DNP Capstone Project Proposal: Quality Improvement in Healthcare Systems

Course Information

This assessment forms part of the DNP program at Capella University, within the course NURS-FPX 9901: Nursing Doctoral Project 1. It is designated as Assessment 1 and accounts for 25% of the overall grade. Submission is due by the end of Week 4 in the Fall 2026 term.

Overview

The DNP Capstone Project Proposal requires you to identify a practice issue in healthcare, grounded in evidence, and propose a scholarly project aimed at quality improvement. This proposal sets the foundation for your doctoral work, emphasizing systems leadership and evidence-based interventions to enhance patient outcomes or organizational efficiency. It prepares you to lead change in complex healthcare environments.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify a relevant healthcare problem supported by data and literature.
• Develop a clear project purpose and objectives aligned with DNP essentials.
• Outline methods for implementation, including timelines and resources.
• Incorporate ethical considerations and evaluation strategies.
• Communicate ideas professionally in a structured academic format.

Assignment Instructions

Choose a quality improvement topic, such as reducing hospital readmissions or improving telehealth access in rural areas. Use frameworks like the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. Your proposal must be a 2,500–3,500-word paper, adhering to APA 7th edition guidelines, with sections covering background, problem statement, literature review, methodology, and budget.

1. Provide background on the selected issue and its impact on healthcare delivery.
2. State the project purpose, aims, and alignment with organizational goals.
3. Summarize key literature, including at least eight sources from the past five years.
4. Detail the project design, stakeholders, timeline via Gantt chart, and data collection methods.
5. Address potential risks, ethics, and sustainability post-implementation.
6. Include a preliminary budget and evaluation plan with measurable outcomes.

Submission Guidelines

Upload your document through the university’s online platform before the deadline. Extensions require prior approval. All work must pass originality checks, and include a minimum of eight references.

Grading Rubric

Evaluation follows this rubric. Maximum points: 100.

• Background and Problem Statement (20 points): Clearly articulates the issue with supporting evidence.
• Project Purpose and Objectives (15 points): Well-defined and linked to DNP standards.
• Literature Review (25 points): Thorough synthesis of relevant sources.
• Methodology and Timeline (20 points): Detailed and feasible plan.
• Ethics, Risks, and Evaluation (10 points): Comprehensive coverage.
• APA Style and Clarity (10 points): Error-free, professional writing.

Healthcare leaders often address gaps in patient safety through targeted interventions, as seen in efforts to minimize medication errors in acute settings. Projects might focus on staff training programs that integrate electronic health records for better compliance. One study highlighted a 25% reduction in errors after implementing barcode scanning systems (Bates et al., 2021, doi:10.1097/PTS.0000000000000891). Such approaches ensure long-term improvements in care quality.

References

1. Astier-Peña, M.P., et al., 2020. Implementing models in general practice: a qualitative study in Spain. BMC Family Practice, 21(1), p.214. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01288-2.
2. Moran, K., Burson, R. and Conrad, D., 2023. The doctor of nursing practice project: A framework for success. 4th ed. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?id=examplelink.
3. White, K.M., Dudley-Brown, S. and Terhaar, M.F., 2019. Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare. 3rd ed. New York: Springer Publishing Company. DOI: 10.1891/9780826147370.
4. Ahmed, S., et al., 2022. Quality improvement in healthcare: An updated systematic review of strategies. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 17(5), pp. 376-384. DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3765.
5. Reed, J.E. and Card, A.J., 2018. The problem with Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. BMJ Quality & Safety, 27(3), pp. 185-188. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007314.