, purpose statement, nursing research question, and introduction come the literature review. A literature review is not an annotated bibliography. Instead, when writing this section, consider what other scholars have discussed concerning the topic you have selected for your capstone paper.

For instance, if you are solving a problem with overcrowding at the emergency departments, you should check what authors of peer-reviewed scholarly articles published in the last five years have to say about the gravity of the issue, some interventions, and barriers to these interventions.

Ensure that you use studies that are relevant to your research, mostly journal articles. As a good tip, always look at the strongest level of evidence when writing a nursing paper. Again, some institutions will require that you conduct a literature search before writing the literature review and fill a table or matrix that covers the aspects of the selected studies.

Through the nursing capstone preceptor, other programs might require you first to complete an annotated bibliography of your main sources. Whichever the case, your literature review should be critical. Cross-compare what the authors agree on and what they disagree on, then draw a common ground to base your paper. Literature reviews can be written as a stand-alone paper for compilation as the last step. Finally, you bring all the independent papers together to form a whole capstone project paper.

One more thing, the literature review can also contain the theories or frameworks that you are basing the capstone on. When writing your capstone, you can use nursing or borrowed theories, leadership frameworks/theories, and other healthcare models. What you choose depends on the inclination of your capstone and directions from your professor, supervisor, or preceptor.

Methods and Material

This section should detail all the materials you have used when researching for your capstone. For example, if you were doing a quantitative capstone project, list the sampling strategies, the samples, the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the process you used when researching. You should also list how you incorporated research ethics. If, for instance, you chose to do a qualitative nursing capstone project, list the search strategy you applied, inclusion and exclusion criteria, the number of articles used, include the completed PRISMA diagram , and any other materials used. You can as well include the summary of the chosen studies. Give the rationale that is well-backed with references from nursing journals why you chose a given path. Explain how you conducted the research, how you maintained its rigor, validity, and relevance. If you analyzed data using SPSS or R programs, state how you did that.

Results and Discussion

In the results and discussion section, you will present the findings from the research. If you conducted an experiment, report the results and the analysis. For instance, for a statistical nursing capstone project, use tables, graphs, and charts to report the findings. Include the results of the tests and analysis as well. If it is qualitative research, describe the findings from the interviews, content analysis, systematic review, literature review, or other qualitative data collection and analysis methods.

You should then relate the findings to what other scholars found, reflecting on the literature review and your capstone paper topic. Again, use relevant scholarly sources such as edited books, reputable journals, periodicals, nursing guidelines and protocols, and evidence from credible websites like WHO, CDC, ANA, AMA, and other health/governmental bodies.

Like every other paper, the conclusion comes last. It is the final summary of your paper where you present the problem, findings, discussions, and recommendations in brief. You should present some of the limitations of the current research and recommendations for future studies. If you had experimental data, elaborate on its significance.

You should show your writing skills in this section. For example, show that you started with a problem, but now you have a solution.  If there are recommendations, briefly state them because the bulk of their explanation is in the discussion section.

In this section, list all the sources you have used in alphabetical order. You can use APA or Harvard, depending on the prompt from your professor. Make sure you use the most recent formatting style, for example, APA7 instead of APA6, unless directed otherwise.

Here is where you present the figures, diagrams, tables, and other relevant materials mentioned in your capstone project. For example, it could be an implementation plan, Memo, data gathered from participants, ethics/consent forms, systematic review summary, or evidence level tables.

That there is a basic structure of a nursing capstone paper. Now, let's look at some strategies you can use to speed up the writing process.

Valuable Tips for writing an A+ Grade Nursing Capstone Paper

As a culminating paper, you want to give a solid formal paper that will provide you with an edge as you transition to practice. In addition, you will have this paper in your nursing portfolio. Therefore, it must be a nursing capstone paper that you will forever be proud of. As you put the recommendations across, you need to use the tips from our experts to make sure you appeal to your markers.

Given that we have guided many students through BSN, MSN, and DNP nursing capstone projects, we are always confident in the expertise of our writers. Our nursing capstone writing service is known widely for being the most important gap between a student and preceptor. When the latter is MIA, we swing to action and assist. You can find an online nursing capstone tutor today to help you as you write your nursing capstone assignment. When we sought out how these professionals could produce model nursing capstone papers, they gave us insights that are summarized below.

1. Choose a good nursing capstone paper topic

The process of selecting a suitable topic for a nursing capstone paper can be tiring, confusing, and intimidating. Therefore, our experts advise that you should evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and professional interests. For example, you cannot choose a geriatric-based topic when you want to specialize in family practice; it would be incongruent by all means.

Besides, if you are a lazy researcher or not so great at researching, we recommend that you select the basic medical-surgical, leadership, management, and practice-oriented topics. However, if you trust your research skills, go for topics relating to intensive care, outpatients, clinical services, public health, long-term care, geriatrics, Ob-Gyn, pediatrics, NICU, end of life, cancer care, etc.

To choose the best capstone project topic for your nursing practice, we recommend that you:

You need to reflect on your entire nursing training program simply. First, consider the topics from class, lessons, and other activities that specifically stood out. Next, consider some of the examples your professors gave on Blackboard discussion posts and responses. List these topics and formulate preliminary research questions that can inform the scope of your capstone project. Then, narrow it down to a few areas that specifically interest you.

Research and read widely

With a list of the potential capstone paper topics, you can further read and research online. Check whether the area has been written about before. Assess whether credible high-level and high-quality materials can be used to back arguments in your paper. Hypothesize the structure of the paper if you selected a given topic. If the topic is an assignment, choose a topic that meets the requirements. Go beyond your coursework and choose relevant topics that your instructor can accept.

Check previous nursing capstone examples

As you read about the topic, you can further narrow down your list by looking at previously done capstone projects samples. If you are a BSN student, look at the published MSN and BSN capstone projects online. Some universities are so generous to publish capstone projects completed by their students. You can use them to narrow down your list and format your paper. 

Eliminate and choose

Eliminate the topics to that single one that you will focus on. Based on your objective for the capstone paper, cross your list and remain with the super topic. Enlist some of the areas your topic addresses and assess whether it meets the capstone topic requirements from class. Refine it and present it for feedback before delving into further research, analysis, and writing.

Consult widely

Ask your preceptors, faculty, fellow students, and professors for assistance with the topic. Narrow down to a capstone project on a nursing area that interests you. When selecting your capstone site, you should also consider the facility size, care delivery model, patient populations, or geographic locations. With the approval of your capstone counselor or preceptor, you will be sure that you are writing something that will be accepted.

2. Write your nursing project proposal early enough

Once you have an approved title, it is the right time to write a research proposal. The proposal is required, by some nursing programs, before your topic is approved or immediately after. The proposal writing process is often an excellent professional chance to get feedback from your professor. However, if not planned well, the process can consume much of your time.

Ensure that your research proposal includes:

  • Title of your project
  • Background information of your topic
  • The problem/health care issue
  • Synthesis of evidence you found that demonstrates the gap in research or practice
  • Target population and setting of your research
  • Stakeholders
  • Project design and methodology
  • Data collection tools
  • Budget for the project implementation
  • Timeline for project implementation
  • Implementation plan
  • Evaluation plan
  • Sustainability plan for post-project implementation
  • Dissemination plan (translation to practice)

If you proactively approach your nursing capstone project, you will be ahead of schedule. You will also use parts of the proposal when writing the final capstone project submission.

3. Have an outline before beginning to write

With the topic approved, the next step is to plan your capstone project. Some institutions will require that you write a nursing capstone proposal with all the parts we covered in the structure except the conclusion, discussion, and findings. Instead, you will have an implementation and evaluation plan, capstone project timeline, and ethics or limitations sections.

Assuming the proposal and/or the topic is approved, draw a good outline for your nursing capstone paper. Another assumption is that you are doing the paper as a whole and not in bits. Doing the capstone in bits allows for instant feedback, improvement, and then writing the project progressively. An outline should be a roadmap of the entire project. Just list what will go to the structure we already provided above.

4. Research widely for good sources

With everything in place, look for the relevant scholarly sources to help you develop your capstone project topic. Check for materials published in the last five years. Some nursing institutions recommend the past seven years, but five is excellent. Checkbooks, articles, peer-reviewed journals, or credible websites that meet the CRAAP test.

Consider the primary sources as they allow you to develop ideas based on actual facts compared to secondary sources that report findings. If possible, use primary sources as they have primary facts and data. You should read widely. Allocate a lot of time in research to develop ideas. Take notes, synthesize, and then apply. Paraphrase, summarize, and quote but remember to use the correct in-text citations. You can use the online bibliography management tools to categorize, organize, and store your references.

5. Formulate a good thesis statement

A strong thesis statement is a fortress for your nursing capstone paper. It should communicate what the entire paper is about at a glance. Define the point of view that your paper bears and express it as a single main idea. It must be persuasive, genuine, and direct. It should resonate with the entire capstone paper. All the major sections relate to your thesis statement.

6. Write your introduction, conclusion, and abstract last

Although beginning with the introduction likely looks like the norm and a good idea, if done last in a capstone paper, you capture every useful aspect without repetition. Of course, the conclusion will be written last by default, but you should do that after all the parts are complete.

We insist on doing them last because while they both create an impression to a reader, they are the most challenging to write. So, if possible, take a break from writing and do them when you are rested enough and settled.

These sections address your research question. They should flow naturally. The introduction should be the first contact point after the abstract. Therefore, make it engaging by choosing good transitions, hook sentences, and words to use. The conclusion should summarize the main points, such as the problems, solutions, and findings.

7. Cite all the sources used

As you set out to write the paper, ensure that you cite all the sources used in your nursing capstone paper in APA or Harvard formats. The preferred format will be communicated in the assignment brief. Do not use a source and not cite it both in-text and in the bibliography section. Using sources and citing them helps you write a plagiarism-free nursing capstone paper. When you paraphrase, summarize, or quote, use a relevant citation.

8. Proofread thoroughly

Polish your capstone project paper for mistakes, errors, and omissions. Also, look at the structure, format, organization, and all the requirements met. Revise the complex sentences and vocabulary for a better flow. It is also important to remove all spelling mistakes and punctuation errors. Edit for grammar as well to ensure that the tenses are correct. We recommend taking a good break after writing to edit later. This way, you edit and proofread the paper objectively. Check all the rules of citation and match the requirements. If possible, use the rubric as your checklist and score sheet. Ask yourself, if you were the one marking, what grade would you give? Then use a reverse method of editing and proofreading the nursing capstone project paper.

9. Submit your paper for assessments and feedback

If and only if everything is polished and written to the format as per the rubric/instructions, attach your paper and click the "SUBMIT" button for assessment and feedback. This is specifically useful if you complete the capstone project in parts and get feedback before proceeding to the next section.

10. Refine the capstone project paper based on feedback

With the feedback from your receptor, instructor, counselor, or professor, edit the respective capstone sections. Polishing these means that your final products will be okay. Then, again, compile everything; in the end, polish it and submit it as one whole capstone paper for your nursing course. Furthermore, we wish you all the best and are available to help if you need help writing the nursing capstone paper.

Things to avoid during nursing capstone writing

A capstone project paper takes a long to complete. During these periods, students often get comfortable, some to the extent of abandoning the capstone writing process. The most part of the process is topic and research proposal approval. Ensure that you collaborate with your preceptor to hasten the process so that you are left with ample time to complete the paper. With the approval, students often make these common mistakes that we address here. Read them, understand how to overcome them, and apply the tips and strategies in your upcoming nursing capstone project paper.

1. Not reading the instructions to completion

Most students consistently disregard the instructions either deliberately or because they are in too much hurry to get their nursing capstone project paper done and over with. However, you should read the capstone paper instructions before choosing a topic, writing the different parts, or compiling the final paper. You also need to adhere to the presentation instructions; otherwise, your entire semester's work can be blown by a simply avoidable mistake.

2. Beginning to research or writing without Planning

Without proper planning, most students fall prey to beginning to write their capstone papers only to realize that they made a mistake. The capstone writing process is a journey that commences from choosing a topic and getting approval. You can then proceed to write a capstone project proposal which can be approved or returned for polishing. After all these, you can then move to write your final capstone paper. Do not begin writing the paper unless your professor or preceptor gives you the go-ahead to do so.

3. Choosing a topic that is too broad

When assigned to choose an appropriate nursing topic for their capstone projects, for lack of better skills, some students choose too broad topics that they cannot exhaust in one paper. Remember, you have about 20 to 30 pages of content to develop your capstone paper. It is no time to beat around the bush. Because your grades also depend on it, choose a suitable topic that addresses a specific issue with a specific population, geographical area, or clinical site.

4. Using long sentences and jargon

This is a no-brainer. You should not use long sentences alone when writing your capstone. Instead, try to mix the long and short sentences to create a meaningful flow of ideas. Equally, even though you are writing a nursing paper, avoid using unnecessary jargon. If you can explain it in simple English and make sense, write it that way. The goal is to communicate with your audience better and easily.

5. Writing the paper in a rush

Writing a paper in a rush, whether at the last minute or for the sake of completing it faster, can make you lose grades. A culminating paper like a capstone project requires adequate planning, execution, research, and writing. Writing a paper in a rush makes you write disorganized ideas. You are also prone to omitting otherwise essential features and parts that would likely give you better marks. As a remedy or mitigation, start working on your nursing capstone paper immediately after you are given the instructions. If there are weekly submissions to make, ensure that they are done and submitted on time. As well, ensure that you use the feedback from your preceptor, revise the papers, and submit them for assessments before proceeding to avoid doing things all over again.

6. Failing to proofread the paper

Nursing students are always organized, although they often forget the most important things when overwhelmed with assignments and work. If you have written an entire capstone paper, editing should be the least of your worries. However, failure to edit your capstone can make you lose marks. After writing the paper, always take a break and then schedule enough time to revise objectively, edit, and proofread the paper.

7. Not following the approved/recommended format

Do not write your paper in just any format. It is a common trap that most students fall to. Instead, plan and structure your paper as per the recommended format by your institution, preceptor, or professor. You can write an outline and then consult with your teacher if it is the best to follow or on areas you need to change.

8. Submitting the capstone paper late

Like other assignments, submitting a nursing capstone later than the deadline can make you lose marks. Unless you have a perfect reason for missing a submission, always strive to meet or beat the deadline. You can only do this through proper planning, consistently working on the capstone paper, and having a milestone tracker. Once you have completed everything, you will appreciate the value of a timely submitted and well-written nursing capstone paper.

9. Not editing based on feedback

We have seen students who proceed to the next section of their capstone project without revising the previous section based on feedback from the preceptor or teacher. This is another great mistake, and you should avoid it. If you have been told to make corrections to your nursing capstone project, ask for help if you do not know how to go about it. Ask for clarifications and if your preceptor is busy or unavailable, consult with our nursing paper writers. Ensure that the next section continues from the previous section. You can only do that if the previous one had no issues.

10. Copying the online samples

A capstone project tests your creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, and writing skills. If you fail to prove these, you will be a weak nurse in practice. One way of being weak is paraphrasing a sample nursing capstone project you got online.

While a handful of university and college websites display their capstone projects, you should only use them for inspiration. You are better at getting help from a professional capstone writer on our website than paraphrasing an entire capstone you got online. Who else from your class probably did that? Ask yourself that question. 

Only use the samples to inspire your creativity. Instead, working with an online tutor can help you create new insights based on these samples and those from class.

Tips for Creating a Nursing Capstone Presentation for Defense

Theresa Granger (Ph.D., MSN, NP-C), a career nurse educator, states that the capstone project culminates with either a presentation or a paper while writing for the Nurse Journal. The presentation is meant to assess your professional and civil communication skills. It is also meant for information dissemination to the stakeholders and application of the EBP skills. Primarily, you will present your nursing capstone paper as a poster or PowerPoint presentation.

In the case of a poster, you will present the background, problem, and purpose, the methodology, and your major findings and implications to nursing practice or research.

In the case of PPT or PowerPoint, you will present the summarized capstone project into respective sections and use speaker notes when presenting. Given that you might only have 15-30 minutes to defend your nursing capstone, you should create PowerPoint slides as per the requirements. In most cases, the PowerPoint can range from 12 to 20 slides.

When presenting:

  • Pay attention to the time limits
  • Plan for one slide per minute
  • Use visuals like graphs, figures, and bullet points to summarize large blocks of text
  • Practice efficient presentation skills before the presentation day
  • Do not panic when presenting
  • Back up a copy of your PPT and print copies to avoid any glitches
  • Prepare adequately for the presentation
  • Follow the guidelines given by your preceptor

FAQs about Nursing Capstone Project Writing Process

Pursuing your nursing education at MSN, BSN, and DNP can be stressful. We have received many questions concerning BSN, MSN, and DNP capstone writing process. Here are some answers that can probably clarify things for you as well.

Is a capstone project a thesis?

No, a thesis is different from a capstone project in the sense that nursing capstone projects are individualized research projects on a selected nursing topic of professional or personal interests. Capstones are a partial fulfillment for the attainment of a degree in nursing. Writing a capstone project takes 8-12 weeks, while a thesis can take 2-3 months. Capstones are written during the project-based nursing capstone course. While a capstone might not be published in research journals, a thesis can.

How does one write a perfect nursing capstone paper?

The capstone writing process takes 8-12 weeks culminating in a nursing capstone project paper that you will present or defend. To write an excellent capstone paper:

  • Choose a befitting and relevant nursing-related topic
  • Seek the approval of the topic from your preceptor/instructor/professor
  • Write your nursing capstone project proposal and await approval
  • Revise the proposal and resubmit
  • Begin outlining your nursing capstone paper
  • Choose a good thesis statement
  • Identify appropriate scholarly materials to use in your paper
  • Draft your background, problem statement, and purpose statement sections
  • Write the literature review and the rest of your paper
  • Complete the introduction and conclusion last
  • Cite all your sources
  • Proofread the paper well
  • Submit within the deadline

These are the basic steps in writing and doing research for your capstone.

What do I write as the purpose statement for my capstone?

Under the purpose statement, reflect on the healthcare issue of choice, create an urgency of solving it, and support your reasoning using rationale and evidence from relevant academic sources. In addition, you should look at the status quo and identify things that otherwise need to be addressed.

Can you fail a capstone project? What happens if you fail your capstone?

Yes, you can fail if you do not meet the learning objectives. Students who fail are those who do the things we have said are to be avoided when writing a capstone project. If you fail your capstone course, you will not be legible for the conferral of a degree. You will need to rethink your way or retake the class. You would instead get professional writing help than fail after investing so much money into your nursing education.

How can I select a good capstone topic for my nursing degree?

Like we said, read widely, assess your interests, strengths, and weaknesses, and consult with your preceptor, instructor, or professor. Then, as you choose the question, ask yourself:

  • What is your professional practice projection in the next ten years?
  • What topic area are you passionate about?
  • What did you learn during your practicum or other class sessions?
  • Is the nursing issue of interest fascinating to you?
  • Can you write an entire 20-30 pages on the selected topic?
  • Are there adequate sources to support your literature review?

To select a topic:

  • Pick a system or population of focus
  • Brainstorm on the various issues or topics that might affect the system or population
  • Check the system- or population-specific healthcare news relating to nursing in the news
  • If your topic is based on a clinical site or healthcare facility such as an ambulatory clinic, hospital, nursing home, elderly care facility, or community health center, meet your clinical educator or other research team members to consult on the topics they might have or their suggestions about the areas that need practice change
  • Discuss your ideas with your preceptor, who will advise you on the best way forward.

Ultimately, find a topic you are passionate about and one that aligns with your interests, abilities, and strengths. Consider ye organizational goals as well.

How do I write a great literature review for my nursing capstone?

Begin by doing a literature search on what exists on your topic. Review the evidence-based research so that you can identify the gaps in practice to prove that your nursing capstone project is necessary. Here are some tips:

  • Create a list of keyword phrases that match your topic
  • Use reputable databases to search for scholarly peer-reviewed sources.
  • Use databases such as CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Databases of Systematic reviews.
  • Only pick primary studies and not secondary sources
  • Find literature published in the last five-year period for recency
  • Only select sources that pass the CRAAP test
  • Consult with a librarian to assist you in getting appropriate articles
  • Your literature review lays the foundation and background of your nursing capstone project. It must show that your topic is not only relevant but also worth exploring.

How do I format my nursing capstone?

When writing your final nursing capstone submission, you should either use APA or Harvard formatting style. Ensure that it is free of typographical errors, spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors. In addition, ensure that the in-text citations and the bibliography list/references are consistent with your chosen format.

How should I do my capstone oral presentation for success?

A nursing capstone defense process takes 30 minutes. You can present it via videoconferencing media, Poster, or PowerPoint slides. Make sure that you choose a professional tone and demonstrate expertise and knowledge in the nursing field. Discuss your findings effectively and audibly.

Whether your school uses a letter, marks, or pass/no pass grading system, these tips have already set you up for the best nursing capstone paper.

Every section of your nursing capstone matters. Try to make efforts to improve during capstone project writing.

Polish up everything, and if you have developed a cold foot for your nursing capstone, we have expert nursing writers who can always help.

You can place an order on our website and work with a dedicated capstone writer for consistency, continuity, and success. Everything will be written from scratch, and there is no chance of plagiarism .

Capstone projects can take 12 weeks, which can be a hell of a time for you, but not when working it out with one of our best capstone writers. We can equally work with you on your thesis to a professional level that meets the publication requirements for professional nursing journals.

what is a capstone project for bsn

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

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Case Western Reserve University

Capstones for Senior BSN Students

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Community Health

The Senior Capstone Project is a practicum that provides senior BSN students with the opportunity to analyze the concepts of health and health care, health policy and finance, culture and ethics.

The precepted, 10-week community—-based immersion experience is held during the fall or spring semester in local, regional or national settings. Students apply epidemiological techniques, partnership building, community assessment and nursing science in the identification and analysis of a population health problem leading to the development of an intervention.

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40+ Incredible Nursing Capstone Project Ideas For Students

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Table of Contents

Nursing informatics capstone project ideas, nursing practicum project ideas, capstone nursing project ideas on the elderly, nursing leadership project ideas, emergency room capstone project ideas for nursing, patient falls bsn nursing capstone project ideas, capstone nursing project ideas on mental health, capstone nursing project ideas on women’s health.

Every college student wishes for a unique, relatively easy to tackle topic with lots of supporting facts and will primarily thrill the professors or earn them the best grades. On the bright side, your quest for nursing capstone project ideas BSN ends here.

We have compiled a list of forty plus creative nursing projects ideas to earn you top scores in your capstone paper. Additionally, we will guide you along the way with valuable tips and insights to ensure you pick the perfect topic. Of course, our handpicked nursing capstone topics are exceptional and widely researched to give you an easy time. The capstone nursing ideas have been grouped according to different specialty areas in the profession. You can check them out below:

  • Adoption of e-learning in healthcare management
  • Developing and Improving the safety and security of patients through comprehensive data research
  • Investigating methods for storing and keeping nursing informatics data
  • What should be the top priority for informatics investment in the future?
  • How to utilize modern-day systems for reliable nursing information
  • A study of the advantages and disadvantages of the current health records system
  • What is the current situation of nursing informatics in developing countries?
  • Reviewing the impact of nursing informatics on the quality of nursing services
  • Dealing appropriately with foreign patients
  • Data collection ethics in primary healthcare
  • Stress management practices for nurses on a night shift
  • How to apply the Nurse Bedside Shift Report
  • How experience and education impact medication mistakes for Registered nurses
  • Consequences of intentional sabotage and bullying for nurses at the workplace
  • Analysis of nursing behavior towards HIV and Aids patients
  • Psychiatric care and mental health issues in adults
  • Productive programs for obesity and weight management among seniors
  • A case study of joint disorders in the elderly population
  • Interventions for managing socially impaired behavior among adult patients with dementia
  • Utilizing technology to boost the safety of patients in nursing homes
  • The role of charismatic leadership among nurse leaders
  • A comprehensive study of the problems facing modern nurse leaders
  • How effectively do nurse leaders use organizational tactics to motivate healthcare personnel today?
  • Evaluation of leadership qualities the deliver excellence in a nursing setting
  • Comparison between the productivity of nurse leaders in public and private hospitals
  • Emergency room conflict and the role of nurse leaders in resolving it
  • Effective strategies charge nurses can implement in addressing stress and burnout among nurses
  • The correlation between caring behavior and emotional intelligence for nurses in Emergency Rooms
  • Analyzing the link between compassion fatigue and exercise among medical surgery nurses
  • How to enhance safety in operating rooms
  • Ways to boost patient flow in an urgent care facility
  • Strategies to curb distress among isolated marrow and blood transplant patients post-transplantation
  • Dealing with the aftermath of a cancer surgery
  • Are honey-based products effective in wound care
  • Defining different methods to manage and process wounds
  • Strategies to curb patient falls in a home setting
  • Implementing technology in the prevention of falls among elderly patients
  • Fall risk assessment among psychiatric patients
  • The link between mental health issues and homelessness
  • Detrimental effects of sexual assault on children
  • Impacts of domestic violence on children
  • The relationship between mental health and museum, heritage or art
  • Evaluating readiness for psychological rehabilitation
  • Investigating how autonomous decision making is affected by mental illness
  • Putting postnasal depression into perspective
  • Is it possible to manage dementia patients with non-pharmacological methods
  • Defining the impact of diabetes during pregnancy
  • Unraveling the relationship between HPV and cancer of the cervix
  • Understanding the prevalence of fibroids and uterine cancer in women
  • How does breastfeeding impact immune levels in children

With the suggested senior project topics on nursing above, we hope to have simplifies the puzzle for you. Finding an appropriate topic should be a piece of cake. It is advisable to go for a topic you are passionate about and have already been researched widely for a wide range of ideas. Likewise, please stay away from topics that seem straightforward they might seem too easy for the professor putting you in a tight spot.

Remember, you can do it on your own, referring to nursing news articles, clinical rounds, peer-reviewed nursing journals, or getting quality writing help from an expert even on a cheap budget from websites that offer writing services. The sites give you good nursing capstone projects examples you can use to confirm their quality. Be sure to give them a try if the capstone paper turns out to be a little overwhelming.

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What Is a Capstone Project?

capstone project

A capstone project is a multifaceted academic experience typically required for students during the final year of an academic program. It is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary project that often requires students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their academic careers to solve real-world problems or issues. 

Capstone projects come in all shapes and sizes, including research papers, case studies, creative works, internships, and field placement projects. They are designed to challenge students to think critically, solve complex problems, and demonstrate their readiness for work in their field. Capstone projects are often a highlight of a student’s academic career and can provide valuable experience and skills for their future endeavors.

Types of Capstone Projects

Capstone projects are an essential part of many academic programs. They can vary from program to program and take shape depending on the specific discipline and project goals. 

Research Paper/Major Project Course

A research paper or major project course is a comprehensive capstone that aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct research and produce a high-quality research paper or major project. These typically include various topics such as research methodology, literature review, data collection, and analysis, as well as writing and presentation skills.

The course typically begins with an introduction to research methodology, including the different research types, research design, and ethical considerations. Students are taught how to conduct a literature review, which involves identifying and analyzing relevant literature on the topic of their research. Data collection and analysis are also a focus in this type of capstone project, with students demonstrating mastery in learning how to collect and analyze data and showcasing various methods such as surveys, interviews, and even experiments. They are also taught how to use statistical software, such as Tableau and Power BI , to analyze data and draw conclusions. 

It’s also standard for these courses to focus on writing and presentation skills, with students learning how to write a clear, concise, and well-structured research paper or project relating to their major or focus. They are taught how to use proper citation and referencing techniques, as well as how to present their findings in a professional and engaging manner.

Completing a capstone research paper or major project course is crucial for students to acquire the skills and expertise needed to conduct research and present their findings in a comprehensive manner. It serves as a culminating showcase of their academic achievements.

Internship or Field Program

An internship or field placement program is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in their field of study. It typically involves working for a company or organization for a set period of time. 

The benefits of an internship or field program include gaining hands-on experience, building professional networks, and developing skills that can be applied in future careers within the field of study. It also provides an opportunity to explore different career paths and industries and to learn from experienced professionals.

To find an internship or field program, students can search online job boards, attend career fairs, or reach out to companies directly. Researching the company and the position is vital to ensure it aligns with career goals and interests. In addition, some programs offer professional partnerships that connect students and businesses in established internship programs. 

During the internship or field placement program, it’s essential to ask questions, be proactive and take on responsibilities. This can eventually lead to a positive reference or even a job offer. Maintaining a professional attitude and work ethic is also important, as the experience can impact future career opportunities.

Portfolio-Building Course

A portfolio-building course is designed to help individuals create a professional portfolio that showcases their skills and accomplishments. The course covers key points such as identifying your target audience, selecting a suitable format for your portfolio, creating a solid visual design, and selecting the best pieces to include. 

These courses are designed to showcase the creativity and ingenuity of the student. Additionally, a portfolio-building course provides guidance on writing compelling descriptions and captions for each focus piece included. It also offers tips for presenting your portfolio to the necessary stakeholders, like professors, advisors, and even prospective employers.

By the end of the course, participants should have a polished portfolio that can be used to showcase their work to potential employers or clients. 

Group Project Course

A group project course is designed to allow students to work collaboratively on a project that requires them to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their respective fields of study. The course covers key points such as project planning, team building, communication, problem-solving, and project management. Students are expected to work in teams to identify a problem, develop and execute a project plan, and clearly present their findings. 

A group project course also emphasizes the importance of effective communication within the team and with external stakeholders. Through this course, students develop critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills essential for success in their future careers.

woman looking down at textbook studying in her home

What Is the Goal of a Capstone Project?

A capstone project aims to demonstrate a student’s mastery of a particular subject or field of study. It is typically a culminating project that integrates and applies the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course of a degree program. The project may involve research, analysis, problem-solving, and creative work, and it should demonstrate the student’s ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and work independently. The ultimate aim of a capstone project is to produce high-quality, original work that contributes to the student’s academic and professional development.

What Programs Usually Require Capstones?

Capstones are usually required in programs that involve hands-on learning and the practical application of skills. These programs typically include engineering, computer science, business, healthcare, education, and social sciences. Capstones require students to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter through a comprehensive project or presentation. Capstones are often required in graduate programs as a way to exhibit a student’s research and analytical skills.

How to Choose a Capstone Topic

After dedicating time and effort to your academic program, the following requirement is to select a unique interest topic that will embody all the knowledge and academic growth attained throughout your studies. How do you choose a capstone topic? What determines what kind of topic is most suitable?

  • Identify your interests and passions : Choose a topic that you are passionate about and interested in. This will make the research process more enjoyable and engaging, not only for the student but also for the audience.
  • Consider your career goals : Examine your future career goals and choose a topic that aligns with them. This will help you gain relevant skills and knowledge that will be useful in your future career.
  • Research current trends and issues : Look for current trends and issues in your field of study and choose a topic that addresses them. This will make your capstone project more relevant and impactful.
  • Consult with your advisor : Consult with your capstone advisor to get their input and guidance on choosing a topic. They can provide valuable insights and help you narrow down your options.
  • Consider the scope and feasibility : Choose a topic that is manageable in terms of scope and feasibility. Make sure you have access to the necessary resources, equipment, and data to complete your project successfully.
  • Brainstorm and refine your ideas : Brainstorm a list of potential topics and then refine them based on your interests, career goals, and feasibility. Choose a topic that you are excited about and can confidently expound upon.

The Six Components of a Capstone Paper

A comprehensive capstone paper typically consists of six key components that are essential for its success. These components include an introduction , literature review , methodology , discussion , conclusion , and recommendations . 

1. Introduction

The introduction section of a capstone paper is a crucial part of the document that sets the tone for the entire project. It should cover the key points of the paper, including the purpose, scope, and significance of the research. The introduction should also provide a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the central argument or focus of the paper. 

2. Literature Review

The literature review section of a capstone paper provides an overview of the existing research and knowledge on the topic. It covers key points related to the research question or problem statement and helps establish the study’s overall context. The literature review should be comprehensive, well-organized, and focused on the most relevant and recent sources. It should also identify gaps in the literature and highlight the need for further research. 

3. Methodology

The methodology section should provide a clear and detailed description of the research methods used in the capstone project and should demonstrate that the research was conducted in a rigorous and ethical manner. 

  • Research design : This section should describe the overall approach to the research, including the type of study (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods), the research questions or hypotheses, and the sampling strategy.
  • Data collection : This section should describe the methods used to collect data, such as surveys, interviews, or observational data sources. It should also consider any instruments or tools used to collect data, such as questionnaires or interview guides.
  • Ethical considerations : This section should examine any ethical considerations related to the research, such as confidentiality and privacy.
  • Limitations : This section should review any research limitations. This involves acknowledging any weaknesses or shortcomings in the research and discussing how they may have affected the results, such as sample size, data quality, or financial resources.

4. Discussion

The discussion section of a capstone paper summarizes the findings of the research and provides an analysis of the results. Key points include:

  • Summary of findings : The discussion section should begin with a brief summary of the main findings of the research. This should include a concise critique of the results and their significance.
  • Interpretation of the results : This portion of the discussion section should offer an analysis of the data and clarify what it means in the context of the original research question.
  • Comparison with previous research : The discussion section should also compare the research results to prior studies in the field. This helps to contextualize original findings and identify any similarities or differences.
  • Implications of the findings : Another critical component of the discussion section should also discuss the impact of the findings on the field of study. This involves classifying any practical applications of the research and examining how the results can be used to inform future research.

5. Conclusion

The conclusion of a capstone research paper strives to objectively present the data or information that you gathered throughout the entire capstone project. The story you tell will point readers to any figures and tables that illustrate relevant data and tie it back to the general purpose of the research. The overall goal is to bring it all back to the initial hypothesis.

6. Recommendations

Capstone research papers typically include a recommendations section, which provides recommendations for future research related to the topic. This involves identifying areas where further research is needed and suggesting potential avenues for future study.

Additionally, this section can be derived directly from the research findings, providing readers with concrete examples and recommendations based on the data and its implications.

man sitting on couch taking notes as he flips through textbook

Capstone Project vs. Thesis Paper

Capstone projects and thesis papers are both important academic assignments that students may be required to complete in order to graduate from their degree programs. While they share some similarities, there are also some key differences between the two.

A capstone project is typically a final project that allows students to showcase the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their academic program and apply them to real-world problems and issues. They take many forms, including research papers, case studies, presentations, or even creative projects like portfolios. These projects often involve collaboration with other students or professionals in the field and may require the use of primary research methods.

By contrast, a thesis paper is a more traditional academic research paper focusing on a specific research question or hypothesis. It typically involves a thorough literature review, data collection, and analysis, as well as a detailed discussion of the findings. Thesis papers are often written by students pursuing graduate degrees and are intended to contribute new knowledge to the field.

While both capstone projects and thesis papers require a significant amount of research and critical thinking, capstone projects tend to be more practical and applied, while thesis papers are more theoretical and research-focused. Additionally, capstone projects often involve more collaboration and may require students to work with external stakeholders, while thesis papers are typically completed independently. 

Both assignments can be valuable learning experiences and can help students develop important skills that will be useful in their future careers.

Dissertation

At its core, a dissertation is a lengthy and detailed research paper that is typically written by students pursuing a doctoral degree. It is a formal document that presents original research and findings on a specific topic or issue. Much like a thesis paper or capstone project, a dissertation requires extensive research, critical analysis, and a thorough understanding of the subject matter. 

By comparison, a dissertation is a research project that is typically required for a doctoral degree, while a capstone project is a culminating project that is required for a master’s degree . In a similar regard, a thesis paper is similar to a dissertation in that it is a research project, but it is typically required for a master’s degree. 

The main distinction between a dissertation and a capstone project or thesis paper lies in the academic level they are intended for and the breadth of the research involved. Dissertations usually involve more comprehensive research and require original findings, whereas capstone projects and thesis papers may concentrate on utilizing existing knowledge to address a particular problem or concern.

A “capstone” project is the crowning achievement of an academic program, as it combines all the skills and knowledge gained into a culminating conclusion. Typically the capstone is the final piece of work or project that wraps up the entire academic program and represents a significant milestone in academic and professional development.

Although they are similar, capstone projects and thesis papers differ at their core. The level of difficulty depends on various factors, such as the project’s topic, scope, and requirements. However, a capstone project may generally be considered less intensive than a thesis paper, as it typically involves the practical application of knowledge and skills, while a thesis paper requires extensive research and analysis of a specific topic.

The length of time it takes to complete a capstone project can vary depending on the specific requirements of the project and the program. Capstone projects can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete. Therefore, project planning and time management are required to ensure that you are able to complete the project within the given timeframe.

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Apr 16, 2024

Everything About Capstone Projects: An In-Depth Guide

Think of your academic journey as a thrilling mountain climb. The capstone project marks the exhilarating, and sometimes daunting, summit. This culminating assignment is a staple in many degree programs, providing students with a unique opportunity to synthesize their learning, apply their skills to real-world challenges, and showcase their readiness for the professional world.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll get into the ins and outs of capstone projects, exploring their purpose, various forms, and the steps involved in bringing yours to successful completion.

The Purpose and Value of Capstone Projects

Capstone projects are much more than a final assignment. In a way, they bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. At their core, capstone projects are designed to:

Synthesize Learning: They force students to draw upon and integrate the wide range of knowledge and skills accumulated throughout their entire academic program. This requires a level of reflection and critical analysis that promotes deeper understanding.

Apply Knowledge: Capstones are where theory becomes practice. Students take concepts learned in the classroom and grapple with how to implement them, address unexpected challenges, and refine their solutions in actual, or realistically simulated, situations.

Develop Essential Skills: Capstone projects foster a wide array of transferable skills that translate directly to success in all professions. These include problem-solving, critical thinking, research, project management, and effective communication.

Prepare for the Future: Whether a student is aiming for the workforce or further education, a capstone project gives them tangible experience to showcase to potential employers or admissions committees. It serves as evidence of their readiness to step into more complex and demanding roles.

Types of Capstone Projects

Capstone projects come in various forms, offering students the ability to choose an approach that best suits their interests and career aspirations. Here's a look at some common types:

Research Papers: Demonstrate deep understanding through focused investigation of a specific topic. Students research, analyze data, and draw defensible conclusions.

Case Studies: Involve applying theoretical knowledge to analyze actual real-world scenarios, dissecting decisions made, their outcomes, and lessons applicable to other situations.

Creative Works: Offer a space for expressing innovation, talent, and technical skills Unique to fields like art, design, music, or writing, they might result in a portfolio, performance, or original piece.

Internships: Provide hands-on experience in a professional setting, directly applying coursework to real challenges. This gives students an inside look into their potential career field.

Field Placement Projects: Involve working with industry or community partners, contributing to projects with real-life impact, and often focusing on problem-solving within a specific organization.

Research Papers

Research papers as a capstone project offer a classic way of demonstrating mastery of a field of study. They allow students to:

Choose a Focused Topic: Students hone in on a specific question or problem within their field, demonstrating their ability to identify and explore an area of interest.

Conduct Thorough Research: Students must navigate academic resources, including peer-reviewed articles, primary sources, and data sets. This shows their ability to find and evaluate reliable information.

Synthesize & Analyze: Capstone-level research isn't just about summarizing what others have said. Students need to analyze findings critically, draw their own conclusions, and present a defensible argument.

Master Formal Writing: Research papers require adherence to academic writing standards, including proper citation and strong thesis development.

Case Studies

Case studies empower students to connect classroom theories to real situations that professionals would face. They provide opportunities to:

Apply Theoretical Frameworks: Students use models and concepts learned in their coursework to analyze a specific case, demonstrating their understanding of how those theories work in practice.

Dissect Decision-Making: By dissecting the choices made within a case study, students learn to weigh the pros and cons of different approaches and critically assess the outcomes that those decisions generate.

Form Actionable Insights: The true value of a case study lies in identifying what lessons can be applied more broadly. Students learn to recognize patterns, potential pitfalls, and strategies that can be used in other situations.

Creative Works

When capstones take a creative form, students tap into their originality and technical skills. These projects often involve:

Conceptualization: Developing a unique idea, artistic vision, or original piece requires a student to think beyond what's been done previously, pushing them to innovate.

Technical Execution: The project must still demonstrate mastery of the chosen medium – whether that's painting, composition, filmmaking, or something else entirely.

Reflective Presentation: Often, creative works are accompanied by a written component or presentation where the student articulates their process, influences, and the conceptual significance of their creation.

Internships

Internships immerse students in the world of work directly related to their studies. They offer the chance to:

Gain Professional Experience: Students work on real-world projects, contributing to ongoing initiatives within established organizations.

Put Theory into Practice: Interns grapple with applying the concepts they've learned to the tasks and challenges faced by a specific company or organization.

Build a Network: Interactions with colleagues and mentors within their field can open doors to future job opportunities.

Develop Workplace Skills: Interns practice time-management, communication in a professional context, and collaborating with a team, which are essential for success in most careers.

Field Placement Projects

Field placements connect students with community partners, bringing a real-world immediacy to their capstone experience. These projects might involve:

Collaboration: Students work directly with a company, non-profit, or government agency, gaining insights into its goals, needs, and constraints.

Problem-Solving: Field projects often focus on addressing a specific challenge or contributing to the betterment of the partner organization.

Impact: Students can see a tangible result of their work, making the experience feel more meaningful than a theoretical assignment.

Adaptability: Working within an existing organization requires students to adapt to its structure and culture, honing their flexibility and communication skills.

Does completing a capstone project significantly enhance job market readiness?

Yes. Capstone projects bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with in-demand skills that employers value highly. The experience of tackling a substantial project demonstrates initiative, problem-solving abilities, time management, and clear communication – all of which translate to success in the workplace.

Selecting a Capstone Project Topic

Choosing a capstone project topic is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your academic experience. It's a chance to align your effort with both your passions and long-term goals. Here's how to find the perfect fit:

Start with "What is a capstone project?" Understanding the broader meaning and purpose of this experience helps narrow your scope. A capstone project should push you to synthesize knowledge and skills from your education and apply those in a meaningful way toward professional growth.

Self-Reflection: What are your genuine interests within your field? What problems or issues do you find most intriguing? Don't be afraid to explore beyond your most recent coursework – sometimes the best ideas stem from earlier sparks of curiosity.

Career Aspirations: Where do you envision yourself after graduation? What kinds of problems would you like to solve in your chosen profession? Choosing a topic relevant to that vision gives you hands-on experience that will be invaluable.

Topic Relevance to Career Goals

While not always mandatory, it's beneficial to select a capstone project topic that speaks to your career goals. Here's why:

Building a Relevant Portfolio: Your capstone project becomes a major work sample when applying for jobs or further education. It demonstrates your competency and active interest in specific areas of your field.

Direct Experience: Working on a project tied to your career goals gives you a taste of the kinds of challenges and tasks you might encounter later. This is much more impactful than simply reading about such problems in textbooks.

Networking Opportunities: Depending on your project type, you might interact with professionals or organizations directly in your desired field. This helps build connections and could even lead to job leads.

Research and Preparation

Once you have a general focus, it's time to refine your topic:

Preliminary Research: Read up on your chosen area to see what kinds of questions are currently being explored. Identify what intrigues you the most, and what gaps in the research you might be able to address.

Gather Resources: Talk to professors or mentors in your field. They can offer guidance on finding valuable texts, articles, and data sets relevant to your topic.

Narrow Focus: A successful capstone topic is focused enough to be tackled in depth within the given timeframe. Resist trying to address everything about a broad subject.

Is it critical to choose a capstone project topic related to one's career goals?

Though not strictly required, it's highly advantageous to choose a career-focused capstone project. The experience gained becomes relevant, immediately applicable to your professional development, and helps you stand out to future employers or graduate school admissions panels.

Integrating Capstone Projects with Other Academic Work

Capstone projects aren't isolated endeavors. They serve as a culmination of your academic journey , drawing upon and enriching your understanding of the knowledge gained through previous coursework. Let's explore these connections:

From Research Papers to Capstone Projects

Research papers and capstone projects both heavily rely on your research and analysis skills. However, they differ in their ultimate goals:

Research Papers: These hone your ability to research a specific topic, analyze existing literature, and present a well-supported argument. The focus is on understanding and critically evaluating established knowledge.

Capstone Projects: While research remains imperative, capstone projects move beyond pure analysis. Here, you apply the theoretical frameworks learned in research papers to tackle a real-world problem or create something innovative.

Linking Dissertations and Capstone Projects

Capstone projects share a deeper connection with dissertations , although the scale and scope are different:

Dissertations: These in-depth, original research projects are the cornerstone of doctoral programs. They involve extensive research, data collection, and analysis, culminating in a significant contribution to existing knowledge.

Capstone Projects: While not expected to redefine a field, capstone projects showcase your ability to conduct thorough research and apply it to address specific problems or opportunities within your chosen discipline. They provide a taste of the research rigor expected in graduate studies.

Capstone Projects vs. Term Papers

Term papers serve as building blocks for your capstone project, but they differ in scope and depth:

Term Papers: These typically focus on a specific aspect of a broader field, allowing you to explore a chosen topic and develop your research and writing skills. The research conducted for a term paper can form the foundation for a more comprehensive capstone project.

Capstone Projects: More comprehensive and demanding, capstone projects require a deeper dive into a topic. They involve applying knowledge from multiple courses, conducting original research if applicable, and potentially creating a tangible outcome.

Can Capstone Projects Incorporate Elements from Previous Academic Papers Effectively?

Absolutely! In fact, integrating elements from previous academic work significantly enriches your capstone project:

Provides Depth and Continuity: Prior research becomes the foundation for your capstone project, demonstrating the evolution of your understanding. This continuity strengthens your overall argument.

Highlights Skill Development: By showcasing how you've built upon prior research methods and analysis, you demonstrate a progression in your research and critical thinking skills.

Offers a Stronger Foundation: Previous papers can serve as springboards for more focused research questions within your capstone project.

By weaving together the knowledge gained throughout your academic journey, a capstone project becomes a powerful testament to your intellectual growth and your ability to apply knowledge meaningfully.

Writing and Presentation Techniques

The way you communicate your capstone project can be as important as the project itself. Here's how to nail both the write-up and the presentation:

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

Your introduction sets the tone for the entire project. Aim to capture your audience's attention and clearly convey the significance of your work right from the start. Here are a few techniques:

The Hook: Begin with a compelling fact, a provocative question, a relevant anecdote, or a quote that directly relates to your topic.

Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the specific issue, challenge, or opportunity your capstone project addresses.

Significance: Succinctly explain why this project matters. Highlight the potential impact of your research, the innovative nature of your creative work, or the tangible benefits of your practical experience.

Thesis Statement: If applicable, offer a concise and clear statement that summarizes your main argument or the central outcome of your project.

Developing a Coherent Structure

Whether presenting your work in writing or orally, a logical structure ensures your audience can easily follow your thought process and findings:

Written Reports: Follow standard academic formatting guidelines (if applicable). Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your ideas into logical sections. Consider a typical structure like:

Introduction

Literature Review (if applicable)

Methodology

Results/Findings

Analysis/Discussion

Presentations:

Create a slide deck with clear visuals and concise talking points.

Practice your presentation to ensure a smooth, logical flow of ideas.

Maintain a clear distinction between the background information, your unique contribution, and the implications of your findings.

Additional Tips for Writing and Presentations

Know Your Audience: Are you presenting to professors within your field, potential employers, or a general audience? Tailor your language and presentation style accordingly.

Visual Aids: Pictures, graphs, charts, or other visual elements can enhance understanding and make your work more engaging.

Proofread Meticulously: Spelling and grammar errors reflect poorly on your attention to detail. Have someone else proofread your final draft before submission.

Practice and Prepare: For presentations, practice thoroughly, ensuring your timing is on point and you're comfortable answering potential questions.

Conclusion and Reflection

Your capstone project conclusion isn't just about restating what you already said. It's your chance to synthesize your journey and leave a lasting impression. Consider these elements:

Reiterate Key Findings: Concisely re-emphasize the most significant outcomes, discoveries, or insights gained from your capstone project. Be sure to connect them back to your original research questions or your project's main purpose.

Reflect on Growth: What did you learn about yourself as a learner and thinker through this process? What skills did you develop or strengthen? This personal reflection gives your conclusion depth.

Discuss Limitations Even the best projects have areas where constraints or unforeseen issues arose. Briefly acknowledging these shows your self-awareness and provides context for your findings.

Future Directions: If applicable, suggest possible avenues for further research inspired by your work. Or, discuss potential applications of your findings in a broader context.

Engaging with Your Audience

To make your capstone project truly memorable, go beyond just presenting information and focus on connecting with your audience:

Relevance: Explicitly explain why your project should matter to the people reading or viewing your work. What real-world problems does your research address? How does your creative work expand perspectives? What actionable skills did you gain from a practical capstone experience?

Storytelling: When appropriate, weave in anecdotes or examples that illustrate your process, the challenges you overcame, or how your findings illuminate a human element. Storytelling helps audiences connect with your project on an emotional level.

Call to Action: If relevant, don't be afraid to ask something of your audience. This could be a call for further investigation, a change in perspective, or action to be taken towards a problem your project explored.

Q&A: Leave ample time for questions and discussion, both in written and presentation formats. This demonstrates your willingness to engage further and shows that you consider your project an ongoing intellectual dialogue.

Revising and Finalizing Your Project

The revision stage is where your capstone project truly takes its final form. It's tempting to rush through this part, but putting in the time to carefully revise and polish will elevate your work significantly.

Give it Some Space: Step away from your project for a few days if time allows. Returning to it with fresh eyes will help you spot errors and areas in need of improvement.

Revisit Project Objectives: Go back to the original goals and requirements. Does your current draft fully address them? Are there any aspects that could be further developed?

Check for Cohesiveness: Ensure the flow of your work is logical, with clear transitions between sections. Pay attention to both the overall project structure and how smaller sections or paragraphs link together.

Scrutinize Details: Meticulously proofread for typos, grammatical errors, and proper formatting. Make sure citations are complete and accurate.

Addressing Feedback

Seeking feedback is crucial for ensuring your work meets expectations and makes a strong impact. Here's how to approach it:

Trusted Sources: Get feedback from professors, mentors, peers with strong academic skills, or even professionals in your field, if applicable. Diverse perspectives are invaluable.

Open-Mindedness: Embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity to improve. Don't get defensive – feedback is there to help you grow, not to attack your work.

Careful Integration: Not all feedback needs to be incorporated blindly. Consider each suggestion carefully and decide if and how it will truly strengthen your project.

Is peer review an essential step in the revision process of capstone projects?

Yes! Peer review offers several distinct advantages:

Fresh Perspective: Peers can often spot inconsistencies or issues that you might be too close to the work to see.

Identifying Confusion: Areas that may be clear to you could be confusing to a reader encountering your topic for the first time. Peers can point out where more explanation or clarity is needed.

Exposure to Different Styles: Seeing how your peers organize their projects and communicate their findings can offer fresh ideas for improving your own presentation.

Practicing Constructive Feedback: Learning to both give and receive constructive feedback is a key skill in most professional settings. Peer review offers a safe space to hone this skill.

Navigating the Capstone Project Journey

The capstone project is a transformative experience that bridges the gap between classroom learning and the exciting challenges you'll face as a professional in your chosen field. From selecting a topic that aligns with your passions and goals to carefully integrating the diverse skills you've cultivated throughout your education, this project empowers you to make a meaningful contribution.

While the capstone journey may require significant effort and dedication, the rewards are undeniable. Not only will you gain valuable experience and produce a work sample that showcases your potential, but you'll also emerge from this experience with the enhanced confidence to tackle the complex problems that await you in your future career.

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what is a capstone project for bsn

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Undergraduate (BSN) Nursing Practicum Manual: Section 5: Success in Practicum Courses

  • Undergraduate (BSN) Nursing Practicum Manual
  • Section 1: Introduction
  • Section 2: Licensure and Regulatory Requirements
  • Section 3. Practicums and Program Information
  • Section 4: Identification of Preceptor and Site

Practicum Course Requirements

Logs in meditrek®, beginning practicum hours after course begins, change of preceptorship after the practicum course begins, timeline for preceptors and field sites programmed in meditrek®, midterm and final evaluation.

  • Section 6: Application Process
  • Section 7: Practicum Policies
  • Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions
  • Section 8: Contact Information
  • Programs of Study

All approved preceptors (e.g., primary, replacement and supplemental preceptors) must complete all responsibilities of preceptors to include calls with faculty, signing of time logs in Meditrek, and completion of practicum evaluations in Meditrek.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their approved preceptor has access to Meditrek®, signs time logs in Meditrek®, and completes practicum evaluations in Meditrek®.   

Using Meditrek®, students in NURS 4300/4301 BSN Capstone course must keep a daily time log of the time they spend on practicum activities. Time logs are signed off by preceptors and instructors at the end of the course after the completion of logs. Students are not permitted to sign off on time logs on behalf of the preceptor. 

Timeline for Preceptors and Field Sites Programmed in Meditrek® 

  • Week 1: Preceptors and practicum sites are programmed in Meditrek® for drop-down options in time logs at the end of Week 1 for approved applications. 
  •  Each Friday: If an application is approved after the course starts, the preceptor and practicum site will be populated weekly on Fridays. 
  •  Week 3: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek® credentials by Monday of Week 3 of the course. Preceptors use their Meditrek® credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. For preceptors who have not received their Meditrek® credentials or need them earlier, they are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders or submit a request for credentials to be resent by completing the Meditrek Credentials Request Form. 

Note: If students are unable to find their preceptor or practicum site in the drop-down box after Week 1 and their application has been approved more than 1 week, they should email [email protected]

Using Meditrek®, students in NURS 4300/4301 BSN Capstone course are required to keep a truthful and accurate log of the time they actually spend in practicum activities.  

Students must enter their hours in Meditrek® within 1 week of completing the hours.  

Preceptors sign off on the time logs at the end of the course after the completion of hours. The preceptor must be approved in Meditrek® for the correct term and course to sign off on student time logs. Students are responsible to ensure the preceptor signs off on the time logs in Meditrek®. Students are NOT permitted to sign off on time logs on behalf of preceptors. 

The time log must include the following: 

  • Faculty name(s)  
  • Preceptor name(s) 
  • Dates 
  • Hours 

Activities/comments:  

  • Collection and or review of data 
  • Library research  
  • Preceptor collaboration  
  • Interdisciplinary/shareholder collaboration  
  • Faculty collaboration  
  • Review of articles  
  • Writing and/or refinement of project/paper/presentation  
  • Planning of project  
  • Presentation practice  
  • Project presentation  
  • Other 

Brief description of what students did or observed during each time interval  

All time log entries must be entered in Meditrek® by the end of course.  

For course-based students, if students are approved to log practicum hours after Week 6 of the term, with the Faculty Instructor’s approval, the time log entries must be entered in Meditrek® by the end of the last Sunday before the next term begins. Students will not be able to enter or edit time log entries after midnight on the Sunday before the first day of the next term. If students receive a grade of Incomplete (I) for the course and need to log practicum hours after the next term begins, they must submit a remedial practicum application. Students must submit their request for a remedial application in Meditrek®.     

For Tempo-based students, practicum approval is valid for 13 weeks from the start date of the term for the approved practicum application.  Time log entries must be entered in Meditrek® by midnight on the last day of the 13-week period.  Students will not be able to enter or edit time log entries after the 13-week period.  If students need to complete practicum hours after 13 weeks of the term start, they must submit a remedial practicum application.  Students must submit their request for a remedial application in Meditrek®.     

Note: Students are responsible to ensure time logs are entered correctly and accurately. Students must ensure logs are accurate and correct by selecting the correct course, quarter, faculty, and preceptor. Students are only able to enter logs on or after the date the preceptor was approved in Meditrek®. Students may make changes and edits to logs until either the preceptor and/or Faculty signs the logs in Meditrek®. Once the time logs are signed by either the preceptor or Faculty, they cannot be changed or edited by students. If students mistakenly enter logs incorrectly and the logs are signed, students must contact the Office of Field Experience to invalidate the logs, and then the student will need to reenter the time logs. The Office of Field Experience is unable to backdate logs after the term ends. Students will lose practicum hours if they are not logged by the end of the term in Meditrek®. 

Also Note: Concerns regarding truthfulness or accuracy of Meditrek® logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek® logs will result in a Code of Conduct inquiry that could result in a sanction up to and including dismissal from the university. Student found to have falsified their Meditrek® logs or preceptor approval of Meditrek® logs will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. For more information about the Code of Conduct, please refer to the Walden University Student Handbook: Code of Conduct. 

Students may NOT begin any practicum hours before (a) the start of the course, (b) they receive practicum application approval in Meditrek from the Office of Field Experience, (c) they are registered for the practicum course, and (d) they receive approval from the practicum course instructor once the course begins. Students are only to complete practicum hours with preceptors and at practicum site locations that have been approved by the Office of Field Experience in Meditrek®. If students log hours with an unapproved preceptor, these hours will not count toward the practicum hour requirement of the course and program. 

Practicum hours completed under a preceptor other than the preceptor who was identified in a practicum application submitted by the student will be rejected and students will be required to repeat the hours. Students completing practicum hours under an unapproved preceptor will be subject to Code of Conduct inquiry and may result in disciplinary action, including course failure and permanent dismissal from the university. For more information about the Code of Conduct, please refer to the Walden University Student Handbook, Code of Conduct.

Students who need to change preceptors and/or practicum sites for any reason after their course begins must:    

  • Contact the Office of Field Experience immediately. The Office of Field Experience staff will review possible options for the student for a possible replacement application depending on the time of term and if the student has a replacement application.  There are no guarantees a replacement application will be granted or approved.   If a replacement application is granted through the waitlist, students must meet all preceptor requirements and the application must be approved before the student can begin completing hours with the new preceptor.   If the new preceptorship requires relocation to a new practicum site, then it is likely the practicum experience will be delayed if an affiliation agreement is not on file or if the site requires onboarding.  Practicum hours completed prior to the replacement application being approved will not be allowed to count toward the practicum course requirements.   
  • Contact the assigned Faculty Member immediately to discuss the impact of completing course requirements and the option of receiving an Incomplete (I) grade to gain additional time to log hours with a new preceptor depending on the time of the term and eligibility of an grade of Incomplete.  
  •  Week 1: Preceptors and practicum sites are programmed in Meditrek® for drop-down options in time logs at the end of Week 1 for approved applications. 
  • Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek® credentials as follows: 

Course-Based Terms: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek® credentials on Monday of Week 3 of the course.  Preceptors use their Meditrek® credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. Preceptors who have not received their Meditrek® credentials are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders or submit a request for credentials to be re-sent by completing the Meditrek Credentials Request Form. 

Tempo-Based Terms: Preceptors are emailed their Meditrek® credentials by the end of the first week of the term.  Preceptors use their Meditrek® credentials to sign off on time logs and complete evaluations. Preceptors who have not received their Meditrek® credentials are encouraged to check their spam/junk email folders or submit a request for credentials to be re-sent by completing the Meditrek Credentials Request Form. 

Note: If students are unable to find their preceptor or practicum site in the drop-down box more than a week after application approval, please email [email protected]

Preceptors communicate formal feedback on a student’s overall progress to the Instructor twice during the practicum—at midterm and at the end of the course by completing an evaluation. By midterm of the course preceptors will receive an email from Meditrek® with directions on how to complete the evaluation. The final evaluation is due at the end of the course. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the preceptor has received the Meditrek® email and has completed the evaluation by the course deadline. Students should contact the Office of Field Experience if they discover that the preceptor has not received an email with access to Meditrek® by the end of the course. 

Note: Students receive a failing grade if the final evaluation is not received by the posted deadlines. 

Grades 

Dismissal: Dismissal from a practicum experience by a preceptor and/or practicum site may lead to a course failure. 

Grade of Incomplete and Remedial Applications: Grades of Incomplete (I) must be requested by the student. Incompletes (I) are given at the discretion of the course Instructor. A grade of Incomplete may be granted only if students have already met the minimum criteria in a course and have acceptably completed approximately 80% of the course requirements (including practicum hours) prior to the last day of classes. 

Student must work directly with their course Instructor to determine eligibility for an Incomplete grade. If the course Instructor grants an Incomplete grade, student must establish a plan to complete the practicum requirements directly with the course Instructor. 

If the course Instructor does grant the grade of Incomplete, and student will need to complete practicum hours during the next term, student must have a remedial application approved in Meditrek® for the next term. 

Once students are officially issued a grade of Incomplete (I) and must complete additional practicum hours during the next term, they must submit a Remedial Application Request Form in Meditrek to begin the remedial application process.  Students will receive more information about the remedial application process once the form is submitted.  Students must NOT begin practicum hours until after the start date of the remedial application and the remedial application is approved in Meditrek®.  Students must have an approved remedial application in Meditrek® in order to begin or continue logging practicum hours to finish the remaining hours for the course. 

Failing Grades 

If students fail a prerequisite course for a practicum course, they are responsible to contact Student Success Advising to discuss the program of study and develop a plan. Students must also contact the Office of Field Experience to discuss options regarding practicum applications. Depending on timing of the next term start, students may NOT be approved to retake a practicum course if another application must be approved for the failed course and the student is using a different preceptor or site. 

  • Previous Page: Section 4: Identification of Preceptor and Site
  • Next Page: Section 6: Application Process
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January 2024 University Catalog with April Addendum > Course Descriptions > NURS-FPX - Nursing FlexPath > 4000 > NURS-FPX4900

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  • ACC - Accounting
  • ACS - Academic and Career Success
  • ADD - Addiction Studies
  • ANLT - Analytics
  • ANLY - Analytics
  • BHA - Bachelor of Science In Health Care Administration
  • BIO - Biology
  • BMGT - Business Management
  • BMGT-V - Business Management
  • BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • BUS - Business
  • CES - Counselor Education and Supervision
  • CJ - Criminal Justice
  • COM - Communication
  • COM-H - Communication
  • COUN - Counseling
  • COUN-R - Counseling
  • CRJ - Criminal Justice
  • DB - Doctor of Business Administration
  • DB-V - Doctor of Business Administration
  • DHA - Doctor of Health Administration
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  • DIT - Doctor of Information Technology
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January 2024 University Catalog with April Addendum

NURS-FPX4900 Capstone Project for Nursing

The capstone course is the culmination of the BSN degree program and provides learners the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies they have gained during their program. Learners integrate new knowledge from the literature into practice via direct practicum hours in a patient, family, or group setting to demonstrate proficiency and create high-quality deliverables to apply in future practice. In the capstone experience, learners also further apply their knowledge of the program outcomes. For BSN, FlexPath option learners only. Must be taken during the learner's final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

Program Points

Prerequisite.

what is a capstone project for bsn

Critical Care Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Critical care nursing, also called  intensive care nursing , is a domain of nursing practice that deals with seriously ill patients. If you are interested in pursuing critical care/ICU nursing, you can focus your capstone project on a related topic. Here are some ideas for critical nursing or ICU nursing capstone project.

  • Impacts of critical incident stress debriefing for nurses in acute care departments
  • Strategies to address stress and burnout among critical care nursing staff
  • Role of critical care nurses in palliative care
  • Nursing interventions to prevent central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in the ICU settings
  • Benefits of SNF infection prevention online training on CLABSI prevention
  • The role of law and policy in addressing healthcare-associated infections in critical care
  • Impact of needleless connector change frequency on central line-associated bloodstream infection rate
  • Effects of surveillance of hospital-acquired CLABSI in pediatric NICU
  • Impacts of CLABSI on length of stay and readmission in ICU
  • Using Nurse-Driven Protocols to Eliminate Routine Gastric Residual Volume Measurements
  • Implementing a standardized communication tool in an intensive care unit
  • Decreasing 30-day readmission rates in patients with heart failure
  • Strategies for assessing discomfort in critically ill patients
  • Increasing nurses’ knowledge of and self-confidence with family presence during pediatric resuscitation
  • The link between perceived and actual risk assessment by ICU nurses and the use of catheters
  • How critical care nurses can prevent blood contamination during transfusion
  • Risk factors and preventive measures for pressure ulcers among patients in critical care units
  • Factors Leading to critical nurses shortage in the USA
  • Compassion fatigue among ICU nurses and strategies to prevent it
  • Pain assessment by critical care nurses through physical and physiological monitoring
  • The use of CDSS in decision-making within the ICU
  • Critical Nurses’ education and Competencies in the USA
  • Impacts of nurse-patient Ratio on patient safety and Outcomes in critical care units
  • Prevalence of nurse burnout syndrome among ICU nurses
  • Strategies to help critical nurses achieve excellence
  • Collaborative decision-making between ICU nurses and patients in end-of-life care
  • Attitudes of critical care nurses on terminally ill patients
  • Hand hygiene adherence among critical care nurses
  • How critical care nurses can leverage big data and AI to improve safety and outcomes
  • Strategies to optimize intubation in the ICU
  • The link between ICU staffing and patient outcomes
  • Quality improvement strategies for neonatal ICU
  • The application of telemedicine in ICU settings
  • Strategies to optimize mechanical ventilation in the neonatal ICU
  • Patient education strategies for children with adult patients in the ICU
  • ICU nurses assist patients in making the DNR orders
  • Payment Structure and morale among ICU nurses
  • Challenges experienced by ICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Intensive care nurses’ knowledge and practice on endotracheal suctioning of the intubated patient
  • Benefits of promoting shared decision-making in the ICU
  • Intensive care nurses’ experiences and perceptions of delirium and delirium care.
  • Reasons why nurses should have empathy with newborn families in neonatal ICU
  • Nurses’ Perceptions of Telemedicine Adoption in the Intensive Care Unit
  • Importance of allowing ICU nurses to grieve when patients die
  • The perceptions and attitudes of ICU nurses on the use of ICU diaries
  • The experiences of new nurses in ICU units
  • Strategies ICU nurses use to screen delirium among ICU patients
  • Impacts of brownout on ICU nurses
  • Attitudes of ICU nurses on caring for patients with mental illness
  • Impacts of hemodynamic monitoring training for ICU nurses on patient safety and outcomes
  • Readiness of novice nurses to practice in ICU
  • Nurses’ experiences of caring for patients during a prolonged critical illness
  • Oral practices for ICU nurses
  • Caring for non-sedated mechanically ventilated patients: Attitudes of ICU nurses
  • Knowledge and practice of physical restraints in ICU

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  • Best Online Fast-Track RN-To-B.S.N. Online Programs

Best Online Fast-Track RN-To-B.S.N. Online Programs Of 2024

Liz Simmons

Published: Jun 6, 2024, 11:21am

Fast-track RN-to-B.S.N. online programs can help working nurses get the education they need to advance to their careers and increase their salaries.

A typical RN-to-B.S.N. curriculum covers nursing management and leadership, patient care and safety improvement, and evidence-based practice. Most programs include clinical experiences—which students can often complete in their home areas—but some take place completely online.

Geared toward registered nurses (RNs) with associate degrees or diplomas in nursing, most of these programs allow learners to continue working while completing their bachelor’s degrees. Students can even receive academic credit for their professional nursing experience, speeding up the graduation timeline. Some RN-to-B.S.N. programs take as little as 10 months to complete.

Keep reading to learn about the best accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. programs available online. We also outline some factors to consider to help you choose the right program.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

  • 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
  • 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
  • All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
  • Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
  • Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked 15 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online, accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. degree programs in the U.S. using 18 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process.

We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of February 2024.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

  • Graduation rate within eight years of normal time
  • Median earnings 10 years after graduation
  • Pell Grant recipient graduation rate within eight years of normal time
  • Retention rate
  • Pell Grant graduation rate vs. overall graduation rate

Affordability:

  • Average in-state tuition rate and fees
  • Median federal student loan debt
  • Student loan default rate
  • Percentage of students who take out loans

Student Experience:

  • Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Socioeconomic diversity
  • Program’s coursework (excluding student orientations, field experiences and labs) is available 100% online
  • Proportion of undergraduate students enrolled in at least some distance learning courses

Credibility:

  • Fully accredited
  • Nonprofit status

Application Process:

  • Acceptance rate
  • Uses Common App
  • Programmatic accreditation status

All of the schools we considered advertise their RN-to-B.S.N. programs as “accelerated.” We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 78% or higher.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

  • Best Online Physical Therapy Programs
  • Best Online Master’s In Nursing Administration
  • Best Online Health Science Degrees
  • Best Online Healthcare Management Degrees

Degree Finder

Key takeaways, should you enroll in an accelerated rn-to-b.s.n. program online, accreditation for online b.s.n. programs, how to find the right accelerated rn-to-b.s.n. program for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about fast-track rn-to-b.s.n. online programs.

  • Many affordable, accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. programs take as little as 10 to 12 months to complete.
  • You typically need an associate degree or a diploma in nursing to qualify for admission to a fast-track RN-to-B.S.N. online program.
  • Earning a B.S.N. can open the door to better job opportunities with higher pay, including management roles in nursing.
  • Choose an accredited RN-to-B.S.N. program and make sure it aligns with your future goals.

Best Online Accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. Programs

University of colorado anschutz medical campus, university of memphis, northwestern state university of louisiana, ohio university, university of arkansas at little rock, wichita state university, northeastern state university, franklin university, liberty university, fisher college, featured online schools.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial credit and much more by clicking 'Visit Site'

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Program Tuition Rate

$588/credit

Student Retention Rate

Graduation Rate

The University of Colorado ’s online RN-to-B.S. in nursing pathway for working nurses focuses on quality improvement and leadership. You can choose a fast-track, traditional or extended option depending on how much time you need and how quickly you want to graduate. The cohort-based program lets you get to know other nursing students from Colorado and other states.

Students who complete the program on time can participate in a tuition buy-down program that brings the cost of the degree to $12,000 total.

  • Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
  • School Type: Public
  • Application Fee: $110
  • Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
  • Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, full-time, part-time
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Professional nursing role development, introduction to informatics
  • Concentrations Available: N/A
  • In-Person Requirements: Yes, for clinical practicum

University of Memphis

$431/credit

Distance learners who hold an associate degree in nursing can pursue a fully online RN-to-B.S.N. degree from the University of Memphis ‘s Loewenberg College of Nursing. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program takes as little as 12 months to complete and features seven-week courses. Students living in California cannot enroll in the program.

Online learners must pay a $30 per credit fee for each seven-week nursing course. The curriculum explores community health, health assessment, leadership and transcultural nursing.

  • Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
  • Application Fee: $60
  • Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Health assessment/lab, leadership for RNs
  • In-Person Requirements: No

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

$225/credit

In 1949, Northwestern State University of Louisiana became the first school in the state to offer a B.S.N. program. Students can earn an accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. degree online in as little as 12 months at a total tuition cost of $6,750. Designed for working nurses, the CCNE-accredited program offers individualized degree plans with classes that last eight or 16 weeks.

The curriculum includes classes like research in nursing, community health nursing, healthcare management and women’s health.

  • Application Fee: $20
  • Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits (30 RN-to-B.S.N. credits)
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Gerontology for RNs, pathophysiology for RNs

Ohio University

$307/credit

Ohio University ‘s School of Nursing offers a fully online RN-to-B.S.N. degree that takes as little as one year and less than $10,000 to complete. Students must complete nine nursing courses. Designed for working nurses, the program offers eight start dates each year and a flexible, asynchronous schedule.

Most classes last five weeks. The curriculum covers evidence-based nursing practice, leadership in nursing, health assessment and promotion, and nursing excellence. All coursework takes place online, and students can complete the clinical practice project locally.

  • Application Fee: $25 (fee waiver available)
  • Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits (31 B.S.N. credits)
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Community health nursing, leadership in nursing
  • In-Person Requirements: Yes, a clinical practice project that you can complete locally

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

$292/credit

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers an accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. online completion program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students can choose a 12-month or 18-month track and keep working while they earn their degrees.

Required classes include community health needs, research and evidence-based practice in nursing, and nursing health assessment. In addition to tuition, online B.S.N. students pay a $25 technology fee per credit hour and may need to pay clinical fees for some courses.

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Wellness promotion, integration of concepts
  • In-Person Requirements: Yes, some courses include integrated practice projects

Wichita State University

$242/credit

At Wichita State University , you can earn an RN-to-B.S.N. online in just one year or take up to six years to complete the degree if you attend part time. Designed for working nurses, the program is available completely online with no in-person requirements. No matter where you live, you pay in-state tuition, making this a more affordable option for out-of-state students.

Nurses who recently graduated don’t need any work experience to apply for the program.

  • Application Fee: $40
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Nursing leadership management, foundations of quality improvement and patient safety

Northeastern State University

$220/credit

Tahlequah, Oklahoma-based Northeastern State University offers one of the fastest accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. programs available. Degree seekers can complete their studies in as little as 10 months, although those working full-time typically take about 16 months to graduate. Enrollees have up to five years to finish their coursework after starting the ACEN-accredited program.

Along with courses covering core nursing topics and current issues in the field, students can explore areas of interest through independent nursing studies. This upper-division program accepts applicants with associate degrees or diplomas in nursing and current RN licensure.

  • Our Flexibility Rating: N/A
  • Application Fee: $25
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Cultural competency in nursing, fundamentals of nursing research
  • In-Person Requirements: Yes, field experiences that can take place locally

Franklin University

$298/credit

Franklin University ‘s accelerated online RN-to-B.S.N. program is accredited by CCNE and focuses on leadership and clinical skills. The B.S.N. takes as little as 12 months to complete, and students can transfer up to 75% of the degree’s required credits.

The fully online program provides hands-on simulations through virtual activities and doesn’t include a clinical component. Admission requirements include an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma. New RN-to-B.S.N. students receive an automatic $3,000 scholarship.

  • School Type: Private
  • Application Fee: Free
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Genetics in nursing and healthcare, nursing capstone

Liberty University

$330/credit

Liberty University offers a CCNE-accredited RN-to-B.S.N. online degree for registered nurses who want to further their education. The Christian university provides nursing courses taught from a Christian perspective.

You can complete the program in as little as 12 months and choose from part-time or full-time options. Liberty University offers eight start dates each year. Nursing students can also opt for the RN-to-B.S.N.-to-M.S.N. program and earn both degrees in just 24 months.

  • Application Fee: N/A
  • Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, part-time, full-time
  • Example Major-Specific Courses: Post-licensure health assessment, nursing management
  • In-Person Requirements: Yes, some courses require clinical experiences and other in-person components

Fisher College

$475/credit (nursing classes); $420/credit (general education classes)

At Fisher College , you can pursue a CCNE-accredited accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. degree online. Designed for working nurses, the program prepares you to become a leader in the nursing field. The college’s generous transfer credit policy allows you to transfer up to 90 of the required 120 credits for the B.S.N. You can earn the 30 nursing credits required for the B.S.N. for just $9,500.

The program offers rolling admissions and lets students work at their own pace. Fisher offers a joint admissions program with the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing (BHSN) that allows you to earn a nursing diploma from BHSN, then complete your B.S.N. at Fisher.

  • Example Major-Specific Courses: RN-to-B.S.N. capstone, population health in the community
  • In-Person Requirements: Yes, the program requires practice experience in healthcare settings

Fast-track RN-to-B.S.N. online programs can be an excellent option for many students seeking bachelor’s degrees in nursing , but online learning isn’t the right choice for everyone. Think about the following factors to help you choose between attending college online or in person.

  • What learning style works best for you? An online program works best if you’re organized and self-directed and can manage your time well. If a set schedule and in-person support help you achieve your goals more easily, consider an in-person RN-to-B.S.N. degree.
  • What type of program fits your schedule? Many students appreciate the flexibility and convenience of distance learning. Especially if you choose a program with asynchronous courses, you may find it easier to fit online school into your life than an in-person program. However, remember that you might need to complete in-person clinical hours even if all coursework takes place online.
  • What’s your budget? You might be able to save money by choosing an accelerated nursing program . Sometimes graduating in less time means paying for fewer credits. Also, public universities often charge in-state tuition to all distance learners, no matter where they live. If you choose a program at an out-of-state public school, you might end up getting a good deal.

College accreditation comes from accrediting bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

For institutional accreditation, accrediting bodies evaluate universities to make sure they meet minimum quality standards related to academic programs, faculty credentials and student support. If you want to apply for federal financial aid, you need to attend an institutionally accredited school.

Some academic degrees and departments also earn programmatic accreditation. In the nursing field, accreditation is often a critical consideration for many employers, graduate programs, licensing boards and professional organizations. An accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. program might hold programmatic accreditation from CCNE or ACEN.

You can visit a prospective school’s website to find accreditation information or look up accreditation for schools, programs and departments on CHEA’s website .

Consider Your Future Goals

An accelerated online nursing degree can help you qualify for more advanced nursing roles and improve your earning potential. However, every program is different, so consider your future goals before you choose a school.

For example, think about whether or not you might want to eventually pursue a graduate degree in nursing. If so, you might want to prioritize B.S.N. programs that prepare you to meet admission requirements for M.S.N. programs or doctoral degrees such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice . You may even want to choose a school that offers graduate nursing degrees .

Another consideration is whether or not to choose an RN-to-B.S.N. program that includes an internship or clinical placement requirement. On one hand, gaining hands-on experience can help give you confidence and lead to job opportunities. But, if you already have a lot of work experience, this might be redundant and prove harder to fit into your schedule.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Tuition rates for the accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. programs in our guide range from $216 to $1,263 per credit. The typical B.S.N. requires an additional 30 credits (or 120 total to graduate), assuming that students bring in about 60 transfer credits and will receive about 30 credits for professional experience. This places the total estimated cost of a top-ranked, online RN-to-B.S.N. program between $6,480 and $37,890.

Tuition and fees for the average undergraduate program cost $9,596 per year for in-state enrollees at public schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics , while at private schools students paid an average of $34,041. Since most of the programs on our list can be completed in about a year of full-time study, their prices range from somewhat less than average to around the same cost.

You can apply to get help paying for your nursing school costs by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA can help you qualify for scholarships, student loans and grants. You can also ask your nursing department or school about scholarship and grant opportunities.

What is the quickest path to a B.S.N.?

Accelerated RN-to-B.S.N. programs offer one of the quickest paths to earning a B.S.N. if you’re already a working nurse. These programs award academic credit for prior college coursework and professional nursing experience.

What is the fastest I can get my B.S.N.?

Fast-track RN-to-B.S.N. online programs sometimes take as little as 10 months to complete. You might be able to find a program you can complete quickly if you are a registered nurse and hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing .

What is the easiest RN-to-B.S.N. online program?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. If you’re looking for the most convenient RN-to-B.S.N. online program, you might want to prioritize options with no in-person requirements.

Is an online nursing degree credible?

Many nurses complete their B.S.N. online. As long as you choose a program at an institutionally accredited school from a programmatically accredited nursing program, your degree is credible to the nursing profession.

Liz Simmons

Liz Simmons has been writing for various online publications about career development, higher education and college affordability for nearly a decade. Her articles demystify the college application process and help prospective students figure out how to choose a major or career path.

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what is a capstone project for bsn

  • R.N. to B.S.N.      

Bachelor's in Nursing (Post-Licensure RN to BSN)

Ready to take your professional nursing practice to the next level? IWU’s Online RN to BSN nursing program is designed to make the most of your practical nursing expertise with a credential you can earn 100% online in just over a year. Take advantage of this top-ranked online RN to BSN program and amplify your aspirations for serving patient care.

Why Pursue My RN to BSN Degree Online at IWU?

From evidence-based practice curriculum to offering nursing RN to BSN programs fully online, the IWU School of Nursing has been at the forefront of healthcare education for more than 40 years. Today, we are proud to offer a faculty of industry experts, a faith perspective for hope and healing, and the support you need to pursue better outcomes for your primary care career and your patients. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling nursing career.  One more thing: your tuition rates are locked in the moment you start. You will experience no tuition hikes for the duration of your program.

What Will I Learn in a Nursing RN to BSN Program?

The nursing bachelor’s program explores the essentials of nursing practice—from evidence-based nursing and research to nursing ethics and interprofessional collaboration. Course studies explore nursing management and leadership, with specialized focus in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility and project management. A Capstone projects lets students apply learning to a real-world area of interest, such as public health or nursing case management, among others. 

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

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Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

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Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

31 Credit Hours

...

$455/ Credit Hour

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition Info

Coursework for your RN to BSN degree online program covers how to:

  • Apply leadership skills to your professional nursing practice
  • Integrate nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice
  • Provide culturally competent care
  • Communicate and collaborate effectively to improve patient outcomes

...

Potential Careers

  • Acute Care Nurse
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Staff Nurse

Work in Various Industries

  • Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
  • Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • Associate degree with a major in Nursing.
  • Prior completion of at least 60 transferable credit hours is required before the student is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
  • A maximum of 40 hours of credit may be earned through the assessed learning process toward the required 60 credits.
  • Applicants from a state board of nursing approved school of nursing (diploma or proprietary school of nursing) who have passed the NCLEX‐RN exam may be eligible to apply for credit through the evaluation process. A maximum of 40 credit hours awarded may be counted toward the required 60. This applies only to students applying to the Nursing program.
  • Proof of current unencumbered RN licensure;
  • An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 from all previous study. If an applicant's GPA is below 2.0, the student may be admitted on a probationary basis, as established by the guidelines of the college.
  • Prior completion of at least 12 transferable credit hours
  • Evidence of acceptance into an associate level nursing program. Full, unconditional admission to the RNBSN Program will be granted when the student meets the criteria for RNBSN Program admission.
  • Completion of 120 semester hours.
  • Completion of the required core courses with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  • All individual core courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Completion of 30 hours of General Education Requirements as specified.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

*Bachelor core courses that fall into general education categories may not be used to fulfill both the core requirement and the general education requirement.

*The remaining credits may be earned through classes, CLEP, or Portfolio. 

*The costs of the remaining credits required to graduate are not included in the costs listed for the core curriculum.

Program Requirements

  • Students must complete each individual core course with a grade of "C" or higher.
  • To progress in the major, RNBSN students must have obtained a core GPA of 2.75 by the end of the third course.
  • Students must have an RN license that is active and unencumbered at all times during enrollment in the program. Students must have a valid unencumbered RN license in the state(s) of the practicum sites. If students have multi-state licenses, all must be unencumbered. Students may be administratively withdrawn from the program at any point if this status in not maintained.
  • A criminal history background check, drug testing, and immunization tracking will be conducted at the student’s expense. Practice sites may have additional requirements, e.g., health physical, which will be conducted at the student's expense. Instructions for the criminal background check, drug screening, and immunization tracking will be sent to students by the Division of Post-licensure Nursing. Progression in the program will depend on compliance with and/or the results of these checks.
  • RNBSN students may complete the core nursing courses by following the recommended fast-track schedule.  It is not recommended that students take more than two core courses at a time.  Students who wish to take more than two core courses should contact their academic advisor to determine the potential impact of such a decision.
  • Students who take longer than six years to complete the program must petition to continue in the program.
  • Students must complete all core courses before taking   NUR-492   (Capstone Course) .

Practice Experiences

Practice experiences are an essential component of the RNBSN nursing program, culminating in the capstone course. In the capstone course, students are provided the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the RNBSN program by assuming a leadership role in coordinating and managing a capstone project. If required by the facility, cost for placement is the responsibility of the student.

  • Students must maintain an active license in the state where any practice experiences are completed.
  • All RN licenses must remain unencumbered throughout the program.

NOTE:   Students must meet all practice facility requirements.

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Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

*Effective 07-01-2023 through 06-30-2024

The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ( https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE ).  IWU is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). 

Ready to jumpstart your career? Apply now! Or, if you have any questions about the program, contact us via the Request Info button.

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what is a capstone project for bsn

Thomas Edison University

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Donald Cucuzzella

What’s a Capstone Project? And Why Do I Have to Take It?

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Over the years, I’ve frequently heard students grumble about taking a capstone course or project, that one last step before graduation as outlined by their degree requirements.

“Why do I have to take it?” “Do I really have to take this?” “What is the point of all this!”

This final course may seem daunting or frustrating, but once it’s completed, the Capstone often becomes one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences in a student’s college career.

The capstone course is the last class in a program of study. It’s called a capstone because it represents a crowning achievement as a capstone does in architecture. For some degree programs, a capstone course may require a project and subsequent presentation; for others, it may include an assessment exam to test interdisciplinary skills (like math, writing, critical thinking, etc.). A capstone may also involve a final research paper exploring a topic of interest, emerging from a student’s individualized program of study. Ultimately, a capstone project represents new work and ideas, and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained during your college career.

Not only does a capstone course allow us to substantiate if students are learning the necessary skills needed to continue onto success after graduation (and we’ve made changes to courses and degree requirements to better assist students in this manner), but the completion of a capstone project can be used for an employment portfolio. By integrating theory and practical experience, your project can set you apart from graduates of other institutions. Imagine walking into a potential employer’s office with an applied research project exploring solutions to an issue or problem the organization, or industry as a whole, has been grappling with?

A Capstone’s Purpose: Career Advancement

In the field of technology for example, one of the challenges is how rapidly it changes. Jordan Goldberg, mentor and developer of our APS-295 Associate Capstone  course, said it helps ensure students are prepared to handle these changes as they start their careers. “Today, it’s important to understand the trends early on in the process, and the tools available to develop and deploy new technology,” he says. “The Capstone course uniquely brings together students from all majors within the school [of Applied Science and Technology] in an interactive and collaborative fashion to discuss and examine opportunities, challenges and issues related to technology.”

Here, students are able to look at real world examples and situations, exchange their points of view based on experiences and discuss potential solutions to problems. “The concept of the capstone course is to provide the essential information to be able to ask the right questions and critically look at nontechnical issues that have the potential to negatively impact the deployment of a new emerging technology or application,” says Goldberg. “Ultimately, this will prepare the student for a technical leadership role in their area of study as they complete their degree.”

Thomas Edison State University offers Capstone courses in several of our degrees:  LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone is required for a Bachelor of Arts degree, and APS-401 Current Trends and Applications  is required for our Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology degree. Our newest course is the APS-295 Associate Capstone, required for the Associate in Applied Science and our Associate in Science in Applied Science and Technology degree programs. These courses have engaged students to pursue intriguing projects, indicative of their career pursuits, including:

  • Classroom accommodations for elementary age students with attention deficit disorder
  • The theoretical impact of a present-day conflict between North and South Korea on the U.S.
  • Evaluating public awareness of privacy issues surrounding modern technology 

On Your Own Terms

In any college degree, there are courses you have to take to fulfill the general education requirements for your degree or area of study. And a capstone project, while relative to your major, allows you to choose your own subject in that discipline. When I was a graduate student studying American History, my capstone project afforded me the opportunity to research a topic that I never solely focused on in any of my courses, but was fascinated by all my life, Abraham Lincoln. 

I delved into an intense study of how the narrative of President Lincoln’s life had changed throughout the course of history, depending on when and who was writing the biography. This was the most fun I’d ever had taking a college course because I was able to read and write about a topic I was passionate about. Meanwhile, I was able to show off the skills I’d gained during my years in college.

So if you are required to take a capstone course, I understand if you want to grumble about it a little while. But when it’s all done, get ready for the most exhilarating feeling ever. I promise.  

Are you currently working on a capstone project? Share your experience and advice in the comments below!

Written by Donald Cucuzzella

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How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Doug Wintemute, MA

  • Career Overview
  • Steps to Become
  • Education Options

Licensure and Certification

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree.

Nurse administering anesthesia to a patient

Nurse anesthetists, also known as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), provide patients with anesthesia and pain medication for various medical procedures. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse anesthetists enjoy the top salaries and highest levels of practice autonomy in the nursing field.

Explore the nurse anesthetist profession, including the steps and requirements for entering the field.

How Long to Become 7-8 years

Degree Required DNP or DNAP

Certification Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

What Is a Nurse Anesthetist?

Nurse anesthetists deliver anesthesia and pain management services to patients before, during, and after procedures that require them. They provide patients with pre-surgery consultations, anesthesia and monitoring during the procedure, and post-operative pain management.

CRNAs have the ability and authority to assess patient needs and administer and prescribe appropriate anesthesia and medications for pain relief. They typically work alongside anesthesia care teams, nurses, and surgeons in hospitals, surgical clinics, and physician offices. CRNAs may work independently or under the supervision of a physician, such as an anesthesiologist, depending on their state’s supervision requirements.

While CRNA supervision requirements vary by state, the size and type of practice setting can also affect how a nurse anesthetist can practice. For example, CRNAs handle more than 80% of all anesthesia needs in rural counties, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology .

Popular Online DNP Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist

Each state dictates program and licensure requirements for nurse anesthetists. Generally speaking, you typically need the following: a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), a passing score on the NCLEX, at least one year of independent critical care experience, and either a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) or nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) degree.

Here us a more detailed breakdown of each step:

Earn a BSN Degree from an Accredited Program

It usually takes four years to complete a BSN degree , though that timeframe depends on your previous education and chosen program. For example, nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and an RN license can pursue an RN-to-BSN , which often takes less than two years. With a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, you can pursue an accelerated BSN and finish in less than 18 months.

Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure

The requirements for RN licensure vary by state , but all RNs must first pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX covers four categories: safe and effective care, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. It takes roughly five hours to complete the exam.

Gain Clinical Experience in Critical Care

After earning RN licensure, aspiring CRNAs should accumulate at least one year of full-time experience in a critical care setting, such as an intensive care unit (ICU). Candidates can complete the equivalent of these requirements through part-time work.

Enroll in a DNP or DNAP program

All prospective CRNAs need a DNP or DNAP degree accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Both degrees lead to the same career. However, they differ in that DNP programs run through nursing departments, and DNAP programs run through health sciences and health professions departments.

After graduation, you qualify for the National Certification Examination (NCE) from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Once you pass the NCE, you can apply for state licensure.

Nurse Anesthetist Education

Nurse anesthetists need at least two degrees: a BSN and a Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited doctorate. The time you spend completing these degrees may vary, but expect at least five years in total.

A BSN degree is the minimum requirement for RN licensure and entry into a doctoral program later on. A BSN program not only provides you with a healthcare foundation for your future studies, but it also equips you with the skills necessary to build experience in acute care settings.

Admission Requirements

Program curriculum, time to complete, skills learned, dnp or dnap degree.

Prospective CRNAs must complete a COA-accredited DNAP or DNP degree . In addition to providing you with the skills and competencies for the nurse anesthetist profession, these programs prepare you for the certification examination and licensure.

Doctor of Nursing Practice vs. Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

To qualify for the nurse anesthetist certification examination, you need a COA-accredited doctoral degree, which typically falls into one of two categories: a DNP or a DNAP. Learn the differences between these two degrees to help you decide which is best for you.

  • A terminal nursing degree only available in nursing schools
  • Practice-based program that requires specialization in one of the advanced practice fields (nurse anesthetist)
  • Programs follow the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice as laid out by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
  • Usually offered through non-nursing schools, such as health sciences colleges
  • While still a practice-based program, they often include a capstone nursing research project
  • Typically do not require (or offer) further specialization

CRNAs need both national certification and state licensure to practice in the United States. For certification, prospective nurse anesthetists need a valid RN license and a COA-accredited DNP or DNAP to take the national certification exam. The requirements to maintain RN licensure vary, but most states require a specific number of practice hours and continuing education.

Passing the NCE qualifies you for state CRNA licensure, for which you apply through your state nursing board. To maintain certification and licensure, CRNAs must complete the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) program from the NBCRNA. This program features 100 continuing education credits every four years and an assessment every eight years.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist

You can find nurse anesthetists in every facility that administers anesthesia, including hospitals, surgical centers, dentist offices, and plastic surgery clinics. While their scope of practice stays the same in each setting, some states require CRNAs to work under the supervision of a physician, such as an anesthesiologist. This creates employment challenges, especially in locations where physicians are limited. For example, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers in the vast majority of rural locations.

While nursing and physician shortages can reduce access to proper care in some places, it also increases nurse anesthetist salaries and demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 9% growth for nurse anesthetists between 2022 and 2032, giving CRNAs faster than average job growth. The BLS also lists a high median annual salary of $212,650 in May 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a CRNA

How many years does it take to become a nurse anesthetist.

The required time depends on the path you choose, but it typically takes about eight to nine years to become a nurse anesthetist.The breakdown includes four years for a BSN and RN license, at least one year of independent critical care experience, and three years for the DNP degree.

What is the quickest way to become a nurse anesthetist?

Since the licensure and certification requirements stay the same, the quickest way to become a nurse anesthetist is to fast-track your training. You can shorten your training with a BSN-to-DNP degree. These accelerated DNP programs decrease your time in school by about a year. Taking a heavier course load for your BSN could lessen the time by another year.

How hard is it to become a nurse anesthetist?

Becoming a nurse anesthetist can be quite challenging. CRNA programs are rigorous and difficult to get into. During your education, you also need to take advanced science courses, manage your time well, and complete significant internships.

How much do nurse anesthetists get paid?

Nurse anesthetists are in one of the highest-paying occupations in the country. The mean annual wage was $214,200 in May 2023.

Can a nurse anesthetist perform the same tasks as a doctor?

Nurse anesthetists perform all of the same tasks as their medical doctor counter parts, anesthesiologists, except for one: CRNAs cannot supervise other CRNAs. In some states, anesthesiologists or another physician must supervise the work of a CRNA.

What is the highest paid nurse anesthetist?

While there is no difference in nurse anesthetist salaries based on education (DNP or DNAP), salaries do fluctuate by industry and location. According to the BLS, outpatient care centers pay the highest mean annual wages at $263,960 in May 2023. Illinois CRNAs make the most by location, with mean annual wages of $281,240 in May 2023.

Related Pages

How Much Do Nurse Anesthetists Make? A Complete Guide

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Nurse anesthetists are top earners in the nursing field. Learn more about CRNAs and their salary potential across states and experience levels.

Nurse Anesthetists Are in Short Supply in the Southeast. A New Grant to Emory’s Nursing School Will Help.

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How to Get Into CRNA School: Nurse Anesthetist Degree Requirements and Timeline

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  1. Capstone Project Ideas and Topics for Nursing (ADN & BSN-DNP)

    Most nursing students prefer undertaking a capstone nursing course. A capstone project is an individualized research project on a specific nursing topic of your professional or personal interest. It is usually completed within between 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the nursing school and the program you are pursuing.

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    While capstone formats differ between programs, they typically consist of an evidence-based practice formal paper or presentation. Students might complete their capstone projects as team leaders, and BSN candidates may present their papers to a faculty panel. Projects could include case studies, program evaluations, and policy analyses.

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    The capstone is the last class in the BSN program, and it is a little different than the courses that come before it. There are clinical hours, you need to f...

  7. NRSE 4600 Requirements

    The capstone nursing course of the RN to BSN program, NRSE 4600, includes a mandatory project. This project consists of 21 hours of work and requires a registered nurse preceptor who holds a BSN degree or higher nursing degree. The goal of the capstone project is to facilitate your transition into baccalaureate nursing. Once your NRSE 4600 course begins you will develop and implement into ...

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    NURS4900 Capstone Project for Nursing. The capstone course is the culmination of the BSN degree program and provides learners the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies they have gained during their program. Learners integrate new knowledge from the literature into practice via direct practicum hours in a patient, family, or group setting ...

  9. What is a capstone project?

    A capstone project is a comprehensive, culminating academic experience often required in nursing programs. It involves integrating knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program into a final project that addresses a real-world issue or question in healthcare. ... Practice Experience is required in order to graduate from the RN to BSN, RN ...

  10. PDF RN-BSN Capstone Manual

    The School of Nursing has established a Capstone Project to be completed in the RN-BSN Capstone course. To help you plan ahead for this eight week course, below is a preview of the project along with the purpose and parameters of the course. The course objectives for the RN-BSN Capstone course, listed below, outline what you should be able to

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  12. Capstones for Senior BSN Students

    The Senior Capstone Project is a practicum that provides senior BSN students with the opportunity to analyze the concepts of health and health care, health policy and finance, culture and ethics. The precepted, 10-week community—-based immersion experience is held during the fall or spring semester in local, regional or national settings ...

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    Capella University 2021.NURS-FPX 4900 Class / Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers.Assessment 5: Intervention Presentation and Capstone Reflection.

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    BSN 355 Capstone Project Proposal Plan. What is the project question (PICOT)? In other words what are you ultimately trying to figure out? Does nurse burnout affect quality metrics? What do we do to address them? What is the title of your project? How to prevent nurse burnout in EDs while also increasing quality metrics.

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  19. Section 5: Success in Practicum Courses

    Using Meditrek®, students in NURS 4300/4301 BSN Capstone course are required to keep a truthful and accurate log of the time they actually spend in practicum activities. Students must enter their hours in Meditrek® within 1 week of completing the hours. Preceptors sign off on the time logs at the end of the course after the completion of hours.

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    NURS-FPX4900. Capstone Project for Nursing. The capstone course is the culmination of the BSN degree program and provides learners the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies they have gained during their program. Learners integrate new knowledge from the literature into practice via direct practicum hours in a patient, family, or group ...

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    IWU's Online RN to BSN nursing program is designed to make the most of your practical nursing expertise with a credential you can earn 100% online in just over a year. Take advantage of this top-ranked online RN to BSN program and amplify your aspirations for serving patient care. ... A Capstone projects lets students apply learning to a real ...

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    The capstone course is the last class in a program of study. It's called a capstone because it represents a crowning achievement as a capstone does in architecture. For some degree programs, a capstone course may require a project and subsequent presentation; for others, it may include an assessment exam to test interdisciplinary skills (like ...

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