Public Health Nursing Theory and Practice NURS 6710 Course Description
NURS 6710 – Public Health Nursing Theory and Practice (5 credits) This culminating course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout their nursing program to address a real-world clinical, organizational, or population health problem. Students will identify a practice gap or area for improvement, conduct a comprehensive literature review, develop an evidence-based intervention or quality improvement project, implement the project (where feasible), and evaluate its outcomes. Emphasis is placed on scholarly inquiry, ethical considerations, leadership in nursing practice, interprofessional collaboration, and dissemination of findings to improve patient, population, or system-level outcomes. Through this capstone experience, students demonstrate mastery of advanced nursing competencies, including evidence-based practice, systems thinking, health equity, and project management. The course incorporates a combination of didactic guidance and independent project work, often aligned with practicum or field experience hours (if applicable to the program track). Students will complete a formal written scholarly paper and deliver a professional presentation of their project. Prerequisites typically include completion of core and specialty courses in the program of study. Course Learning Outcomes By the end of this course, students will be able to: Identify and justify a significant practice problem or gap using epidemiological, clinical, or organizational data. Synthesize current evidence from peer-reviewed literature to support a proposed intervention or solution. Design, plan, and (where possible) implement an evidence-based project while addressing ethical, legal, cultural, and resource considerations. Evaluate project outcomes using appropriate metrics and quality improvement frameworks (e.g., PDSA, Donabedian model). Demonstrate leadership by disseminating project findings through a scholarly paper and oral or poster presentation. Reflect on personal and professional growth in advanced nursing practice. Weekly Assignment Topics and Guides The course is structured over an 11-week term (standard for many Walden graduate courses), with progressive assignments that build toward the final capstone project. Assignments include discussion boards for peer collaboration, milestone submissions with instructor feedback, and major deliverables. Students are expected to dedicate significant independent time to project development, literature review, and writing. Rubrics emphasize APA formatting, scholarly voice, critical analysis, and alignment with Walden’s social change mission. Week 1: Course Orientation and Project Topic Identification Assignments: Introduce yourself and professional background (Discussion). Submit a preliminary project idea (1–2 page proposal) identifying a practice problem, target population/setting, and rationale supported by initial data or observations. Guide: Review the course syllabus, Walden’s capstone guidelines, and resources in the Walden Library (e.g., evidence-based practice tutorials). Consider alignment with your specialization (e.g., public health, leadership, education). Brainstorm using PICOT or PICO(T) format for clinical questions. Instructor approval of topic is required by end of Week 2. Week 2: Refining the Problem Statement and Needs Assessment Assignments: Develop a detailed problem statement and conduct a basic needs assessment (2–3 page paper). Participate in a peer discussion on ethical considerations. Guide: Use epidemiological or organizational data to quantify the issue. Incorporate concepts such as social determinants of health, health disparities, and stakeholder analysis. Cite at least 5–7 scholarly sources. Week 3: Comprehensive Literature Review Assignments: Submit an annotated bibliography or draft literature review section (5–8 pages). Discussion: Share search strategies and key findings with peers. Guide: Conduct a systematic search in databases like CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane. Synthesize at least 15–20 recent (preferably within 5–7 years) peer-reviewed sources. Identify themes, gaps, and theoretical/conceptual frameworks (e.g., Donabedian’s structure-process-outcome model or the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice). Week 4: Theoretical Framework and Project Design Assignments: Select and justify a theoretical or conceptual framework. Outline the proposed intervention or quality improvement plan (3–4 page paper). Guide: Link the framework to your project (e.g., Diffusion of Innovations for implementation, or Transtheoretical Model for behavior change). Detail objectives, methods, timeline, resources needed, and potential barriers. Week 5: Methodology, Implementation Plan, and Ethics Assignments: Detailed methodology and implementation plan, including evaluation metrics (4–5 pages). Submit IRB or institutional approval considerations if applicable. Guide: Describe data collection tools, sample/setting, intervention steps, and outcome measures (process, outcome, balancing). Address HIPAA, informed consent, equity, and potential risks using ethical principles (beneficence, justice, autonomy). Week 6: Midpoint Progress and Feedback Integration Assignments: Midterm project update (presentation or written report) incorporating instructor and peer feedback. Discussion on challenges encountered. Guide: Reflect on progress using a SWOT analysis or project management tools (e.g., Gantt chart). Adjust the plan as needed based on feedback. Week 7: Data Analysis and Evaluation Planning Assignments: Draft evaluation plan, including proposed statistical or qualitative analysis methods (2–3 pages). Guide: Select appropriate tools (e.g., pre/post surveys, run charts, thematic analysis). Discuss sustainability and scalability of the project. Week 8: Draft of Full Capstone Paper Assignments: Submit a complete draft of the scholarly paper (15–20 pages, excluding references and appendices). Guide: Organize using standard sections: Abstract, Introduction/Background, Literature Review, Methods, Results (if implemented), Discussion, Implications for Nursing Practice, and Conclusion. Follow Walden APA guidelines strictly. Week 9: Revisions and Dissemination Preparation Assignments: Revise draft based on instructor feedback. Prepare a dissemination plan (e.g., poster, presentation script, or manuscript for submission). Peer review activity. Guide: Focus on clear writing, critical analysis of limitations, and recommendations for future practice or research. Consider venues like professional conferences or organizational reports. Week 10: Final Project Submission and Reflection Assignments: Submit the final capstone paper. Complete a reflective journal on personal growth, leadership development, and contributions to social change. Guide: Ensure the paper demonstrates synthesis of program competencies. Reflection should address how the project advances nursing practice and health equity. Week 11: Project Presentation and Course Closure Assignments: Deliver a professional presentation (e.g., PowerPoint or recorded video, 10–15 minutes) to peers and/or faculty. Participate in a final discussion forum summarizing key takeaways. Guide: Highlight problem, methods, outcomes (or anticipated outcomes), and implications. Prepare for Q&A. Submit any required practicum logs or hours verification if the course includes a field component. Grading and Policies Major assignments (literature review, methodology, final paper, presentation) carry the highest weight. Late submissions follow Walden’s standard policy. Students are encouraged to use the Walden Writing Center, Library, and Office of Research and Doctoral Services for support. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited; all work must be original and properly cited. This course empowers students to contribute meaningfully to the nursing profession and healthcare systems through a tangible, evidence-based project that promotes positive social change.
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