Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 1
Nursing Leadership Quality Improvement Project Paper
Nursing Leadership Quality Improvement Project Paper Assignment Description: Each
student will produce a plan for implementing a change project in nursing departments throughout
the organization. The student will begin by selecting one area for improvement of (e.g. quality
and safety, cost effectiveness, core measures, documentation, billing, patient satisfaction) within
his, or her healthcare organization and propose a change to solve the problem. Students will then
select one of the change theories from the assigned text readings and scholarly literature that
models and appropriately will guide the implementation of the proposed change. Note: Students
will develop the nursing leadership quality improvement project using APA 7th edition. The
paper is expected to be 6 pages not including title page or reference page. A minimum of 5
scholarly sources outside of course readings and textbook. This assignment must be submitted
using the SafeAssign and meet the criteria that all submitted work must fall below a 10%
similarity index (excluding all headings and references).
Assignment Overview: Students will develop an APA 7th edition paper for this
assignment by producing a quality improvement project paper containing a plan for
implementing a change within a nursing department of a health care organization. Students must
select an issue within his, or her nursing department in need of quality improvement. Student
will need to propose a change to solve the issue. Students will also select one of the change
theory models from the course readings and materials to guide the paper on how to implement
the proposed change.
To assist with the development of the nursing leadership quality improvement project
paper students must complete the following:
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 2
• Select and utilize a change theory model to implement the proposed change
• Analyze the leadership roles and management skills necessary to implement the change
• Present and defend your decision-making process;
• Demonstrate the elements of the change process.
Assignment Outline and Criteria
Introduction (header) (the introduction is meant to provide an overview of what will be further
described and analyzed throughout the paper).
Briefly outline the:
• Problem Statement: Provide a clear statement but brief description of the scenario
(problem)
• Change Theory Model: Briefly identify which change theory model will be applied in the
paper
• Proposed Change & Rationale: Briefly describe the proposed change and rationale for
this change
Assessment
• Define the opportunity or problem (how the issue currently exists), the purpose of the
change. Provide the context for the need for this QI project. This provides a more detailed
and in-depth look at the background and significance of the identified scenario/problem.
• Describe the necessary data to be collected and analyzed to support the (analyze course-
based literature, findings, scholarly literature and facility specific data that supports
problem
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 3
• Assessment methods (how will the student go about gathering the necessary data required
to support the need for the QI project and identify what needs to be measured to
demonstrate success (interviews with stakeholders, review of the literature, etc where is
the supporting evidence for this proposed problem/issue in practice coming from?).
• Change theory model: identify and describe in detail the change theory model being used
(support with evidence and scholarly sources). This is where the change theory model is
introduced to the ready, perhaps other applications of the theory and/or ways it has been
used in practice.
• Describe the proposed change and rationale. (outline the proposed QI change intended to
be made within the unit or facility (this needs to be detailed and supported with evidence.
o Describe the proposed plan, change or remedy and the overall goal.
o Identify and set specific measurable goals or objectives (at least two) Be specific
as possible (which stems from the provided data justifying the change)
• Describe people or organizational positions with which collaboration must occur to
ensure success of the QI project (provide rationale for involvement)
Action Plan (Critical Paper Component): Supporting rationale for implementing the proposed
change for the nursing leadership quality improvement project paper will include:
• Steps and processes: Develop specific activities to enhance success and to reduce the
restraining forces and increase the driving forces (again this needs to be specific and
NOT general or vague) make sure to include those necessary to assure staff compliance
• Prioritize activities and give a time frame for implementation. Again, be specific
o Identify the person or persons responsible for carrying out the activities
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 4
o Instructional resources or necessary training that may be needed or required?
• An approach to communicate the plan (how will the change be communicated to the
team members that will be responsible for ensuring the change occurs.
• The change process chosen with an explanation of how and why the change theory
model was selected (detail and support with course readings and other evidence-based
literature how and why this change process was appropriate for the selected problem and
include other variables that may impact the success of this specific change process)
• leadership style utilized and evidence of its effectiveness (explain what leadership style
approach was utilized to ensure the QI project would be successful within the context of
the problem, the environment as well as internal and external influencing factors.
Evaluation: Develop an evaluation plan with at least three outcome criteria (how will project
effectiveness or non-effectiveness be measured); These should be based on the goals/
objectives identified above. Be sure to include the following elements:
• Management functions utilized: (describe your role as the nurse leader/manager in the QI
project; what is your role in ensuring the QI project is successful such as employee
engagement and motivation, measures, resources, training and growth opportunities for
employees for example with student’s chosen QI project)
• Proposed change impacts the healthcare organization’s budget and costs if applicable
• A plan that addresses noncompliance and rejecters to assure compliance
• Specifications regarding the evaluation of the effectiveness post implementation of the
proposed change.
• What methods are used to evaluate the change?
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 5
• Include and evaluation time frame.
Summary
• Highlight any relevant points such as providing a nursing implication conceptually
consistent with the nursing leadership change theory model used in the paper
Grading Rubric
Criteria Exemplary Competent Developing Beginner
Quality improvement process (32 pts)
32 pts Interventions implemented were feasible and pertinent to the identified QI goal and evaluation criteria established
24 pts Most interventions were feasible and pertinent to QI goal and evaluation criteria established
16 pts Interventions were feasible and most were pertinent to the QI goals but limited evaluation criteria was established
8 pts Interventions were not feasible nor pertinent to the QI goal and little to no evaluation criteria established
Introduction (20 pts)
20 pts Excellent summary and introduction to the problem, change theory model, proposed QI project & rationale that is well supported by scholarly sources
15 pts Good summary and introduction to the problem, change theory model, proposed QI change project & rationale that is somewhat well supported by
10 pts Fair summary and introduction to the problem, change theory model, proposed QI project & rationale that is fair but somewhat vaguely supported by scholarly
5 pts Poor to little introduction to the problem, change theory model, proposed QI project & rationale that is unclear or not supported by scholarly
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 6
Overall Process-Key elements & Summary (40 pts)
40 pts Exceptional discussion and choice of change theory model that is congruent with proposed problem and QI project. The leadership and management skills are clearly identified and supported and congruent with proposed QI project. Decision making processes are identified and supported throughout the paper and elements of the specific change process model are evident, supported and consistently applied throughout the paper from introduction to
30 pts Good discussion and choice of change theory model that is congruent with proposed problem and QI project. The leadership and management skills are mostly clear and supported and congruent with proposed QI project. Decision making processes are identified and mostly supported throughout the paper and elements of the specific change process model are largely evident, supported and consistently applied
20 pts Fair discussion and choice of change theory model that is somewhat congruent with proposed problem and QI project. The leadership and management skills are fairly clear but somewhat vague with fair support that is somewhat congruent with proposed QI project. Decision making processes are identified and fairly supported through some but not all the paper with some elements of the change process model vaguely supported and somewhat
10 pts Poor discussion and choice of change theory model that is limitedly congruent with proposed problem and QI project. The leadership and management skills are vague and unclear with limited support and incongruent with proposed QI project. Decision making processes are not supported through and inconsistently applied throughout the paper
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 7
Assessment (40 pts)
40 pts Presentation of the information was exceptional and included in all of the following elements: • Background
and significance of problem for QI project
• Necessary data sources identified Methods for assessment of QI project
• Change theory model is detailed with good supporting evidence and is clearly linked to QI project and approach
• Proposed change has excellent rationale with a detailed plan and at least 2 SMART goals
• Accurate description of people and organizational positions necessary for the QI to be
30 pts Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: • Background
and significance of problem for QI project
• Necessary data sources identified Methods for assessment of QI project
• Change theory model is detailed with good supporting evidence and is clearly linked to QI project and approach
• Proposed change has excellent rationale with a detailed plan and at least 2 SMART goals
• Accurate description of people and organizationa
20 pts Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: • Background
and significance of problem for QI project
• Necessary data sources identified Methods for assessment of QI project
• Change theory model is detailed with good supporting evidence and is clearly linked to QI project and approach
• Proposed change has excellent rationale with a detailed plan and at least 2 SMART goals
• Accurate description of people and organizational positions necessary for
10 pts Presentation of information was unsatisfactory in one or more of the following elements • Background
and significance of problem for QI project
• Necessary data sources identified Methods for assessment of QI project
• Change theory model is detailed with good supporting evidence and is clearly linked to QI project and approach
• Proposed change has excellent rationale with a detailed plan and at least 2 SMART goals
• Accurate description of people and organizational positions
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 8
Action Plan (40 pts)
40 pts Presentation of the information was exceptional and included in all of the following elements: • Steps and
processes are clear and realistic for proposed QI project
• Strategies to address restraining and driving forces are clearly articulated and supported
• Personnel and communication plan is clearly and effectively outlined
• Change process is clear and linked to QI problem
• Leadership style is evident, well explained and a good fit with the QI project/
30 pts Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: • Steps and
processes are clear and realistic for proposed QI project
• Strategies to address restraining and driving forces are clearly articulated and supported
• Personnel and communication plan is clearly and effectively outlined
• Change process is clear and linked to QI problem
• Leadership style is evident, well
20 pts Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: • Steps and
processes are clear and realistic for proposed QI project
• Strategies to address restraining and driving forces are clearly articulated and supported
• Personnel and communication plan is clearly and effectively outlined
• Change process is clear and linked to QI problem
• Leadership style is evident, well explained and a good fit with
10 pts Presentation of information was unsatisfactory in one or more of the following elements • Steps and
processes are clear and realistic for proposed QI project
• Strategies to address restraining and driving forces are clearly articulated and supported
• Personnel and communication plan is clearly and effectively outlined
• Change process is clear and linked to QI problem
• Leadership style is evident, well explained and a good
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 9
Evaluation (40 pts)
40 pts Presentation of the information was exceptional and included in all of the following elements: • Three
outcome criteria are identified and consistent with evaluating the planned QI project
• Management functions are well detailed and supported
• The impact of proposed change to healthcare organization including budget and costs is identified and addressed
• Plan to address noncompliance is evident
• Evaluation of effectiveness of plan is clear and consistent with change theory model and outline goals
30 pts Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: • Three
outcome criteria are identified and consistent with evaluating the planned QI project
• Management functions are well detailed and supported
• The impact of proposed change to healthcare organization including budget and costs is identified and addressed
• Plan to address noncompliance is evident
• Evaluation of effectiveness of plan is clear and consistent with change theory model
20 pts Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements: • Three
outcome criteria are identified and consistent with evaluating the planned QI project
• Management functions are well detailed and supported
• The impact of proposed change to healthcare organization including budget and costs is identified and addressed
• Plan to address noncompliance is evident
• Evaluation of effectiveness of plan is clear and consistent with change theory model and outline
10 pts Presentation of information was unsatisfactory in one or more of the following elements • Three
outcome criteria are identified and consistent with evaluating the planned QI project
• Management functions are well detailed and supported
• The impact of proposed change to healthcare organization including budget and costs is identified and addressed
• Plan to address noncompliance is evident
• Evaluation of effectiveness of plan is clear and consistent with change theory model
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 10
Writing Mechanics (16 pts)
16 pts The submitted assignment is within the expected page length of 6-8 pages Five scholarly sources other than textbook and course readings are included 1-2 errors or exceptions to rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other aspects of formal written work in APA 7th
12 pts The submitted assignment is within expected page length of 6-8 pages but only 4 of 5 scholarly sources other than textbook and course readings are included
3-4 errors or exceptions to rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other aspects of formal written
8 pts The submitted assignment is within expected page length of 6-8 pages but only 3 of 5 scholarly sources other than textbook and course readings are included with 5-6 errors or exceptions to rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other aspects of formal written work in APA 7th edition
4 pts The submitted assignment is not within the expected page length of 6-8 pages and less than 3 of the required scholarly sources other than textbook and course readings are included with 6 or more errors or exceptions to rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and
APA formatting (20 pts)
20 pts APA 7th edition guidelines are followed with <2 errors including: Title page Reference page In-text citations Reference page citations Headings Margins and formatting (12 pt font, double spaced throughout)
15 pts APA 7th edition guidelines are followed with 2-3 errors including: Title page Reference page In-text citations Reference page citations Headings Margins and formatting (12 pt font, double spaced throughout)
10 pts APA 7th edition guidelines followed with 3-5 errors including Title page Reference page In-text citations Reference page citations Headings Margins and formatting (12 pt font, double spaced throughout)
5 pts APA guidelines are not followed and there are > 5 errors made or little regard is paid to adhere to APA guidelines including: Title page Reference page In-text citations Reference page citations Headings Margins and formatting (12 pt font, double spaced throughout)
248 pts total
Leadership Quality Improvement Project (30% of Final Grade) 11
