CAPSTONE PAPER (20 points) The purpose of this paper is to summarize

The purpose of this paper is to summarize all of the content in this course as it applies to a clinic dilemma. You will use the theories of ethical analysis as well as your knowledge of legal implications to review a clinical dilemma. In addition, you will propose a possible policy change that would reduce or eliminate the dilemma in the future.

Topic: You will choose a clinical dilemma that you have encountered in your clinical setting. The dilemma can be between any of the following entities:

Nurse/patient

Patient/family

Nurse/Family

Nurse/Nurse or supervisor

Nurse/Physician

Patient/Health Care System

Other (to be discussed with course leader)

You will analyze your dilemma in a 10-12 page paper organized using the following template. The content of the paper should not exceed 12 pages (not including the title page, abstract or reference list).

Abstract and Introduction (2 Points): An abstract is a brief summary of your paper (100 words) found after the title page and before the main text of the paper. The introduction describes all elements of the paper. This helps the reader to understand the purpose of the paper and the information that will be included. Remember in APA format, the title appears on the first page BUT the introduction does not have a subtitle. (1 paragraph)

Case study (3 points): Describe the dilemma that you have encountered. Please do not use any identifying data, names should be changed or initials used. ( 1 page)

Review of the literature (3 points): This will include a review of information known on this particular ethical issue. You may want describe similar situations that are described in the literature. You can also use the literature to describe any particular medical diagnosis but this is not a report on the pathophysiology of the disease, just to inform the reader of the gravity of the situation (i.e. muscular dystrophy is a terminal illness); Minimum of 8 relevant references for the review of the literature and 10 for the entire paper are required. The textbook can be used but it is not considered one of the eight references. Relevant references are those that speak to the ethical issues involved.

Analysis of the dilemma (3 points): Using a framework for ethical decision-making as presented in lecture and your text book, analyze the dilemma. (2-3 pages).

Articulate the problem: Is this an ethical or a practical dilemma? Describe all sides of the issue.

Gather Data: Include in your discussion the ethical principles.

Explore strategies

Implement strategies

Evaluate outcomes

(If the dilemma was resolved, describe what occurred according to the above, if it was never resolved, describe through “explore strategies.”)

Describe legal considerations that are affected by the dilemma (2 points). Examples of legal issues would be: Negligence, malpractice, fraud, right to privacy, defamation, and slander. (1 page).

Describe policy implications or changes that can be made at the legislative level (2 points). Are there any changes in laws or policy that will make the dilemma less likely to happen? For example: advocating health care for underserved, decreasing the number of patients that a nurse should be assigned, or equal distribution of vaccines (be creative here). (1 page).

Conclusion: (1 points) A summary of the case and why this case is important to nursing practice. (1/2 -1 page).

Writing Style: (2 points) Please note that the best way to write a comprehensive paper with many components to it is to use subheadings. Please use spell check and proof read.

APA format (2 points) Please review APA manual for the exact format.

This paper will be submitted to TurnItIn Capstone Final for Graded Review (.doc or .docx only).

Grading Rubric

Capstone Evaluation

Potential grade and section

Description of section

Your grade and evaluation of section

Abstract: 1 point

Include a brief summary of what was accomplished in this paper

< 150 words

Introduction: 1 point

Tells reader what is to come in the paper

.

Case Study: 3 points

Described the dilemma

Review of the Literature: 3 points

Included literature review of information on this ethical issue. A minimum of 8 references should be used.

Analysis of the dilemma: 3 points

The problem was articulated as an ethical or a practical dilemma with evidence. Data was gathered that included the ethical principles involved. Strategies were explored. Implementation an evaluation of strategies was included if appropriate.

Legal Considerations: 2 points

Legal considerations that affected the dilemma were included.

Policy Implications: 2 points

Changes in policy that would help prevent the problem are described.

Conclusion: 1 point

A summary of the case and the why it is important to nursing are included.

Writing Style: 2 points

The paper used subheadings, and there were no grammatical or spelling errors.

APA format: 2 points

APA format was followed.

Score and overall comments

Overall grade X/20

.

Two good resources:

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Hacker, D. & Sommers, N. (2015). A writer’s reference (8th ed.). Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s Press.[supanova_question]