It is becoming increasingly important for registered nurses to assume a leadership role in a changing health care system.

Table of Contents

Description

Assignments 2 & 3

Value: 40% each
Submit assignment via link in the Assessment section of the course home page
Due Date : Negotiable (suggested completion after Units 4 and
8)

Purpose

It is becoming increasingly important for registered nurses to assume a
leadership role in a changing health care system. Hence, registered nurses must
be able to assess and act to fulfill their own learning needs in order to work
to their full scope of practice. To complete this assignment, consider an issue
or trend in nursing or health care and choose one of
the options from the bulleted list below. Your papers must be scholarly in
presentation, reflective of course content, and although they may be related to
one another, they must not be duplications.

The following is a brief description of each type of paper/project.
Please refer to the assignment expectations assessment section below for a detailed
description of each type of paper/project.

Note: There is a 10
page limit for all written papers excluding title and reference pages. (with
the exception of the professional portfolio):

Paper/Project Options:

Position Paper: presents
an arguable position on an issue with the goal of convincing the audience
that this position is valid. The position paper is related to course
content; be clear as to difference between a position paper, discussion
paper, and an issue paper
Discussion Paper: discusses
a situation or dilemma representing a variety of views; consists of a
reasoned defense of the recommendations. The discussion paper is related
to course content; for example one could frame a question and then proceed
with discussion of the answer.
Issue
Paper: presents a balanced view of a situation or
dilemma in which both sides of the situation are clearly articulated. The
issue paper is related to course content that follows the framework from
your textbook – Framing and Analyzing the Issue.
Literature
Review:is an account of what has been published on a
topic by accredited scholars and researchers; the purpose is to convey to
what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic, including the
strengths and weaknesses. The literature review is related to course
content.
Website Critique:: is
a formalized, critical appraisal of a website; the goal is to turn
critical reading into a systematic evaluation in order to deepen insight
into that website. This is an analysis of several (5-7) interesting Web
sites that relate to a particular issue and or take a position on that
issue. Critique the verifiability of information in each web site
including the authority of the Web site. Compare and contrast how the
issue is presented, and provide an executive summary of each Web site.
Professional
Portfolio: is a convenient system to tell the story of
one’s career. It might include: original documents (e.g. resume/curriculum
vitae, professional association memberships, license/board results),
supporting materials (e.g. letters of recommendation, publications,
presentations, certifications, job descriptions, evaluations), and
collateral pieces (e.g. thank you letters, articles and books you have
read). This is a beginning professional portfolio. Portfolio should not
exceed a 15 page limit including title page and any appendices (this page
limit is an exception to the 10 pages as stated above).

Assignments Expectations

What is a Position Paper

A position paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal
of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and
worth listening to. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully
examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your
paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the
issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to
understand. Your job is to take one side of the argument and persuade your
audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented. It
is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of
your claims, as well as to address the counterclaims to show that you are well
informed about both sides.

Writing a Position Paper

Issue Criteria

To take a side on a subject, you should first establish the arguability
of a topic that interests you. Ask yourself the following questions to ensure
that you will be able to present a strong argument: