Finalizing the Capstone Project: From Evaluation to Presentation
The RN-to-BSN journey at Capella University culminates in NURS FPX 4900: Capstone Project for Nursing, a comprehensive course designed to bring together all the competencies students have built throughout the program. After identifying a clinical problem in NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 and proposing an intervention in Assessment 3, students move into the final phases: evaluating the project and presenting it professionally.
Assessment 4 and NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 5 are critical in demonstrating a nurse’s ability to think analytically, reflect on outcomes, and communicate effectively in clinical settings.
NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 4: Evaluating the Proposed Intervention
In Assessment 4, students focus on how they would evaluate the success of their proposed intervention. Although most students won’t implement the plan in real life, this step is designed to show understanding of outcome measurement and quality improvement practices.
Assessment 4 includes:
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Establishing Evaluation Criteria: Students must define what success looks like. This could include reduced readmission rates, improved patient satisfaction scores, fewer medication errors, or better care transitions.
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Choosing Measurement Tools: Whether using patient surveys, audit reports, or observation tools, students should explain how they would gather reliable and valid data.
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Identifying Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Immediate changes in workflow or patient behavior are important, but so are the long-term impacts on care quality and safety.
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Addressing Barriers and Adaptability: Students also evaluate the feasibility of their plan, including possible obstacles and how they would make necessary adjustments.
This assessment reinforces a key nursing leadership skill: the ability to measure and refine interventions to ensure lasting results.
NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 5: Capstone Video Presentation
The final assessment in the Capstone course is Assessment 5, where students develop and deliver a professional video presentation that summarizes their entire capstone project.
Key elements of this assessment include:
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Summarizing the Problem and Intervention: Students start by providing a brief overview of the clinical issue identified in Assessment 1 and the intervention developed in Assessment 3.
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Highlighting Outcomes and Evaluation Plans: The presentation should clearly explain how the intervention will be evaluated, referencing Assessment 4.
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Engaging a Professional Audience: Students must tailor their presentation for a healthcare audience. This includes using clear, concise language and presenting data or graphics to support key points.
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Demonstrating Communication and Leadership: The video should showcase the student’s confidence, professionalism, and readiness to step into leadership roles within their nursing career.
Assessment 5 is not just about repeating facts—it’s about demonstrating mastery of evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and nursing advocacy through clear and confident communication.
Bringing It All Together
Assessments 4 and NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 5 serve as the final demonstration of a student’s readiness to graduate from the RN-to-BSN program and contribute meaningfully to the nursing profession. By completing these final assessments, students prove they can:
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Analyze clinical outcomes using valid data
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Lead and evaluate improvement initiatives in healthcare settings
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Communicate complex information to stakeholders and peers
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Reflect on their role as leaders and lifelong learners in nursing
These capstone experiences are not just academic exercises—they are stepping stones into advanced nursing roles where critical thinking, communication, and leadership are essential.
