N4585 Capstone
Capstone Reflective Journal
Submit by 2359 CST Saturday of each module specified in Course Calendar.
Overview: Capstone Reflective Journal
Each module you will make an entry into your Journal. You are asked to reflect on 3 of the key points for each module. Each entry should reflect on your understanding of the topic, your experiences and observations in your work environment or general nursing environment regarding the module topic.
This is a cumulative document. You will save it to your own computer desktop or memory device and update it each week. You may choose to record more than one entry each week, especially if you have an “aha!” moment as a result of your reading, discussions, or experience. You will upload and submit the latest version of your Capstone Reflective Journal to Blackboard by 2359 the Saturday following each of the first six modules of this course. It is not necessary that your entries be formatted or written in any particular way because it is for your benefit. Your entries will only be reviewed to ensure that you are making sufficient progress and thinking
deeply about the requirements in the course.
©2015University of Texas at Arlington Page 1 of 16Name:Date: N4585 Capstone
Rubrics Use this rubric to guide your Journal entries.
There will be total of 6 Journal entries for Modules 1-6. Each Module you are expected to address 3 key points from the Module content, discuss how each point applies to your practice as a nurse, and, finally, how will your practice change in the future because of this information.
In Module 7 your Journal entries will be used as you write the last paper for the program, the Synthesis Paper.
Journal Rubric for each Module
Criteria Target Unacceptable
Address 3 Key Points from Module for each Journal entry
(50 points)Discuss the 3 key points selected and why they are important or memorable. (50 points) Does not sufficiently record connections or reflections
(0 Points)
Relevance and Evidence Based Practice (25 points)Connect RN-BSN experi -
ences from each key point to career goals, prior nurs -
ing practice, a previous RN BSN course, nursing theo -
ries or research. Cite and reference as necessary. (25 points)Fails to connect RN-BSN ex -
periences to goals, prior nursing practice, coursework,
theories or research to key areas addressed or no refer -
ences. (0 points)
Future (25 points)Describes how personal practice will be different in the future based on RN-BSN program as a result of the 3 key areas addressed.
(25 points)Fails to describes how per -
sonal practice will be differ -
ent in the future based on RN-BSN program (0 points)
Late submissions will be penalized 5% per day unless prior arrangements have been made with your Academic Coach to complete the assignment at a later time.
©2015University of Texas at Arlington Page 2 of 16 N4585 Capstone
Instructions
Each week, record your experiences, connections to your course goals, and reflections as they relate to the given prompts and/or your course project. You must record one entry each week, but may record more (insert rows as needed). You may find it helpful and rewarding to record one entry at the beginning of the week, think about the prompt during the week, then record another at the end of the week. For privacy, refer to patients, online colleagues, and/or co-
workers with initials instead of names.
Save this document to your own computer desktop or storage device after each entry to create a cumulative journal Remember that the more thoughtfully and intentionally you record your immediate reflections, the easier it will be for you to pull all your experiences and thoughts together for your Journal Paper in Module 7.
Module Journal Entries
A separate Journal entry is required for Modules 1-6 by 2359 Saturday of each indicated module. Provide details of your thinking, including insights, challenges, paradigm shifts, and goals. Identify previous course topics, readings, or research that relate to the prompt. Journal Entry Module 1: Identify 3 key points form this module. Reflect on how why each point is important, how it impacts on your work experience or nursing practice, and how will you change your practice in the future based on each key area.
Key Point 1
Peer Reviewe
d JournalsFinding peer-reviewed journals is important in nursing, especially as we tran -
sition into professional nurses with our BSN degree. Nursing practice and knowledge is always evolving, and in order to maintain current in our practice, keeping up with current research and journals is essential. By using peer-reviewed material, we are en -
suring that its content has been verified and evaluated by qualified peers, and is ac -
ceptable as an academic resource. Throughout all of the RN to BSN courses, we have been required to locate peer-reviewed articles and incorporate them into our assign -
ments and discussion boards. At work, and as part of the evidence-based practice committee, I have used peer reviewed articles to support my findings and research to my unit to implement better practice. For example, we began using a turn team, with much success, as an attempt to decrease the number of pressure related skin injuries, ©2015University of Texas at Arlington Save this document to your desktop or other storage device after each entry. Page 3 of
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