NR-351: Transitions in Professional Nursing – Professional Paper Assignment

NR-351 Transitions in Professional Nursing focuses on helping registered nurses build foundational skills as they advance in their careers. A key assignment in this course is the Professional Paper, where students analyze a scholarly article related to professional nursing practice and apply it to real-world contexts.

This assignment encourages critical thinking about current issues in nursing, proper use of APA formatting, and evidence-based professional writing. It builds on earlier course elements like discussions on nursing competencies and scholarly research.

Assignment Overview

The Professional Paper requires you to summarize and analyze an assigned scholarly article provided by the course faculty. The paper demonstrates your ability to engage with professional literature, synthesize key points, and reflect on implications for nursing practice.

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to develop skills in scholarly writing, APA formatting, critical analysis of evidence, and professional communication. It prepares you for evidence-based decision-making in nursing roles.

Course Outcomes Addressed

• Demonstrate effective communication using legal and ethical standards.
• Incorporate evidence-based practice in professional nursing care.
• Show accountability for personal and professional development.

Due Date

Submit by Sunday, 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 6.

Assignment Instructions

1. Locate the assigned article in the course announcements (titled “IMPORTANT: Assigned Article for Weeks 4 & 6 Assignments”). You must use this specific article.
2. Use the required Professional Paper Template provided in the course resources.
3. Write a 3-5 page paper (not including title and reference pages) that includes:
   • A clear summary of the article’s main points, purpose, and findings.
   • Analysis of how the article relates to professional nursing practice.
   • Discussion of implications for patient care or nursing roles.
   • Proper APA formatting throughout.
4. Include at least one additional scholarly source beyond the assigned article to support your analysis.
5. Ensure the paper is written in third person, with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Grading Rubric Highlights

• Article Summary (40 points): Accurate, concise overview.
• Analysis and Application (50 points): Critical thinking and relevance to nursing.
• APA Format and Writing Quality (30 points): Title page, headings, citations, references.
• Length and Structure (20 points): Meets page requirements and template guidelines.

NR-351 Transitions in Professional Nursing is a core course for RN-to-BSN students at Chamberlain University in 2025. The Professional Paper assignment helps develop scholarly writing skills essential for evidence-based practice. New graduate nurses often face challenges during transition to professional roles, making courses like this vital for career success.

References

Graf, A. C., Jacob, E., Twigg, D. and Nattabi, B. (2020) ‘Contemporary nursing graduates’ transition to practice: a critical review of transition models’, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(15-16), pp. 3097–3107. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15234.

Labrague, L. J. and De Los Santos, J. A. A. (2020) ‘Transition shock and newly graduated nurses’ job satisfaction and intentions to leave: A cross-sectional study’, Journal of Nursing Management, 28(8), pp. 1902–1910. doi: 10.1111/jonm.13163.

Hussein, R., Everett, B., Ramjan, L. M., Hu, W. and Salamonson, Y. (2021) ‘New graduate nurses’ experiences in a clinical specialty program during the transition to practice’, Nurse Education in Practice, 52, p. 103038. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103038.

Kim, S. and Shin, S. (2023) ‘Transition shock in newly graduated nurses: A mixed methods study’, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 55(1), pp. 156–166. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12845.

Ankers, M. D., Barton, C. A. and Parry, Y. K. (2024) ‘Transition to professional practice for graduate nurses: A scoping review’, Nurse Education Today, 132, p. 105987. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105987.