NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

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NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap – Step-by-Step Guide With Example Solution

The first step before starting to write the NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap Instructions

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to analyze a gap in practice, which will serve as the catalyst for the development of the DNP practice change project. Have a look at NR730 Week 2 Discussion | Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Gaps in Practice.

Instructions

Reflect on your readings this week and provide your proposed DNP practice change project purpose statement in one concise sentence. The statement should clearly identify the following:

  1. Gap in practice
  2. Population impacted
  3. Goal of the project

Please click on the following link to review the DNP Discussion Guidelines on the Student Resource Center program page:

  • Link (webpage): DNP Discussion Guidelines.
Program Competencies

This discussion enables the student to meet the following program outcomes:

  1. Integrates scientific underpinnings into everyday clinical practice. (POs 3, 5)
  2. Uses analytic methods to translate critically appraised research and other evidence into clinical scholarship for innovative practice improvements. (POs 3, 5)
  3. Analyzes health care policies to advocate for equitable health care and social justice to all populations and those at risk due to social determinants of health. (POs 2, 9)
Course Outcomes

This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

  1. Apply clinical scholarship methodologies for designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating quality improvements and the translation of evidence-based practice, to improve healthcare outcomes at the micro, meso, or macrosystem level. (PCs 1, 3, 5; POs 3, 5, 9)

NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap Example

Gap in practice: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI)

Hi, Dr. Landry and class 

  1. Gap in practice: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) in an emergency department (ED)
  2. Population impacted: Elderly adults over 65 with inpatient status in the ED. 
  3. Goal of the project: Reduce the rate of HAPIs and prevent HAPIs in the ED.

In addressing the identified gap in practice regarding the prevention of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) among elderly patients in the emergency department, this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project proposes a critical intervention. The initiative explicitly targets elderly patients over 65 years old with inpatient status in the emergency department, a group particularly vulnerable to HAPIs due to factors like immobility, fragile skin, and an inability to independently change position.

These patients also often experience impaired consciousness and sensory perception due to sedation and anesthesia, diminished circulation, and malnutrition. Furthermore, prolonged emergency department length of stay (ED LOS) has been linked to adverse outcomes in various conditions, including acute coronary syndrome, stroke, sepsis, and resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Significantly, Han et al. (2020) identified that an ED LOS exceeding 12 hours independently increases the risk of HAPU within a week of admission.

The primary goal of this project is to implement the SSKIN care bundle as an evidence-based intervention, assessing its effectiveness compared to current practices over an 8- to 10-week period. The aim is to substantially decrease the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in this susceptible group, thereby improving patient outcomes and adhering to the highest standards of nursing care.

Incorporating validated tools for risk assessment in pressure ulcer care is essential to support and enhance nurses’ clinical judgment. Among such tools, the Braden Scale is a validated instrument designed to predict the risk of developing a pressure ulcer (Santy-Tomlinson et al., 2020). Integrating the Braden Scale into the project’s framework will bolster the effectiveness of the SSKIN care bundle, providing a comprehensive approach to preventing HAPIs in elderly patients.

By focusing on this specific demographic and timeframe, the project aims to deliver insightful findings on the practical implementation and benefits of the SSKIN care bundle in a real-world hospital setting. The results of this project are expected to guide future practice guidelines and protocols, benefiting my organization and similar healthcare settings. This, in turn, will contribute significantly to the overarching goal of enhancing patient care and safety within the nursing field.

References

Han, D., Kang, B., Kim, J., Jo, Y. H., Lee, J. H., Hwang, J. E., Park, I., & Jang, D-H. (2020). A prolonged stay in the emergency department is an independent risk factor for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. International Wound Journal, 17(2), 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13266

Santy-Tomlinson, J., & Limbert, E. (2020). Using the SSKIN care bundle prevents pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit. Nursing Standard. 35(10), 77–82. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2020.e11536

NR730 Week 1 Discussion | Analyzing a Practice Gap Example 2

Analyzing a Practice Gap

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is crucial in advancing nursing practice, leadership, and research. As highly educated advanced practice nurses, DNPs have the knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes, bridge the gap between research and practice, and address healthcare challenges (Rivaz et al., 2021). However, the nursing field is dynamic and continuously evolving, necessitating ongoing analysis of practice gaps to identify areas where DNPs can make a substantial impact. This project aims to implement behavioral parent training (BPT) as an evidence-based intervention for children under 12 years diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to improve treatment outcomes.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder commonly diagnosed in children below 12 years. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, significantly impacting a child’s cognitive function and overall well-being (Centers for Disease Control, 2022). While medication therapy has been a standard approach in managing ADHD, a growing body of evidence suggests the potential benefits of incorporating behavioral parent training (BPT) into the treatment plan. The current gap in nursing practice lies in the limited adoption and integration of BPT as an adjunctive intervention for children diagnosed with ADHD in outpatient mental clinics. Morgan and O’Keefe (2021) found that behavioral parent training effectively mitigated harmful parenting practices and improved outcomes in children with ADHD.

The proposed DNP project targets children below 12 years of age diagnosed with ADHD. This population experiences significant challenges in academic performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life due to their ADHD symptoms and associated impairments. By addressing the gap in practice and integrating BPT into their treatment plans, this project will directly impact the lives of children with ADHD and their families, promoting improved treatment outcomes.

References

Centers for Disease Control. (2022, August 9). What is ADHD? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html#:~:

Morgan, T. C., & O’Keefe, L. C. (2021). Does a behavioral parent training program for parents of ADHD children improve outcomes? A pilot project. Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, pp. 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/24694193.2021.1933263

Rivaz, M., Shokrollahi, P., Setoodegan, E., & Sharif, F. (2021). Exploring the necessity of establishing a Doctor of Nursing Practice program from experts’ views: A qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02758-w