NURS 622D Leadership Capstone

The Leadership Capstone course is a pivotal component of the MSN in Clinical Healthcare Systems Administration (CHSA) program, designed to equip future nurse leaders with the advanced skills needed to spearhead meaningful change in healthcare settings. Through this course, students will develop a comprehensive, evidence-based leadership quality improvement project that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application. The Capstone Project is a culmination of the MSN program, challenging students to address real-world clinical or organizational issues with innovative, data-driven solutions. Students will choose a project topic that directly impacts the quality of healthcare processes, policies, or procedures, emphasizing improving clinical outcomes and patient safety. Building on prior coursework and practical experiences, the Capstone Project encourages students to synthesize their learning in leadership, population health management, finance, quality improvement, and safety. Evidence-based practice must guide the project and demonstrate a clear purpose with measurable outcomes. The course content is anchored in the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Leader Core Competencies (2022), which include communication and relationship management, professionalism, knowledge of the healthcare environment, and business skills. These competencies are critical as students transition from academic learning to professional leadership roles. Students will refine their technical writing skills specific to developing a scholarly Capstone Proposal in SQUIRE format and enhance their presentation capabilities through a series of mock presentations. This iterative process ensures that students are well-prepared to present their projects to faculty and peers confidently and competently. Ultimately, this course reinforces the university's mission, emphasizing a commitment to excellence in teaching and research in service to the Church, the nation, and the world.