Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

MSN Nursing Capstone (Online)

NURS 6520-B70

Course: NURS 6520-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: NURS
CRN: 20762

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

American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
ISBN-13: 978-1433832161
ISBN-10: 143383216X

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

Assignments (40% of Final Grade)
Assignments in NURS 6520 are designed to guide students through the implementation, evaluation, and scholarly presentation of their evidence-based practice (EBP) project. Students will complete required appendices and progressively develop each chapter of the final EBP paper throughout the course. Assignments emphasize leadership application, project implementation, outcome evaluation, APA 7th edition scholarly writing, and integration of evidence-based practice principles. Students will also participate in a structured peer review process to strengthen professional writing, critical analysis, and revision skills.

Quizzes (10% of Final Grade)
Quizzes are designed to assess understanding of course concepts, evidence-based practice processes, leadership principles, implementation strategies, data analysis, APA formatting, and course expectations. Quizzes support accountability and help ensure students are prepared to successfully complete each phase of the capstone project.

Discussion Boards (20% of Final Grade)
Discussion boards provide opportunities for scholarly dialogue, collaboration, and reflection related to evidence-based practice implementation and leadership. Students are expected to actively engage in meaningful discussions, apply course concepts to real world leadership situations, and contribute thoughtful responses to peers. Discussions emphasize professional communication, systems thinking, leadership growth, and the translation of evidence into practice.

EBP Project (30% of Final Grade)
The EBP Project serves as the culminating assignment for NURS 6520 and demonstrates the student’s ability to implement, evaluate, and professionally present an evidence-based practice project. This portion of the course includes completion of the final scholarly paper, implementation hours log, and a recorded professional presentation summarizing the project process, outcomes, leadership insights, and future implications for practice. Students are expected to demonstrate graduate level scholarly writing, leadership analysis, outcome evaluation, and professional dissemination of their work

Course Outline

Module 1:
Quiz: Course Readiness & Professional Expectations
Introduction Discussion
Project Plan/Proposal (Final Paper from NURS 6320)
Clinical Project Agreement (From the MSN student handbook)
OHSA Quiz

Module 2:
Discussion- Defining Success
Chapter 5 of EBP Project Paper

Module 3:
Discussion: Stakeholder Engagement & Implementation Barriers
Complete Chapter 6 of EBP Project Paper

Module 4:
Discussion Meaning and Leadership Growth
Complete Chapter 7 of EBP Project Paper
Complete Chapter 8 of EBP Project Paper

Module 5:
Complete Chapter 9 of EBP Project Paper
Rough Draft PEER REVIEW

Module 6:
Rough Draft PEER REVIEW COMPLETED

Module 7:
EBP Project Implementation Hours Log
Discussion- Capstone Presentation & Peer Leadership
Final EBP Project Paper

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.