gcu capstone project nursing

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas for Nursing Students

NurseJournal.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

• Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
• Provide specific, corrective feedback.
• Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Nursing students complete capstone projects toward the end of their training. While capstone formats differ between programs, they typically consist of hands-on, one-on-one experience with a nurse at a hospital or facility and or an evidence-based practice formal paper or presentation.

During their last semester, students work one-on-one with an experienced nurse caring for a full patient load. Here, students apply the nursing skills and knowledge learned throughout the nursing program. Students select a capstone project idea by evaluating their interests, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their chosen nursing specialty area and creating a project on this idea.

Not every nursing program requires a capstone, but those that do, generally culminate in a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. Learn more about how to come up with ideas, complete, and present your capstone project at the end of your nursing program.

Featured Online Nursing Programs

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

What Is a Nursing Capstone Project?

A capstone course functions as a bridge between the end of school and the beginning of a career, allowing nursing students to put what they’ve learned into practice. As the name suggests, students complete capstones toward the end of their nursing training.

Each nursing program sets its requirements. Students may complete their capstone projects as team leaders. BSN candidates may present their papers to a faculty panel. Projects could include:

• Case studies
• Program evaluations
• Policy analyses

Students focus on evidence-based practice allowing them to apply research and experiential evidence toward solving a healthcare problem. Capstone goals center on the application of knowledge gained during nursing training programs, including topics related to:

Topics can also focus on the strategies needed to transition from students to baccalaureate-level nurses.

There is a difference between a capstone project and a thesis. Students complete capstones individually or in groups, while thesis projects must be done alone.

Capstone project time lengths span vary, while graduate students work on their thesis projects throughout their entire program length. Graduate thesis courses generally take place over 1-2 semesters to keep students on track.

Finally, capstone topics evaluate current issues and theories; thesis students incorporate existing case studies and literature while exploring and arguing for their original research. Some schools require students to publish their thesis papers in a healthcare journal.

Nursing Capstone Project Ideas

Asking for guidance from faculty, supervisors, preceptors, and fellow students helps narrow capstone ideas and topics. Advisors assist in choosing an appropriate capstone site. Nursing students often create capstone project ideas around need areas in health or healthcare, particularly in their city or region.

A few examples of capstone project ideas include:

• Easing the nursing shortage crisis
• Developing a telehealth system for rural communities
• Reducing hospital admissions through education and chronic disease management
• Creating an app that helps nursing students improve study habits
• Developing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as learning tools or at the bedside
• Building a program to improve mental health in rural communities
• Improving pain management in children with cancer
• Increasing health literacy, particularly among specific patient populations
• Improving technology skills for patients, including in older age segments

Nursing students might also choose emergency or intensive care topics, such as creating a more effective triage system to get higher-risk patients seen quicker.

Some students prefer outpatient topics, like developing programs for clinical services, long-term care, or public health. Readers should remember that each school sets its policies and recommendations.

Students develop and learn the skills needed to complete their capstones throughout their training. These include:

• Organization and time management
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice
• Critical thinking

They also learn to conduct literature searches, identify research designs, and evaluate evidence.

Completing Your Nursing Capstone Project

Capstone formats and completion times widely vary between programs. Capstone projects can be completed in a few weeks or last till the end of the semester.

Most students follow a PICO format to complete their nursing capstone project regardless of the academic program. The PICO format is used in research to create a well-structured clinical question helping students direct their search on a particular topic. PICO stands for:

P – population, people, or problem

I – Interventions

C – comparison or condition

O – outcome

Some universities allow capstone projects to be completed in teams where students develop and implement the project. Capstone components may include defining the project and the team leader’s role, selecting team members, and formulating the project plan.

Capstone projects are meant to hone leadership and management abilities. Some examples include:

• Mastering therapeutic communication
• Applying leadership and management concepts
• Developing collaborative relationships
• Working on multidisciplinary teams

Presenting Your Nursing Capstone Project

The capstone process culminates in a paper or presentation that measures students’ skills in communication, information dissemination, and application of evidence-based practice skills. Members of the public may attend.

Utilizing the poster format, students commonly use three panels to illustrate:

• The background, problem, and purpose
• The methodology
• 2-3 key findings and implications

Students who present using PowerPoint on a laptop or other device should pay attention to time limits, plan for one slide per minute, and verify that equipment and internet connectivity are available.

Visuals like graphs, figures, and bullet points are more effective than large blocks of text.

Students should practice presenting in front of others to ensure they thoroughly know their content and can answer questions. Backing up a copy of a PowerPoint presentation and printing out copies or transparencies guards against last-minute glitches.

How Is a Nursing Capstone Project Graded?

Capstone grading methods differ between programs. Some issue letter grades and others use a pass/no pass system. Grades typically hinge on a percentage basis of the project’s written sections, the final proposal, and the presentation.

Faculty evaluate how students execute the capstone course objectives, which may include the following criteria:

• Exhibiting thorough preparation and knowledge of the subject matter
• Clear and concise communication
• Adherence to any time limits
• Ability to answer questions and cite references
• Persuasiveness

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Capstone Projects

What is a nursing capstone project.

A nursing capstone project in nursing typically consist of hands-on, one-on-one experience with a nurse at a hospital or facility and an evidence-based practice formal paper or presentation presented towards the end of the nursing program.

What happens if you fail a nursing capstone project?

If you fail your capstone project, your options vary based on the rules set by your school, program, and/or faculty. In some cases, you may be able to resubmit your project. Unfortunately, in other cases it could mean you must repeat the course or even delay graduation. Students may be able to appeal their grade depending on the polices of the program.

Are nursing capstone projects hard?

Nursing capstone projects should be challenging, but they shouldn’t be overwhelming. Asking for guidance from faculty, supervisors, preceptors, and fellow students helps narrow capstone ideas, and they can also help you while completing your capstone project.

What are some examples of a nursing capstone project?

A few examples of capstone project ideas include ideas on the nursing shortage crisis, developing a telehealth system for rural communities, reducing hospital admissions, or implementing artificial intelligence (AI) into the nursing curriculum or at the bed side. There are many possibilities for nursing capstone projects: essentially any research project designed to improve health or healthcare could be a potential capstone project.

Related Pages

Best Online Nursing Programs and Degrees

Overwhelmed by the abundance of online nursing programs? This guide can help you navigate the possibilities and narrow down the options.

Nurse Practitioner Career Overview

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career Overview

Need an original paper?

Order now and delegate your problem to professionals

Need professional editing?

Our experts will perfect your paper, preserving your personal style

GCU RN-BSN Professional Capstone and Practicum (NRS-493) Week 1- 10 explained

• Views 16009
• Author Writezilas

Most RN-BSN student at the Grand Canyon University find this course very tough and confusing. Being the climax of their program, many lose the opportunity to finish with a 4.0 GPA just because they messed up with this course. The course is 10 weeks long. Before you begin this course ensure you have found a;

Practicum Site – you will be expect to complete 100 hours practicum at your site. Divided in to 50 hours of leadership and equal hours for community.

Preceptor/Mentor - Throughout the program, you will work in collaboration with your preceptor. It must be someone with at least a BSN and work in a hospital, public health clinic, community health, and/or a Nursing Home. He must be able to offer leadership and must be person you can contact anytime.

You will also need at least three topics which you will submit to your instructor for Approval. Conduct a deep research about the population select to ensure you will have adequate information for the study throughout the practicum. You focus will be the approved topic for the rest of the weeks.

I will provide weekly insight of task and what is expected of you. I will also provide samples and tips to complete each task.

Discussions

Topic 1 DQ1

Identify two GCU Library scholarly databases that will help you find the best research articles to support your capstone project change proposal. Discuss why these two databases are better than Google Scholar or a general Internet search.

Example of Databases from GCU library include CINHAL and PubMed.

Preview Sample Below

Topic 1 dq2.

The Institute of Medicine has stated a goal that 90% of practice be evidence-based by 2020. According to HealthyPeople.gov, the United States is currently at approximately 15%. Discuss two barriers that might hold nursing practice from achieving this goal and suggest ways in which identified barriers may be addressed.

Barrier of Evidence based practice are divided in to two: Individual and organizational barriers. Example of individual barriers are Nurse personal attitude and experience while organizational barriers include lack of support and supervision. Discuss each barrier comprehensively

Individual Success Plan

Do not get confused by this form. You just need to fill the contact information, and fill in week 1. You do not need to have the whole document filled in the first week. Next scroll down to where the student is supposed to sign. Input your signature and date. Forward the same to the preceptor to sign in the option "Upon initiation of the course” and you are good to go.

NB: You need to print and manually sign, then scan. Digital signature will be rejected

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal

Here, you are given a list of 10 topics to write about. You will need to write them in any order but it is advisable to follow the order in which they are listed to minimize chances of mixing things up. You will compile this journals at the end of course. Therefore, save them somewhere you will easily retrieve them.

The content of each topic is in relation to your chosen topic for the course.

Lopes activity hours

Proceed to the dashboard of your account and scroll down to section written ‘lopes activity’. Open it and you will need to record you weekly activity here. Remember its 100hrs. 50 hours for leadership and 50 hours for collaboration.

The rest of the tasks for week 1 are for you to get the forms signed by you and the preceptor.

During your practicum, determine what clinical problem or issue the organization is facing. Discuss two implications for nursing.

Topic 2 DQ2

What is the main issue for your organization in addressing a solution to evidence-based nursing practice? Discuss what might be the first step in addressing and resolving this issue.

Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval

The purpose of this task is to identify an evidence-based topic for the capstone project proposal. The topic can be a clinical problem, leadership issue, organizational issue, quality improvement issue or any other issue related to patient population/community

Length 500-750 words.

Review the sample attached below.

Capstone Topic Summary

This is a summary of the interventions and category for your proposed topic. For reference, see attached sample.

Not more than 250 words in length.

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal week 2

Topic 3 dq1.

Submit a summary of six of your articles on the discussion board. Discuss one strength and one weakness for each of these six articles on why the article may or may not provide sufficient evidence for your practice change.

Sample Attached below

Topic 3 DQ2

Name two different methods for evaluating evidence. Compare and contrast these two methods.

PICOT Statement Paper

You are to formulate a PICOT paper base on your research issue or problem. PICOT stands for Population(P), Intervention(I), Comparison(C), Outcomes(O), and Time(T). Ensure you state your PICOT question clearly on the first paragragh.

Use this Template to formulate a PICOT question.

In ____________________(P), how does ____________________ (I) compared to ____________________(C) affect _____________________(O) within ___________(T)?

See An Example of PICOT Statement Paper

Topic 4 DQ1

Why is understanding the health care system at the local level important to consider when planning an EBP implementation? Conduct research and solicit anecdotal evidence from your course preceptor that you will take into consideration for your own change project.

Topic 4 DQ2

Compare and contrast two change theories, and determine which theory makes the most sense for implementing your specific EBP intervention. Why? Has your preceptor used either theory, and to what result?

Topic 5 DQ1

Stakeholder support is necessary for a successful project implementation. Consider your internal stakeholders, such as the facility, unit, or health care setting where the change proposal is being considered, and your external stakeholders, like an individual or group outside the health care setting. Why is their support necessary to the success of your change proposal, and how you will go about securing that support?

Topic 5 DQ2

Technology is integral to successful implementation in many projects, through either support or integration or both. Name at least one technology that could improve the implementation process and the outcomes of your capstone project change proposal. Do you plan to use this technology? If not, what are the barriers that prevent its use?

Strategic Plan Summary

Assess the culture of the organization for potential challenges in incorporating the nursing practice intervention. Use this assessment when creating the strategic plan. Write a 150-250 word strategic plan defining how the nursing practice intervention will be implemented in the capstone project change proposal. APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal week 5

Students are required to submit weekly reflective narratives throughout the course that will culminate in a final, course-long reflective journal due in Topic 10. The narratives help students integrate leadership and inquiry into current practice. This reflection journal also allows students to outline what they have discovered about their professional practice, personal strengths and weaknesses, and additional resources that could be introduced in a given situation to influence optimal outcomes. Each week students should also explain how they met a course competency or course objective(s). In each week's entry, students should reflect on the personal knowledge and skills gained throughout the course. Journal entries should address one or more of the areas stated below. In the Topic 10 graded submission, each of the areas below should be addressed as part of the summary submission.

Topic 5 on the list

Topic 6 DQ1

After discussion with your preceptor, name one financial aspect, one quality aspect, and one clinical aspect that need to be taken into account for developing the evidence-based change proposal. Explain how your proposal will directly and indirectly impact each of the aspects.

Topic 6 DQ2

Now that you have completed a series of assignments that have led you into the active project planning and development stage for your project, briefly describe your proposed solution to address the problem, issue, suggestion, initiative, or educational need and how it has changed since you first envisioned it. What led to your current perspective and direction?

Literature Review

While the implementation plan prepares students to apply their research to the problem or issue they have identified for their capstone project change proposal, the literature review enables students to map out and move into the active planning and development stages of the project. A literature review analyzes how current research supports the PICOT, as well as identifies what is known and what is not known in the evidence. Students will use the information from the earlier PICOT Question Paper and Literature Evaluation Table assignments to develop a 750-1,000 word review that includes the following sections:

Introduction section

A comparison of research questions

A comparison of sample populations

A comparison of the limitations of the study

A conclusion section, incorporating recommendations for further research

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

Capstone Change Project Resources

Work with your preceptor to assess the organization for required resources needed for the strategic plan if the change proposal were to be implemented. Review your strategic plan and determine what resources would be needed if the change proposal were to be implemented. Write a list of at least four resources you will need in order to implement your change proposal. The assignment will be used to develop a written implementation plan. While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal week 6

Topic 6 on the list

Topic 7 DQ1

Describe one internal and one external method for the dissemination of your evidence-based change proposal. For example, an internal method may be the hospital board, and an external method may be a professional nursing organization. Discuss why it is important to report your change proposal to both of these groups. How will your communication strategies change for each group?

Topic 7 DQ2

In order to evaluate an evidence-based practice project, it is important to be able to determine the effectiveness of your change. Discuss one way you will be able to evaluate whether your project made a difference in practice.

Topic 8 DQ1

Based on how you will evaluate your EBP project, which independent and dependent variables do you need to collect? Why?

Topic 8 DQ2

Not all EBP projects result in statistically significant results. Define clinical significance, and explain the difference between clinical and statistical significance. How can you use clinical significance to support positive outcomes in your project?

Benchmark - Capstone Project Change Proposal

In this assignment, students will pull together the capstone project change proposal components they have been working on throughout the course to create a proposal inclusive of sections for each content focus area in the course. For this project, the student will apply evidence-based research steps and processes required as the foundation to address a clinically oriented problem or issue in future practice.

Develop a 1,250-1,500 written project that includes the following information as it applies to the problem, issue, suggestion, initiative, or educational need profiled in the capstone change proposal:

Clinical problem statement.

Purpose of the change proposal in relation to providing patient care in the changing health care system.

PICOT question.

Literature search strategy employed.

Evaluation of the literature.

Applicable change or nursing theory utilized.

Proposed implementation plan with outcome measures.

Discussion of how evidence-based practice was used in creating the intervention plan.

Identification of potential barriers to plan implementation, and a discussion of how these could be overcome.

Plan for evaluating the proposed nursing intervention.

Appendix section, if tables, graphs, surveys, educational materials, etc. are created.

Review the feedback from your instructor on the Topic 3 assignment, PICOT Question Paper, and Topic 6 assignment, Literature Review. Use this feedback to make appropriate revisions to these before submitting.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance. Benchmark Information This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies: RN to BSN 1.1: Exemplify professionalism in diverse health care settings. 2.2: Comprehend nursing concepts and health theories. 3.2: Implement patient care decisions based on evidence-based practice.

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal week 8

Topic 8 on the list

Topic 9 DQ1

Discuss one personal strength and one weakness you have regarding professional presentations. Name one method for improvement for each of these and discuss why it is important for you to work on these skills if you want to present your findings in a more formal setting.

Topic 9 DQ2

Sustaining change can be difficult, as there are many variables that can affect implementation. One critical component of EBP is to ensure that practice change is part of an organization's culture so it will continue to impact outcomes over time. Name two potential barriers that may prevent your EBP change proposal from continuing to obtain the same desired results 6 months to a year from now, and your strategies for overcoming these barriers.

Capstone Project Change Proposal Presentation for Faculty Review and Feedback

Create a professional presentation of your evidence-based intervention and change proposal to be disseminated to an interprofessional audience of leaders and stakeholders. Include the intervention, evidence-based literature, objectives, resources needed, anticipated measurable outcomes, and how the intervention would be evaluated. Submit the presentation in LoudCloud for feedback from the instructor. While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal week 9

Topic 9 & 10 on the list

Topic 10 DQ1

Dissemination of EBP and research, such as presenting results at a conference or writing an article for a journal, is an important part of professional practice. Identify one professional journal and one nursing or health care conference where you might present your project. Discuss why each of your choices is the best option for you to disseminate your new knowledge.

Topic 10 DQ2

Discuss why EBP is an essential component of the practice of a BSN-prepared RN. Identify two ways in which you will continue to integrate evidence into your practice and encourage it within your work environment. What obstacles could challenge this plan, and what steps will you take to minimize their impact?

Capstone Project Change Proposal Presentation

Review the feedback on the change proposal professional presentation and make required adjustments to the presentation. Present your evidence-based intervention and change proposal to an interprofessional audience of leaders and stakeholders. Be prepared to answer questions and accept feedback. After presenting your capstone project change proposal, write a 250-350 word summary of the presentation. Include a description of the changes that were suggested by your preceptor before your presentation and how you incorporated that feedback. Describe how this interprofessional collaboration improved the effectiveness of your presentation. Include a description of the feedback and questions from your audience after your presentation, and how this experience will affect your professional practice in the future. While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite

Scholarly Activities

This document describes the scholarly activity elements that should be included in a five paragraph summary. You may use this resource to help guide the preparation of the Scholarly Activities assignment, due in Topic 10. Overview This section consists of a single paragraph that succinctly describes the scholarly activity that you attended/participated in, the target market for the activity, and the benefit of the activity to you. Problem This section consists of either a short narrative or a list of bullet points that concisely identifies the problems the scholarly activity is designed to solve. Educate: What is the current state of the activity topic? Explain why this is a problem, and for whom is it a problem? Inspire: What could a nurse achieve by participating in the scholarly activity? Use declarative sentences with simple words to communicate each point. Less is more. Solution This section consists of either a short paragraph or a list of bullet points that concisely describes the solution to a proposed practice problem that the scholarly activity addressed and how it addresses the problem outlined in the previous section. Opportunity This section consists of short paragraphs that define the opportunity that the scholarly activity is designed to capture. It is important to cover the objectives and goals that were met. How will attending/participating in this scholarly activity help you grow as a nurse? Program Competencies Addressed This section consists of a list of program competencies that were addressed in this scholarly activity. Please use the list from the ISP.

See Sample below

  If there is something left out, let us know. 

 If you would like to contribute feel free to leave a comment below

Not sure if your essay will get a good grade? WE’LL WRITE DOWN YOUR ESSAY FAST AND PROFESSIONALLY!

Post Your Comment

Recent uploads.

• NHSFP 5004 Capella University... 17-01-2023 0 Comments
• NR394 Week 8 Discussion:... 11-01-2023 0 Comments
• NR447 Week 8 Discussion:... 11-01-2023 0 Comments
• December-2022
• January-2023
• Capella RN-BSN (32)
• Chamberlain RN-BSN (21)
• HLT-306 Advanced Patient Care (15)
• NRS-433V: Introduction to Nursing Research (13)
• NRS-451V:Nursing Leadership and Management (10)
• NRS-493: Professional Capstone and Practicum (1)
• Psychology(7)

• High School
• You don't have any recent items yet.
• You don't have any courses yet.
• You don't have any books yet.
• You don't have any Studylists yet.
• Grand Canyon University
• Nursing Practice

Nursing Practice (NSG321 )

Highest rated, prepare for your exam.

• Capstone Change Project Final paper Question 1 / 10 What is the focus of the capstone project mentioned in the text? Practice quiz
• Exam 1 NSG 316 Study Guide Question 1 / 10 What is the purpose of a genogram and how is it beneficial? Practice quiz
• Topic 5 HLT362 Article Analysys 050423 Question 1 / 10 What is the purpose of the study on promoting smoking cessation among lesbian and bisexual women? Practice quiz
• Topic 1Applicationofstatistics HLT 362 Question 1 / 10 What is the primary focus of statistics in the healthcare sector according to the reference text? Practice quiz
• 13 - Nursing Question 1 / 10 What is the role of the community health nurse in partnership with community stakeholders for population health promotion? Practice quiz

Lecture notes

• Newborn Assessment Final (1)
• Overview of pain - Pain chapter
• NSG-448 Capstone Change Project - Peer Review Evaluation Form-2
• NSG-448 Capstone Change Project - Peer Review Evaluation Form
• Ch. 44 - Liver
• CH. 43 - Duodenal
• CH. 38 - Esophageal
• CH 39 - Digestive

Practice materials

• Learner Cardiopulmonary Arrest
• Fetal Act Wksht
• CWV-101-301-RS-T7-T8Finding Your Purpose
• PSY-102-RS-T1-Careersin Psychology
• Skin Integrity TTC - Skin issues in children
• J Charles Resume - Thhkhggjm
• Acid-Base Balance
• SBAR Fillable PDF
• Nursing Care Plan An Evidence-Based Toolfor Learningand Providing High Quality Careebookversion
• Writing Good Care Plans Oxleas
• 19 - Nursing
• 12 - Nursing

Assignments

• Danielle response - WELL WRITTEN NOTES SUMMARY
• Hello Brittney Yeargi 1
• NRS 420 RS T2Early Childhood Template
• Order 4651379 - The various forms of budgeting format include the line item or object of expenditure,
• Article review - Week 4
• Syllabus NRS-430V-O501-20230703
• NRS 433V RS T1 Literature Evaluation Table
• VARK Assignment

Related Answered Questions

• Nursing Practice (NSG321 ) 11 days ago The topic for this scholarly activity is a critical access hospital flow meeting between nursing supervisors, physicians, and hospital administrators. Overview This section consists of a single paragraph that succinctly describes the scholarly activity that you attended/participated in, the target audience for the activity, and the benefit of the activity to you. Problem This section consists of either a short narrative or a list of bullet points that concisely identify the problems the scholarly activity is designed to solve. •Educate: What is the current state of the activity topic? Explain why this is a problem, and for whom is it a problem.•Inspire: What could a nurse achieve by participating in the scholarly activity? Use declarative sentences with simple words to communicate each point. Less is more. Solution This section consists of either a short paragraph or a list of bullet points that concisely describes the solution to a proposed practice problem that the scholarly activity addressed and how it addresses the problem outlined in the previous section. Opportunity This section consists of short paragraphs that define the opportunity that the scholarly activity is designed to capture. It is important to cover the objectives and goals that were met. How will attending/participating in this scholarly activity help you grow as a nurse? Programmatic Competencies AddressedThis section consists of a list of program competencies that were addressed in this scholarly activity. Please use the list from the ISP. (more) 0 1 Answers
• Nursing Practice (NSG321 ) 23 days ago Purpose of the change proposal in relation to providing patient care in the changing health care system. Change topic is how mindfulness-based stress reduction protocols improve nursing burnout levels. (more) 0 1 Answers
• Nursing Practice (NSG321 ) 23 days ago Summarize the background of nursing burnout levels (more) 0 1 Answers
• Nursing Practice (NSG321 ) 26 days ago Based on your Topic 7 Capstone Change Project Evaluation Plan, explain the dependent variable that is being measured and the independent variable that is being manipulated. Hypothesize the results of the manipulation of the independent variable and the change you expect to occur in the dependent variable. My change project is on how mindfulness-based stress reduction protocols can reduce burnout levels in nurses compared to standard stress reduction practices. (more) 0 1 Answers
• Nursing Practice (NSG321 ) 1 month ago Describe the proposed projects, activities and or tasks that you have discussed with your preferred preceptor to be completed during the practices (more) 0 1 Answers
• Nursing Practice (NSG321 ) 1 month ago reflect on the topic of gcu code of conduct and academic standards and in 250‐500 words address the following prompts in four paragraphs: (more) 0 1 Answers

Best flashcards for this course

• Capstone Change Project Final paper 1 flashcard
• Exam 1 NSG 316 Study Guide 1 flashcard
• Topic 5 HLT362 Article Analysys 050423 10 flashcards
• Topic 1Applicationofstatistics HLT 362 6 flashcards
• 13 - Nursing 7 flashcards

• General Nursing
• Nursing Specialties
• Nursing Students
• United States Nursing
• World Nursing
• School Rankings
• Boards of Nursing
• Breakroom / Clubs
• Nurse Q&A
• Student Q&A
• Fastest BSN
• Most Affordable BSN
• Fastest MSN
• Most Affordable MSN
• Best RN to BSN
• Fastest RN to BSN
• Most Affordable RN to BSN
• Best LPN/LVN
• Fastest LPN/LVN
• Most Affordable LPN/LVN
• Fastest DNP
• Most Affordable DNP
• Medical Assistant
• Best Online Medical Assistant
• Best Accelerated Medical Assistant
• Most Affordable Medical Assistant
• Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric NP
• Neonatal NP
• Oncology NP
• Acute Care NP
• Aesthetic NP
• Women's Health NP
• Adult-Gerontology NP
• Emergency NP
• Best RN to NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
• RN Specialties
• Best RN Jobs and Salaries
• Aesthetic Nurse
• Nursing Informatics
• Nurse Case Manager
• Forensic Nurse
• Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Psychiatric Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Travel Nurse
• Telemetry Nurse
• Dermatology Nurse
• Best NP Jobs and Salaries
• Family NP (FNP)
• Orthopedic NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Best Free Online NCLEX-RN Study Guide
• The Nursing Process
• Question Leveling
• NCLEX-RN Question Identification
• Expert NCLEX-RN Test-Taking Strategies
• Best Scrubs for Nurses
• Best Shoes for Nurses
• Best Stethoscopes for Nurses
• Best Gifts for Nurses
• Undergraduate
• How to Become an LPN/LVN
• How to Earn an ADN
• Differences Between ADN, ASN, AAS
• How to Earn a BSN
• Best MSN Concentrations
• Is an MSN Worth It?
• How to Earn a DNP
• MSN vs. DNP

GCU RN to BSN capstone course

Updated: Jul 22, 2023   Published May 31, 2017

aspiringrn1987

Good golly, I have gone through GCUs entire program with no difficulty. This capstone course requires a 'mentor' and it is literally taking a ridiculous amount of my time setting up paperwork and documentation they require after going through numerous local contacts with which the school has an 'affiliation' that the facilities know nothing about. Has anybody else had this issue with the capstone course at GCU? I'm about fed up which is sad because it's my last class.

• + Add a Comment

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B

1,866 Posts

If u check out the 2 large GCU threads on this page, there is at least 1 that is on the new capstone format, might PM them.....In the old format ( I finished in 2015) you didnt need a "mentor" just a BSN or higher to read and "sign off" on it..... https://allnurses.com/nursing-online-distance/ rn -to-bsn-854234-page236.html Lindsayloo is in the 10 week class.... I would reach out to the prof and ask for advice..... GL

I am in week 6 of the Capstone, and yes, there is a lot of extra documentation. I did not have too many issues about acquiring a mentor. My facility had an agreement with GCU in the MSN program, but I did have to get approved for the BSN program. Once you get past the first couple of weeks is gets easier. As a forewarning, the first two weeks have a lot of documentation. You will need to do a weekly journal, keep track of your immersion hours, assignments, and sometime throughout the 10 week class you need to participate in a scholarly activity and write about it (this gets turned in on week 10). I attended an eight hour trauma seminar for my activity. It is different than the previous 5 week class, but doable. Good luck.

Is the paper itself still like 20-40 pages in length? The old 5 week capstone seems like a cake walk in compared to this new 10 week class

Hi Flames. No, it shouldn't be that long. We have a 1250 - 1500 word count limit on the final project. That seems pretty small doesn't it? Our lit review was over 8 research articles. It is still a compilation of all the work you do through the class, but you certainly can not copy and paste or you are going to be seriously over the word count. My current instructor said he is not strict on the word count, but he will be if it contains a lot of redundant material. Even though the paper is not as large there are plenty of other projects we need to turn in the final week so it pretty much evens out.

The new capstone class sure does not sound user friendly....not sure I could have completed it living abroad. Good luck

i am actually in the same boat as you! i finished all my classess with A's and one B+.

my practicum was scheduled for august and 1st contact about getting a site AND mentor was done in eatly june... so about 2 months before the class.

after turning in all the documents for the site and mentor, im being told that the approval process could take 2 weeks to... wait for it... 6 MONTHS ...

extremely frusterated... I have been calling and emailing them everyday so that they speed up the process... this really throws students that are online under the bus...

I have had a few ask about GCU....I no longer really point them in the direction of GCU because of this new capstone class and affiliation requirement.....sounds like a real mess. My last adviser was pretty much useless as it was..can't imagine her trying to sort something like this out. good luck..squeaky wheel gets the grease!!

Flames 9 RN

I am in the same position. I no longer introduce anyone to GCU. This capstone project is too much. I have been so discouraged with the menotorship, finding a location, no one returning calls. My job no affilated and I am at a loss. Was to start in April and I have been so discourage it is now October. If I never needed this BSN, I would just stop. Was gonna do my MSN with them but I won't.

Sorry to hear that your Capstone experience has been such a nightmare. I too had to receive site approval. It took about 4 weeks to get the final approval, and during that time I was able to continue the Capstone class with a letter from my mentor stating that it had been approved by my facility to continue my project while awaiting final site approval. This new Capstone format appears to be a work in progress, and it saddens me to see the individuals having so much difficulty with the class - mainly, it appears, through a lack of clarification and guidance from their instructors. I agree that the format and some of the assignments can be confusing, but it was not something that would make me not recommend GCU for future RN to BSN students. Maybe i just had a real good instructor, or maybe it was the plethora of questions and clarifications that I sent to my instructor :).

I would definitely still recommend the school. Throughout the whole program I did not have a single instructor that did not respond to a question that I had - some where more timely than others, but all responded. My adviser was great, and never once let me down. She was able to help clarify any questions or concerns I had, and was able to help me navigate through that final site approval.

It appears that some of us have had very different experiences. Maybe I have just been lucky. Even with the group projects (yuck), and the new Capstone format, I feel that GCU is still an excellent choice, and would recommend the program to future students.

I never had many issues with the group projects.....most of the issues centered on people not joining the group right away and getting off to a slow start....of course had 1 girl not do anything, but that worked to our advantage,lol I had multiple advisors, the last 1 was useless....I needed 2 anything classes and she couldnt even tell me which classes qualified...she told me to just send me classes and she would look into it,lol This new Capstone class does not sound organized at all, I'm sure over time it will improve.....I comepleted this course while living abroad....not sure I would have been able to compelete the Capstone from S. America. I guess my concern is that many students started this program and were probably not made aware of the new Capstone requirements. Good luck to all

Ilikeletters

I didn't find the Mentor/Site Affiliation to be awful. I don't currently work, so I asked someone where I plan to work next year to be my mentor. I had to get her resume and provide a copy of her license and she had to sign something. From there, my advisor contacted the site and sent me an email with everything that needed to be filled out. From the time I turned everything in, I got my clearance about a week later, definitely not more than 2 weeks.

I will say that I find the assignments to be vague and some we aren't provided with rubrics despite it being graded on a rubric. It hasn't been an issue for me in my grades so far, though, it just creates a lot of stress.

I imagine that international students could still get it done, so long as they have scanners and a contact in the US that would agree to be their mentor. I am not quite sure why they require that we get clearance with the mentor's facility since they don't require actual clinical time and time spent with the mentor isn't included in practice immersion hours. Really, the mentor is simply to bounce ideas off of and get feedback if you want it.