Thomas Edison State College W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Guidelines for Synthesis Paper and MSN e-portfolio Nursing Informatics I. Purpose: The overall purpose of the MSN Synthesis Paper and e-portfolio is to provide graduate students the opportunity to reflect on and validate their achievement of the MSN Program Outcomes and Specialty Track Competencies. II. Description: The MSN e-portfolio, which the student first begins in NUR 500: Seminar in Clinical Competence, is a compilation of the graduate student s professional and academic achievements while enrolled in the MSN program. The combination of the e-portfolio and the Synthesis Paper provides evidence of the student s academic achievement, credentials earned, clinical and educational competence, and contributions to the profession. III. Organization of the Synthesis Paper Through reflective self-assessment in the Synthesis Paper, students demonstrate their scholarship, leadership, professional development, and nursing competence. The paper is submitted by the graduate student at the onset of his/her final practicum (date to be announced). Each section of the paper is to follow the accompanying outline. APA format and graduates level writing skills are mandatory. The paper should not exceed twenty-five pages excluding references and appendices. The content includes: Title Page (1 page) Table of Contents (1 page) Introduction to Purpose and Philosophy A maximum of a 2 page introductory statement that includes o o Purpose of the Synthesis Paper (Approximately 4 sentences) Personal philosophy of nursing education, administration, or informatics, which is updated from your previously submitted philosophy (1-1 ½ pages). 1
IV. Summary of Professional Achievements (3 pages) Reflection on professional achievements and a written summary statement of accomplishments that highlight your achievements during the MSN program. An updated copy of your Curriculum Vita or Resume as appropriate to your specialty, placed in the appendix. V. Academic Achievement of MSN Outcomes and Specialty Tracks Competencies (This is the bulk of the paper and should not exceed 16 pages, excluding references and appendix. Address each MSN Outcome document individually with the nurse educator, administration, or informatics competencies integrated with the appropriate outcome(s). Preparation note: Short titles may be used for MSN outcomes, i.e. Research. You do not need to type out whole outcome. Reflect on each course in the curriculum and document, when relevant, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired during the MSN program. Extract learning experiences cited in the e-portfolio to validate how the experiences facilitated achievement of the MSN Program Outcomes and appropriate nurse educator, administration, or informatics competencies. o Learning experiences may be used more than one time; however, use a variety of learning experiences is required. o As you discuss the achievement of a MSN Outcomes, include the competency (ies) as it (they) apply to the outcomes. o Cite from your e-portfolio, the name of the learning activity used to validate the achievement of outcomes and competencies o Upon completion of the Synthesis Paper, each course in the curriculum should have been used to validate MSN Program Outcomes and Specialty Tracks Competencies. VI. Summary Statement (1-2 pages) Discuss your vision, mission, and values related to nursing and nursing education, administration, or informatics. Reflect on how the MSN program contributed to your professional growth. Discuss future plans for professional direction. VII. APA format, Syntax, and Grammar Skills Appropriate to graduate level work Consistent with scholarly writing 2
VIII. Grading Rubric for Synthesis Paper * Section A D, E, and F of the Synthesis Paper and e-portfolio Scoring Sheet** Pass with Distinction Pass Minimal Pass Fail Points Allocated 38-40 points with only 2 areas graded Acceptable. No sections graded below Acceptable 30-37 points with only 3 areas graded marginal. No sections graded Unacceptable 20-29 points. No sections graded Unacceptable. < 20 or one or more sections Unacceptable Points Received * Any section graded unacceptable is to be revised by the graduate student. ** Sections A through D are graded as pass or fail. Sections graded as fail are required to be revised. Section E, MSN Outcomes: Each of the 10 categories is scored from 1 to 4 with a total score ranging from 10 to 40 points. Section E, Specialty Competencies: Each section is graded met or not meet. Sections grade d not met are to be revised. 3
Thomas Edison State College W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Rubric Scoring Protocol for Synthesis Paper and e-portfolio Nursing Informatics Outcomes 1. Apply research methods to evaluate current knowledge from nursing theory, nursing science and related disciplines to inform and/or initiate change in educational, clinical, and organizational decision-making. 2. Demonstrate the use of scholarly inquiry to inform educational and clinical practice management. 3. Apply ethical decision making in research, evaluation, education, clinical practice and management. Exceptional 4 use of research methods and/or integration of current research finding to inform or change nursing practice use of scholarly inquiry for each assignment selected, and findings include how nursing practice is influenced or changed by each example. provides evidence to validate the application of ethical decision- making in Acceptable 3 use of research methods and/or integration of current research finding; however, the discussion does not clearly articulate how nursing practice is informed or changed. use of scholarly inquiry for each assignment selected; however, discussion does not clearly articulate how nursing practice can be influenced or changed. relevant evidence of an ethical dilemma; however, discussion does not clearly articulate how the process was applied in Marginal 2 only occasional evidence of the use of research methods and/or integration of current research findings to inform or change nursing practice. evidence of the use of scholarly inquiry for each assignment selected. provides evidence of an ethical dilemma; however, its application to practice is not addressed. Unacceptable 1 provide evidence of the use of research methods or the integration of research findings to inform or change Discussion intermittently provides evidence of the use of scholarly inquiry to inform include the application of ethical decisionmaking Score 4
4. Analyze the effect of health policy, finance, healthcare technologies and organizational structure on the development and implementation of quality educational programs and healthcare delivery systems. 5. Demonstrate the use of leadership strategies that advance the design and implementation of quality education programs and improve clinical practice. 6. Analyze the effect of sociopolitical and cultural influences on nursing education and healthcare 7. Utilize effective communication to enhance clinical and educational practice. includes an analysis of how health policy, finance, health care technologies, or organizational structure influences the development of programs and the implementation of quality healthcare. use of leadership strategies in each assignment selected to advance the design and implementation of quality nursing includes an analysis of how sociopolitical and cultural influences impact nursing Presents written and oral work in a clear, organized, and logical format using appropriate language skills. Consistent use of includes description of how a health policy, finance, health care technology, or organizational structure influences quality healthcare. use of leadership strategies; however, discussion does not clearly articulate how the strategies were applied in nursing includes a description of how sociopolitical and cultural influences impact nursing Presents written and oral work in a clear, organized, and logical format using appropriate language identifies a health policy, finance, health care technology, or organizational structure; however, does not identify its influence on quality health care. Discussion only describes leadership strategies and the use of these strategies to advance nursing identifies a cultural or sociopolitical issue; however, the discussion does identify its impact on nursing Clarity, logic, and organization of written and oral work are inconsistent. Paper is limited by lack of include an analysis of the effect health policy, finance, healthcare technology, or organizational structure influences quality health care. address leadership strategies or the use of these strategies to advance nursing analyze the effect sociopolitical and cultural influences have on nursing Does not present written and oral work in a clear, organized, and logical format. 5
APA format. Grammar and syntax are appropriate for graduate level. skills. Minor errors in APA format. Grammar and syntax present with minor errors and are appropriate for graduate level. clarity in language skills. Inconsistent use of APA format. Grammar and syntax require revision. Limited language skills. APA format is inconsistently applied. Grammar and syntax require extensive revision. 8. Integrate advances in healthcare technology into nursing education and healthcare. 9. Demonstrate a commitment to advanced study and lifelong learning Demonstrate achievement of critical reflective thinking to inform and/or initiate change in professional and academic areas during enrollment in the MSN program Outstanding integration of healthcare technology in nursing education and health care discussed in synthesis paper and supported with documents in e-portfolio Outstanding demonstration of advanced study and lifelong learning presented in synthesis paper and e- Portfolio documents. Applies critical reflective thinking to synthesize assignments from each of the 12 MSN courses to validate achievement of all MSN outcomes and Specialty Track Competencies. Discussion Competent integration of healthcare technology in nursing education and health care discussed in synthesis paper and supported with documents in e- Portfolio Competent demonstration of advanced study and lifelong learning presented in synthesis paper and e-portfolio documents. Applies reflective thinking to synthesize assignments from a minimum of 9 of the MSN courses to validate achievement of all MSN outcomes and Specialty Track Intermittent use of healthcare technology in nursing education and health care discussed in synthesis paper and supported with documents in e- Portfolio Limited demonstration of advanced study and lifelong learning presented in synthesis paper and e-portfolio documents. Applies reflective thinking to identify assignments from MSN courses to validate achievement of all MSN outcomes and Specialty Track Competencies. Rare use of healthcare technology in nursing education and health care discussed in synthesis paper and/or supported with documents in e- Portfolio Inadequate demonstration of advanced study and lifelong learning presented in synthesis paper and e-portfolio documents. Lists assignments from MSN courses to validate achievement of all MSN outcomes and Specialty Track Competencies. 6
provides relevant evidence from your e-portfolio of the influence each assignment has on the potential for change in Competencies. evidence of the influence the assignments in the selected courses have on provide evidence from your e-portfolio of the influence the assignments have on reflect the relevance of the assignments to TOTAL POINTS 7
STUDENT NAME/ID: DATE: Criteria Pass/Fail Comments A. Title Page B. Table of Contents C. Introduction D. Summary of Professional Achievement (Limit the discussion of professional achievements to 3pages) E. Academic Achievement of MSN Program Outcomes and Nursing Informatics Competencies (Limit to 16 Pages) MSN Outcomes Points Received Comments 1. Apply research methods to evaluate current knowledge from nursing theory, nursing science and related disciplines to inform and/or initiate change in educational, clinical, and organizational decision making. 2. 2. Demonstrate the use of scholarly inquiry to inform educational and clinical practice management. 3. 3. Apply ethical decision making in research, evaluation, education, clinical practice and management. 4. Analyze the effect of health policy, finance, healthcare technologies and organizational structure on the development and implementation of quality educational programs and healthcare delivery systems. 5. Demonstrate the use of leadership strategies that advance the design and implementation of quality education programs and improve clinical practice. 6. 6. Analyze the effect of sociopolitical and cultural influences on nursing education and healthcare 7. Utilize effective communication to enhance clinical and educational practice. 8. Integrate advances in healthcare technology into nursing education and healthcare. 9. Demonstrate a commitment to advanced study and lifelong learning 8
Demonstrate achievement of critical reflective thinking to inform and/or initiate change in professional and academic areas during enrollment in the MSN program Integrates Nursing Informatics Track Competencies in MSN Outcomes 1. Integrate knowledge, skills, and scientific findings from nursing science, computer science, information science and cognitive science in the professional practice of nursing informatics. 2. Analyze the concepts of, and relationships between data, information, knowledge and wisdom for implications to nursing practice. 3. Demonstrate leadership in the professional practice of nursing informatics through the use of effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration and administrative skills. 4. Participate at each stage within the health information systems life cycle as a leader and team member. 5. Promote the use of healthcare informatics-related education for consumers and healthcare providers. 6. Integrate legal, ethical, regulatory, technical and professional standards into the development and implementation of healthcare related information systems. 7. Use research, evidence based practice, quality improvement and safety methodologies in the evaluation and improvement of healthcare information systems. 8. Advance nursing informatics professional practice and values. Overall Impression: Total Points Pass with Distinction Pass Minimal Pass Fail Student Name: Present/Not Present COMMENTS Date: 9
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