| Purpose: This assignment is designed to enable the student to explore a current nursing practice issue in depth. The scholarly literature in nursing should be used to evaluate an issue and identify trends and implications for nursing practice. |
| Topic and Tentative Reference List Due: February 26, 1999 |
| Paper Due to Dr. Zalon on March 22, 1999 |
| Element | Description | Points |
| Abstract | This briefly summarizes the paper, not the issue. Length should be approximately 120 words. |
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| Introduction | This should include a description of the topic and is significance for nursing practice. Cite referenes o indicate why the topic is important for nursing. Highlight key points hat will be presented in the paper. |
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| Background | Describe the background of the issue, historical or clinical implications as relevant. Include pertinent clinical and/or research literature. Emphasize pertinent findings. |
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| Implications | Analyze the implications of trends regarding this issue for nursing practice. Synthesize the information from a variety of sources. Support our arguments with appropriate citations. If you have a selected a controversial issue, briefly describe the opposing arguments and the rationale for our arguments. You may interview an expert on the issue, but you must be sensitive to any concerns the individual may have about confidentially. (Personal communications are cited in the text only). |
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| Conclusions | Summarize the key points in you paper to formulate a conclusion about the issue. Describe the potential impact of this issue on nursing practice. |
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| Format | Spelling, grammar and adherence to APA style. References must be less than five years old unless the article is of historical interest. Refereed sources must be included. Internet sources may be used, but not exclusively. |
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Suggested Topics
Topics may selected from The Pennsylvania Nurse , The American Nurse or the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing at http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin. If you are having difficulty in selecting a topic, please make an appointment with Dr. Zalon.
The following are suggestions for topics, but your choice need not be limited to these:
Reimbursement for advanced practice nurses
Collective bargaining
Barriers to advance practice (select one: certified registered nurse anesthetist,
clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, certified nurse
midwife)
Conscious sedation
Prescriptive privileges
Regulation of unlicensed assistive personnel
Restructuring the nursing
Supply and demand of registered nurses
Multistate licensure of registered nurses
Second licensure for advanced practice nurses
Workplace hazards (select one, e.g. latex allergies, violence, back injuries,
needlesticks)
Nurse’s role in end-of-life issues
Regulation of home health care agencies
Criminal prosecution for negligence
Medication errors
Sentinel events
Any topic related to leadership content this semester
Some
useful links related to professional issues
Unversity
of Scranton Weinberg Memorial Library