Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

MSN Nursing Capstone (Online)

NURS 6520-A70

Course: NURS 6520-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: NURS
CRN: 32902

Course Description

This course provides students with an opportunity to apply leadership skills and evidence-based practice in a variety of nursing settings. Students in this course apply the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) curriculum experience by translating knowledge into practice through participation in professional activities and the development of a culminating project. Students will develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based project. Students will evaluate the success of their capstone project by analyzing results, using the key performance indicators and metrics that were identified while planning the evaluation phase. Students will present the results of the capstone project in a final report and presentation with a focus on lessons learned throughout each of the phases: initiation, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This is the final course in the MSN Leadership program. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): BA 6000 and HCA 6100 and MGMT 6100 and NURS 6110 and NURS 6210 and NURS 6310 and NURS 6320 and NURS 6410 and NURS 6510 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- Prerequisite Can Be Concurrent? Yes (any course except NURS 6110 & NURS 6320) Registration Restriction(s): MSN students only

Required Texts


Publication manual of the American Psychological Association Seventh edition ISBN 978-1-4338-3217-8


Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare A Guide to Best Practice Fifth Edition   ISBN-13:978-1-975185-72-5

Learning Outcomes

  1. Implement systems change strategies that improve the care environment (E-II-5)
  2. Lead the integration of healthcare services within systems to affect safety and quality of care to
    improve patient outcomes (E-III-6).
  3. Functions as the Leader for a collaborative team to support policy changes through knowledge generation, knowledge dissemination, and planning and evaluating knowledge implementation (E-IV-4)
  4. Use current and emerging technologies in the care environment to support lifelong learning for self and others (E-V-6).

Course Requirements

Course Content Guide


This content guide provides a correlation between the Department of Nursing outcomes and the activities and assessments associated with this course. You will demonstrate your understanding on discussion posts, final paper and the final presentation. Use the feedback from course experiences to improve your core abilities.

Agreements:


Mentor agreement is a contract between the MSN student and the MSN prepared nurse who has agreed to mentor the student. This must be signed & approved before starting the capstone project. 


Site Agreement is a contract between the MSN student and the organization they will be implementing their project at. This must be signed & approved before starting the capstone project. 

Project proposal:


In NURS 6510 you identified an EBP project to implement at your organization. Submit the project proposal that you have prepared. This proposal must include 15 EBP articles supporting the process change. This proposal needs to include the problem statement, background, and the literature review.  Explain how you will use effective communication strategies  to develop, participate and lead the interprofessional team at your organization.

Discussion posts:


Each week students will need to post a 200 word answer/response  to the subject or question. Responses will need to have at least one credible source cited in APA format.  Each student will need to respond to 2 other students. Responses need to add to the discussion by: sharing insight gained by reading the peer’s post. Ask probing questions to clarify unclear areas and/or to expand on information. Expand on a classmate's post by providing additional information and sources on the subject. All responses must follow the professionalism guidelines outlined in the SUU nursing handbook. Any unprofessional responses will receive a 0. 

Assignments:


One to two paragraphs reflecting on how course outcomes are applied to different steps or areas of capstone project implementation and will be compiled in your final paper. Must be in APA format including citations. 

Project Paper Rough Draft


Paper must be in APA format. Each student will need to do one peer review. Feedback will need to be provided on: APA format, grammar and ask clarifying questions if needed. All feedback must follow the professionalism guidelines outlined in the SUU nursing handbook. Any unprofessional responses will receive a 0.  Failure to perform the peer review will result in a 0.

The Final Paper


Paper must be in APA format, complete, must  include a reflection on barriers to the implementation and what the student would do differently.  It must include pre and post assessments, any flyers or pamphlets, barriers, overcoming barriers, lessons learned, how this will change future practice.  The student will discuss how they contribute to the integration of healthcare services within systems to affect safety and quality of care to improve patient outcomes and reduce fragmentation of care. Follow the rubric guidelines.

Project Presentation


This is your opportunity to present what you have accomplished. The student will present a powerpoint and discuss the project implementation. Including: The lessons learned throughout each of the phases: initiation, planning, implementation, and evaluation. How the student will implement what they learned into their professional practice. The student will discuss how their MSN degree will advance a culture of excellence through sustaining EBP at the organization. All sources must be cited in APA format. 


Course Outline

Critical transition from research to action
Implementation science
Identification of stakeholders
Implementation framework
Monitoring outcomes and effectively communicating results
Benchmarking
Barriers to change
Ethical considerations
Sustainability

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Papers/assignments are due at the time designated. Faculty members retain the option of not accepting late papers/assignments and may deduct points for late work. Individual faculty maintains final determination in situations related to late work. As a general rule, 50% will be deducted when the assignment is late for the first 24 hours and then 10% will be deducted from points earned for every 24 hours the assignment is late. Assignments received greater than 48 hours after due date will receive a 0. Students should make every effort to communicate with faculty if they need additional time for assignments. Extension of assignment due dates will be made on a case-by-case basis with a maximum of one extension. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance in online courses is evaluated based on completion of assignments, participation in online discussions, and timely response to instructor’s emails. You should notify the faculty in advance if you know you are unable to complete assignments, etc., by the assignment due date.  In the case of emergencies, notify the faculty ASAP.

Course Fees

No course fees

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.