Maintaining Rigor In DNP Capstone Projects: A Look Within

The Capstone Project is the culmination of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Lack of consistency, unclear expectations and excessive revisions of IRB applications led to the development of several internal processes, with standardized criteria, for implementation of the DNP capstone project.  A capstone project is done with the advice and guidance of a committee. The Project Committee consists of at least one school of nursing doctoral faculty, who functions as Chair of the committee, and at least one other person, who functions as a committee member.  Project development commences during the Clinical Inquiry I course. Integration and application as elucidated in Boyer’s Model of Scholarship guides the students with identification of a complex practice, process, or systems problem. Students are encouraged to address a problem within their specialty area.  Evaluation of Capstones is documented at proposal hearing and at Capstone defense using a standardize framework. The DNP Capstone toolkit was developed to guide students through all phases of the Capstone Project. The Scientific Review Panel (SRP) is charged with reviewing proposals on the basis of quality and scientific merit. Reviewers are asked to evaluate whether the proposal is sound from a theoretical and methodological perspective in order to move forward to initiation, IRB review, or a funding source. The development of this panel was part of the school’s strategic plan for advancing research and scholarship.  Consequent functions of the SRP include the provision of a peer review for Capstone committee members and assistance with the development of new Capstone Chairs. All students must submit their project proposal to the Scientific Review Panel for approval before beginning the project, submitting an IRB application or applying for funding.  One student is nominated, each graduation, to receive the outstanding Capstone Project award. Criteria for Capstone award include the identification of a topic with potential to change practice in a service, community or academic setting with demonstrated expertise in the discussion, synthesis and application of study findings. A process model of the internal processes addressing rigor in Capstone Projects will be presented.