You Decide Reflection
Guidelines
PURPOSE
The purpose of this application is to provide the student an opportunity to reflect on selected DNP competencies acquired through the NR701 course.
COURSE OUTCOMES
This assignment provides documentation of student ability to meet the following course outcomes:
CO1: Formulate PICOT/PICoT questions relevant to advanced nursing practice (PO #3).
CO4: Compare and contrast differences and similarities with selected characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research designs (PO #3).
CO5: Evaluate appropriateness of a qualitative research design for a selected PICoT question (PO #3).
CO6: Evaluate appropriateness of a quantitative research design for a selected PICOT question (PO #3).
CO8: Demonstrate competence in basic analysis of qualitative and quantitative data (PO #3).
CO9: Differentiate between quality improvement, system change, research, and evidence-based practice initiatives (PO #5).
POINTS
This assignment is worth a total of 100 points.
DUE DATE
Submit your completed application by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. MT of Week 8 as directed.
REQUIREMENTS
1. The You Decide Reflection is worth 100 points and will be graded on quality of self-assessment, use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization based on the required components as summarized in the directions and grading criteria/rubric.
2. Create your essay using Microsoft Word (a part of Microsoft Office), which is the required format for all Chamberlain College of Nursing documents. You can tell that the document is saved as a MS Word document because it will end in “.docx”
3. Follow the directions and grading criteria closely. Any questions about your essay may be posted under the Q & A forum.
4. The length of the reflection is to be within three to six pages excluding title page and reference pages.
5. APA format is required with both a title page and reference page. Use the required components of the review as Level 1 headers (upper and lower case, centered):
Note: Introduction – Write an introduction but do not use “Introduction” as a heading in accordance with the rules put forth in the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (2010, p. 63).
a. You Decide Reflection
b. Conclusion
PREPARING YOUR REFLECTION
The DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006) outline a number of analytical methods for evidence-based practice competencies for the DNP-prepared nurse. Reflect on the NR701 course readings, discussion threads, and applications you have completed across this course and write a reflective essay regarding the extent to which you feel you are now prepared to:
1. “Use analytic methods to critically appraise existing literature and other evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice.
2. Design and implement processes to evaluate outcomes of practice, practice patterns, and systems of care within a practice setting, healthcare organization, or community against national benchmarks to determine variances in practice outcomes and population trends.
3. Design, direct, and evaluate quality improvement methodologies to promote safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care.
4. Apply relevant findings to develop practice guidelines and improve practice and the practice environment.
5. Use information technology and research methods appropriately to:
a. collect appropriate and accurate data to generate evidence for nursing practice
b. inform and guide the design of databases that generate meaningful evidence for nursing practice
c. analyze data from practice
d. design evidence-based interventions
e. predict and analyze outcomes
f. examine patterns of behavior and outcomes
g. identify gaps in evidence for practice
6. Function as a practice specialist/consultant in collaborative knowledge-generating research.
7. Disseminate findings from evidence-based practice and research to improve healthcare outcomes” (AACN, 2006, p. 12).
Reference:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN]. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Washington, DC: Author.
DIRECTIONS AND GRADING CRITERIA
Category Points % Description
(Introduction – see note under requirement #5 above) 8 8 Introduces the purpose of the reflection and addresses DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006) pertinent to analytical methods for evidence-based practice.
You Decide Reflection 80 80 Include a self-assessment regarding learning that you believe represents your skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities to meet the pertinent DNP Essential and sub-competencies (AACN, 2006) as a result of active learning throughout this course. Be sure to use examples from selected readings, threaded discussions, and/or applications to support your assertions to address each of the following sub-competencies:
(a) “Use analytic methods to critically appraise existing literature and other evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice.
(b) Design and implement processes to evaluate outcomes of practice, practice patterns, and systems of care within a practice setting, healthcare organization, or community against national benchmarks to determine variances in practice outcomes and population trends.
(c) Design, direct, and evaluate quality improvement methodologies to promote safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care.
(d) Apply relevant findings to develop practice guidelines and improve practice and the practice environment.
(e) Use information technology and research methods appropriately to: collect appropriate and accurate data to generate evidence for nursing practice; inform and guide the design of databases that generate meaningful evidence for nursing practice; analyze data from practice; design evidence-based interventions; predict and analyze outcomes; examine patterns of behavior and outcomes; identify gaps in evidence for practice;
(f) Function as a practice specialist/consultant in collaborative knowledge-generating research.
(g) Disseminate findings from evidence-based practice and research to improve healthcare outcomes” (AACN, 2006, p. 12).
Conclusion 4 4 An effective conclusion identifies the main ideas and major conclusions from the body of your essay. Minor details are left out. Summarize the benefits of the pertinent DNP Essential and sub-competencies (AACN, 2006) pertaining to analytical methods for evidence-based practice.
Clarity of writing 6 6 Use of standard English grammar and sentence structure. No spelling errors or typographical errors. Organized around the required components using appropriate headers. Writing should demonstrate original thought without an over-reliance on the works of others.
APA format 2 2 All information taken from another source, even if summarized, must be appropriately cited in the manuscript and listed in the references using APA (6th ed.) format:
1. Document setup
2. Title and reference pages
3. Citations in the text and references.
Total: 100
100
A quality essay will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.
GRADING RUBRIC
Assignment Criteria Meets Criteria Partially Meets Criteria Does Not Meet Criteria
(Introduction – see note under requirement #5 above)
(8 pts) Short introduction of selected DNP sub-competencies (AACN, 2006) pertinent to analytical methods for evidence-based practice. Rationale is well presented and purpose fully developed.
7 – 8 points Basic understanding and/or limited use of original explanation and/or inappropriate emphasis on an area.
5 – 6 points Little or very general introduction of selected DNP sub-competencies (AACN, 2006). Little to no original explanation; inappropriate emphasis on an area.
0 – 4 points
You Decide Reflection
(80 pts) Excellent self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities pertinent to analytical methods for evidence-based practice. Reflection on pertinent DNP sub-competencies (AACN, 2006) supported with examples.
70 – 80 points Basic self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities pertinent to analytical methods for evidence-based practice. Reflection on pertinent DNP sub-competencies (AACN, 2006) not supported with examples.
59 – 69 points Little or very general self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities pertinent to analytical methods for evidence-based practice. Little or no reflection on pertinent DNP sub-competencies (AACN, 2006) or reflection not supported with examples.
0 – 58 points
Conclusion
(4 pts) Excellent understanding of pertinent DNP sub- competencies (AACN, 2006). Conclusions are well evidenced and fully developed.

3 – 4 points Basic understanding and/or limited use of original explanation and/or inappropriate emphasis on an area.
2 points Little understanding of pertinent DNP sub-competencies (AACN, 2006). Little to no original explanation; inappropriate emphasis on an area.
0 – 1 points
Clarity of writing
(6 pts) Excellent use of standard English showing original thought with minimal reliance on the works of others. No spelling or grammar errors. Well organized with proper flow of meaning.
5 – 6 points Some evidence of own expression and competent use of language. No more than three spelling or grammar errors. Well organized thoughts and concepts.
3 – 4 points Language needs development or there is an over-reliance on the works of others. Four or more spelling and/or grammar errors. Poorly organized thoughts and concepts.
0 – 2 points
APA format
(2 pts) APA format correct with no more than 1-2 minor errors.
2 points 3-5 errors in APA format and/or 1-2 citations are missing.
1 point APA formatting contains multiple errors and/or several citations are missing.
0 points
Total Points Possible = 100 points