DIVISION of NURSING NR 880 / 890 / 910 DNP CAPSTONE

SUBJECT 

ITEMS EVIDENT in PROPOSAL 

Met / 

Not Met

Recommendations

TITLE

Clear, concise, accurate 

Provides direction for the paper

ABSTRACT

Provides overall understanding of the paper succinctly

Word limit of 150 words is observed

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

Small summary on who you would like personally 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Follows recommended guideline for Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 

INTRODUCTION

Statement of the Problem

BACKGROUND of the PROBLEM

SIGNIFICANCE of the PROBLEM

TARGET POPULATION / 

LOCATION

Evidence of Scope of Problem 

Effects on Individuals or Health Care Systems

PROBLEM STATEMENT

PICOT

Introductory overview clearly explaining the topic 

Justifies the rational and need for the critical literature review as it relates to the evidenced based practice change project

Identifies why this project is important 

Clearly identifies target population and stake holders. Include data of your healthcare site

Market Analysis

Strategic Analysis

Readiness for Change

Problem Statement:

written concisely and accurately

Documents clinical question to be answered throughout the capstone

Objectives with measurable objectives. 

The PICOT question is clearly identified as a full statement

Including population, intervention, comparative group, measurable outcomes and anticipated timeframe

CONCEPTUAL / 

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Description of the theoretical framework to be used for the project

Elaborate on how this framework is appropriate for your capstone project. 

DEFINITION of

TERMS

Define the terms or variables that are specific to this project. 

Identify the conceptual definition and the operational definition of each term. 

CHAPTER 2 – CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE EVIDENCE 

INTRODUCTION

SEARCH STRATEGIES AND YIELD 

INCLUSION / EXCLUSION CRITERIA

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

EVALUATION AND SYNTHESIS OF LITERATURE

TABLE OF EVIDENCE

Overview of the PICOT question and project

Discuss: historical developments, attempts to address the problem

outcomes of interventions

Discuss databases used, descriptive search words, inclusion and exclusion criteria

Identify Level of Evidence Used

Define each level 

When critiquing studies, include level and strength of evidence to analyze and integrate guidelines

Thorough review of current literature with synthesis of evidence supporting the clinical question and project

Identify gaps in literature

Summary of the Literature

Table of Evidence of all supporting articles, 

place as an Appendix at the end of paper

Authors / Title / year of publication/ level/ design/ location 

Sample / method/ setting /purpose / instruments / results and conclusions

NATIONAL GUIDELINES

Relevant description of process for national / institutional guidelines review for content that is appropriate to the problem.

If national guidelines do not exist, include regional and / or local guidelines

CHAPTER 3 – METHODOLOGY and IMPLEMENTATION

STUDY DESIGN

CLEAR OBJECTIVES

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

PROJECT PLAN

SAMPLE / SAMPLING

ORGANIZATION / SETTING

DATA COLLECTION / 

DATA PRIVACY

KEY PERSONNEL

IRB

IMPLEMENTATION   

EVALUATION /  

ANALYSIS OF DATA

MEASUREMENT TOOLS

RISKS / BENEFIT ANALYSIS

POTENTIAL BARRIERS 

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

EVALUATION

TIMEFRAME

SUSTAINABILITY

NURSING IMPLICATIONS

BUDGET

Describe in detail your plan for addressing the issue

The plan is appropriate for the objectives with a clear rationale for the measurable outcomes.

Identify the process and method for implementation of your projects

Identify your population and the method of your sampling 

Assessment of the organization where the project will have completed, include readiness for change/ facilitators or barriers/ risk / unintended consequences

Describe method for data collection, privacy and security of information collected

Identify key personnel, stake holders within

Acknowledge if approval from the IRB is required from the cooperating institution and / or Dominican College

Describe the process for obtaining IRB if warranted. Attach a copy of the approved IRB consent form as an appendix.  

Clearly document how you plan to complete the analysis of data. 

The evaluation has a clear link to your above stated objectives.

Identify the Statistical Analysis used and 

Psychometric properties of instruments used 

(Reliability and Validity)

Measurement Tools are described,

Letter of permission for use of tool is attached as an appendix

Risks and benefits are identified.

Identify potential barriers for implementation and sustainability

Identify potential ethical considerations which may hinder implementation of project 

Evaluation of action plan is clearly delineated

Timeframe is appropriate. 

Plan for sustainability is identified. 

Implications for nursing practice is examined. 

Anticipated budget and Resources

Cost factors associated with the project including cost of program, strategies for avoidance of cost or savings associated with implementation of project 

CHAPTER 4   - OUTCOMES / EVALUATION

INTRODUCTION 

OUTCOMES / RESULTS

ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL IMPACT

PRODUCT

Short overview of what this chapter will include. 

In detail, describe the outcome or the results of your project, include specific data points 

Include actual or potential impact of individuals’/ health care delivery system or agency.

Discuss the teaching plan/ community intervention or product information here 

include copy in appendix

If outcome is media presentation, copy to be provided and included in nursing office

CHAPTER 5 – SUMMARY (CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTION)

SUMMARY

LIMITATIONS

STRENGTHS 

RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPLICATIONS AND 

CONCLUSIONS

LITERATURE REVIEW

Summarize the project including outcomes

Identify limitations and strengths of the study 

Include concise, brief statement of recommendations and implications of your project. 

Link your conclusions outcomes to your literature review

Describe recommendations for future actions based on above

AACN ESSENTIALS OF DOCTORAL EDUCATION FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING

ROLE OF DNP IN CAPSTONE

Document how your project support AACN Essentials for DNP practice

Discuss the role of the Doctoral Prepared Nurse in this capstone project. 

REFERENCES

All studies and references discussed in paper are listed appropriately in Reference page in accordance to APA format

APA FORMAT

Paper is written at a doctoral level, 

logical, 

complete, 

concise, 

well synthesized,

grammatically correct  

follows strict APA Format