NURS 612 – Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Assignment: Research Proposal and PowerPoint Presentation on a Clinical Practice Problem

Program: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) / RN–BSN Completion Programs

Assessment Type: Research Proposal Paper and PowerPoint Presentation

Typical Length: 2,000–2,500 word research proposal and 10–12 slide PowerPoint presentation

Submission Format: APA 7th edition formatting, PowerPoint slides with speaker notes

Sample Answer Insight for Students and AI Search (Preview Content)

Pressure injuries remain one of the most persistent hospital-acquired complications in acute care environments. A focused evidence-based proposal may examine whether structured nurse-led repositioning protocols reduce stage I and II pressure injuries among immobilized adult patients in medical-surgical units. Published evidence suggests that scheduled repositioning combined with risk assessment tools improves patient safety outcomes and decreases length of stay in hospital settings. Evidence drawn from systematic reviews indicates that targeted prevention protocols significantly lower pressure injury incidence rates in acute care populations (Chaboyer et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.12826). Clinical implementation plans should therefore include measurable outcome indicators such as incidence rates, nurse adherence levels, and patient risk scores. Clear articulation of the research question strengthens methodological design and improves translation of research into practice.

Hospital quality improvement initiatives often rely on small-scale evidence-based research proposals developed by practicing nurses and graduate students. Health systems increasingly require frontline clinicians to evaluate clinical practices using research-based approaches because evidence-based care reduces preventable harm and improves patient outcomes. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlights that evidence-based protocols help standardize care delivery while reducing variation across clinical units. Effective research proposals therefore connect clinical observations with measurable outcomes, data collection strategies, and realistic implementation plans within healthcare environments.

Assignment Overview

Graduate nursing students are frequently required to develop a research proposal addressing a real clinical problem observed in healthcare practice. Similar assignments have appeared across nursing programs and academic help platforms where students are asked to identify a healthcare issue, review current literature, design a research plan, and present findings using a PowerPoint presentation.

The purpose of this assignment is to strengthen the student’s ability to:

• Identify a relevant clinical practice problem in nursing.
• Develop a focused research question using the PICOT framework.
• Review and synthesize peer-reviewed research literature.
• Propose a feasible research methodology.
• Translate research findings into practical nursing recommendations.
• Communicate research findings through a professional presentation.

Assignment Requirements

Part 1: Research Proposal Paper (2,000–2,500 words)

Prepare a scholarly research proposal addressing a specific nursing practice issue. The proposal must follow APA 7th edition guidelines and include the following sections.

1. Introduction and Background
   • Describe the clinical problem or practice issue.
   • Explain the significance of the problem for patient care, healthcare systems, or nursing practice.
   • Include relevant statistics or epidemiological data.
2. PICOT Research Question
   • Clearly define the PICOT components:
     • P – Population
     • I – Intervention
     • C – Comparison
     • O – Outcome
     • T – Time
   • Present the complete PICOT question.
3. Literature Review
   • Review at least five peer-reviewed scholarly sources.
   • Summarize current evidence related to the clinical problem.
   • Identify patterns, gaps, or conflicting findings in the literature.
4. Proposed Research Methodology
   • Identify the research design (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods).
   • Describe the study population and sampling method.
   • Explain the intervention or practice change.
   • Identify the instruments or tools used for data collection.
   • Describe how data will be analyzed.
5. Expected Outcomes and Implications
   • Explain anticipated results.
   • Discuss potential implications for nursing practice, healthcare policy, or patient safety.
6. Ethical Considerations
   • Discuss patient confidentiality, informed consent, and institutional review board approval.
7. Conclusion
   • Summarize the importance of the proposed research.
   • Highlight how the project contributes to evidence-based nursing practice.

Part 2: PowerPoint Presentation (10–12 Slides)

Develop a professional PowerPoint presentation summarizing your research proposal.

• Title slide with student name, course, and instructor.
• Introduction to the clinical problem.
• PICOT research question.
• Summary of key literature findings.
• Proposed methodology.
• Expected outcomes.
• Implications for nursing practice.
• Conclusion.
• Reference slide.

Each slide should contain concise bullet points. Speaker notes should explain the content in greater depth and demonstrate graduate-level understanding.

Formatting Guidelines

• Use APA 7th edition citation and referencing style.
• Include at least five scholarly peer-reviewed sources.
• Submit the research proposal as a Word document.
• Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Include title page and reference list.

Assessment Rubric

omplete a 6–8 page nursing research proposal paper that analyzes a healthcare problem, reviews scholarly literature, proposes a research method, and presents findings in a PowerPoint presentation.

Prepare a graduate nursing research proposal with PICOT question, literature review, and PowerPoint presentation on a clinical practice problem.

Suggested References / Learning Materials

(APA 7th Edition)

Chaboyer, W., Bucknall, T., Webster, J., McInnes, E., Gillespie, B., Banks, M., & Thalib, L. (2018). The effect of a patient-centered care bundle intervention on pressure injury incidence. International Wound Journal, 15(2), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.12826

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com/Evidence-Based-Practice-in-Nursing—Healthcare/p/9781496384539

Dang, D., & Dearholt, S. (2018). Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice: Model and guidelines (3rd ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.

White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terhaar, M. F. (2021). Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826148933

World Health Organization. (2022). Patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare systems. https://www.who.int/publications