NRS 465 Benchmark Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Paper

NRS 465 Benchmark Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Paper

In collaboration with the approved clinical preceptor, students will identify a specific evidence-based topic for the capstone project change proposal. Students should consider the clinical environment in which they are currently employed or have recently worked. The capstone project topic can be a clinical practice problem, an organizational issue, a leadership or quality improvement initiative, or an unmet educational need specific to a patient population or community. The selected problem should encourage the student to engage in interprofessional collaborative practice.

Need Help Writing an Essay?

Tell us about your assignment and we will find the best writer for your paper

Write My Essay For Me

Students should select a topic that aligns to their area of interest as well as the clinical practice setting in which practice hours are completed.

This project is only a proposal and will not be implemented in a practice setting.

Write a 750-1000-word description of your proposed capstone project topic. Include the following:

1. Describe the problem or issue that will be the focus of the change proposal. Explain with which category (leadership or community) the selected topic would best align.
2. Discuss the setting or context in which the problem or issue can be observed and describe the population affected by this problem or issue.
3. Discuss the implications this clinical practice problem or issue has on nursing practice.

• Based on your needs assessment in Topic 1, describe why this is a priority for the community/clinical site or affected clinical population.
• Briefly describe the organizational structure (mission, vision, values, leadership structure, etc.) of the practicum site. What internal and external processes will impact care coordination for the selected population or community?
• How effective has the organization been in addressing the identified problem or issue?

You are required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the past 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice. read about PICOT Question development here NRS 465 Topic 3 dq 1 Develop a PICOT question using your approved nursing practice problem.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:

RN-BSN

1. : Apply knowledge of systems to work effectively across the continuum of care.

7.3: Optimize system effectiveness through application of innovation and evidence-based practice. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 3.1, 7.1 and 7.3

Proposed Capstone Project Topic Discussion Example

The Problem or Issue

In healthcare settings, non-verbal patients face significant challenges in communicating effectively. These clients are unable to express themselves, leading to compromised patient safety, suboptimal care, and a misunderstanding of their needs (Musachio, 2020). The communication breakdown affects patients while hindering effective collaboration among healthcare providers.

The Setting or Context

The highlighted issue prevails in a variety of healthcare settings, including home healthcare, rehabilitation centers, acute care hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The non-verbal patients encompass a diverse group, including clients recovering from surgery, cognitive impairment, and aphasia, rendering them non-verbal. For instance, Yao et al. (2020) assert that aphasia occurs in post-stroke patients, impairing their oral fluency, repetition, and comprehension.

Description of the Issue or Problem

Non-verbal patients are reliant on alternative forms of communicating. Non-verbal cues of communication include facial expressions, gestures, body posturing, and positioning (Jin et al., 2023). Therefore, the clients must struggle with this communication barrier to express their discomfort, pain, or needs effectively. Additionally, the use of varied communication methods, such as eye movements and facial expressions, makes it challenging for healthcare providers to accurately interpret the needs of their clients (Abdulghafor et al., 2022).

Furthermore, healthcare facilities lack standardized protocols and tools to document and assess non-verbal communication. Consequently, the inconsistency leads to misinterpretations and jeopardization of care provided to the clients (Tiwary et al., 2019). Non-verbal patients also present unique challenges when administering medications. These clients will require various drug regimens, and a lack of effective communication heightens the risks of medication errors (Tariq & Scherbak, 2023). Besides, nurses will struggle to confirm medication preferences, patient’s identity, and assessment of possible adverse effects. Lastly, communication difficulties can lead to emotional distress (Al Shamsi et al., 2020). Consequently, this can lead to anxiety and frustration, worsening their healthcare experiences and delaying their recovery.

Effects of the Problem

Ineffective communication with non-verbal patients presents a variety of challenges and consequences. First, it increases the healthcare costs. These arise from higher rates of medical errors, extended hospital stays, and increased risks of adverse effects (Rodziewicz et al., 2023). Additionally, the problem brings concerns regarding patient safety. Non-verbal clients are more vulnerable to misunderstandings about their treatment and medication errors, potentially compromising their safety.

Moreover, dealing with non-verbal patients reduces the quality of care provided in healthcare settings. With ineffective communication, holistic patient needs cannot be addressed, leading to the provision of sub-optimal care, negatively impacting their outcomes and satisfaction. Lastly, ineffective communication can erode the trust in the healthcare system for clients and their family members.

Significance of the Problem and Implications for Nursing Practice

Enhancing communication for non-verbal clients has immense significance in nursing practice. Effective communication is the cornerstone for patient safety and client-centered care. Nurses play a pivotal role in patient advocacy, especially for clients with communication challenges, to ensure their holistic needs are met. Addressing this issue will have several and broader implications for nursing practice. It will be in alignment with the commitment of the profession. The nursing profession is committed to advocating for the dignity and rights of all patients, promoting patient well-being, continuously improving care, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration (International Council of Nurses, 2021).

The Proposed Solution

To address the identified project topic, the proposed solution is implementing an Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) system. It will be specifically tailored to support solid participation and collaboration among healthcare professionals when caring for non-verbal clients.

Explanation of How it Will Affect Nursing Practice

The eMAR will improve communication by facilitating timely and clear communication between nurses, therapists, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team. Consequently, there will be an enhanced ability to address and understand patient needs promptly.  The system will also enhance patient safety by reducing medication administration mistakes and communication errors and lowering the chances of adverse effects.

By more efficient care coordination, improved workflow, and better time management, the system will streamline the workflow in busy healthcare settings. Moreover, the system will promote patient-centered care by incorporating features that enable non-verbal clients to express their needs and preferences more effectively. Therefore, all their concerns can be optimally addressed. Lastly, nurses will share the eMAR platform with other healthcare professionals to communicate and make decisions. Consequently, it will promote and improve interdisciplinary collaboration with other professionals of the healthcare team.

Conclusion

Implementing the eMAR system is designed to promote effective communication among healthcare professionals when caring for non-verbal patients. It is a crucial step in enhancing nursing practice and improving patient outcomes in diverse healthcare settings. The proposed project addresses a significant healthcare problem, aligning with the core principles of the nursing profession, and has the potential to transform care offered to non-verbal clients, ultimately improving their well-being and overall experiences.

References

Abdulghafor, R., Turaev, S., & Ali, M. A. H. (2022). Body Language Analysis in Healthcare: An Overview. Healthcare, 10(7), 1251. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071251

Al Shamsi, H., Almutairi, A. G., Al Mashrafi, S., & Al Kalbani, T. (2020). Implications of Language Barriers for Healthcare: A Systematic Review. Oman Medical Journal, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2020.40

International Council of Nurses. (2021). The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses. In International council of nurses. https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/2023-06/ICN_Code-of-Ethics_EN_Web.pdf

Jin, E., Kang, H., Lee, K., Lee, S. G., & Lee, E. C. (2023). Analysis of Nursing Students’ Nonverbal Communication Patterns during Simulation Practice: A Pilot Study. Healthcare, 11(16), 2335–2335. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162335

Musachio, R. (2020, May 26). Challenges of Non-Verbal Patients and Communication Solutions. Ruh Global Impact. https://www.ruhglobal.com/challenges-of-non-verbal-patients-and-communication-solutions-by-rosemary-musachio/#:~:text=Besides%20making%20communication%20aids%20available

Rodziewicz, T. L., Hipskind, J. E., & Houseman, B. (2023, May 2). Medical error reduction and prevention. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/

Tariq, R. A., & Scherbak, Y. (2023, May 2). Medication dispensing errors and prevention. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519065/

Tiwary, A., Rimal, A., Paudyal, B., Sigdel, K. R., & Basnyat, B. (2019). Poor Communication by Health Care Professionals May Lead to life-threatening complications: Examples from Two Case Reports. Wellcome Open Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15042.1

Yao, J., Liu, X., Liu, Q., Wang, J., Ye, N., Lu, X., Zhao, Y., Chen, H., Han, Z., Yu, M., Wang, Y., Liu, G., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Characteristics of Non-linguistic Cognitive Impairment in Post-stroke Aphasia Patients. Frontiers in Neurology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.01038