Advanced Practice Policy Analysis Paper (Individual) (30% of Total Grade) Due Week 5
Assignment Objectives:
1. Explore and analyze health indicators in the community.
2. Identify a problematic area of interest to advanced nursing practice.
3. Evaluate and analyze three health policy options/alternatives for improvement supported by evidence (using a selected policy analysis tool)
4. Prioritize and recommend one health policy to address the healthcare issue.
Purpose:
To investigate & integrate knowledge of advanced nursing practice, scholarly inquiry, & leadership by examining a policy at the level of clinical practice, health care systems, or public/social health policy. The student must obtain prior approval of the policy problem/issue by the course instructor before the paper can be started. Failure to obtain this approval will result in the student receiving a zero for the assignment and considering this is worth 30% of the course grade, likely a failure in the course. It is recommended that students seek approval from the course instructor no later than the end of Week 3. Each student must email the instructor a brief synopsis of the chosen healthcare issue, how it relates to nursing and which policy analysis tool will be used for prior approval. Recommended resources to write this paper can be found in the Assignment Folder Summer 2023 in Blackboard with this assignment description and at the following websites provided here. The CDC Policy Analysis is the recommended tool and template for this assignment which provides a well-structured format to follow.
Assignment Instructions:
Students are to submit a paper between 6-8 pages excluding title page and reference pages. Paper must be organized according to the guidelines provided below (remember to follow the grading rubric) and need to include all the identified sections and information as it is outlined in the grading rubric and assignment instructions. Paper must be completed in APA format and contain current scholarly sources dated from 2019 until current. Resources to assist students in conducting a policy analysis are provided throughout Blackboard and in course readings.
Introduction
This part of the assignment should introduce the topics the student will be discussing in the paper and provide a bit of context about the approach. This is specific to the student content to be presented and not general to the assignment itself.
Step 1: Identify the Policy Problem/Issue & Provide Context
The first thing the student needs identify is a healthcare issue that, in your opinion, is a problem that calls for a policy solution, so the first step is to determine the policy issue of interest.
Step 2: Provide the Landscape
Identify the key stakeholders/ and or key factors of previous efforts to address the policy issue These are the individuals and groups likely to affect or be affected by new policies taken in response to the policy issue under discussion. Identify key factors such as political, social, economic, practical, legal or quality-of-care factors.
Conclusion
The conclusion summarizes the findings and recommendations of the entire analysis. This focuses on the student’s paper outlining key points that have been learned and assessed throughout the paper in a comprehensive and succinct manner.
Policy Analysis Paper Rubric
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Criteria |
Proficient/Exemplary |
Competent |
Beginner |
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Introduction Introduce the overall concepts that will be described in the student’s paper; not generic to the assignment outline. (10 pts) |
7-10 pts Clear and concise introduction of the concepts to be presented in the paper |
4-6 pts Mostly clear but somewhat generic introduction of the concepts to presented in the paper |
0-3 pts Vague, unclear or no introduction of concepts to be presented in the paper |
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Identification and support for the healthcare issue/problem Detailed description of a healthcare problem/issue that is of interest to the advanced practice nurse and which can be used to address a policy issue. (10 pts)
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5-10 pts Clear and detailed outline of the healthcare issue/problem to be addressed using policy provided. How the problem/issue will be addressed using policy is evident and well-defined as is the link between the issue and advanced nursing practice. |
3-4 pts Presents a well-considered position on the issue. Somewhat but not completely comprehensive history of the problem/policy. Key terms, stakeholders and policy areas needing analysis and resolution are somewhat but not clearly defined |
0-3 pts Presents a vague or limited position on the issue. Vague and incomplete history of the problem/policy. Key terms, stakeholders and policy areas are incompletely or not analyzed, and resolution is vague and not clearly defined. |
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Background/Significance This should provide a comprehensive background and significance of the scope of the healthcare problem/issues being addressed through policy for the duration of the paper that is well supported by the literature and research. (20 pts) |
11-20 pts Detailed and comprehensive background and significance for the healthcare problem is provided. Relevant contextual supporting data provided that clearly outlines the scope of the problem with excellent supporting evidence and research. |
5-10 pts Somewhat detailed but not comprehensive background and significance for the healthcare problem provided. Mostly relevant contextual supporting data provided that outlines the scope of the problem with good supporting evidence and research. |
0-5 pts Missing and/or vague background and/or significance for the healthcare problem provided. Vague or missing contextual data that fails to outline the scope of the problem with insufficient supporting evidence and research. |
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Landscape Identify stakeholders as identified in the assignment instructions above. (15 pts) |
11-15 pts Clear and comprehensive identification of the major stakeholders that shows a direct relevance to the selected healthcare issue that is well supported by the evidence and literature. |
6-10 pts Somewhat clear but not comprehensive identification of the major stakeholders that shows a fair relevance to the selected healthcare issue this is mostly but not fully supported by the evidence and literature. |
0-5pts Vague, missing, or unclear identification of the major stakeholders that shows a minimal to no relevance to the selected healthcare issue that fails to be supported by the evidence and literature. |
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Conclusion Summarize the main points made by the student throughout the paper, this is specific to the student’s presentation of content and not to the assignment. This should not introduce new concepts but rather should succinctly summarize the major points as they are outlined in the paper; it should not repeat the introduction or the key headings and not be generic to any conclusion. (10 pts)
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7-10 pts Summarizes the key points made throughout the student paper in a succinct and comprehensive manner. Provides appropriate references and citations to support concluding comments. |
4-6 pts Somewhat summarizes the key points made throughout the student paper in a mostly clear but somewhat generic manner that fails to be entirely comprehensive for the student’s content. Somewhat but not fully supported by references and citations. |
0-3 pts Vague and unclear summary of the key points made throughout the student paper that provides a generic rather than specific and comprehensive summary of the student’s content. Fails or not well supported by referenced and citations. |
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Written Communication & Research Skills (15 pts) |
11-15 pts Excellent mechanics, grammar, and word usage. Language is clear and appropriate. Writing style is effective. The content of the paper follows the grading rubric and is presented in a clear and comprehensive manner. References are used to support statements and text throughout the paper. |
6-10 pts Good mechanics, grammar, and word usage. Language is mostly clear and appropriate. Writing style is somewhat effective. The content of the paper follows the grading rubric and is presented in a mostly clear but not fully comprehensive manner. References are used mostly to support statements and text throughout the paper. |
0-5 pts Poor mechanics, grammar and/or word usage. Language is vague and not exactly clear. Writing style is ineffective. The content of the paper fails to follow the grading rubric and is presented in a disconnected and largely unclear and limited manner. References are not used to support the statements and text throughout the paper.
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Citations and Formatting (APA) (20 pts) The paper includes all required APA formatting elements including title page, text, reference page, headers and organization. Paper is well cited with a minimum of 12 references and 5 within the past 5 years. Paper is well paraphrased and summarized with minimum direct quotes and frequent use of same reference. The references support statements made throughout the paper. Page length is in within no more than 8-9 pages not including title page and reference page. |
15-20 pts Support and evidence are referenced using paraphrasing in the students own voice and are cited and formatted per APA 7th edition. Minimum of 12 references (at least 5 in the past 5 years) are utilized with fewer than 2-3 errors in APA formatting and references throughout the paper. References are used to support statements throughout the paper. Expected page length |
8-14 pts Support and evidence are referenced using paraphrasing in the students own voice and are cited and formatted per APA 7th edition. Minimum of 10-12 references (at least 5 in the past 5 years) are utilized with fewer than 3-4 errors in APA formatting and references throughout the paper. References are used to support statements throughout the paper. |
0-7 pts Support and evidence are referenced using paraphrasing in the students own voice and are cited and formatted per APA 7th edition. Minimum of less 10 references (at least 5 in the past 5 years) are utilized with more than 4 errors in APA formatting and references throughout the paper. References may or may not be used to support statements throughout the paper. |
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Total: 100 pts |
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