The purpose of the MSN-APRN Examination is to demonstrate the student’s ability to use and apply existing research evidence to systematically formulate and answer clinically relevant questions for advanced nursing practice in primary or acute care. The student will select and evaluate peer-reviewed health care research and translate research and clinical outcomes studies for specific patient populations. The exam consists of an original paper that addresses a clinical question and incorporates the APRN role(s) and primary or acute care population competencies appropriate for the student’s program area. Populations can be defined by a variety of characteristics such as age group, gender, SES, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, occupation, clinical condition/disability or situational context (geographic location, homeless, immigrant, and type of care setting including transitions during care).
Students will select one of the problems listed below in
Section I.A. The scope and significance of the problem within the selected
population will be discussed. At least one theoretical or conceptual framework
will guide the development of a research question and subsequent discussion.
Using an evidence-based approach, students will develop a clinical question in
PICO(T) format to guide a focused, thorough literature search. The student will
select, summarizeandcritique7-10relevantprimarysourcearticles(data-based),
which will be presented in a Table of Evidence (TOE). The systematic
methodology must be described in detail. (Review articles, clinical practice
guidelines, and meta-analyses may not be counted among the
7-10 source articles but can be used as references to support the discussion).
The student will critically appraise the selected research findings for
applicability within their identified
population. Relevance and implications for APRN practice will be discussed and
synthesized. Supported by evidence, the student will identify and describe a
population-appropriate
intervention that addresses the problem. The student will delineate the methods
used to carry out the intervention, and measure and evaluate the outcomes.
