NURS 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing — Complete Assignment Brief, Discussion Posts & Grading Rubrics
Course Overview
NURS 3101 is the first nursing course in the Walden RN-BSN sequence. It introduces registered nurses to the evolving landscape of the profession and their emerging identity as scholar-practitioners. Students examine changes in the U.S. healthcare delivery system, the role of information technology, and measures that promote quality, safety, and better health outcomes. Through six weeks of discussion board posts and a progressive two-part Quality Nursing written assignment, students explore contemporary nursing issues — including the nursing shortage, workforce challenges, ethical practice, healthcare financing, professional organizations, and diversity — and connect those issues to Walden’s mission of positive social change.
Because this is the first nursing course in the program, academic writing skill development is embedded throughout. Students are introduced to the Walden Writing Center, SafeAssign, the Walden Library, Grammarly, APA citation, paragraph-level writing, and scholarly evidence use.
Week 1: The Power of Nursing — One Nurse at a Time
Learning Objectives
- Analyze current and future challenges in nursing and propose solutions to address them.
- Evaluate the role of advanced education in developing a personal nursing legacy.
- Analyze the impact of nurses on patients, peers, and supervisors.
- Develop a technology contingency plan for use in the online classroom.
Weekly Schedule
| Due By | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 1, Days 1–2 | Read all Learning Resources, including the AWE Checklist (Weeks 1–3) and Discussion Post Tips. |
| Week 1, Day 3 | Post your initial 2-paragraph Discussion response (at least 350 words). |
| Week 1, Days 4–5 | Review peer posts. Draft your two peer responses. |
| Week 1, Day 6 | Post two peer Discussion responses. |
| Week 1, Day 7 | Wrap up Discussion. Submit Assignment 1 (Technology Contingency Plan). |
Discussion: Creating Your Personal Nursing Legacy
Many nurses throughout history have left long and distinguished legacies of excellence. You are following in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, Lillian Wald, Mary Ezra Mahoney, and others who each applied professional skill sets to the specific demands of their time. Now it is time to start building your own legacy.
To Prepare
- Review the Discussion Post Tips document and the AWE Checklist (Weeks 1–3).
- Watch the Laureate Education videos: Issues and Trends in Nursing: Introduction (2009a) and Welcome to the BSN Program at Walden University.
- Read ‘The Empty Carriage: Lessons in Leadership From Florence Nightingale’ (Heege, 2011) and ‘Creating a Career Legacy Map to Help Assure Meaningful Work in Nursing’ (Hinds et al., 2015).
By Day 3 — Initial Post
Post a 2-paragraph response of at least 350 words to one of the following options:
Option 1: Describe at least two current and/or future challenges in nursing and the solutions that are being proposed to meet those challenges. Explain how furthering your education will enable you to build upon your personal nursing legacy in meeting these types of challenges.
Option 2: Describe a nurse colleague or current nurse leader who inspires you. Identify and describe how this person’s actions have led to positive outcomes related to patients, peers, and/or supervisors. What do you see yourself doing in your nursing career to build upon the legacy of this role model?
By Day 6 — Peer Responses
Respond to at least two colleagues’ posts. Expand on their ideas, offer a different perspective, or suggest an additional strategy for building upon their stated nursing legacy goal.
Discussion Rubric — Week 1
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Initial Post (min. 350 words, 2 paragraphs) | Cohesive, well-developed 2 paragraphs of at least 350 words; directly and specifically addresses the chosen option with evidence from the Learning Resources. | Meets 350-word minimum; option addressed; evidence partially integrated. | Post under 350 words or does not fully address the chosen option; evidence absent or minimal. | Off-topic, fewer than 200 words, or fails to respond to either option. | 35 |
| Use of Evidence and APA 7 In-Text Citation | At least one APA-cited source from the Learning Resources is integrated naturally and accurately. | Source cited; minor APA formatting errors. | Source referenced but not cited in APA format. | No citations; no scholarly evidence. | 25 |
| Nursing Legacy and Professional Relevance | Clear, specific thinking about the student’s own nursing legacy; connection to professional practice is authentic and specific. | Legacy connection made but remains general or surface-level. | Personal nursing legacy mentioned but not developed. | No personal nursing legacy perspective offered. | 25 |
| Peer Responses (min. 2) — Substance and APA | Both responses substantive, specific, and add new information, a different perspective, or a relevant suggestion. | Both responses present; adequate substance with minor writing or APA issues. | Only one response, or both are brief/generic affirmations. | No peer responses, or one sentence each with no substance. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Assignment 1: Technology Contingency Plan
Complete the Technology Contingency Plan Form (Word document found on pages 2–3 of the Week 1 Assignment 1 template). Your plan must address:
- Your primary technology setup (device type, internet provider, browser).
- At least two backup devices or access points you will use if your primary setup fails.
- Your backup internet plan (e.g., mobile hotspot, library WiFi).
- Your plan for notifying your instructor if you experience a technology emergency.
- At least one Walden-specific resource you will use to resolve technology issues (e.g., Walden IT Help Desk, Blackboard Student Orientation).
Save as: WK1Assgn1+LastName+FirstInitial.(extension). Submit by Day 7 of Week 1.
Assignment 1 Rubric — Technology Contingency Plan
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Technology Setup Documented | Device type, internet provider, and browser all clearly identified; information is specific and accurate. | Two of three elements documented. | Only one element or information is vague. | Setup section not completed. | 25 |
| Backup Devices and Access Points (min. 2) | Two or more specific, realistic backup options with sufficient detail (location, device type, access method). | Two backups listed; one or more lack sufficient detail. | Only one backup or options are implausible. | No backup devices identified. | 25 |
| Instructor Notification Plan | Clear, specific plan for notifying the instructor in a technology emergency; includes communication method and timing. | Plan present but vague about method or timing. | Notification plan implied but not clearly stated. | No notification plan included. | 25 |
| Walden Technology Resource Identified | At least one specific Walden resource correctly identified and its use explained. | Resource named but without explanation of use. | Generic resource mentioned without specifics. | No Walden technology resource identified. | 25 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Week 2: Nursing Ethics and the Quality of Patient Care
Learning Objectives
- Apply the ANA Code of Ethics to real clinical situations and ethical decision-making.
- Analyze how ethical nursing practice contributes to quality and safety in patient care.
- Begin developing a scholarly paper using evidence-based library resources and APA citation.
Weekly Schedule
| Due By | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 2, Days 1–2 | Read Learning Resources, including the ANA Code of Ethics resources and AWE Checklist (Weeks 1–3). |
| Week 2, Day 3 | Post your initial Discussion response (at least 350 words, 2 paragraphs). |
| Week 2, Days 4–5 | Review peer posts. Draft two peer responses. Begin drafting Assignment 2 (Quality Nursing paper). |
| Week 2, Day 6 | Post two peer Discussion responses. |
| Week 2, Day 7 | Submit Assignment 2 Draft to SafeAssign and review originality report. |
Discussion: Ethics and Quality in Nursing Practice
The ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements (2015) is the cornerstone document of the nursing profession. It reflects the evolution of healthcare and addresses the ethical challenges nurses face in contemporary practice, upholding the best interests of patients, families, and communities.
By Day 3 — Initial Post
Post a 2-paragraph response of at least 350 words to one of the following options:
Option 1: Describe a specific situation in your nursing practice in which you faced an ethical dilemma. Explain how you resolved it, what ethical principles guided your decision, and how your decision-making contributed to the quality and safety of patient care.
Option 2: Fitzpatrick (2015) describes how certain characteristics and competencies set nursing and nurses apart from other professions. Describe how your nursing practice and ethical decision-making skills have furthered the quality and safety of patient care. Provide at least one specific example from your clinical experience.
By Day 6 — Peer Responses
Respond to at least two colleagues. Offer a different ethical lens, affirm the ethical reasoning they used and explain why it aligns with the ANA Code, or suggest one additional resource or strategy they could apply.
Discussion Rubric — Week 2
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethical Situation or Competency Description | Specific, clear clinical situation or nursing competency described in sufficient detail to contextualize the ethical discussion. | Situation or competency described but lacks sufficient clinical specificity. | Situation or competency vaguely referenced without adequate detail. | No specific ethical situation or competency described. | 30 |
| Ethical Reasoning and ANA Code Connection | Ethical principles and/or ANA Code provisions explicitly named and applied to the situation; reasoning is logical and professionally grounded. | Connection to ethical principles present; ANA Code referenced but not fully applied. | Ethical principles mentioned generically without connection to the Code or specific situation. | No ethical principles or ANA Code connection. | 30 |
| Impact on Quality and Safety of Care | Specific contribution to quality or patient safety articulated with at least one example; connection to the broader profession made. | Quality/safety connection made; example present but not highly specific. | Quality/safety mentioned superficially without example. | No quality/safety connection drawn. | 25 |
| Peer Responses and Writing Quality | Both responses substantive, add a new angle or evidence, and uphold BSN-level writing standards. | Both responses present; minor writing quality issues. | Responses thin or only one posted. | Responses absent or one sentence each. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Assignment 2: Quality Nursing — Part 1 (Draft Submission)
Quality Indicators (QIs) are standardized, evidence-based measures used to highlight potential quality concerns, identify areas for further study, and track changes in patient outcomes over time.
The Assignment (2 to 3 Pages — Draft)
- Describe your chosen Quality Indicator in general terms. Include its category (e.g., patient safety, effectiveness) and why you selected it.
- Explain how your QI has the potential to improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of patients and their families.
- Use in-text citations from at least two peer-reviewed articles found in the Walden Library.
- Apply essay-level writing: introduction, body paragraphs with transitions, and conclusion.
- Submit the draft to SafeAssign in the Academic Integrity area. Review the originality report and revise before submitting.
Save as: WK2Assgn+LastName+FirstInitial.(extension). Submit the SafeAssign-checked draft by Day 7 of Week 2.
Assignment 2 Draft Rubric
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Indicator Selection and Description | QI clearly named and described; category identified; rationale for selection is specific and professionally relevant. | QI named and described; rationale present but general. | QI named but description or rationale is minimal. | No QI selected or identified. | 25 |
| Potential to Improve Quality, Safety, and Outcomes | Explanation is specific, patient-centered, and well-supported; at least one family or population outcome addressed. | Explanation present; safety/outcomes partially addressed. | Explanation vague or limited to one dimension of quality. | No explanation of improvement potential. | 30 |
| Use of Two Peer-Reviewed Sources (APA 7) | Two peer-reviewed sources correctly cited in-text and listed as references in APA 7; evidence well-integrated. | Two sources cited; one or two minor APA errors; integration adequate. | Only one source used or APA errors throughout. | No peer-reviewed sources used or cited. | 30 |
| Essay-Level Writing Skills | Clear introduction, body paragraphs with transitions, and conclusion; meets BSN academic writing standards. | Structure present; writing meets most BSN standards; minor issues. | Structure inconsistent; transitions weak or absent. | No discernible essay structure; writing below BSN expectations. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Week 3: Magnet Recognition and Nursing Excellence
Learning Objectives
- Describe the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program and its five model components.
- Analyze personal contributions a nurse can make toward seeking or maintaining Magnet designation.
- Apply Walden Library database search skills to locate peer-reviewed research on nursing quality.
Weekly Schedule
| Due By | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 3, Days 1–2 | Read Learning Resources on the Magnet Recognition Program. Identify peer-reviewed articles for your Assignment. |
| Week 3, Day 3 | Post your initial Discussion response (at least 350 words, 2 paragraphs). |
| Week 3, Days 4–5 | Review peer posts and draft two peer responses. Continue revising your Quality Nursing paper. |
| Week 3, Day 6 | Post two peer Discussion responses. |
| Week 3, Day 7 | No assignment due this week. Continue developing your Quality Nursing paper for Week 4 submission. |
Discussion: Magnet Recognition and Nursing Excellence
Magnet designation from the ANCC is one of the most prestigious recognitions a healthcare organization can receive. It signals excellence in nursing practice, leadership, and patient outcomes. As a BSN student and practicing nurse, you play a direct role in either pursuing or sustaining this designation.
By Day 3 — Initial Post
Post a 2-paragraph response of at least 350 words to one of the following options:
Option 1: Describe the personal contribution a nurse might make in the process of seeking or maintaining Magnet designation. Use at least one specific example from your own nursing experience or workplace to illustrate how individual nurse actions contribute to Magnet-level excellence.
Option 2: Analyze how the Magnet Professional Practice Model relates to quality nursing indicators. Select one of the five Magnet model components and explain how it connects to a specific Quality Indicator relevant to your clinical area or interest. Use evidence from the Learning Resources to support your analysis.
By Day 6 — Peer Responses
Respond to at least two colleagues. Offer a complementary Magnet model component, connect their example to a broader quality indicator, or share a contrasting experience from your own practice.
Discussion Rubric — Week 3
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Contribution to Magnet Identified | Specific, concrete personal contribution to Magnet designation described; at least one workplace-based example included. | Contribution described; example present but not highly specific. | Contribution mentioned without a clear personal example. | No personal contribution or Magnet connection described. | 30 |
| Magnet Model Component or QI Connection | A specific Magnet model component or QI is named and its connection to quality nursing practice clearly explained using evidence. | Component or QI named; connection to practice partially explained. | Component or QI referenced without a clear explanation. | No Magnet component or QI identified. | 30 |
| Use of Evidence and APA 7 | At least one Learning Resource source cited in-text in APA 7 format to support the discussion. | One source cited; minor APA errors present. | Source referenced but not formatted in APA. | No evidence cited. | 25 |
| Peer Responses and Writing Quality | Both responses substantive, add new information or a different angle, and uphold BSN-level writing. | Both responses present; minor gaps in substance or writing. | Responses thin or only one posted. | Responses absent. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Week 4: The Future of Nursing and the BSN Role
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the impact of the BSN-prepared nurse on the future of healthcare quality and delivery.
- Submit Part 1 of the Quality Nursing Assignment, demonstrating evidence-based writing and APA competency.
- Use SafeAssign originality data to revise and strengthen scholarly writing.
Weekly Schedule
| Due By | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 4, Days 1–2 | Read Learning Resources on the future of nursing. Finalize Quality Nursing paper Part 1 revisions. |
| Week 4, Day 3 | Post your initial Discussion response (at least 350 words, 2 paragraphs). |
| Week 4, Days 4–5 | Review peer posts. Draft two peer responses. Make final revisions to Assignment 3. |
| Week 4, Day 6 | Post two peer Discussion responses. |
| Week 4, Day 7 | Submit Assignment 3: Quality Nursing — Part 1 (Final Submission) with SafeAssign report. |
Discussion: The Future of Nursing and Your Role Within It
By Day 3 — Initial Post
Post a 2-paragraph response of at least 350 words to one of the following options:
Option 1: Describe two specific trends or changes in healthcare delivery that you believe will most significantly affect your nursing practice over the next 10 years. Explain how your BSN education is preparing you to respond to these trends, and what additional steps you plan to take to remain effective and current.
Option 2: Reflect on the role of social determinants of health in shaping patient outcomes in your clinical area. Identify at least one social determinant that significantly affects the patients you serve and explain one evidence-based nursing intervention that addresses it. Connect your response to Walden’s mission of positive social change.
Discussion Rubric — Week 4
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Trends or Social Determinants | Two specific trends or one social determinant clearly identified; connection to the student’s actual clinical area is direct and credible. | Trends or social determinant identified; clinical connection partially made. | Trends or social determinant described generically without clinical grounding. | No trends or social determinants identified. | 30 |
| BSN Preparation or Evidence-Based Intervention | How BSN education addresses the trend or a specific evidence-based nursing intervention is clearly and specifically explained. | BSN preparation or intervention described; could be more specific. | BSN preparation or intervention mentioned superficially. | Not addressed. | 30 |
| Social Change Connection and APA 7 | Explicit connection to Walden’s social change mission made; at least one source cited in APA 7 format. | Social change connection made; citation present with minor APA errors. | Social change mentioned without clear connection; citation absent. | No social change connection; no citation. | 25 |
| Peer Responses and Writing Quality | Both responses substantive and add meaningful content; BSN-level writing maintained. | Both present; minor issues. | Thin responses or only one posted. | Responses absent. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Assignment 3: Quality Nursing — Part 1 (Final Submission, 2 to 3 Pages)
Submit your revised and finalized 2- to 3-page Quality Nursing paper. The final version must demonstrate all of the following:
- QI is clearly named, categorized, and relevant to your nursing career path.
- Analysis of the QI’s potential to improve quality, safety, and patient/family outcomes — evidence-based, using at least two peer-reviewed APA 7-cited sources.
- Essay-level writing: introduction, body paragraphs with transitions, and a purposeful conclusion.
- APA 7 format applied correctly throughout — in-text citations and full reference list.
- Submit both the revised paper and the SafeAssign originality report.
Save as: WK4Assgn+LastName+FirstInitial.(extension). Submit by Day 7 of Week 4.
Assignment 3 Rubric — Quality Nursing Part 1 (Final)
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Indicator Description (Final) | QI clearly named, categorized, and described with professional precision; rationale connects to the student’s nursing career path. | QI named and described; rationale present but could be more career-specific. | QI described at a surface level; limited rationale. | QI not clearly identified. | 20 |
| Analysis of Improvement Potential (Quality, Safety, Outcomes) | Analysis is specific, patient- and family-centered, and grounded in at least two peer-reviewed sources; strength of evidence clearly communicated. | Analysis present; evidence used but integration could be stronger. | Analysis present but primarily descriptive rather than evidence-based. | No substantive analysis. | 35 |
| APA 7 — In-Text Citations and Reference List | All citations correctly formatted in APA 7; reference list complete and accurately formatted; at least two peer-reviewed sources. | One to two minor APA errors; reference list substantially complete. | Several APA errors; reference list incomplete. | No APA citations or reference list attempted. | 25 |
| Essay Structure and BSN-Level Writing | Clear, logically sequenced introduction, body, and conclusion; BSN-level scholarly voice; transitions effective. | Structure present and mostly effective; minor writing issues. | Structure inconsistent; writing below BSN standard in places. | No discernible structure; writing significantly below BSN expectations. | 15 |
| SafeAssign Report Submitted | Both revised paper and SafeAssign report submitted together; evidence of revision to address similarity score. | Both submitted; minor evidence of revision. | Only paper submitted; no SafeAssign report. | SafeAssign report not submitted. | 5 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Week 5: Nursing Workforce, Diversity, and Professional Organizations
Learning Objectives
- Analyze current nursing workforce issues, including shortage, burnout, and diversity challenges.
- Examine the role of professional nursing organizations in advocating for nurses and patients.
- Evaluate the impact of workforce diversity on patient care outcomes and health equity.
Weekly Schedule
| Due By | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 5, Days 1–2 | Read Learning Resources on workforce, diversity, and professional organizations. |
| Week 5, Day 3 | Post your initial Discussion response (at least 350 words, 2 paragraphs). |
| Week 5, Days 4–5 | Review peer posts. Draft two peer responses. Begin final revisions to Quality Nursing paper. |
| Week 5, Day 6 | Post two peer Discussion responses. |
| Week 5, Day 7 | No assignment due this week. Continue revising for the Week 6 final submission. |
Discussion: Workforce Issues, Diversity, and Professional Advocacy
By Day 3 — Initial Post
Post a 2-paragraph response of at least 350 words to one of the following options:
Option 1: Describe a workforce challenge — such as nurse shortage, burnout, staffing ratios, or nurse-to-patient safety — that you have personally witnessed or experienced. Explain the impact on patient care quality and nurse well-being. Then identify one evidence-based solution that could be implemented at the unit or organizational level.
Option 2: Identify a professional nursing organization relevant to your specialty or interest. Explain the organization’s role in advocating for nursing workforce issues and diversity. Describe at least one specific resource, publication, or initiative from that organization that could strengthen your professional practice.
By Day 6 — Peer Responses
Respond to at least two colleagues by suggesting an additional evidence-based solution, professional organization resource, or workforce advocacy strategy relevant to their post.
Discussion Rubric — Week 5
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce Challenge or Organization Description | Clearly and specifically described; clinical or professional relevance is direct. | Description adequate; specificity could be stronger. | Description vague or not clearly grounded in the student’s practice context. | No workforce challenge or organization described. | 30 |
| Impact on Quality/Diversity or Advocacy Role | Specific impact on patient care or outcomes articulated; or organization’s advocacy role clearly explained with one specific example. | Impact or advocacy role addressed; example present but could be more detailed. | Impact or advocacy role mentioned without a specific example. | No impact or advocacy connection made. | 30 |
| Evidence-Based Solution or Professional Resource | Specific, realistic, evidence-informed solution or professional resource identified and its application explained. | Solution or resource identified; application partially explained. | Solution or resource mentioned without explanation of application. | No solution or resource identified. | 25 |
| Peer Responses and Writing Quality | Both responses add specific new content; BSN-level writing throughout. | Both present; minor gaps in substance or writing. | Thin responses or only one posted. | Responses absent. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Week 6: Social Change, Academic Integrity, and Final Quality Nursing Submission
Learning Objectives
- Define plagiarism and apply originality principles to scholarly nursing writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate instructor feedback into a revised academic paper.
- Submit a polished, evidence-based final Quality Nursing paper reflecting BSN-level academic writing.
- Reflect on growth as a scholar-practitioner and on Walden’s mission of social change.
Weekly Schedule
| Due By | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 6, Days 1–2 | Review instructor feedback from Week 4 Assignment. Finalize revisions to Quality Nursing paper. |
| Week 6, Day 3 | Post your initial Discussion response (at least 350 words, 2 paragraphs). |
| Week 6, Days 4–5 | Review peer posts. Draft two peer responses. Finalize Assignment 5. |
| Week 6, Day 6 | Post two peer Discussion responses. |
| Week 6, Day 7 | Submit Assignment 5: Quality Nursing — Final Revised Submission with SafeAssign report. |
Discussion: Social Change and Your Nursing Legacy — A Final Reflection
By Day 3 — Initial Post
Post a 2-paragraph response of at least 350 words to one of the following options:
Option 1: Reflect on one concept, issue, or insight from NURS 3101 that most significantly changed the way you think about your nursing practice or your role in the profession. Explain what changed and why, and describe one specific action you will take in the next six months to build on that change.
Option 2: Describe one way you plan to contribute to positive social change in your community, patient population, or healthcare organization as a result of your BSN education at Walden. Explain the specific issue you intend to address, the approach you will take, and the outcome you hope to achieve. Use at least one scholarly source to support your plan.
By Day 6 — Peer Responses
Respond to at least two colleagues. Affirm a specific element of their social change vision, suggest one additional resource or strategy that could support their plan, or offer a constructive question that invites deeper reflection.
Discussion Rubric — Week 6
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective Depth or Social Change Plan | Reflection is candid, specific, and demonstrates genuine insight into professional growth; or social change plan is specific, realistic, and population-focused. | Reflection or plan present and adequate; could be more specific. | Reflection or plan vague or largely generic. | No substantive reflection or social change plan offered. | 30 |
| Connection to Nursing Practice and BSN Growth | Direct connection between course learning and nursing practice or BSN development clearly articulated. | Connection made but partially developed. | Connection attempted but not tied clearly to BSN learning. | No connection to nursing practice or BSN growth. | 30 |
| Use of Evidence and APA 7 | At least one scholarly source accurately cited in APA 7 to support the social change plan or reflection. | Source present with minor APA errors. | Source mentioned but not correctly cited. | No scholarly source used. | 25 |
| Peer Responses and Writing Quality | Both responses offer specific affirmation, a question, or a resource; BSN-level writing upheld. | Both responses present; minor gaps. | Thin responses or only one posted. | Responses absent. | 15 |
Total Possible: 100 points
Assignment 5: Quality Nursing — Final Submission (Revised Final Paper, 2 to 3 Pages)
In Week 4, you submitted Part 1 and received instructor feedback. Week 6 is the opportunity to incorporate that feedback, polish your paper to BSN-level scholarly standard, and submit the definitive version.
- Instructor feedback from the Week 4 submission has been incorporated clearly and substantively.
- The paper describes your selected QI with precision and professional grounding.
- Analysis of the QI’s potential to improve quality, safety, and outcomes is evidence-based; at least two peer-reviewed APA 7-cited sources used.
- Essay-level writing: introduction, body paragraphs with transitions, purposeful conclusion.
- APA 7 applied correctly throughout — in-text citations and full reference list.
- Submit both the revised paper and the final SafeAssign originality report.
Save as: WK6Assgn+LastName+FirstInitial.(extension). Submit by Day 7 of Week 6.
Assignment 5 Rubric — Quality Nursing Final Submission
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Poor (1) | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integration of Instructor Feedback | Instructor feedback clearly and substantively addressed throughout; revisions strengthen the argument and writing quality. | Most feedback addressed; one or two areas remain underdeveloped. | Some feedback addressed; major recommended revisions not implemented. | No evidence that instructor feedback was reviewed or incorporated. | 25 |
| Quality Indicator Analysis — Quality, Safety, Outcomes | Analysis is thorough, patient-centered, and evidence-based; connects QI to specific outcomes for patients and families. | Analysis solid; one dimension could be more developed. | Analysis present but primarily descriptive; evidence integration weak. | No substantive analysis; QI description only. | 30 |
| APA 7 — In-Text Citations and Reference List | All citations and references correctly formatted in APA 7; no significant errors; at least two peer-reviewed sources. | Minor APA errors; references substantially complete. | Several APA errors; one or more references missing or incorrect. | No APA formatting; reference list absent. | 25 |
| Essay Structure, Scholarly Voice, and Revision Evidence | Paper demonstrates clear revision from Part 1; BSN-level scholarly voice; introduction, body, and conclusion all purposeful. | Structure and voice strong; minor revision evident. | Structure present; limited revision evidence; voice inconsistent. | No visible revision from Part 1; structure absent or unclear. | 15 |
| SafeAssign Report Submitted | Final revised paper and SafeAssign report submitted together; similarity score reflects appropriate paraphrasing and citation. | Both submitted; minor originality concerns remain. | Only paper submitted; no SafeAssign report. | Neither submitted properly. | 5 |
Total Possible: 100 points
NURS 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
The nursing shortage remains one of the most complex and consequential issues in the U.S. healthcare system, driven not only by population growth and an aging workforce but also by persistent burnout and unsustainable nurse-to-patient ratios that push experienced nurses toward early exit from the profession. Professional development through a BSN program equips nurses with the skills to analyze these systemic problems and propose evidence-based solutions, rather than simply absorbing the impact of them at the bedside. A nurse pursuing Magnet designation at their facility can contribute meaningfully through data collection on nurse-sensitive quality indicators, participation in shared governance structures, and advocacy for evidence-based policy changes at the unit level. Quality Indicators such as fall prevention rates, CLABSI rates, and pressure injury prevalence are not just administrative metrics but direct measures of the nursing care delivered each shift, and BSN-prepared nurses are well-positioned to lead improvement efforts in each of these areas. As the American Nurses Association (2015) notes in its Code of Ethics for Nurses, nurses carry a professional obligation to maintain conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality care, and that obligation extends to advocating for staffing standards that protect both patients and the nursing workforce (American Nurses Association, 2015). Walden’s mission of social change finds concrete expression when BSN nurses choose to engage with these issues not as passive witnesses but as informed, evidence-driven advocates committed to improving both patient outcomes and the professional conditions of nursing.
Peer-Reviewed References(APA 7 Format)
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/
- Cho, E., Chin, D. L., Kim, S., & Hong, O. (2016). The relationships of nurse staffing level and work environment with patient adverse events. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48(1), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12183
- Kutney-Lee, A., Germack, H., Hatfield, L., Kelly, S., Maguire, P., Dierkes, A., Del Guidice, M., & Aiken, L. H. (2016). Nurse engagement in shared governance and patient and nurse outcomes. Journal of Nursing Administration, 46(11), 605–612. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000412
- Tinkham, M. R. (2013). Pursuing magnet designation: The role of structural empowerment. AORN Journal, 97(2), 253–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2012.10.022
- Ma, C., Shang, J., & Bott, M. J. (2015). Linking unit collaboration and nursing leadership to nurse outcomes and quality of care. Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(9), 435–442. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000229
