Transcript title

Capstone Didactic

Credits

6

Grading mode

Standard letter grades

Total contact hours

60

Lecture hours

60

Course Description

Students will use critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice to promote patient-centered nursing in the Capstone health care environment. Students will explore the unique healthcare needs and challenges faced by underserved populations within diverse communities; the compassionate approach to holistic care, symptom management, and emotional support during the end-of-life palliative care journey; and the the principles, theories, and practices related to leadership, management, and administration in the healthcare setting. Students in this course will begin to create their evidence-based project that will culminate during their Capstone clinical course.

Course learning outcomes

1. Discuss activities that promote the importance of nursing and professional nursing roles in creating change in health care environments.
2. Examine the unique healthcare needs and challenges faced by underserved populations within diverse communities.
3. Examine the compassionate approach to holistic care, symptom management, and emotional support during the end-of-life palliative care journey.
4. Evaluate the principles, theories and practices of nursing leadership, management, and administration in the healthcare setting.
5. Discuss processes for identifying appropriate Capstone site based on interest in palliative care, underserved and vulnerable populations, and nursing management and administration.
6. Create goals for Capstone clinical experience and a plan to communicate those goals with Capstone site.

Content outline

1. Introduction to Capstone Experience:
   1. Overview of course objectives and Capstone project expectation
   2. Reflective practice on personal nursing goals and professional roles
2. Healthcare for Underserved Populations:
   1. Explore the unique healthcare needs and challenges of underserved and vulnerable populationsReview community-based models and nursing advocacy to address health disparities
3. Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care:
   1. Understand the principles of palliative care, including symptom management and holistic care
   2. Discuss the emotional and psychosocial support for patients and families during end-of-life care
4. Ethical Considerations in Healthcare:
   1. Analyze ethical dilemmas in nursing practice, focusing on end-of-life care and patient autonomy
   2. Apply nursing ethics and human rights principles to real-life case scenarios
5. Leadership, Management, and Administration in Nursing:
   1. Evaluate leadership and management theories and practices in healthcare settings
   2. Identify strategies for leading teams and implementing change in clinical environments
6. Interprofessional Collaboration:
   1. Understand the role of interprofessional collaboration in patient care
   2. Develop communication and teamwork skills for engaging with other healthcare professionals
7. Evidence-Based Practice and Capstone Project Development:
   1. Introduction to evidence-based practice and its importance in nursing
   2. Begin drafting the Capstone project proposal with a focus on research and quality improvement
8. Capstone Site Selection and Goal Setting:
   1. Identify potential Capstone sites aligned with student interests (e.g., palliative care, underserved populations, nursing leadership)
   2. Develop specific learning goals and create a plan to communicate them with the Capstone site

Required materials

No textbook or other materials required.