October 4, 2022

DNP Discussion Guidelines and Rubric

Purpose

The purpose of the graded collaborative discussion is to engage faculty and students in an interactive dialogue to assist the student in organizing, integrating, applying, and critically appraising knowledge regarding advanced nursing practice. Scholarly information obtained from credible sources as well as professional communication are required. Application of professional experiences inclusive of course content promotes the analysis and use of principles, knowledge, and information and fosters the development of a learning community as ideas, perspectives, and knowledge are shared.

Instructions for Discussion Criteria

1. Application of Knowledge

a. Address all of the bullet points in the weekly discussion questions accurately and fully with a substantive, in-depth discussion

2. Engagement in Meaningful Dialogue

a. Respond to a student peer or course faculty, furthering dialogue by providing more information and clarification, thereby adding more depth to the discussion

3. Integration of Evidence

a. Incorporate three (3) different sources each week: two (2) scholarly and include an in-text citation for each source

b. The initial response should include at least one peer-reviewed, scholarly source of evidence. The other two required sources of literature may be included in either the initial post or reply post.

c. A scholarly source is (a) evidence-based, (b) peer-reviewed, and (c) published in the last five (5) years

4. Professionalism in Communication

a. References and in-text citations are consistent with APA style/formatting with no error patterns; the hanging indent is not required

b. Present information in an organized manner

c. Use clear and concise language

d. Communicate with no error patterns in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation

5. Participation:

a. Post during the assigned week (Sunday the start of the assigned week through Sunday the end of the assigned week)

b. Post a substantive response to the initial discussion question(s) by Wednesday at 11:59 pm MT.

c. Post in the discussion on two different days by Sunday at 11:59 pm MT. The assigned week starts on Sunday and ends the following Sunday, except for Week 8, which ends on Saturday.

d. Students are required to post an initial response and one follow-up reply post for a total of two posts each week.

Writing Requirements (APA style/formatting)

• In-text citations

• Reference list in correct APA style/formatting

• Standard English usage and mechanics

• Refer to Chamberlain Guidelines for Writing Professional Papers-Graduate in Resource section of the course

• A scholarly source is (a) evidence-based, (b) peer-reviewed, and (c) published in the last five (5) years

• Response post(s) may require a scholarly citation and reference

Due Date

• Initial posting to discussion question is due by 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday.

• All posts for Weeks 1-7 are due by 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday.  

• All posts for Week 8 are due by 11:59 p.m. MT on Saturday.

Criteria Very Good or High Level of Performance Acceptable Level of Performance Poor Level of Performance Failing Level of Performance

Application of Knowledge

a. Address all of the discussion questions in paragraph style in the weekly discussion accurately and fully with a substantive, in-depth discussion. Includes all requirements and provides an excellent, substantive, in-depth discussion. 15 Includes all requirements and addressed required content and provides a good and relevant discussion. 13 Includes all requirements and/or provides a basic, incomplete, insufficient, or undeveloped discussion. 12 Includes fewer than all requirements and/or provides a poor discussion. 0

Engagement in Meaningful Dialogue

a. Respond to a student peer or course faculty furthering dialogue by providing more information and clarification, thereby adding more depth to the discussion.

(Response post(s) may require a scholarly citation and reference.) Includes all requirements and provides an excellent response to a student peer or course faculty furthering dialogue by providing more information and clarification, thereby adding more depth to the discussion. 10 Includes all requirements and provides a good response to a student peer or course faculty furthering dialogue by providing more information and clarification, thereby adding more depth to the discussion. 9 Includes all requirements and/or provides a basic response to a student peer or course faculty furthering dialogue by providing more information and clarification, thereby adding more depth to the discussion. 8 Includes fewer than all requirements and/or provides a poor response to a student peer or course faculty and does not further dialogue with no new information and/or clarification, thereby adding no depth to the discussion. 0

Integration of Evidence

a. Incorporate three (3) different sources each week: two (2) scholarly and include an in-text citation for each source.

b. The initial response should include at least one peer-reviewed, scholarly source of evidence. The other two required sources of literature may be included in either the initial post or reply post.

c. A scholarly source is (a) evidence-based, (b) peer-reviewed, and (c) published in the last five (5) years. Includes all requirements and Incorporates three (3) different sources each week with in-text citations for each source, and two must be scholarly sources. 10 Includes all requirements and incorporates two (2) different scholarly sources each week with in-text citations for each source, and the two must be scholarly. 9 Includes one (1) different source each week with in-text citations for each source, and the one source should be scholarly. 8 Includes no source or no in-text citations. 0

Professionalism in Communication

a. References and in-text citations are consistent with APA style/formatting with no error patterns; the hanging indent is not required.