Description of Synthesis Paper

Transcription

1 Description of Synthesis Paper Program Outcomes: 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, Nurse Practitioner students have the option of completing a Thesis (NURS 6997) or a Synthesis Paper (N6995) with a focus on implementation of the NP role within a primary health care environment. Students graduating from the MN Program in the NP stream are prepared as generalists in Primary Health Care (PHC) to offer comprehensive and continuous care to clients across the health continuum and throughout the client s lifespan. The client is defined as individual, family, groups and community. The nurse practitioner provides comprehensive primary health care services including health promotion, disease and injury prevention, curative, rehabilitative and supportive services to clients in all health settings. As a member of the interdisciplinary health team, the nurse practitioner role is both autonomous and collaborative in nature 1 The synthesis paper is the capstone project of the NP stream. The topic of the paper is to be chosen by the student and should reflect a practice issue or challenge relevant to NPs practicing in a Primary Health Care context. The synthesis paper is to be submitted as a completed manuscript prepared for a target journal. The target journal will be chosen, based on the topic of the paper, by the student and approved by the supervisor. The synthesis paper supervisor will be included as the second author on the paper, related abstracts and presentations. In writing the manuscript the student will: Introduce the topic, clearly situating the topic/issue within the context of NP practice in Primary Health Care, Conduct a comprehensive review of the evidence about the issue to identify the current level of knowledge about the topic and any apparent gaps in the literature, Provide clear recommendations for NP practice to address the issue within a Primary Health Care context. Recommendations should extend what is currently published in professional literature, The paper will be formatted according to the requirements of the target manuscript. The length of the synthesis paper will depend on guidelines for authors established by the journal. It is expected that the paper be at least 3000 words. The guidelines for authors must be attached to the manuscript when it is submitted to the internal reader. Synthesis papers are to be submitted to the Internal Readers by the end of the first week in April 2 prior to entering NURS 6219: Final Clinical Practicum. This will allow the Internal Reader the required ten working days to review the paper. Synthesis papers will be formally presented in a 30 minute presentation to the wider university audience at MN Day in April. These presentations will be advertised to the university in the same way that thesis defences/reports and the public presentations for the NE students are advertised. Final papers will be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and the target journal by May 30. Guidelines for timely completion: January 30 th topic and supervisor selection; February 28 th selection of target journal, Spring MN Day outline prepared for discussion, Fall MN Day literature review complete, abstract for Nursing Research Day submitted by February, submission to Internal Reader end of first week of April prior to beginning NURS 6219 Final Clinical Practicum, formal presentation Spring MN Day or Research Day. 1 NANB (nd). Competencies and standards of practice for nurse practitioners in primary health care. Fredericton: Author. P.2 2 Note that this is 15 months after the topic and journal are selected by the student and approved by the supervisor. Passed at GAU March 21, 2012

2 Timelines for completion of synthesis paper: Topic and supervisor selection: Selection of target journal: Outline prepared for discussion, and submitted to supervisor: Literature review completed: Abstract submitted to Nursing Research Day: Submission to Internal Reader: Presentation at MN Day or Research Day: January of first year NP study for full-time students, third year for parttime students. February 28 th Research Day, Spring. MN Day, Fall February End of first week of April Late April/Early May Submission to School of Graduate Studies and Target Journal: May 30 Synthesis Papers for NP Students Nurse Practitioner (NP) students will be required to complete a capstone project which is a synthesis paper (NURS 6995). The synthesis paper will focus on the implementation of the NP role within a Primary Health Care environment. The topic of the paper, prepared as a completed manuscript for a target journal, is to be chosen by the student and approved by the supervisor, and should reflect a practice issue or challenge relevant to NPs practicing in a Primary Health Care context. NP students who wish to complete a thesis (NURS 6997) shall also complete an additional Independent Study in Nursing Research course. Supervision of Synthesis Papers The student selects a single faculty member from the GAU who will supervise the writing process. Once the student has reached agreement with a faculty member to supervise, the student will complete the Synthesis Proposed Topic form

3 ( obtain the supervisor s signature, and submit it to the Assistant Dean Graduate and Advanced RN Studies. This form may be completed in January of the first year of NP study for full time students or January of the third year of study for part time students. The synthesis paper supervisor will be included as the second author on the paper, related abstracts and presentations. Students are expected to follow the timeline for completion of the synthesis paper outlined on the Synthesis Proposed Topic form. Papers are to be submitted to the Assistant Dean for review by the Internal Reader no later than the end of the first week of April of the graduating year. The decision of when to submit the completed synthesis paper for review by the Internal Reader is the responsibility of the student in consultation with the supervisor. If there is a discrepancy in the readiness of the paper for submission between the student and the supervisor, the student may consult with the Assistant Dean. The student will provide the Assistant Dean with two (2) copies of the synthesis paper for an Internal Reader and the Assistant Dean. The Assistant Dean will appoint an Internal Reader. The following statement shall accompany requests for Internal Readers. Submission of a completed thesis or a Synthesis Paper is the decision of the student, in consultation with the supervisor. The Internal Reader shall judge whether the synthesis paper is acceptable for credit or not based on the merit of the paper. The Internal Reader shall be given 10 working days to read and determine whether the synthesis paper is acceptable. If the Internal Reader does not consider the synthesis paper acceptable for credit, a meeting shall be held with the supervisor and the Assistant Dean identifying changes that are required. The Assistant Dean shall then meet with the supervisor and student to review the required changes and determine the process for re-submission. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to work with the student to ensure that the revisions requested by the Internal Reader are complete. The student shall not consult the Internal Reader about requested changes to the synthesis paper. Questions will be fielded via the supervisor or through the Assistant Dean. Normally Synthesis papers may be re-submitted to the Internal Readers only once for review. Final Papers, approved by the Internal Reader, will be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and the target journal by May 30 th. Deadlines for completion for graduation will be the same as those established by the School of Graduate Studies. Students should be aware the NANB does not permit writing of the Canadian Nurses Association NP Registration exams until all requirements for the degree are completed.

4 Internal Reader The internal reader is selected by the Assistant Dean and is a member of the GAU who has not been consulted or involved in the preparation of the synthesis paper. The expertise of the internal reader is related to some aspect of the paper, however, he or she is not necessarily a NP faculty member. The role of the internal reader is to read the synthesis paper from a fresh perspective and to determine whether the paper is acceptable for credit based on the merit of the paper. The internal reader will examine the paper according to the approved Description of the Synthesis Paper. The internal reader will submit written comments and a recommendation of whether the synthesis paper is acceptable for credit or if revisions are required. If revisions are required, it is the responsibility of the supervisor, not the internal reader, to work with the student to make relevant changes. Internal readers are not expected to be involved in revising returned papers. Papers resubmitted at the request of the internal reader will be reviewed only once. The internal reader will normally have 5 working days to review resubmitted papers. Normally, if papers are not considered acceptable after the second revision, the student will receive a grade of no credit for the paper.

5 NURS 6995: Synthesis Paper Assessment Rubric Outcome Meets Criteria Meets Criteria Critical Reading and Thinking 1.1 Critically appraises literature by questioning assumptions, considering alternative viewpoints, determining credibility of the evidence and discerning the relevance to the discipline of nursing. Presents a comprehensive review of literature that is both relevant and timely. Incorporates literature from different disciplines, considering different points of view. Partially Meets Criteria Does not Meet Criteria 1.3 Constructs arguments that clearly justify one position as superior to other alternatives Communication 2.2 Composes text to present complex issues and reasoned arguments using concrete, concise and scholarly language appropriate to the intended audience Clearly discerns contribution of evidence to chosen topic. Clearly identifies gaps in literature and uses this analysis to establish significance of topic to NP practice. Presents succinct and focussed thesis statement. Manuscript carefully written with attention to sentence structure, grammar and spelling. Presents a logical flow of ideas. Demonstrates sophisticated and clear writing. Follows manuscript guidelines and formatting requirements. Carefully and accurately referenced. Professional Sensibility Accurate interpretation of all evidence.

6 3.1 Uses a variety of competing forms of knowledges to construct a philosophy of nursing that provides a lens for developing advanced nursing practice Clearly and accurately summarizes literature relevant to the topic. Able to assess contribution of experiential, anecdotal and evidence based literature to the topic. Evidence-Based Practice 4.2 Distinguishes the major designs in qualitative and quantitative research methods and appraises appropriateness of the method of decision making. 4.3 Demonstrates the ability to analyze, assess and weigh the evidence in considering the credibility of the conceptual basis for decision making in nursing. 4.4 Uses a variety of evidence to inform and modify practice (current research, theoretical knowledge, expert opinion, best practice guidelines and prior experience) Practice Excellence 6.3 Analyzes current and potential issues within nursing and health care considering contextual factors that impact clients, nurses and organizations Clearly analyzes evidence to determine its contribution to decision making in advanced nursing practice. Chooses appropriate and relevant types of data to inform decisions and support conclusions. Clearly analyzes evidence related to the topic to determine its contribution and relevance to decision making in advanced nursing practice. Uses broad array of multidisciplinary evidence relevant to the topic to support recommendations and influence advanced practice nursing. Situates topic within the context of Primary Health Care and NP practice, identifying pertinent issues for clients, health care providers and/or organizations. Reviewer Comments: