Ensuring Excellence of DNP Scholarly Projects: The Application of Rubrics

Evaluating quality of the educational product produced by Doctor of Nursing Practice students in the form of the scholarly project can be challenging. In 2012, in preparation for university review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, faculty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at a university were tasked with developing a method to objectively evaluate the level of student performance with the DNP scholarly project. Prior to 2012, students received a Pass/Fail, despite the large variability between the two extremes. Utilizing a Pass/Fail grading approach to evaluate student outcomes is subjective, arbitrary and inconsistent; and the course grade is not reflective of the variability in the quality of student work.

A task force comprised of faculty with expertise in student evaluation metrics was initiated to develop quantifiable grading rubrics by which the DNP student’s scholarly project could be evaluated. Rubrics communicate to the student expectations of the assignment and facilitate continuity when used uniformly by the faculty. Rubrics were developed to evaluate DNP students’ written and oral presentation of the scholarly project proposal and final project outcomes. The benefits of using rubrics to appraise the quality of the DNP project will be discussed. Grading rubrics and outcome data will be shared with the audience.