ADVANCED NURSING PROJECT & COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PROCEDURES

Transcription

1 ADVANCED NURSING PROJECT & COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PROCEDURES SCHOOL OF NURSING THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA Revised 6/13

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Advanced Nursing Project Procedures...2 Selection of Advanced Nursing Project Advisor...2 Approval of Project Advisor...2 Changes in Project Advisor...3 Advanced Nursing Project Registration...3 Change from Advanced Nursing Project to Thesis...4 Protection of Human Subjects...4 Development of Project and Written Report of Project...5 Oral Presentation of Project...7 Copies of Advanced Nursing Project and Approval Page...8 Collaborative Advanced Nursing Projects...8 Comprehensive Exam Procedures...9 Appendix A - Form: Advanced Nursing Project Advisor Appendix B - Notes about the UNCG Institutional Review Board (IRB) Application 13 Appendix C - Form: Sample Approval Page for Advanced Nursing Project Report...14 Appendix D - Form: Comprehensive Exam Report...16 Appendix E Collaborative Advanced Nursing Project Guidelines.18

3 2 ADVANCED NURSING PROJECT PROCEDURES The Advanced Nursing Project is an alternative to the thesis. The Project provides evidence that the graduate student has engaged in scholarly and creative work in his or her profession. In the School of Nursing, the Project is expected to address a problem relevant to nursing. The procedures outlined below are intended to assist students in the preparation of a Project that is consistent with the excellence in scholarship expected of a graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing program. 1. Selection of Advanced Nursing Project Advisor The Advanced Nursing Project is conducted under the direction of a Project Advisor. The Project Advisor helps the student ensure that the content, conduct, and form of the Project are acceptable to the profession of nursing, the School of Nursing, and the Graduate School of the University. The student cannot graduate without the Project Advisor's approval of the completed Project. The student has the privilege--and the responsibility--of selecting a Project Advisor appropriate to his or her Project. The Project Advisor must be a member of the faculty of the School of Nursing and of the Graduate Faculty of the University. The student will work closely with the Project Advisor; therefore, a personal as well as a professional "fit" is beneficial. The student's academic advisor may help guide the student to an appropriate person who might be willing to serve as Project Advisor. (If appropriate, the student may ask the academic advisor to be the Project Advisor. However, the position of academic advisor is totally independent of the role of Project Advisor; there is no obligation on the part of the student, or on the part of the academic advisor, for the academic advisor to serve as Project Advisor.) The Director of Graduate Study also may be helpful in advising the student about faculty with ongoing research that may be appropriate for the development of an Advanced Nursing Project. A list of faculty research projects is found at select Research. In asking a faculty member to be a Project Advisor, it is helpful for the student to understand that, from the faculty point of view, the job of the Project Advisor is intensely timeconsuming and requires considerable expertise in the area being examined. Therefore, faculty members may decline a request to serve because they cannot offer the student the time or the expertise that is needed. 2. Approval of Project Advisor After the Project Advisor has agreed to serve, it is the student's responsibility to obtain the Advisor's signature on the appropriate approval form (Advanced Nursing Project Advisor, Appendix A). The student must submit the completed form to the Office of the Director of

4 3 Graduate Study. The purposes of this form are 1) to keep the Director of Graduate Study apprised of faculty involvement on Advanced Nursing Projects, and 2) to ensure that the student has selected an Advisor who meets the requirements of the Graduate School. After the completed approval form is signed by the Director of Graduate Study, a copy will be returned to the student and to the Project Advisor. A copy also will be placed in the student's School of Nursing record. 3. Changes in Project Advisor In some cases it is necessary or advisable for the student to select a different Project Advisor. If any changes are made, a new approval form for the Advanced Nursing Project Advisor must be signed and submitted as described above. The most current approval form serves as the official record. A change in the Project Advisor may involve delays because the new Project Advisor's perspectives may differ from those of the former Project Advisor. To avoid changes due to faculty resignation or retirement, the student is urged to complete the Project in a timely manner. In some cases, the student may elect to change the Project Advisor; the student should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a change and choose the route that will be most beneficial for the completion of his or her degree requirements and professional goals. 4. Advanced Nursing Project Registration Students must meet the prerequisite requirements for NUR602, NUR610, one support course, and one specialty course before enrolling in NUR698. Students fulfilling the Advanced Nursing Project requirement must earn 3 semester credit hours with a grade of "S" (satisfactory) in NUR 698 Advanced Nursing Project before they can graduate. Although students can enroll in NUR 698 Advanced Nursing Project as many times as needed, they cannot earn more than 6 credits for the course. Credits earned in NUR 698 are not included in calculation of the grade point average. Once a student enrolls in NUR 698, Advanced Nursing Project, the student must remain continuously enrolled for the course until the Project is completed. This would be for a maximum of 6 hours total credit. Three credits are applied toward graduation and may be taken in one semester or divided over two or three semesters. Students who have not completed the Project after registering for six credits of NUR698 must continue to register for NUR 803 for one to three credits until completion. All project students must be enrolled in NUR698 or NUR803 for credit during the semester in which they complete their work and are scheduled to receive their degrees.

5 4 Additionally, if the Project involves statistics or computers, students may need to enroll in STA 667 Statistical Consulting (1 credit, graded "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory"). Enrollment in this course provides the students with access to statistical and computer consultation by the faculty and staff of the Statistical Consulting Center. In STA 667, it is essential that students consult with the course faculty regarding rules for class attendance and use of consulting services. Attendance at the first class is necessary in order to plan for use of the consulting services. Students must register for STA 667 in each semester that they require the services of the Statistical Consulting Center. Credit earned in STA 667 may not be applied toward the credit hours needed for the MSN. 5. Change from Advanced Nursing Project to Thesis In some cases, students may begin an Advanced Nursing Project and subsequently elect to do a Thesis instead. If the student changes to the Thesis option, the student must successfully complete the required number of credits for NUR 699 Thesis as well as all requirements. Credits toward NUR 698 Advanced Nursing Project cannot be transferred to Thesis (NUR 699) credits. All credits previously expended toward NUR 698 will be removed from the student's transcript. Tuition monies previously spent for NUR 698 cannot be refunded. Students desiring to change to the Thesis option should see the Thesis Procedures available at select Master s Program: Select Documents of Interest. 6. Protection of Human Subjects If the proposed study involves any research with human or animal subjects, or the records of humans (e.g., medical charts, questionnaires, death records, computer databases for humans, etc.) the student must obtain the approval of the pertinent University's Review Board, IRB for human subjects or IACUC for animals.. If other agencies are involved, written approval by the IRB or designated official(s) of the involved agency/agencies (e.g., the hospital or other setting in which the research will be conducted) must also be obtained. While it is a good idea to seek informal approval from the agencies before you submit the final proposal to your Project Advisor (so that you will know whether it is feasible to conduct your research at the desired agency), you may NOT seek formal written approval from any agency until AFTER the Project Advisor has given you approval to do so. You may not seek University IRB approval, which also requires external agency approval, until after the Project Advisor's approval and faculty committee approval of the comprehensive examination. The guidelines and forms for the University IRB application (see Appendix B) are available at

6 5 Read and follow the instructions carefully for the IRB application. Submit one copy to the Research Office Assistant in the School of Nursing. Note that ALL research involving human and animal subjects, including research that is "exempt" from full IRB review, must be approved by the IRB prior to collection of data. Human subjects, including pilot study subjects, may not be approached for the study before IRB approval is obtained. FAILURE TO OBTAIN IRB APPROVAL PRIOR TO APPROACHING SUBJECTS WILL RESULT IN REJECTION OF THE PROJECT. Plan appropriately for time. If several agencies in addition to the University's IRB are involved, the process can be very time-consuming (i.e., one to three months) Each institution has its own rules and timelines regarding approval of research proposals. 7. Development of Project and Written Report of Project The Advanced Nursing Project is a scholarly endeavor and must be of a quality appropriate to submit for publication or formal presentation. Any topic relevant to nursing and deemed suitable by the Project Advisor may be pursued through the Advanced Nursing Project option. Projects could include, but are not limited to: A research study; a secondary analysis; an integrative review; a synthesis of literature; a grant proposal; a pilot study; a computer program applicable to nursing education, administration, or practice; or learning materials for nursing or client education. When research is conducted for the Advanced Nursing Project, it may be helpful for the student to download the Thesis Guidelines from the School of Nursing website, select Master s Program, select Documents of Interest. Ownership of data and ability to disseminate the information generated from the Advanced Nursing Project should be decided by involved parties at the commencement of project development. Jerry McGuire in the Office of Technology Transfer may be contacted as a consultant for copyright and other technology transfer issues. Authorship Guidelines are available from the School of Nursing Research Office. The student is reminded that the Advanced Nursing Project demands high quality scholarship (equivalent to a thesis) and should demonstrate depth and breadth of learning. Use of the 3-6 credit hours awarded for the project is left to the discretion of the student and project advisor, but the following suggestions may be helpful in planning activities: 1-2 credit hours to describe the audience, assess what has already been done, review relevant literature, and explain why the project should be done.

7 6 1-2 credit hours to select the conceptual framework or principles to guide development of the project, determine the methods to be used, and complete the work. 1-2 credit-hours to evaluate the project, disseminate findings, discuss implications, and draw conclusions. The following table includes suggestions for development and documentation of various types of advanced nursing projects. Research Projects Manuscript Teaching Module Grant Application Problem Identification Problem Identification Identification of Topic Problem Identification Purpose Purpose Identification of Purpose Audience Framework Framework for synthesis of literature Educational Model Selection of Funding Source or research Review of Literature Review of Literature Review of Literature Needs Assessment Methodology Synthesis of Methodology Review of Literature Literature or Research Methodology Results Results Production of Module Strategies to Achieve Outcomes Significance Significance Evaluation Budget Implications Implications Evaluation Plan The outcome of the Advanced Nursing Project may be self-contained, as, for example, a selfinstructional manual for nursing continuing education, a research report or manuscript, a video, or a computer disk However, the student also is to submit a formal report of the Project to the School of Nursing. This written report should demonstrate the knowledge base underlying the finished product. Suggestions provided above regarding expenditure of the 3 credit hours may be used to guide the development of the report. The guidelines below must be followed: A. Order and content of Project Report 1. Title page 2. Approval page with faculty signature 3. Abstract giving overview of project 4. Table of contents 5. List of figures or tables 6. Body of project report (may be presented in chapters) The IRB # and date of approval may be included In the body rather than appending the entire approval forms. 7. Reference list

8 7 8. Appendices (may contain the manuscript or other printed materials developed for the project) B. Final appearance 1. Black vinyl cover with flat binding 2. Cover label containing project title, author, and date 3. Print requirements a. Size 12 Font b. Standard font (Times New Roman) c. Laser printer 4. Smooth-edged paper 5. No obvious corrections 6. Originals, not xerox copies C. The School of Nursing has adopted the style manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) as the format to be used by students. The student is expected to follow the APA style unless there is a compelling reason, approved by the Project Advisor, to deviate from this requirement. The Project Advisor will advise the student in the preparation of the written report. The Project Advisor may need to review numerous drafts before the Project is approved. The student should allow approximately two weeks for each round of reviews. The Advanced Nursing Project and the written report of the Project must be approved by the Project Advisor before the student can graduate. It is the student's responsibility to keep informed of deadlines for submission of paperwork relevant to graduation and to plan the time appropriately. A general rule is that preparation of the Project ALWAYS takes longer than anyone thinks it will. 8. Oral Presentation of Project The student may be asked to present the Project orally. If so, the student and the Project Advisor will determine the appropriate audience for the presentation; other students or faculty may be invited to attend. The presentation is scheduled AFTER the Project Advisor has indicated that the Project is satisfactory. The Project Advisor can provide guidance to the student in how to conduct the presentation. 9. Copies of Advanced Nursing Projects Samples of completed projects are retained on file at the School for future reference by students and faculty. The student will provide one copy of the project with the original signed approval page to the Office of the Director of

9 8 Graduate Study. FINAL PROJECT REPORTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS OUTLINED ABOVE MAY BE REJECTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDY. The student also will provide one copy of the project to the Project Advisor. 10. Important Dates to Remember You must apply to graduate through the Graduate School by the first week of the semester in which you plan to graduate. Specific deadlines are published by the Graduate School in the Schedule of Courses each semester. Advanced Nursing Projects must be received by the Director of Graduate Study by the last Wednesday before classes end in the semester in which you plan to graduate. The above two conditions must be met in order for you to graduate. 11. Collaborative Advanced Nursing Projects With the approval of the Project Advisor and Director of Graduate Study, the advanced nursing project may be completed by a group of students. See Appendix E for guidelines.

10 9 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PROCEDURES Purpose: Timing: Overview: The student will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge base in advanced nursing that is applied to the development of the thesis or advanced nursing project. The comprehensive exam may be scheduled at any time during the semesters that the student has met prerequisites and is registered for either the thesis or project. The comprehensive exam is not ordinarily administered during the week of exams at the end of the semester. A 3-person committee will be established to administer the comprehensive exam to students individually. Procedures: a. Students follow the existing procedures in the preliminary development of the project with one faculty advisor. If IRB approval is required, students take the comprehensive exam before the IRB application is submitted. b. If the project does not require IRB approval, the student and faculty advisor determine the appropriate time for the comprehensive exam. Students should have completed preliminary library work or other background investigation necessary to justify the project before the comprehensive exam. Students must successfully pass the comprehensive exam before the project is formally submitted. c. A concise description of the project (five pages or less) should be prepared for the comprehensive exam committee members and distributed prior to the meeting. This description should include a brief statement of the need/problem to be addressed; the purpose of the project; the conceptual, theoretical, or scientific basis for the project; the methods of inquiry and procedures to be used in the project; and the significance of the project to nursing. A reference list and any tools to be used in the project should be attached. d. The student is responsible for establishing a mutually convenient time and place for everyone involved in the comprehensive exam. e. All faculty who hold appointments to the Graduate School faculty are eligible to serve on the comprehensive exam committee, but one non-faculty who has expertise related to the topic may serve on the committee.

11 10 Questions for Students At the comprehensive exam the student will provide oral responses to questions asked in three areas: a. The conceptual, theoretical, or scientific basis of the project. b. Methods of inquiry that will be used in completing the project. c. Usefulness of the project to nursing. Grading The Comprehensive Exam Committee determines whether the student's performance is "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory." When the student's performance is satisfactory, the members of the committee sign the form found in Appendix E. Students who initially are unsuccessful may repeat the process after consultation with the project director. Approved MSN Council 4/20/93

12 11 APPENDIX A Form: Advanced Nursing Project Advisor Directions for Student: As soon as a faculty member has agreed to serve as Advisor, obtain his/her signature. Submit the form to the Office of the Director of Graduate Study. After the Director of Graduate Study signs the form, a copy will be returned to you. Retain your final signed copy. If you change your Advanced Nursing Project Advisor you must file a new form.

13 12 The University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing Program ADVANCED NURSING PROJECT ADVISOR I have discussed (student's name) proposed Advanced Nursing Project regarding and agree to serve as Advisor. Project Advisor's Signature Date The Advisor's qualifications conform to the guidelines of the Graduate School. Director of Graduate Study's Signature Date Distribution after Director of Graduate Study's signature: Student Records and Advising (original) Director of Graduate Study Project Advisor Student

14 13 APPENDIX B Directions for Student: Notes about the UNCG Institutional Review Board (IRB) Application The UNCG IRB Application is updated regularly. The current IRB Application is available at Submit one copy of the IRB application to the Research Office Assistant in the School of Nursing. Keep a complete copy for your files. Note that UNCG IRB requires that the IRB application include a letter or form for approval from any agencies involved with data collection. Obtain the letter or form from the agencies after obtaining your Project Advisor s approval of proposal. Read and follow directions carefully.

15 14 APPENDIX C Form: Sample Approval Page for Advanced Nursing Project Report Directions for Student: The student is responsible for typing this form and obtaining the Project Advisor's signature on the form. The original signature page must be submitted as the second page of the Advanced Nursing Project to the Office of the Director of Graduate Study.

16 15 The University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing Program ADVANCED NURSING PROJECT APPROVAL PAGE This Advanced Nursing Project, (title), for (student) has been approved by a member of the Graduate Faculty at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Nursing. Project Advisor's Signature Date

17 16 Appendix D Form: Comprehensive Exam Report Directions for Student: This form should be taken to the committee meeting in which the Comprehensive Exam will be conducted. After the faculty signatures are obtained, the student should make a photocopy and deliver the original to the office of the Director of Graduate Study.

18 17 The University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing Program COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REPORT Date of Exam: Student: Title of thesis or project: Student Number The student has demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge base in advanced nursing that has been applied to the development of the advanced nursing project. The student has satisfactorily responded to questions related to the following: a. The conceptual, theoretical, or scientific basis of the thesis or project b. Methods of inquiry needed to complete the thesis or project c. Usefulness of the thesis or project to nursing Committee Members: Chair Member Distribution: Director of Graduate Study Student Records and Advising Chair Member Student

19 18 Appendix E UNCG SCHOOL OF NURSING Guidelines for Collaborative Student Projects With faculty approval, small groups of students may collaborate on an advanced nursing project. Such collaboration may result in either individual written products or a jointly authored product. The following guidelines are designed to assist faculty and students in their collaborative work on advanced nursing projects. They are to be used in conjunction with the development of a written agreement. 1. Agreement: Students who wish to work collaboratively must develop a written agreement and have the agreement approved by their project chairperson(s) before beginning collaborative work. All faculty and students must agree to any changes made to the agreement after the initial agreement is developed. Agreements should be individualized, but each agreement should address the points listed below: 2. Distribution of Workload: The agreement should specify the expected contributions of each student to the project, and the anticipated product of the collaboration. Collaboration on an advanced nursing project may result in one final group product or several individual products containing common components (e.g., review of the literature, theoretical framework). All students must participate in all major components of the project, including addressing the methods, conceptual framework, and significance of the project to nursing. 3. Cost: Costs associated with the completion of a project are to be shared in an equitable manner by all students. Plans to handle costs should be included in the agreement.

20 19 4. Timeline: Target dates for completion of each major component of the project should be clearly specified in the agreement. 5. Comprehensive Exams: At faculty discretion, students collaborating on a project may do comprehensive examinations either individually or in joint session. The agreement should specify the anticipated dates for comprehensive exams, whether these will be individual or joint, and whether jointly-developed written material will be used in the write-ups distributed to faculty. 6. Conflict Resolution: Expectations for mechanisms to be used to resolve conflicts that may arise during the conduct of the project should be specified in the agreement. 7. Publication and Recognition: The order of authorship on publications and presentations is to be negotiated as part of the agreement. 8. Access to Data After Completion of the Project: Student access to, or use of, data following completion of the project is to be negotiated as part of the agreement. 9. Loss of Participant: A student who does not participate in accordance with the agreement, or whose work is not of acceptable quality, may be asked to leave the group by the other group members. The decision to ask an individual to leave the group must be communicated to that individual and the ANP chairperson(s) by at least 8 weeks before the project due date (or other time frame, if specified in the agreement). If this is not done, the faculty member(s) will assume that all group members are meeting their obligations. A student who does not pass the comprehensive examination also may be asked to leave the group. An individual also may elect to leave the group (e.g., due to change from full-time to part-time status). Except in emergencies, this decision must be communicated to the group and the ANP chairperson(s) by at least 8 weeks before the project due date

21 20 (or other time frame, if specified in the agreement). The agreement should specify that a group member who leaves the project for any reason will have access to those components of the project in which s/he actively participated (e.g., student could use the review of literature in completion of a later individual project if the student participated in development of the review of literature). 10. Known Commitments: Students are expected to make known to all members of the group any known future commitments (e.g. planned vacations, weddings) that might influence participation in the project according to the timeline.