Assessment 1. Essay

Weighting of Total Course Mark: 40%

Due Date

Refer to the Course Outline

Course objectives being assessed:

CO1: Explain the relationship between knowledge, research, and evidence-based practice.

CO2: Analyse the ethical principles that underpin research.

CO3: Describe the principles of evidence-based practice and their application to person-centred care.

Format

• 1500 words (+/- 10%) not including tables, figures, reference list and appendices.
• Submission must be in word format.
• A minimum of 10-15 academic references must be used.
• Reference list and in-text references must comply with APA 7 Referencing Style. Failure to show competency to the referencing method will result in mark deduction (per the marking rubric).
• Do not include a table of contents for this assessment.

Instructions (1-6).

The essay must be presented using the following 6 headings provided below.

1.      Introduction - 100 words

Provide some brief context to introduce the topic of the essay. Provide an outline of the purpose and structure of the essay.

2.      Relationship between knowledge, research and evidence-based nursing practice – 400 words

Explain the terms nursing knowledge, nursing research, and evidence-based nursing practice, and how these three concepts link together to inform nursing practice.

3.      Applying evidence-based practice  – 600 words

Explain how you (a Graduate RN) would apply each component of evidence-based nursing practice when faced with the following scenario.

You have just taken over the care of Mrs. Greta Fabian (she/her, 81 years of age) who is an in-patient ordered a 6-day course of IV cefazolin every 8 hours for severe cellulitis. Greta has a history of breast cancer 20 years ago and required a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Her peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) has recently dislodged, and she has 4 days remaining of the course. The senior Registered Nurse caring for her on the early shift attempted twice to insert a new PIVC using the landmark technique, which was unsuccessful. Greta is upset and agitated as she says she feels like a “pin cushion”, especially when it took so long to insert one the first time. You are aware of the following ACSQHC Clinical Care Standard for the management of PIVCs.

 Assessment 1 Resource

• You do not need to provide the scenario description again in your essay.
• This section can be written in first person when referring to individual clinical expertise only.

4.      Research ethics – 300 words

Now having considered where research fits into evidence-based nursing practice, imagine that your nursing team is going to undertake a research project to investigate the use of ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion. Describe ‘research ethics’ and explore at least three ethical considerations/principles that should be included when preparing the research proposal for this study.

5.      Conclusion - 100 words

Summarise your main points and reinforce the significance and implications of your essay.

6.      Reference List (not included in the overall word count)

Marking and Feedback

• Refer to the Assignment 1 Marking rubric pdf (you do not need to submit this with your essay). Remember to proof your work and do a self-assessment using the rubric provided
• Assessments will be marked based on the criteria provided
• Assessments will be returned through Gradebook no later than 10-15 days after the due date
• Late or extended submissions will be returned through Gradebook no later than 10-15 days after the date of submission