how to structure a nursing case study

How to Write a Nursing Case Study Paper (A Guide)

Most nursing students dread writing a nursing case study analysis paper, yet it is a mandatory assignment; call it a rite of passage in nursing school. This is because it is a somewhat tricky process that is often overwhelming for nursing students. Nevertheless, by reading this guide prepared by our best nursing students, you should be able to easily and quickly write a nursing case study that can get you an excellent grade.

How different is this guide from similar guides all over the internet? Very different!

This guide provides all the pieces of information that one would need to write an A-grade nursing case study. These include the format for a nursing case study, a step-by-step guide on how to write a nursing case study, and all the important tips to follow when writing a nursing case study.

This comprehensive guide was developed by the top nursing essay writers at NurseMyGrade, so you can trust that the information herein is a gem that will catapult your grades to the next level. Expect updates as we unravel further information about writing a nursing case study.

Now that you know you've discovered a gold mine , let's get right into it.

What Is a Nursing Case Study?

A nursing case study is a natural or imagined patient scenario designed to test the knowledge and skills of student nurses. Nursing case study assignments usually focus on testing knowledge and skills in areas of nursing study related to daily nursing practice.

As a nursing student, you must expect a nursing case study assignment at some point in your academic life. The fact that you are reading this post means that point is now.

While there is no standard structure for writing a nursing case study assignment, some things or elements must be present in your nursing assignment for your professor to consider it complete.

In the next section, you will discover what your instructor n expects in your nursing case study analysis. Remember, these are assignments where you are given a case study and are expected to write a case analysis report explaining how to handle such scenarios in real-life settings.

The Nursing Case Study Template

The typical nursing case study has nine sections. These are:

• Introduction
• Case presentation (Patient info, history, and medical condition)
• Diagnosis/Nursing assessment
• Intervention/Nursing care plan
• Discussion and recommendations

The Structure of a Nursing Case Study Analysis

You now know what nursing professors expect in a nursing case study analysis. In this section, we will explain what to include in each section of your nursing case study analysis to make it an excellent one.

1. Title page

The title page is essential in all types of academic writing. You must include it in your nursing case study analysis or any other essay or paper. And you must include it in the format recommended by your college.

If your college has no specific title page format, use the title page format of the style requested in the assignment prompt. In nursing college, virtually all assignments should be written in Harvard or APA format .

So, check your assignment prompt and create your title page correctly. The typical title page should include the topic of your paper, your name, the name of your professor, the course name, the date you are submitting the paper, and the name of your college.

2. Abstract

Most nursing professors require you to include an abstract in your nursing case study analysis. And even when you are not explicitly required to write one, it is good to do so. Of course, you should consult with your professor before doing so.

When writing an abstract for your paper, make sure it is about 200 words long. The abstract should include a brief summary of the case study, including all the essential information in the patient presentation, such as the history, age, and current diagnosis.

The summary should also include the nursing assessment, the current interventions, and recommendations.

3. Introduction

After writing the title page and the abstract, start writing the introduction. The introduction of a nursing case study analysis must briefly include the patient's presentation, current diagnosis and medication, and recommendations. It must also include a strong thesis statement that shows what the paper is all about.

You shouldn't just write an introduction for the sake of it. If you do so, your introduction will be bland. You need to put in good effort when writing your introduction. The best way to do this is to use your introduction to show you understand the case study perfectly and that you will analyze it right.

You can always write your introduction last. Many students do this because they believe writing an introduction last makes it more precise and accurate.

4. Case Presentation (Status of the Patient)

After introducing your nursing case study analysis, you should present the case where you outline the patient's status. It is usually straightforward to present a case.

You must paraphrase the patient scenario in the assignment prompt or brief. Focus on the demographic data of the patient (who they are, age, race, height, skin tone, occupation, relationships, marital status, appearance, etc.), why they are in the case study or scenario, reasons they sought medical attention, chief complaint, and current diagnosis and treatment. You should also discuss the actions performed on the patient, such as admission to the ICU, taking vital signs, recommending tests, etc.

In short, everything necessary in the patient scenario should be in your case presentation. You only need to avoid copying the patient scenario or case study word-for-word when writing your case presentation.

5. Diagnosis and Assessment

After the case presentation, you should explain the diagnosis. In other words, you should explain the condition, disease, or medical situation highlighted in the case presentation. For example, if the patient is a heavy smoker and he has COPD, it is at this point that you explain how COPD is linked to heavy smoking.

This is the section where you thoroughly discuss the disease process (pathophysiology) by highlighting the causes, symptoms, observations, and treatment methods. You should relate these to the patient's status and give concrete evidence. You should describe the progression of the disease from when the client was admitted to a few hours or days after they were stabilized. Consider the first indication of the disease that prompted the patient to seek further medical assistance.  

Your paper should also elucidate the diagnostic tests that should be conducted and the differential diagnosis. Ensure that each is given a well-founded rationale.

When explaining the condition, go deep into the pathophysiology. Focus specifically on the patient's risk factors. Ensure you get your explanation from recent nursing literature (peer-reviewed scholarly journals published in the last 5 years). And do not forget to cite all the literature you get your facts from.

In short, this section should explain the patient's condition or suffering.

6. Nursing Intervention

After the diagnosis and nursing assessment section, your nursing case study analysis should have an intervention section. This section is also known as the nursing care planning section. What you are supposed to do in this section is to present a nursing care plan for the patient presented in the patient scenario. You should describe the nursing care plan and goals for the patient. Record all the anticipated positive changes and assess whether the care plan addresses the patient's condition.

A good nursing care plan details the patient's chief complaints or critical problems. It then describes the causes of these problems using evidence from recent medical or nursing literature. It then details the potential intervention for each problem. Lastly, it includes goals and evaluation strategies for the measures. Most professors, predominantly Australian and UK professors, prefer if this section is in table format.

Some nursing professors regard the intervention section (or nursing care plan section) as the most critical part of a nursing case study. This is because this part details precisely how the student nurse will react to the patient scenario (which is what the nursing professors want to know). So, ensure you make a reasonable effort when developing this section to get an excellent grade.

7. Discussion and Recommendations

The intervention section in a nursing case study is followed by a discussion and recommendations section. In this section, you are supposed to expound on the patient scenario, the diagnosis, and the nursing care plan. You should also expound on the potential outcomes if the care plan is followed correctly. The discussion should also explain the rationale for the care plan or its significant bits.

Recommendations should follow the discussion. Recommendations usually involve everything necessary that can be done or changed to manage a patient's condition or prevent its reoccurrence. Anything that enhances the patient's well-being can be a recommendation. Just make sure your key recommendations are supported by evidence.

8. Conclusion

This is the second last section of a typical nursing case study. What you need here is to summarize the entire case study. Ensure your summary has at least the case presentation, the nursing assessment/diagnosis, the intervention, and the key recommendations.

At the very end of your conclusion, add a closing statement. The statement should wrap up the whole thing nicely. Try to make it as impressive as possible.

9. References

This is the last section of a nursing case study. No nursing case study is complete without a references section. You should ensure your case study has in-text citations and a references page.

And you should make sure both are written as recommended in the assignment. The style section is usually Harvard or APA. Follow the recommended style to get a good grade on your essay.

Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Nursing Case Study

You know all the key sections you must include in a nursing case study. You also know what exactly you need to do in each section. It is time to learn how to write a nursing case study. The process detailed below should be easy to follow because you know the typical nursing case study structure.

1. Understand the Assignment

When given a nursing case study assignment, the first thing you need to do is to read. You need to read two pieces of information slowly and carefully.

First, you need to read the prompt itself slowly and carefully. This is important because the prompt will have essential bits of information you need to know, including the style, the format, the word count, and the number of references needed. All these bits of information are essential to ensure your writing is correct.

Second, you need to read the patient scenario slowly and carefully. You should do this to understand it clearly so that you do not make any mistakes in your analysis.

2. Create a Rough Outline

Failure to plan is a plan to fail. That is not what you are in it for anyway! In other words, do not fail to create an outline for your case study analysis. Use the template provided in this essay to create a rough outline for your nursing case study analysis.

Ensure your outline is as detailed as it can be at this stage. You can do light research to achieve this aim. However, this is not exactly necessary because this is just a rough outline.

3. Conduct thorough research

After creating a rough outline, you should conduct thorough research. Your research should especially focus on providing a credible and evidence-based nursing assessment of the patient problem(s). You should only use evidence from recent nursing or medical literature.

You must also conduct thorough research to develop an effective intervention or nursing care plan. So when researching the patient's problem and its diagnosis, you should also research the most suitable intervention or do it right after.

When conducting research, you should always note down your sources. So for every piece of information you find, and what to use, you should have its reference.

After conducting thorough research, you should enhance your rough outline using the new information you have discovered. Make sure it is as comprehensive as possible.

4. Write your nursing case study

You must follow your comprehensive outline to write your case study analysis at this stage. If you created a good outline, you should find it very easy to write your nursing case study analysis.

If you did not, writing your nursing case study will be challenging. Whenever you are stuck writing your case study analysis paper, you should re-read the part where we explain what to include in every section of your analysis. Doing so will help you know what to write to continue your essay. Writing a nursing case study analysis usually takes only a few hours.

5. Reference your case study

After writing your case study, ensure you add all in-text citations if you have not already. And when adding them, you should follow the style/format recommended in the assignment prompt (usually APA or Harvard style).

After adding in-text citations exactly where they need to be and in the correct format, add all the references you have used in a references page. And you should add them correctly as per the rules of the style you were asked to use.

Do not forget to organize your references alphabetically after creating your references page.

6. Thoroughly edit your case study

After STEP 5 above, you need to edit your case study. You should edit it slowly and carefully. Do this by proofreading it twice. Proofread it slowly each time to discover all the grammar, style, and punctuation errors. Remove all the errors you find.

After proofreading your essay twice, recheck it to ensure every sentence is straightforward. This will transform your ordinary case study into an A-grade one. Of course, it must also have all the standard sections expected in a case study.

Recheck your case study using a grammarly.com or a similar computer grammar checker to ensure it is perfect. Doing this will help you catch and eliminate all the remaining errors in your work.

7. Submit your case study analysis

After proofreading and editing your case study analysis, it will be 100% ready for submission. Just convert it into the format it is required in and submit it.

 Nursing Case Study Tips and Tricks

The guide above and other information in this article should help you develop a good nursing case study analysis. Note that this guide focuses entirely on nursing case scenario-based papers, not research study-based nursing case studies. The tips and tricks in this section should help you ensure that the nursing case study analysis you create is excellent.

1. Begin early

The moment you see a nursing case study assignment prompt, identify a date to start writing it and create your own deadline to beat before the deadline stated in the prompt.

Do this and start writing your case study analysis early before your deadline. You will have plenty of time to do excellent research, develop an excellent paper, and edit your final paper as thoroughly as you want.

Most student nurses combine work and study. Therefore, if you decide to leave a nursing case study assignment until late to complete it, something could come up, and you could end up failing to submit it or submitting a rushed case study analysis.

2. Use the proper terminology

When writing an essay or any other academic paper, you are always encouraged to use the most straightforward language to make your work easy to understand. However, this is not true when writing a nursing case study analysis. While your work should certainly be easy to understand, you must use the right nursing terminology at every point where it is necessary. Failure to do this could damage your work or make it look less professional or convincing.

3. Avoid copying and pasting

If you are a serious nursing student, you know that copying and pasting are prohibited in assignments. However, sometimes copying and pasting can seem okay in nursing case studies. For example, it can seem okay to copy-paste the patient presentation. However, this is not okay. You are supposed to paraphrase the verbatim when presenting the patient presentation in your essay. You should also avoid copy-pasting information or texts directly. Every fact or evidence you research and find should be paraphrased to appear in your work. And it should be cited correctly.

4. Always ask for help if stuck

This is very important. Students are usually overwhelmed with academic work, especially a month or two to the end of the semester. If you are overwhelmed and think you will not have the time to complete your nursing case study analysis or submit a quality one, ask for help. Ask for help from a nursing assignment-help website like ours, and you will soon have a paper ready that you can use as you please. If you choose to get help from us, you will get a well-researched, well-planned, well-developed, and fully edited nursing case study.

5. Format your paper correctly

Many students forget to do proper formatting after writing their nursing case study analyses. Before you submit your paper, make sure you format it correctly. If you do not format your paper correctly, you will lose marks because of poor formatting. If you feel you are not very confident with your APA or Harvard formatting skills, send your paper to us to get it correctly formatted and ready for submission.

Now that you are all set up ...

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We have experienced nursing experts available every day of the week to provide nursing assignment help. They can easily research and write virtually any nursing assignment, including a nursing case study. So, if the information provided in this article isn't making you feel any optimistic about writing an excellent nursing case study, get help from us.

Get help by ordering a custom nursing case study through this very website. If you do so, you will get a 100% original paper that is well-researched, well-written, well-formatted, and adequately referenced. Since the paper is original, you can use it anywhere without problems.

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How to Write a Case Study Paper for Nursing

A well-written case study paper for a nursing program requires some planning and consideration. All too often, students begin writing before they complete appropriate, preliminary steps. Ideally, before you start a paper, you should already have determined the focus and format of it. You will then follow this up with a fact-gathering step in which you will gather and collate the content of your paper. Finally, there is the construction/execution step in which you will write the paper in a standard format (such as the APA style) and edit it.

A nursing case study paper contains several sections that fall into three categories:

1. The status of the patient

• Demographic data
• Medical History
• Current diagnosis and treatment

2. The nursing assessment of the patient

• Vital signs and test results
• Nursing observations (i.e., range of motion, mental state)

3. Current Care Plan and Recommendations

• Details of the nursing care plan (including nursing goals and interventions)
• Evaluation of the current care plan
• Recommendations for changes in the current care plan

Patient Status

The first portion of the case study paper will talk about the patient — who they are, why they are being included in the study, their demographic data (i.e., age, race), the reason(s) they sought medical attention and the subsequent diagnosis. It will also discuss the role that nursing plays in the care of this patient.

Next, thoroughly discuss any disease process. Make sure you outline causes, symptoms, observations, and how preferred treatments can affect nursing care. Also, describe the history and progression of the disease. Some important questions for you to answer are: 1) What were the first indications that there was something wrong, and 2) What symptoms convinced the patient to seek help?

Nursing Assessment

When you are discussing the nursing assessment of the patient, describe the patientΓÇÖs problems in terms of nursing diagnoses. Be specific as to why you have identified a particular diagnosis. For example, is frequent urination causing an alteration in the patientΓÇÖs sleep patterns? The nursing diagnoses you identify in your assessment will help form the nursing care plan.

Current Care Plan and Recommendations for Improvement

Describe the nursing care plan and goals, and explain how the nursing care plan improves the quality of the patientΓÇÖs life. What positive changes does the nursing care plan hope to achieve in the patientΓÇÖs life? How will the care plan be executed? Who will be responsible for the delivery of the care plan? What measurable goals will they track to determine the success of the plan?

The final discussion should be your personal recommendations. Based on the current status of the patient, the diagnosis, prognosis, and the nursing care plan, what other actions do you recommend can be taken to improve the patientΓÇÖs chances of recovery? You must support your recommendations with authoritative sources and cite appropriately per APA style guidelines.

Creating a well-written nursing case study paper doesnΓÇÖt need to be a grueling challenge. It can be gratifying, and itΓÇÖs good practice for assessing patients while out in the field, too. Keep in mind that your instructor will not only grade you on the quality of the content of your paper but by how you apply the APA style, as well. If you find that you are spending too much time formatting your paper, consider using formatting software as a helpful tool to ensure accuracy, so you donΓÇÖt lose points on a well-written paper because of some formatting errors.

For more information about APA or MLA formats, contact us today.

David Plaut

David Plaut is the founder of Reference Point Software (RPS). RPS offers a complete suite of easy-to-use formatting template products featuring MLA and APA style templates, freeing up time to focus on substance while ensuring formatting accuracy. 

Reference Point Software is not associated with, endorsed by, or affiliated with the American Psychological Association (APA) or with the Modern Language Association (MLA).

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Nursing Case Study Paper Guide

Rachel r.n..

• May 23, 2024
• How to Guides

Whether you are pursuing a BSN, APN, or DNP, writing a nursing case study on a patient can be very stressful. Many students feel overwhelmed by the task of analyzing patient scenarios and creating detailed case study reports.

Our nursing case study writers are here to help reduce that stress. They have the expertise to write case studies according to the specific guidelines and rubrics provided in your assignment.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to write a nursing case study yourself, we’ve got you covered. This guide explains the key components of a nursing case study and how to format it.

What You'll Learn

What is a Nursing Case Study?

A nursing case study is a detailed description of a patient scenario, either real or fictional, designed to test nursing students’ skills and knowledge. These assignments help students apply classroom learning to real-world situations. In a case study, students analyze the scenario, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.

A well-written case study requires careful reading, critical thinking, and the use of recent scholarly literature. There isn’t one standard structure for writing these papers, but there are basic elements that should be included. Always refer to your assignment instructions and rubric for specific requirements.

Structure/Format of a Nursing Case Study Analysis

Before starting your nursing case study, carefully read the patient scenario, assignment instructions, and rubric. These will guide you on what to include to achieve top marks. Here are the essential parts of a nursing case study:

Format your title page according to your institution’s requirements. It should include the topic of the case study, your name, your instructor’s name, course information, date of submission, and the name of your institution.

Some instructors require an abstract. If so, write a 200-word summary that includes the patient’s presentation (vitals, demographics, history, diagnosis, and treatment), the nursing assessment, and the care plan/interventions and recommendations.

Introduction

Briefly introduce the patient, including their medical history, current medications, diagnosis, potential interventions, and recommendations. Write this section last to ensure it reflects the content of your case study.

Case Presentation

Summarize the patient scenario without copying it directly. Include the chief complaints, assessment data (vitals, medical history, family history, demographic data), and any other relevant information.

Pathophysiology

Explain how the disease or condition developed. For example, if the patient has COPD from smoking, describe how smoking leads to COPD. Use recent nursing literature to support your explanation.

Nursing Care Plan

Detail the patient’s main problems and create a care plan. Include at least three top-priority issues. Describe the reasons for these problems, suggest intervention strategies (both pharmacological and non-pharmacological), set goals, and outline evaluation methods.

Discussion and Recommendations

Discuss the expected outcomes and provide recommendations based on the diagnosis , prognosis, and care plan. For example, if the patient is being discharged, recommend strategies to manage their condition at home, like improving lighting to prevent falls.

Summarize the case study, including key points such as the patient presentation, nursing assessment, care plan, rationale, evaluation, and recommendations.

Use APA or Harvard formatting for your references and in-text citations, as required. Organize the reference list alphabetically.

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Tips for Writing a Nursing Case Study

• Plan Your Analysis: Understand the instructions, referencing style, patient scenario, and key topics before you start.
• Start Early: Begin writing as soon as you can to avoid last-minute rushes.
• Use Correct Terminology: Use appropriate nursing terms, but avoid overly technical language.
• Avoid Acronyms: Write out full terms unless specified otherwise.
• Paraphrase and Cite: Use your own words and cite sources to avoid plagiarism.
• Format Properly: Follow the required formatting guidelines to avoid losing marks.
• Proofread: Check for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. Consider using proofreading services if needed.

By following these guidelines, you can write a comprehensive and well-organized nursing case study that meets your instructor’s expectations.

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Steps to Writing a Nursing Case Study Paper for BSN, MSN, and DNP Students

• November 29, 2023

Welcome to NursingWriters.net, your ultimate resource for BSN, MSN, and DNP students seeking guidance on writing a nursing case study paper. We understand that completing this challenging task can be overwhelming, but with our step-by-step guide, you’ll have the tools you need to excel in your studies.

At NursingWriters.net, we are committed to empowering busy nurses like you with expert information and guidance. We recognize the unique challenges you face in your nursing programs, and we’re here to provide the support you need to succeed.

Key Takeaways:

• Writing a nursing case study paper is a requirement for BSN, MSN, and DNP programs.
• NursingWriters.net is a valuable resource for nursing students seeking guidance on writing their case study papers.
• Our step-by-step guide offers comprehensive instructions for writing a successful nursing case study paper.
• Choosing a relevant and interesting topic is crucial for a compelling nursing case study paper.
• Follow a clear structure, including sections such as the abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, results and discussion, conclusions, and references.

With our guidance and your dedication, you can confidently tackle the task of writing a nursing case study paper and make a lasting impact in your nursing program. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Basics of a Nursing Capstone Paper

A nursing capstone paper is a significant undertaking that nursing students must complete in their final year of education. It serves as a culmination of their knowledge, research, and critical thinking skills developed throughout their program. Understanding the purpose and structure of a nursing capstone paper is essential for students to successfully complete this important milestone.

The purpose of a nursing capstone paper is to demonstrate the student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical nursing situations. It requires in-depth research, analysis, and the presentation of findings that contribute to the field of nursing. By conducting a nursing capstone project, students have the opportunity to explore a specific area of interest, contribute to the existing body of nursing knowledge, and showcase their skills and expertise.

The structure of a nursing capstone paper typically follows a similar format to other academic research papers. It includes the introduction, literature review, methods and materials, results and discussion, and conclusion sections. Each section serves a specific purpose in presenting the student’s research and findings. The introduction sets the stage for the study, the literature review provides a comprehensive overview of existing research, the methods and materials explain the research design and data collection process, the results and discussion analyze the findings, and the conclusion summarizes the main points and offers recommendations for further research.

Table: Components of a Nursing Capstone Paper

By understanding the basics of a nursing capstone paper, students can approach this project with confidence and clarity. It is an opportunity to showcase their knowledge, skills, and passion for nursing while contributing to the advancement of the field. With proper planning, research, and organization, nursing students can successfully complete their capstone paper and make a meaningful impact in the world of nursing.

Choosing a Topic for Your Nursing Capstone Paper

When it comes to writing a nursing capstone paper, selecting the right topic is crucial. Your chosen topic should align with your interests and the area of study you want to focus on. Additionally, it should be relevant to current nursing practices and address a specific research question or problem statement.

Consider the following tips when choosing a topic for your nursing capstone paper:

• Identify your areas of interest within nursing.
• Think about the healthcare issues that you are most passionate about.
• Explore recent advancements or challenges in nursing that you would like to investigate further.
• Consider the practical implications of your chosen topic and how it can contribute to the field of nursing.

To help you get started, here is a list of over 300 capstone project ideas for BSN, MSN, and DNP students:

By choosing a topic that ignites your passion and aligns with your academic goals, you will be motivated to conduct thorough research and make a meaningful impact in the field of nursing with your capstone paper.

Structuring Your Nursing Capstone Paper

When it comes to writing a nursing capstone paper, having a clear and well-structured document is essential. While specific requirements may vary depending on your nursing program, there is a general format that can be followed to ensure your paper is organized and cohesive.

The basic structure of a nursing capstone paper typically includes the following sections:

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methods and Materials
• Results and Discussion
• Conclusions

Each of these sections plays a crucial role in presenting your research and findings effectively. Let’s take a closer look at what each section entails:

• Title Page: This is the first page of your capstone paper and includes the title of your study, your name, your academic program, and the date of submission.
• Abstract: The abstract provides a concise summary of your paper, highlighting the key objectives, methods, and findings of your research.
• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your study by providing background information, stating the problem or research question, and explaining the significance of your research.
• Literature Review: The literature review demonstrates your knowledge of existing research on the topic and helps establish the context for your study. It involves analyzing and synthesizing relevant literature to identify gaps or areas for further investigation.
• Methods and Materials: In this section, you describe the research design, data collection methods, and materials used in your study. It should be clear and detailed enough for others to replicate your research.
• Results and Discussion: This section presents your findings and provides an analysis and interpretation of the data. It is where you discuss the implications of your findings in relation to your research question or problem statement.
• Conclusions: The conclusions section summarizes the main findings of your study and provides recommendations for future research or practice.
• References: The references list includes all the sources cited in your paper, following a specific citation style such as APA or MLA.

By following this structure, you can create a well-organized nursing capstone paper that effectively communicates your research and insights to your readers.

Writing the Abstract and Introduction of Your Capstone Paper

The abstract and introduction of a nursing capstone paper are crucial elements that set the stage for the entire study. The abstract provides a concise summary of the research, while the introduction engages the reader and outlines the objectives. In this section, we will explore how to write an impactful abstract and introduction for your nursing capstone paper.

Writing the Abstract

The abstract is a brief overview of your capstone paper that highlights the main points and findings. It should be concise, informative, and engaging. Start by briefly describing the research problem or question, followed by a summary of your methods, key findings, and conclusion. Keep the abstract within 250-300 words and ensure it provides a clear snapshot of your study.

When writing the abstract, remember to use clear and concise language. Avoid jargon and technical terms, as the abstract should be accessible to a wide audience. Focus on summarizing the most important aspects of your study, such as the significance of the research, the methodology used, and the key findings. Finally, end the abstract with a statement about the implications of your research and its potential impact on the field of nursing.

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

The introduction of your nursing capstone paper should grab the reader’s attention and provide a solid foundation for the study. Start with a captivating opening sentence or anecdote that relates to the research topic. Then, provide some background information on the issue and explain why it is important to study. Clearly state the research problem or question and outline the objectives of your study.

In the introduction, you should also provide a brief overview of the literature relevant to your topic. Highlight the existing gaps or controversies in the literature and explain how your study aims to address these issues. Lastly, end the introduction with a clear thesis statement that states the main argument or hypothesis of your research.

By writing a well-crafted abstract and introduction, you will set the stage for the rest of your nursing capstone paper. These sections should engage the reader, provide a clear overview of your study, and highlight its significance. Remember to keep the language concise, use clear and accessible terms, and focus on the main points of your research. With a strong abstract and introduction, you will capture the attention of your readers and lay the foundation for a successful nursing capstone paper.

Conducting a Literature Review for Your Capstone Paper

One of the crucial steps in writing a nursing capstone paper is conducting a comprehensive literature review. This process involves reviewing and analyzing existing research and scholarly articles related to your chosen topic. A well-executed literature review demonstrates your knowledge of the subject matter and provides a foundation for your own research.

When conducting a literature review for your capstone paper, it’s important to begin by identifying relevant sources. These can include scholarly journals, textbooks, government reports, and reputable websites. Look for studies that are recent, peer-reviewed, and directly related to your research question or problem statement.

As you review the literature, take detailed notes and identify key themes, theories, and gaps in the existing research. This will help you organize your thoughts and identify areas where your own study can contribute to the field. Analyze the data and findings presented in the literature, paying attention to any limitations or biases that may exist.

Gathering Data from Multiple Sources

It’s important to gather data from multiple sources to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded literature review. This includes conducting searches in academic databases, using keywords related to your topic, and exploring different research methodologies and perspectives.

Quote: “A literature review is not simply a summary of existing research, but rather a critical analysis of the literature. It should highlight gaps in the current knowledge and provide a rationale for your own research.” – Dr. Jane Thompson, Research Professor at Nursing University.

By conducting a thorough literature review, you will gain a deeper understanding of the current state of knowledge in your field and be able to situate your own research within the existing academic discourse. This will help you develop a strong theoretical framework and inform the design and methodology of your capstone study.

A comprehensive literature review is an essential component of a nursing capstone paper. It lays the foundation for your own research, provides context for your study, and demonstrates your understanding of the current body of knowledge in your field. By following a systematic approach and critically analyzing existing research, you can ensure that your capstone paper contributes to the advancement of nursing practice and knowledge.

Methods and Materials in Your Capstone Paper

The methods and materials section of your nursing capstone paper is where you describe the research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques used in your study. This section is vital as it provides the necessary information for replicating your study and assessing its validity. By clearly outlining your methods and materials, you demonstrate the rigor and integrity of your research.

When writing the methods and materials section, it is essential to provide a detailed description of your research design. This includes information on the study population, sample size, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and any interventions or treatments administered. Additionally, you should outline the data collection methods you employed, such as surveys, interviews, or observations, and explain how you ensured the ethical conduct of your study.

In the materials subsection, you should specify any equipment, instruments, or materials used in your research. This could include laboratory supplies, measuring devices, or software programs. Be sure to provide sufficient detail so that others can easily reproduce your study. It is also important to acknowledge any potential limitations or constraints that may have impacted the selection or use of specific materials in your study.

The Importance of Transparent Reporting

Transparent reporting is crucial in the methods and materials section as it allows readers to assess the validity and reliability of your study. Provide enough detail so that others can replicate your research, and consider using standardized reporting guidelines, such as the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) or the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs (TREND), if applicable to your study design.

Remember to organize your methods and materials section in a logical and coherent manner, using headings and subheadings to enhance readability. By following these guidelines, you will ensure that your methods and materials are clearly communicated, allowing others to assess the rigor and validity of your research.

Presenting Results and Discussion in Your Capstone Paper

Once you have conducted your research and analyzed the data, it’s time to present the results and engage in a thoughtful discussion in your nursing capstone paper. This section is crucial as it showcases the key findings of your study and allows you to interpret their significance. It is essential to present the results in a clear and organized manner, using tables, figures, and concise explanations to support your findings.

To effectively present the results, consider using tables to display quantitative data and graphs to visualize trends or patterns. This visual representation can help readers better understand your findings at a glance. Make sure to include a clear and informative title for each table or graph, and label the axes appropriately. In this section, you may also use quotes or excerpts from interviews or surveys to add depth and richness to your discussion.

Once you have presented your results, it’s time to delve into the discussion. This is where you analyze your findings in relation to your research question or problem statement. Consider explaining the implications and significance of your results, highlighting any unexpected or noteworthy findings. It is important to support your discussion with evidence from relevant literature, comparing and contrasting your findings with existing research. This not only demonstrates your knowledge of the topic but also adds credibility to your study.

Remember to maintain a logical flow in your narrative, linking your results to your research objectives and tying them back to the broader context of nursing practice or theory. This will help readers understand the relevance and potential impact of your study. Keep your discussion concise and focused, highlighting the key points without going into unnecessary detail.

Drawing Conclusions and Making Recommendations in Your Capstone Paper

After conducting extensive research and analyzing the data, it is time to draw conclusions and make recommendations in your nursing capstone paper. This section will guide you on how to effectively summarize your findings and provide evidence-based recommendations that contribute to the field of nursing.

Summarizing Your Findings

When drawing conclusions, it is essential to summarize the main findings of your study. Highlight the key points and trends that have emerged from your research. Use clear and concise language to communicate your findings to the reader.

“The data collected from the study indicates a strong correlation between regular exercise and improved cardiovascular health in elderly patients. These findings support the importance of physical activity in preventing heart diseases and enhancing overall well-being.”

By summarizing your findings, you provide a concise overview of your research and reinforce the significance of your study in the field of nursing.

Making Evidence-Based Recommendations

In addition to drawing conclusions, it is crucial to make evidence-based recommendations based on your research findings. These recommendations should be practical and actionable, aiming to improve patient care, nursing practice, or future research.

• Develop educational programs to increase awareness about the benefits of exercise and cardiovascular health among elderly patients.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to incorporate physical activity into patient care plans.
• Conduct further research to explore the long-term effects of exercise on cardiovascular health in different patient populations.

By making evidence-based recommendations, you contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and provide valuable insights for future research endeavors.

Table: Summary of Findings

The table above provides a summary of the key findings from the study. It presents a clear and organized overview of the research questions and their corresponding findings, making it easier for readers to grasp the main points of your capstone paper.

By effectively drawing conclusions and offering evidence-based recommendations, you demonstrate the significance of your research and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and practice.

In conclusion, writing a nursing case study paper can be a challenging but rewarding task. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, BSN, MSN, and DNP students can confidently write a comprehensive and impactful nursing case study paper.

Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your interests, conduct thorough research, and structure your paper in a logical and organized manner. With practice and dedication, you can master the art of writing a nursing case study paper and excel in your nursing program.

At NursingWriters.net, we understand the unique challenges that nursing students face when it comes to academic writing. That’s why we offer a nursing writing service that provides expert information and guidance to empower busy nurses in BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Whether you need help with writing a case study paper or any other nursing assignment, our team of experienced writers is here to support you. Take the stress out of writing and let us help you succeed in your nursing education.

What is a nursing case study paper?

A nursing case study paper is a required component of BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. It involves analyzing a specific nursing case or scenario and presenting a comprehensive analysis.

Why do students find writing a nursing case study paper challenging?

Writing a nursing case study paper can be challenging for students because it requires critical thinking, research, and the ability to effectively communicate findings in a structured manner.

What is a nursing capstone paper?

A nursing capstone paper is a culminating research paper or project that students must complete in their final year of nursing education. It involves conducting research, demonstrating critical thinking skills, and presenting findings.

How do I choose a topic for my nursing capstone paper?

Choosing an appropriate topic for your nursing capstone paper is crucial. Consider your interests and area of study, and look for topics that align with your passion and future goals.

What is the basic structure of a nursing capstone paper?

A nursing capstone paper typically includes a title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, methods and materials, results and discussion, conclusions, and references.

How do I write a concise and informative abstract for my nursing capstone paper?

When writing your abstract, focus on summarizing the main points of your paper, including the research question, methods, results, and key findings. Keep it concise and provide enough information to engage the reader.

How do I conduct a literature review for my nursing capstone paper?

Start by selecting relevant sources, analyzing the literature, and identifying key themes and trends. Summarize and evaluate the literature to demonstrate your knowledge of existing research on the topic.

What should I include in the methods and materials section of my nursing capstone paper?

In the methods and materials section, you should describe your research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. This section should be clear and detailed to ensure the validity and integrity of your research.

How do I present and interpret my findings in the results and discussion section of my nursing capstone paper?

Clearly communicate your results, analyze the data, and discuss the implications of your findings in relation to the research question or problem statement. This section should provide a comprehensive understanding of your study’s outcomes.

What should be included in the conclusion of my nursing capstone paper?

The conclusion should summarize the main findings of your study and offer evidence-based recommendations for future research or practice. It should provide a logical and impactful ending to your paper.

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• Writing a Nursing case study: Beginners Guide

To write an excellent nursing case study, you need to plan and consider the steps required for writing a case study paper for your nursing program. Many nursing students start writing their case studies before completing the appropriate steps. Before you begin writing your case study paper, you must determine the focus and how to format your paper.

Here, you will receive step-by-step guidance on writing a professional nursing case study . You will also get several nursing case study topics and a guide on choosing your topic. In this blog, nursing experts have gathered relevant idea on how to format your case study.

How to structure a nursing case study

Before you start working on your nursing case study, you must go through the patient health situation, assignment instructions, and rubric. These three will give an idea of what your professor will look for in your nursing case study paper. Below is a nursing case study format and the essential section your case study should have:

This section includes all the photographs, x-rays, and medication usage. Each item should be listed on a new page and named; unless your instructor allows you to write your appendixes on the same page, it is important to meet the expected standards.

Examples of nursing case studies

Below you will find case study nursing examples on several topics. You can use them as a reference to help you improve your nursing case study writing.;

• Healing and autonomy
• Maternal and child nursing care
• Treatment of foot ulcers in diabetic patients
• Cardiovascular case study
• Mental disorder case
• Healthcare institution’s care standards
• COPD medical diagnostic case study
• Case study analysis on acute bacterial prostatitis
• A patient case study in Alzheimer’s disease

How to complete a nursing case study

A nursing case study on a patient is one of the most challenging assignments to complete. Many nursing students find writing a nursing case study analysis overwhelming. You can get nursing case study help from experts and learn how to write a nursing case study from scratch.

In this article, you will come across different case study topics in nursing to help you create an excellent nursing case study template. As a nursing student, you need to know what a nursing case study entails to complete a quality case study.

What is a nursing case study

How to choose a nursing case study topic

The following steps will guide you on how you can choose an excellent topic for your nursing case study topics;

• Choose something that you have an interest with
• Narrow down your topic ideas and come up with the main idea that you are going to discuss
• Do thorough research on your main topic
• Identify problems and opinions related to nursing or any other medical issues
• Use a relevant method to research your nursing case study topic
• Find the best wording for your nursing case study assignment
• Brainstorm on the available issues for nursing case study

Latest case study topics in nursing

• Respiratory nursing case
• Nervous system nursing case
• Endocrine nursing case
• Cardiac case scenario
• Head injury case
• Renal failure case
• Mental health case
• Pediatric abdominal pain
• Allergic reactions
• Carpal tunnel nursing case
• Influenza nursing cases
• Cutaneous myoepithelioma case study
• Chronic bilateral hip pain case

Unique nursing case study topics

When writing a nursing case study essay, you need to be familiar with all relevant topics. Using unique topics to help you write a high-quality nursing case study that will meet your instructor’s requirements is essential. Below are special topics to make a case study for nursing students;

• Case study on ABC disease
• Analysis of mammogram in male
• A case study of XYZ patient
• A case study on the covid-19 pandemic: how social media has assisted in the treatment of the virus
• Control of cholesterol in human consumption
• The misconceptions of people about healthcare and treatment
• Problem and causes of back pain at an early age
• Effects of allergies on patient
• Reasons for the increase in kidney stone problem
• Care of the pregnant woman
• Child obesity
• How smoking triggers health status
• Causes of patient’s evolving health status
• Care for a patient with a permanent disability
• Cholera outbreak in overpopulated urban areas
• Dangers of skin-to-skin contact with nurses in healthcare
• The risk of a patient suffering from heart and lung disease treatment
• Causes and treatment of diabetes in children
• Causes of a downturn of mental and physical health in the 21 st generation
• Reasons for recurring pericardial effusion in cancer patients
• What situations lead to an unexpected death in the operating room
• What has led to the evolution of the healthcare sector
• Effects of anxiety and depression among the young people
• How pollution is leading to deadly diseases without cure

Tips on writing a nursing case study essay

Writing a nursing case study essay is not an easy task. You need to review different nursing case study assignment examples to learn more about formatting an awesome nursing case study template. Reading an example of a case study essay in nursing is essential for you; it will help you identify different tips and ideas for writing your case study.

When you read different case study nursing examples, you will realize that a nursing case study is a technical paper on its measure. You should display professionalism and understanding of varying nursing concepts in your nursing case study paper. Below are some tips and tricks you can use when analyzing your nursing case study on a particular area of interest:

• Plan your nursing case study

You need first to go through all your case study assignment instructions. This will help you to understand the type of formatting style you will use. It will also help you identify topics and concepts to apply in the case analysis.

• Avoid writing your case study at the last moment.

You should begin writing your nursing case study analysis early to avoid late submission. Many nursing students combine work and study, which can make them fail to write a nursing case study. To prevent this, you can start working on your case study immediately when you receive the assignment from your instructor, freeing up your time to collect valuable data for your case study.

• Use correct nursing terms

Use correct nursing terminologies to write your nursing case study essay. You need to avoid using technical terms for your case study. Ensure that your reader can comprehend the message you are passing on in your nursing case study paper.

• Avoid using acronyms in your nursing case study essay
• Use your own words to paraphrase and cite your case study accordingly

Using your own words to write the assessment, patient presentation, and nursing care plan is very important. Avoid copying words directly from other sources and pasting them into your case study paper to avoid any form of plagiarism. Citing your essay will help strengthen your arguments in your nursing case study paper.

• Format your nursing case study paper as directed by your professor

Many nursing students forget to format their nursing case study paper, which can lead to a loss of marks. Focus and dedicate your time to familiarize yourself with the APA writing format.

• Proofread and edit your nursing case study paper appropriately

Proofreading and editing your work is essential. This will help you identify basic errors that might lead to getting poor grades before submitting your work check for misspellings, grammar errors, omissions, unnecessary wording, and incomplete sentences. You can also take advantage of our proofreading services if you find it tiresome to go through your work.

Why it is important to write a nursing case study

• Your nursing case study will give an overview of an existing health problem and the solution to solve the current problem
• A nursing case study will attract the attention of your audience or reader who understands the problem
• A nursing case study will help to create awareness of dangers or outbreaks of a particular disease
• A nursing case study helps medical practitioners to frame questions rigorously designed nursing studies.
• A nursing case study will provide an analysis of complex health issues

Excellent nursing case study writing tips

Learn quality tips and ideas on writing a nursing case study. This blog has provided you with all the information you need to write a nursing case study. All the nursing case topics listed will inspire you to create your case study topic.

Nursingessayexamples.com is a professional writing service that provides original papers on all subjects and guides you on writing high-quality case study papers. Contact us via our website and ask for any nursing assignment assistance. Place your order now and enjoy quality services from experts.

Also Visit: 250 Latest Nursing Essay Topics for Students

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Writing Tips

A comprehensive nursing case study writing guide.

Aug. 4, 2023 • 7 min read

Nursing Case Study Writing Step-By-Step Guide

Nursing case studies play a vital role in the education and training of aspiring nurses in the USA, UK, UAE, and Canada. These real-life scenarios provide students with a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, enhancing their critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to creating effective and insightful nursing case studies that meet the academic standards of these countries.

1. Choosing a Relevant Case

The foundation of a successful nursing case study is the selection of an appropriate case. Look for scenarios that align with your course's learning objectives and reflect the wide range of healthcare challenges that nurses may face. Select cases involving ethical quandaries, complex patient interactions, or situations requiring interdisciplinary collaboration.

2. Gathering Information

Thorough research is key to crafting a detailed and accurate nursing case study. Collect data from reputable sources such as medical journals, textbooks, and evidence-based practice guidelines. Ensure that the patient's medical history, current condition, and relevant clinical data are well-documented. Protect patient confidentiality by de-identifying information.

3. Setting the Stage

Introduce the case by providing basic details on the patient, the healthcare setting, and any other relevant information. Describe the patient's demographics, medical history, current symptoms, and reason for seeking medical help. This establishes the context for readers to comprehend the situation and its significance.

4. Clinical Assessment

Detail the nursing assessment process, including physical examinations, diagnostic tests, and the collection of subjective and objective data. Highlight the nurse's role in observing, interviewing, and evaluating the patient's condition. Discuss the data collected and its implications for the patient's care.

5. Diagnosis and Planning

Based on the assessment, outline the nursing diagnoses and collaborative problems. Clearly explain the rationale behind each diagnosis and present a well-reasoned plan of care. Discuss short-term and long-term goals, potential interventions, and the expected outcomes of nursing interventions.

6. Implementation and Evaluation

Describe how the nursing care plan was executed and the interventions that were implemented. Include details about the nurse's interactions with the patient, families, and other healthcare team members. Evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions, discussing any changes in the patient's condition, responses to treatment, and unexpected challenges.

7. Reflection and Learning

Encourage critical thinking by incorporating a reflection section. Invite students to analyze the case, consider alternative approaches, and reflect on what they have learned from the experience. Discuss the ethical, cultural, and emotional aspects of the case, promoting a holistic understanding of patient care.

8. References and Citations

Maintain academic integrity by properly citing all sources used in your case study. Follow the appropriate citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) as required by your institution.

Writing nursing case studies is an essential skill for nursing students in the USA, UK, and Canada. Through these case studies, students can bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing them for the complex and dynamic healthcare environments they will encounter in their careers. By carefully selecting cases, conducting thorough research, and presenting well-structured and reflective analyses, nursing students can create case studies that not only meet academic standards but also contribute to their growth as competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.

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Crafting Effective Nursing Case Studies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mastering Nursing Case Study Writing

Whether studying or practicing nursing, either as a scholar or professional, you will agree that case studies are part of your study and practice.

They offer an outlet to evaluate real-life circumstances, use theoretically expressed ideas, and polish problem-solving abilities. However, crafting a captivating and successful case study can be tricky. That's where this guide comes in.

In this article, we'll look at exactly what makes for a good nursing case study and take you through the process of conducting research right from the formulation of your research question and outlining actually what to do.

Besides, we'll provide some top tips for writing your findings and finish with some common pitfalls to avoid along the way. By the time you end reading this article, you should be confident enough to excel in any future academic writing in nursing that comes your way. 

Understanding the Structure of Nursing Case Studies

 In order to have an in-depth and coherent analysis, one needs to comprehend the structure of nursing case studies. Breaking it down, the usual components found in a nursing case study include:

• Introduction : It states details about the patient, including medical background and present condition.
• Patient Assessment : Outline the subjective and objective data that was collected from the patient's assessment, including the vital signs, findings of the physical examination, and laboratory results, among others.
• Nursing Diagnoses : Draft the actual or potential nursing diagnoses excerpted from the data of the patient's health assessment.
• Planning : Detailed interventions and goals of the proposed intervention to correspond with the identified nursing diagnoses.
• Implementation : Elaborate on how the proposed interventions are being put into action by the healthcare professionals.
• Evaluation : Evaluate the efficacy of the executed interventions and converse about any adjustments or refinements performed.
• Conclusion : Summarise key points from the case study analysis and make brief conclusions regarding your analysis using several sentences.

Thus, following this structure, while delivering the analysis, you succeed in making it really effective and proving that you really know how nursing principles function in practice. If, at some point, you feel like stuck,  research proposal writing help   is available from qualified experts anytime, so don’t hesitate to use one.  

Analyzing and Evaluating Nursing Case Scenarios

To do well at it, you’ll need to pull apart what’s being asked for, identify just the data that’s needed, and use what you know to make good decisions.

To get going on this type of problem-solving exercise, you’ll also need to assess patients’ symptoms and weigh up their medical history when deciding what might be wrong with them.

That done, formulating nursing diagnoses before moving on to planning care is essential.

But that’s not where things end! You’ll also have to evaluate how effective different interventions have been later on as part of determining whether they need changing.

Effective Question Analysis in Case Studies

Being a master at questioning is one of the most crucial skills in case studies. Effective questioning helps you to critically evaluate information problems and generate solutions for patients.

For example, when you’re considering the scenario where a patient is experiencing shortness of breath, ask yourself:

• What’s their respiration rate?
• Are they in any respiratory distress?
• Do they have any history of lung disease or smoke?

By doing this, you improve your assessment abilities and consequently ensure that your nursing diagnoses are more valid. 

Critical Thinking in Nursing Case Study Development

In the development of nursing education case studies, critical thinking is a skill that cannot be overlooked. It requires nurses to analyze information without bias, consider numerous perspectives, and decide intelligently.

For example, when you see a case study about a patient whose symptoms are out of the ordinary, your critical thinking chops prompt you to ask yourself about other possible factors beyond what’s obvious.

It assists in licensure examination preparation, assessing data sources for reliability and relevance, scrutinizing evidence supporting recommended interventions, and exploring alternative hypotheses.

By using their critical thinking skills, nurses can quickly identify those pertinent clinical details they’ll need to make an appropriate decision or develop an effective patient care planning that meets patient needs.

Ultimately, perfecting one’s skill at “thinking like a nurse” with respect to case studies enhances his or her ability to provide comprehensive care rooted in evidence-based practice. 

Self-Evaluation and Improvement in Case Study Writing

To become a better nurse, you must take charge of your self-assessment and improvement in writing case studies – an important education skill if you want to produce exceptional nursing analyses.

One way to assess your work is by identifying what went well and what didn’t. Did your case study successfully address the patient’s needs? Did it make good use of evidence-based research? Was it clearly written?

You can also look for feedback from colleagues or teachers who might identify areas where you could improve.

By analyzing your efforts and looking for ways to get even better, you’ll keep improving on this crucial nursing skill – so that every analysis gets more polished, insightful, and impactful than the last one. 

Formatting and Presenting Nursing Case Studies 

To effectively convey nursing case studies, the way they are formatted and presented matters. Begin interestingly with background on the patient and their condition.

To add structure to your document, organize it into sections like assessment, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and evaluation. Use headings to signpost these sections clearly.

Also, consider including relevant data such as vital signs, lab results, or imaging findings that support your analysis. Be specific when you examine subjective and objective data so readers will get a clear picture of the patient’s situation.

Finally, provide an overview in which you summarise key points from the case study.

Tips for Proofreading and Editing Nursing Case Studies 

Here are some of the essential tips to guide you while doing proofreading and editing the nursing case studies to perfect them, free from mistakes:

• Time off : A break before embarking on the work for proofreading ensures that fresh eyes are witnessing the job.
• Read aloud : Reading the case study aloud will help identify any awkward and confusing sentences and ensure a good flow.
• Consistency check : Check the document for consistency in terms used, abbreviations, and formatting.
• Grammar and punctuation checking : Observe the right grammar and the right utilization of punctuation marks as well as sentence structure.
• Reference confirmation : Ensure that all the quoted references available in the case study coincide with accuracy as well as obedience to quoting rules.
• Request for feedback : Distribute your case study to fellow students or lecturers to read and provide guidance on which elements need improvement regarding clarity.
• Make it reader-friendly : Relay essential information to the readers using languages that are readily understood, avoiding jargon.
• Proofread for errors : Read through it carefully to detect any typos, misspellings, missing words, or incorrect data entry.

 These are the tips concerning proofreading and thorough editing processes that could be undertaken so as to add the best quality to your nursing case studies. 

  What are the key components of a nursing case study?

An introduction, patient assessment, nursing diagnoses, planning, implementation, evaluation, and conclusion are the components encompassing a nursing case study composition.

  How can nursing students effectively analyze case scenarios?

To effectively analyze the case scenarios, nursing students need to properly assess this or that patient about their symptoms, review their medical history and available data, and use appropriate critical thinking skills for developing proper nursing diagnoses and interventions.

What role does critical thinking play in nursing case studies?

Critical thinking is an essential component of the nursing case studies. It allows students to reason out through complex situations, be able to make good judgments, set priorities for care, and assess the results of an intervention. Teaching evidence-based practice as well as problem-solving aims to ensure that the patient realizes their best outcomes.

10 Nursing Case Study Analysis Examples [Format + Structure]

• August 6, 2022
• Writing Guides

If you are a nursing student, you may be asked to write a case study analysis. This can be a daunting task, but it is possible to do if you follow some simple steps. Here we include Nursing Case Study Analysis Examples to help you get started.

Here's What You'll Learn

First, read the case study and make sure you understand the situation. Next, identify the key players involved and their role in the case. Finally, analyze the data presented and draw your own conclusions.

Writing a case study analysis can be challenging, but it is also an excellent way to learn more about nursing care. By taking the time to understand the situation and identify the key players, you will be able to gain valuable insights that can be applied to future cases.

10 Nursing Case Study Analysis Examples

Nursing Case study Analysis Format and Structure

When it comes to writing a case study analysis, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, there is a general format and structure that you can follow to ensure your analysis is well-organized and flows smoothly. Here are the basics:

A nursing case study is a detailed study of a patient that is encountered by a nurse. The purpose of the case study is to provide a comprehensive view of the patient’s health condition and history. Nurse practitioners use case studies to enhance their ability to care for patients by providing them with a more complete picture of the patient’s health. Nurse practitioners may use different formats for their nursing case studies. However, all case studies should include certain key elements. These key elements include:

As a nursing practitioner, you will be responsible for analyzing patient cases and providing care based on your findings. There are key elements that you must take into account when performing a case analysis in order to ensure that you are providing the best possible care for your patients.

• The first element is the patient’s history. You will need to obtain a complete medical history in order to understand the background of the case and identify any potential risk factors.
• Next, you will need to perform a physical examination of the patient. This will help you to identify any physical signs or symptoms that may be related to the case.
• You will also need to order and review any laboratory tests or imaging studies that have been performed on the patient. These results can provide valuable information about the patient’s condition.
• Once you have gathered all of this information, you will need to start piecing together the puzzle to form a diagnosis. This process will involve synthesizing all of the information you have gathered and making a determination about what is causing the patient’s symptoms.
• Once you have made a diagnosis, you can start developing a treatment plan. This plan should be tailored specifically to the needs of the individual patient.

When writing a nursing case study, nurse practitioners should use a clear and concise format. The format should be easy to follow and understand. Nurse practitioners should also include all of the key elements in their nursing case studies. Nursing Case Study Analysis Examples

How to write a case study assignment

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a real-life situation or incident, as a way to illustrate content and theory to students. It is usually presented as a written report, but can also be done in the form of a presentation, video, or multimedia production.

Case studies are used in many different disciplines, including business, law, psychology, nursing, social work, and medical sciences.

A case study assignment is a type of paper that requires you to analyze a real-life or fictional situation and offer possible solutions. This can be a challenging task, but if you follow some basic guidelines, you can write a successful case study assignment.

Here are some tips on how to write a case study assignment:

• Read the case study carefully. Make sure you understand the situation and the problem that needs to be solved.
• Research the subject matter. You will need to have a good understanding of the relevant theories and concepts in order to offer possible solutions.
• Read the case study carefully. This may seem obvious, but it is important to get a clear understanding of the situation before you start writing. Make sure you have all the relevant facts and figures to hand before you start.
• Identify the key issues. Once you have read and understood the case study, you need to identify the key issues that it raises. These will form the basis of your analysis.
• Research the law/theory applicable to the key issues. Once you have identified the key issues, you need to research the law or theory that applies to them. This will help you to form your arguments and conclusions.
• Write your paper. Be sure to present your analysis in a clear and concise manner. Your paper should be well-organized and well-written

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Part 1: What is it and why?

This video introduces the concept of the case study and identifies how case studies differ to other written assignments.

The most important thing in writing up a case study report is that first, second, and thirdly: It is about the patient, not the condition nor the treatment. Students often put the emphasis on the condition or the treatment because the question usually focuses on this. While you need to explore these things, you still have to bring it back to the patient, and keep the patient central to the whole assignment.


We can understand if busy medical professionals start to see their patients in terms of a condition to be fixed, or a procedure to be performed. But ideally, we should remember that a patient is a person with a complex array of needs and preferences. This means that a simple textbook answer is not always best for them.


In your career, you will need to negotiate adjustments and anticipate problems particular to the patient. It does not make sense to discuss a condition in isolation from the individual. Each patient has their own unique kaleidoscope of history, personality type, fears, medical challenges, needs during recovery, so forth and so on. You need to see their condition or their treatment overall, as part of the whole person. Writing a case study teaches you to do that, if you don’t explore the condition or treatment as part of a holistic system, you case study becomes theoretical, it becomes another essay.


Let’s compare the case study to the essays you might have already written. The case study in nursing explores a particular patient’s situation, while your essays will more likely have focused on disease, a treatment, a concept, or a system. A case study is very grounded in the real and the now, even if the patient is a hypothetical invention. It still provides some fairly authentic experience with dealing with an individual patient.


Essays, on the other hand, tend to be literature-based. Of course, you need to do a lot of research and reading for your case study too, but the difference is for a case study you must always view and evaluate the information in the context of your patient. So in a case study, you need to show that you can find and apply information to you patient. For an essay you need to look at the information itself, pull it apart and evaluate it for its own sake.

So even if the question looks like an essay, don’t be distracted. There is still an expectation to relate this to the patient. It is possible to explore the content and theory in a generalised way throughout the assignment, but the beginning of the assignment (and the beginning of each paragraph, in fact) should foreground you're patient and their relationship to this theory.

Part 2: Research and writing

This video provides tips on how to research and structure paragraphs in order to keep a patient centred emphasis in the writing.

An essay, as opposed to a case study, usually has an question or a thesis which defines the boundaries of what you research, You aim to keep it within those parameters. and you delve as deeply as you can into the material. It loses focus if you include stuff outside of the topic. 


With a case study, however, your focus is the patient so you need to cast your net widely and generously at first to find something that is relevant to them. And then when you find something relevant, you need to research deeply. So, doing a good case study report involves a lot more reading than you might think. You’ll have to research both generally and deeply.

There can be a lot of research, and fairly unguided research involved in a case study. Don’t assume it’s like a reading comprehension exercise, the problems are not always clearly defined and the solutions have not necessarily been covered in lectures. Think of your case study as a mystery puzzle with a few clues scattered through it. 


In reality, patients do not arrive with instructions, so it’s up to the professional to notice that it is obvious and to think outside of the box. It is up to you to anticipate problems for the patient, it is up to you to follow through with the threads of any clues, and to see if they offer any valuable information, and these may only be hinted at indirectly. With years of nursing experience, the clues and danger signs get easier to spot, but it is very challenging for a beginner if you don’t know what to look for, and that is why the broad reading is important. 


So, every piece of information about your patient is valuable. When the information is given in the assignment, the facts are not random facts, they have usually been included for a reason, so use them and use them as much as you can. You may, on the other hand, have been told very little in the assignment and be expected to elicit the information yourself from the patient, through a blog, or a question-and-answer session. Asking for more details about their own condition just gives you more details about their condition, and unless you have some reasoning in mind for asking about that, more details per se is usually not that very helpful. 


Instead, ask about things that may affect the treatment or recovery; ask about things that may complicate matters. Smoking, relevant illnesses, lack of family support, strenuous lifestyles or jobs are all factors that may generate important decisions about how the patient is treated or cared for. The secret to keeping it about the patient is to keep them foremost into the discussion. You do this by making them the subject of each paragraph, and you do this by making them feature in the topic sentence: at the beginning and, if possible, a summary sentence at the end. 


In the middle of a paragraph, you have more flexibility to talk about the procedure or the condition in a more general way. But, at the end of the day, you need to remind us of how this is important for your patient. If you don’t, your writing becomes an essay rather than a case study. And if you feel like you’re being asked to research and to discuss material that is not directly relevant to your patient, you can make it relevant by at least explaining why it is not relevant. Remember, everything you write about should be in relation to your patient. 


So remember, it is all about the patient, keep everything relevant to the patient; keep the patient in mind throughout the research and the writing. Explore and discuss what the question requires, but theory for the sake of theory should be avoided. Your mission is to find the best solutions available for your patient, and develop the best understanding that you can of your patient. 


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• Volume 21, Issue 1
• What is a case study?
• Article Text
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• Roberta Heale 1 ,
• Alison Twycross 2
• 1 School of Nursing , Laurentian University , Sudbury , Ontario , Canada
• 2 School of Health and Social Care , London South Bank University , London , UK
• Correspondence to Dr Roberta Heale, School of Nursing, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON P3E2C6, Canada; rheale{at}laurentian.ca

https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102845

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What is it?

Case study is a research methodology, typically seen in social and life sciences. There is no one definition of case study research. 1 However, very simply… ‘a case study can be defined as an intensive study about a person, a group of people or a unit, which is aimed to generalize over several units’. 1 A case study has also been described as an intensive, systematic investigation of a single individual, group, community or some other unit in which the researcher examines in-depth data relating to several variables. 2

Often there are several similar cases to consider such as educational or social service programmes that are delivered from a number of locations. Although similar, they are complex and have unique features. In these circumstances, the evaluation of several, similar cases will provide a better answer to a research question than if only one case is examined, hence the multiple-case study. Stake asserts that the cases are grouped and viewed as one entity, called the quintain . 6  ‘We study what is similar and different about the cases to understand the quintain better’. 6

The steps when using case study methodology are the same as for other types of research. 6 The first step is defining the single case or identifying a group of similar cases that can then be incorporated into a multiple-case study. A search to determine what is known about the case(s) is typically conducted. This may include a review of the literature, grey literature, media, reports and more, which serves to establish a basic understanding of the cases and informs the development of research questions. Data in case studies are often, but not exclusively, qualitative in nature. In multiple-case studies, analysis within cases and across cases is conducted. Themes arise from the analyses and assertions about the cases as a whole, or the quintain, emerge. 6

Benefits and limitations of case studies

If a researcher wants to study a specific phenomenon arising from a particular entity, then a single-case study is warranted and will allow for a in-depth understanding of the single phenomenon and, as discussed above, would involve collecting several different types of data. This is illustrated in example 1 below.

Using a multiple-case research study allows for a more in-depth understanding of the cases as a unit, through comparison of similarities and differences of the individual cases embedded within the quintain. Evidence arising from multiple-case studies is often stronger and more reliable than from single-case research. Multiple-case studies allow for more comprehensive exploration of research questions and theory development. 6

Despite the advantages of case studies, there are limitations. The sheer volume of data is difficult to organise and data analysis and integration strategies need to be carefully thought through. There is also sometimes a temptation to veer away from the research focus. 2 Reporting of findings from multiple-case research studies is also challenging at times, 1 particularly in relation to the word limits for some journal papers.

Examples of case studies

Example 1: nurses’ paediatric pain management practices.

One of the authors of this paper (AT) has used a case study approach to explore nurses’ paediatric pain management practices. This involved collecting several datasets:

Observational data to gain a picture about actual pain management practices.

Questionnaire data about nurses’ knowledge about paediatric pain management practices and how well they felt they managed pain in children.

Questionnaire data about how critical nurses perceived pain management tasks to be.

These datasets were analysed separately and then compared 7–9 and demonstrated that nurses’ level of theoretical did not impact on the quality of their pain management practices. 7 Nor did individual nurse’s perceptions of how critical a task was effect the likelihood of them carrying out this task in practice. 8 There was also a difference in self-reported and observed practices 9 ; actual (observed) practices did not confirm to best practice guidelines, whereas self-reported practices tended to.

Example 2: quality of care for complex patients at Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLCs)

The other author of this paper (RH) has conducted a multiple-case study to determine the quality of care for patients with complex clinical presentations in NPLCs in Ontario, Canada. 10 Five NPLCs served as individual cases that, together, represented the quatrain. Three types of data were collected including:

Review of documentation related to the NPLC model (media, annual reports, research articles, grey literature and regulatory legislation).

Interviews with nurse practitioners (NPs) practising at the five NPLCs to determine their perceptions of the impact of the NPLC model on the quality of care provided to patients with multimorbidity.

Chart audits conducted at the five NPLCs to determine the extent to which evidence-based guidelines were followed for patients with diabetes and at least one other chronic condition.

The three sources of data collected from the five NPLCs were analysed and themes arose related to the quality of care for complex patients at NPLCs. The multiple-case study confirmed that nurse practitioners are the primary care providers at the NPLCs, and this positively impacts the quality of care for patients with multimorbidity. Healthcare policy, such as lack of an increase in salary for NPs for 10 years, has resulted in issues in recruitment and retention of NPs at NPLCs. This, along with insufficient resources in the communities where NPLCs are located and high patient vulnerability at NPLCs, have a negative impact on the quality of care. 10

These examples illustrate how collecting data about a single case or multiple cases helps us to better understand the phenomenon in question. Case study methodology serves to provide a framework for evaluation and analysis of complex issues. It shines a light on the holistic nature of nursing practice and offers a perspective that informs improved patient care.

• Gustafsson J
• Calanzaro M
• Sandelowski M

Competing interests None declared.

Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

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Nursing Case Study Examples and Solutions

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At NursingStudy.org, we strive to provide you with a comprehensive collection of nursing case study examples and solutions that align with the best practices recommended by YOAST and RankMath. By exploring these diverse case studies, you’ll enhance your clinical knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and overall understanding of nursing practice. Take advantage of this valuable resource and elevate your nursing skills to new heights.

Remember, success in nursing begins with knowledge and continues with lifelong learning. Explore our nursing case study examples and solutions today and embark on a journey of professional growth and excellence.

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How to Create Case Studies that Bring Clinical to Class!

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How to present patient cases

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• Mary Ni Lochlainn , foundation year 2 doctor 1 ,
• Ibrahim Balogun , healthcare of older people/stroke medicine consultant 1
• 1 East Kent Foundation Trust, UK

A guide on how to structure a case presentation

This article contains...

-History of presenting problem

-Medical and surgical history

-Drugs, including allergies to drugs

-Family history

-Social history

-Review of systems

-Findings on examination, including vital signs and observations

-Differential diagnosis/impression

-Investigations

-Management

Presenting patient cases is a key part of everyday clinical practice. A well delivered presentation has the potential to facilitate patient care and improve efficiency on ward rounds, as well as a means of teaching and assessing clinical competence. 1

The purpose of a case presentation is to communicate your diagnostic reasoning to the listener, so that he or she has a clear picture of the patient’s condition and further management can be planned accordingly. 2 To give a high quality presentation you need to take a thorough history. Consultants make decisions about patient care based on information presented to them by junior members of the team, so the importance of accurately presenting your patient cannot be overemphasised.

As a medical student, you are likely to be asked to present in numerous settings. A formal case presentation may take place at a teaching session or even at a conference or scientific meeting. These presentations are usually thorough and have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation or poster. More often, case presentations take place on the wards or over the phone and tend to be brief, using only memory or short, handwritten notes as an aid.

Everyone has their own presenting style, and the context of the presentation will determine how much detail you need to put in. You should anticipate what information your senior colleagues will need to know about the patient’s history and the care he or she has received since admission, to enable them to make further management decisions. In this article, I use a fictitious case to …

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A Guide on How To Write a Nursing Case Study Assignment

Many students who don’t have nursing as a major subject mistakenly believe nursing students do not complete research assignments. After all, they spend most of their time in biology and chemistry labs, conducting field experiments. However, a patient’s nursing case study is a tough assignment and will likely freak you out. Many students have claimed they get overwhelmed by writing a nursing case study with patient scenarios.

What is a Nursing Case Study?

A nursing case study assignment brings up a specific patient’s health condition to test a nursing student’s skills, aptitude, and knowledge in their research area. The case study nursing students work on are most likely the practicum or procedures they will be encountering in their daily routine. These projects are assigned to student nurses as a part of their study course. The research paper helps students integrate the theoretical learning from lectures into a real world scenario.

A well-written research paper for a nursing program requires extensive reading, critical thinking, proper application, and consideration of recent scholarly literature.

Nursing Case Study Structure

Have a look at the patient’s condition and the details mentioned by your instructor before starting the case study. Once you have sufficient know-how of the case, you can write about it in the following steps:

Abstract of the Report

An abstract can be written in a narrative or organised form. A description is a condensed version of an entire document summarising everything into a coherent, flowing plot but lacks headers. Structured abstracts include subheadings to aid with online searches. A structured abstract is divided into categories of a nursing case study, including the introduction, case presentation, management and outcome, and conclusion.

How to Write an Introduction for a Case Study

Your report’s intro should briefly present the patient, covering medical history, current medicine and diagnosis, prospective therapies, and suggestions.

You may always write the introduction last to ensure you’ve covered everything in your research work. The first paragraph aims to display you can decipher the patient’s message. It also enhances your arguments on care planning later in the paper.

• Practice Pathophysiology

You can discuss how the patient illness have occurred after studying the patient’s raw data. For example, if it is sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, use the necessary facts to explain how it may have happened. A patient working in an unsanitary environment is one example. If a patient has the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been a long-time smoker, explain how smoking causes COPD. Focus on the patient’s aetiology and risk factors as you discuss pathophysiology. Use nursing literature released within the previous five years to back up your writing.

• Nursing Care Plan

With the diagnosis done and the source of the patient’s suffering understood, it is now time to plan the patient’s care. With this following written guide on nursing care plans, you can write a care plan yourself in no time. However, suppose you are not sure how to write your case study. In that case, for quality work, you can always ask for assignment help UK from expert and professional writers who are always available to provide relief to struggling students.

The nurse care plan details the topmost complaints or the critical problems that a patient has, comprising at least three top-priority issues. You can help define the reasons for these problems while drawing facts and evidence from the literature.

You also need to detail the possible intervention plans, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interferences, develop objectives and measures, and come up with evaluation approaches for your project.

• Recommend and Discuss Your Paper

While writing a case study, you can always discuss the predictable outcomes and pen down your recommendations. The discussion covers your assignment, giving you an area to expound on the research, relate your patient’s care plan to the case, and offer a rationale.

You can then make recommendations based on the care plan. Your recommendations on the diagnosis, prognosis, and nursing care plan should be sound. For example, if it is time to release the patient who had fall injuries, recommend some homework and management strategies that can work in the home setting. Emphasis on all and everything that can be done to improve the well-being of a patient.

• Conclude Your Case Study Assignment

As you introduce every detail of your study, you must concisely conclude all of it. Then, end your nursing care study by recapping the argument. Include the critical facts such as patient performance throughout the analysis, nursing assessment, care plan, rationale, evaluation, and recommendations.

• Acknowledge the Peer's Who Helped

Write a brief thank-you paragraph to everyone who helped with the case study preparation. It is not conventional to acknowledge the patients, as they are already at medical centres to receive treatment. Furthermore, it is excessive to express gratitude for all the assignment help you have received and thank the individuals who did not directly contribute to preparing the nursing case study assignment, such as peers and lecturers.

• Give References

List all the writers whose study helped and supported your case study argument. However, make sure not to go over fifteen sources. Also, avoid referencing a personal statement or information while giving references. In your paper, provide all the facts and figures, photographs, tables, and other non-textual material. A nursing case study assignment is a healthcare academic paper. Therefore, you should use authentic sources to support recommendations and cite your case study appropriately as per style guidelines to make your research stronger than the other candidates.

Types of Nursing Assignment

Five different methods in which you can write best nursing case study assignments are: • Case Study • Group Study • Functional Study • Team Nursing Study • Primary Nursing Study

In this study method, a researcher can work one-on-one with the patient, hence providing all the functions for the patient. This result in individual work satisfaction and extra patient care

Group Study

A single nurse is assigned a group of patients, and that one nurse is responsible for taking care of all the provided patients.

Functional Study

Nurses are assigned tasks like TPR, medicine, maintenance, responsibility, and so forth. In this study, nursing care becomes fragmented and impersonal due to many nurses. (However, for practical purposes, a few activities are fictionally assigned to nurses such as providing meals and accompanying while dressing) This strategy has various advantages, so instructors are usually unwilling to abandon it. The biggest benefit of the functional study is it allows more to be accomplished in a shorter period.

However, this study gives the patient inadequate attention as the strategy is more divided and inconsistent.

Team Nursing Study

In this study, a team of nurses (2 or more – headed by staff nurse) are assigned a group of patients. This study is given to students to see how they handle the shortage of staff situation to maintain patients’ well-being.

Additional nurses incorporate into the team to take care of the load. This tactic is possible because most parts of patient care do not require any technical skills.

The assignment is based upon analysis of tasks to be performed, skills available, and supervision required. This study method is an effective strategy if properly organised and supervised.

Primary Nursing Study

The primary nursing study is similar to the case study. In this study, the nurse assumes 24-hour responsibility for the care, evaluation and planning. When the nurses are on their duty, they undertake accountability for providing total maintenance.

Another task of this study is the coordination of nursing activities with doctors and surgeons other health experts.

Example of Case Study Report Format

You can find many nursing case study examples if you google with your particular subject. In addition, a few people had researched similar topics and have posted their case studies online for new students trying to excel at their case studies. For example, the Canadian journal of nursing research archive has described how several social servants are directly connected to the nursing assignment patterns practised at the unit level. This case study describes the characteristic components of a nursing unit’s currently practised assignment pattern.

Also, the Goronlogist report on “Consistent Assignment of Nursing Staff to Residents in Nursing Homes: A Critical Review of Conceptual and Methodological Issues” talks about nursing staff being promoted to residency. In addition, this report discusses the strategies planned to improve nursing home quality and shows varying effects of consistent assignment on quality conclusions.

Similarly, nursing case study reports published by different writers are available on many platforms. So, to get good grades and improve your assignment statement, you can always take the help of these examples, and if you find a similar topic, you can always give references and use those examples in your paper.

Tricks to Remember!

A nursing case study paper is a methodological paper in essence. Therefore, it should display expertise, professionalism, and understanding of nursing concepts.

Being a nurse isn’t easy; they are sometimes given case studies, such as implementing healthcare systems or an ethical dilemma. This guide helps write a decent case study on a patient. However, if you are analysing a nursing case study on a given area of interest, here are tips and tricks to use. • Read the instructions carefully • Begin writing early • Paraphrase and Cite • Write Accordingly to the Format • Revise, Check, and Edit carefully

Finally, writing an assignment for the final exam can be overwhelming for many students. And sometimes you wonder “if I can pay someone to write my essay “. Well, yes! You can always ask people and experts for help. Not everyone is meant for writing and academic excellence, and there is no shame to admit you need help. So, you can ask your seniors, professors and even expert writers of the UK Writing Experts for assignment help whenever you see yourself struggling. At UK Writing Experts, customer support is everything – a little help and assistance never harmed anyone.

Can you write 'I' or 'in my opinion' in an assignment?

Yes, you can write I or in my opinion while doing your assignment. The significant point is to use these types of terminologies when they suit your purpose, such as when you want to distance yourself from a certain view. But beware, don’t confuse giving your personal opinion with writing about your personal experience!

Can an assignment have bullet points?

There is no rule you cannot have bullets in your assignment. That being said, if you are writing a formal assignment, be careful with the formatting of your paper. For instance, a few instructors consider too many bullet points informal for an assignment.

How can I get nursing assignment help?

Educational pressure affects your mental health, and it gets overwhelming to write or work on the research or nursing assignment. However, you can contact academic writing websites like the UK Writing Experts and hire them for nursing assignment help. Medical students often face such academic trouble, and these expert writers make student life a bit easier. Also, they maintain the privacy of every individual who seeks them for assignment help.

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This assignment requires you to complete a  nursing case study of 2500 words.                                              

This assignment help assumes you have read your course outline. For full assessment details, please refer to your course outline .

Nursing standards, safety and quality standards

The following resources may also be useful:

• Nursing and Midwifery Board: Professional Standards Codes of conduct, standards for practice, and codes of ethics
• Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses Nurse's care planning process

Plan your search

Key points from the video.

• Searching for your whole assignment is not very effective
• Mapping out your search is a good place to start
• Identify the key concepts in your question or topic
• You don't need to search for task words
• Use double quotation marks (" ") to search for two or more words together as a phrase
• Think about what other words (synonyms and alternative terms) might be used to describe the key concepts
• You can use acronyms, but you should search for the full terms as well
• To find fewer results, add different concepts using AND (e.g. rural AND Australia)
• To find more results, add synonyms or alternative terms, to your search using OR (e.g. "renewable energy" OR solar OR wind)
• You can change your search as you find more information
• For more information, read the  How to plan your search  document
• How to plan your search (PDF) A short guide on steps you need to plan your search, including how to combine your search terms using OR, AND, NOT.

Search Strategies

After watching the above video you can now start by identifying the concepts (main ideas) from your assignment topic prior to searching.  Consider alternative words for these concepts which, together with the concept term, become your searchable keywords.

Question: Prepare a best-practice care plan for teenage patients with type 2 diabetes

Create your search

Use the tools described in the video above to create an effective search.

• Plan your search (Nursing) Learn more about planning your search for your assignment in this Library guide.

Search the Library Collection

The Library Collection can be a useful starting point in locating quality information.

Use it to find:

• books or ebooks
• journals or journal articles
• conference papers and newspaper articles
• Library Collection

Search in databases

Journal articles are often found in databases .

Useful databases to search:

• MEDLINE (via Ovid) A large biomedical database produced by the US National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE is key for health-related topics. Indexed with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and with records from 1946 to current, primarily for scholarly journal articles. MEDLINE via Ovid is recommended for systematic searches rather than via the free PubMed.
• Scopus One of the largest multidisciplinary bibliographic databases, Scopus covers peer reviewed journals, trade journals, books and book chapters, conference papers and patents. Also provides backward and forward citation searching, publication metrics and analytical features
• Health Collection (via Informit) Covers health-related material from and about Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and South East Asia. Focuses on nursing and allied health, with key subjects including public health, patient care, aged care, Aboriginal Australians, child welfare and family violence.

Database limits and filters

Database limits and filters may be applied to reduce your search results if you have too many.  Some useful limits include 'English Language' or date. Note the following about using limits:

Using a limit only applies to the database you are currently searching. If you have selected more than one, only the results from the filtered database will display.

If the database is bibliographic (abstract) only – it won’t find any full-text. Using a full text limiter will therefore yield 0 results.

If you limit your results, there is always the potential that you could miss some important/useful research. 

Peer-reviewed journals

Articles from peer-reviewed journals are of high quality and can be used to support the argument that you are presenting. Articles in peer-reviewed journals must go through an evaluation process with experts in the field before being published. The term refereed is also used. 

Watch the following video to learn more about scholarly sources.

• Often you will be asked to use scholarly, academic, or peer-reviewed sources in your assignment.
• Scholarly sources (also called academic sources) can include journal articles, books, conference papers, and theses.
• Sources such as Wikipedia, newspapers, magazines, trade journals, newsletters, blogs, social media and personal websites are called popular sources.
• is written by researchers within a subject area,
• reports on research findings,
• contains comprehensive in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography,
• uses specialised terminology and a formal writing style, and
• is often peer-reviewed or refereed.
• A peer-reviewed or refereed journal article is assessed by experts within the field before it is published.
• author details including affiliations with organisations,
• an abstract which summarises the article,
• evidence of research findings, and
• in-text citations and a reference list.
• When searching in the Library Catalogue or databases, you can filter for scholarly, academic, or peer-reviewed resources.
• is written by an expert,
• is published by a reputable publisher,
• has a table of contents,
• provides in depth subject information,
• includes an index of terms, and
• has in-text citations and a reference list.

Select appropriate references

You should critically evaluate all resources found to determine their appropriateness for your assignment. The video below explains more.

• Having access to a lot of information can be overwhelming.
• Evaluating information helps you decide what resources you should use.
• One technique you can use is the  CRAAP test .
• Currency:  How recent is the information? Does it suit your needs?
• Relevance:  Is the information relevant to your assignment?
• Authority:  Who wrote the information? Are they an expert?
• Accuracy:  Is the information accurate? Is it supported by evidence?
• Purpose:  Why was the resource created? Is there any bias?
• You can use the CRAAP tool to think about these issues when evaluating your resources.

Write your assignment

Visit the Student Engagement Unit's  Study Help  website for help writing your assignment, or to make an appointment with SEU staff.

• Study help: Writing case studies
• Study help: Writing and academic language Printable resources and videos to help you structure, format and write your assignment using appropriate language.

Referencing support

• Referencing website Help with various referencing styles. Find in-text citations and reference examples from different sources such as articles, books and chapters, websites and more. Always check your Course Outline or LearnOnline site for the citation style required for your course.

Other referencing support tools: Referencing software (EndNote)

What do you do with all those references you have found? Use a bibliographic management software to store, organise and cite your references.

The Library supports the bibliographic management tool EndNote. There are also many free systems available.

EndNote Guide

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A mixed methods study using case studies prepared by nursing students as a clinical practice evaluation tool

Ana maría palmar‐santos.

1 Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid Spain

2 Member of the Nursing and Health Care Research Group of the Health Research Institute “Puerta de Hierro‐Segovia de Arana” (IDIPHISA), Majadahonda Spain

Cristina Oter‐Quintana

Ricardo olmos.

3 Social Psychology and Methodology Department, Faculty of Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid Spain

Azucena Pedraz‐Marcos

4 Health Care Research Unit, Institute of Health Carlos III; Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain

Juana Robledo‐Martin

5 Member of the Gregorio Marañon Health Research Institute, IiSGM, Madrid Spain

Associated Data

Data available on request from the authors: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

To identify the presence of variability in the evaluation of case studies prepared by nursing students during their primary care rotations based on the existing evaluation rubric. To explore the difficulties experienced by link lecturers and students in preparing and evaluating case studies.

A mixed methods study.

The scores for the rubric items and the final grades for the case studies were collected from a sample of 132 cases. Qualitative information was collected by conducting open‐ended interviews with lecturers and a focus group session with students.

Statistically significant differences were identified between the lecturers' mean final grades [ F (5.136) = 3.984, p  = 0.002] and a variety of items in the evaluation rubric ( p  < 0.05). In addition, effect sizes [ η 2 (≈0.14)] of considerable magnitude were found.

Two themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1). the challenge of preparing the case studies and (2). the variable nature of the evaluations.

1. INTRODUCTION

Clinical training of nursing students is an essential part of the nursing degree curriculum. In the European context, this training is determined by a European Union directive and accounts for ‘at least one half of the minimum duration of the training’. The same directive states that ‘this training shall take place in hospitals and other health institutions and the community, under the responsibility of nursing teachers, in cooperation with and assisted by other qualified nurses’ (Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament,  2005 ). Evaluating skills in a real‐life environment with a multitude of different professionals accompanying the students' learning process poses a challenge for institutions training future nursing professionals (Almalkawi et al.,  2018 ; Pramila‐Savukoski et al.,  2020 ).

Evaluating the acquisition of clinical practice skills is an ongoing task for clinical mentors that poses a constant challenge (Tuomikoski et al.,  2020 ). Although clinical mentors have improved the evaluation procedures and rubrics at their disposal (Stanley et al.,  2020 ), they continue to call for greater communication with universities (Bos et al.,  2015 ). At most institutions, this continuous evaluation process is supplemented by reflective evaluation in an attempt to measure not only performance but also the thought processes leading to that performance, that is, critical thinking and decision‐making. Various methods and tools have been used for this purpose, including portfolios (Buckley et al.,  2009 ), reflective journals (Hwang et al.,  2018 ), case scenarios and 360‐degree evaluations (González‐Gil et al., 2020 ) and performance checklist and assessment tests, like in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (Sabzi et al.,  2018 ). These methods have all proven effective in evaluating nursing students' clinical practice and are considered not only evaluation tools but also learning tools (Driessen,  2017 ).

2. BACKGROUND

Case studies have been widely used in nursing theory training because they help students to build on the basic knowledge taught and to collect information and analyse it to make diagnoses and support interventions (O'Rourke & Zerwic,  2016 ). In addition, there is considerable research on the use of case studies in simulation settings, which are practical environments where students gain confidence before moving on to clinical practice (Wong & Kowitlawakul,  2020 ). Case studies have been included in OSCEs as part of the final evaluation of skills acquired through clinical practice (Kelly et al.,  2016 ) and as tools for learning critical thinking and decision‐making skills in healthcare institutions (Englund,  2020 ). At our university, the students study the nursing process and the standardised nursing languages (North American Nursing Diagnosis Classification (NANDA), Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)) in the first year. In the second and third years, the students are asked to prepare a clinical case consisting in designing a care plan for a person or a family in their clinical practice unit. The students must develop the different phases of the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of their care plan. They must use the standardised nursing languages too. To guide this process, the student is supervised by a link lecturer, who can be an academic lecturer (full lecturer) or a clinical lecturer (assistant lecturer), who combines their teaching work at the university with clinical activity. The grade obtained in the clinical case is part of the overall evaluation of the clinical practice module, which also includes other components such as being assessed by the clinical nurse responsible for mentoring them at the clinical placement and a self‐evaluation component. This kind of summative assessment with several tools used in direct patient care and simulated practice, which are marked using a multi‐level observational rubric, supplemented by self‐evaluation of clinical performance, is in line with the findings of Clemett and Raleigh ( 2021 ) in their systematic review.

Despite the wide use and positive outcomes gained from cases studies, students still feel that the evaluation of their clinical practice varies depending on the clinical nurse mentor, who decides what is relevant in ‘the real world’ and the link lecturer, who, despite being relatively invisible to students during their clinical practice, has a major influence on their final grade (Foster et al.,  2015 ; Helminen et al.,  2016 ).

3. THE STUDY

The aim of this study is twofold. On the one hand, to identify the presence of variability in the evaluation of case studies prepared by nursing students during their primary care rotations based on a module's existing evaluation rubric. On the other hand, to explore the difficulties experienced by link lecturers and students in preparing and evaluating case studies.

4.1. Design

A mixed methods design was used, analysing the scores given to the case studies during the evaluation and qualitative information on link lecturers' and students' assessments of the evaluation process.

4.2. Population and sample

The study was carried out during the 7‐week rotation of third‐year students on primary care clinical placements during the 2018–2019 academic year. The study population included 132 students, who prepared a case study during their rotation in primary care, and 6 link lecturers, who assessed their case studies. Each case study was evaluated by the link lecturer responsible for monitoring that student during the clinical practices in that period. During the 2018–2019 academic year, evaluation of the primary care case studies was undertaken by six link lecturers.

4.3. Data collection

Data were collected in the following ways: the scores awarded to the 132 case studies by the various link lecturers, a focus group session with the participating students and in‐depth interviews with the lecturers involved in their evaluation.

Data were collected on the following variables: the link lecturer responsible for evaluating each student, the final grade for each student's case and the grades awarded to each of the items in the evaluation rubric. This rubric (see Annex  1 ) is the tool usually used by link lecturers to correct clinical cases. This evaluation tool was developed by a group of nursing professors with extensive experience in the preparation of clinical cases but has not been subjected to a formal validation process.

Four of the six link lecturers were interviewed since two of the link lecturers had participated in the development of the research project and their participation in the interviews was not considered appropriate. Of the four link lecturers interviewed: one was an academic lecturer (full lecturer) and three were clinical lecturers (who combine clinical care with teaching). An interview script covering the following topics was used: experience in evaluating case studies; the influence of the aspects they value most and least on the grades they award; difficulties in using the rubric and recommendations for improvement (see Annex  2 ). The interviews lasted between 40 and 60 min and took place in a space chosen by each participant. They were audio‐recorded and then transcribed for analysis.

Students with the highest and lowest grades in the case study were invited to participate in a focus group session. To ensure the heterogeneity of the group, students evaluated by different link lecturers were represented. For the focus group session, a thematic script was created, addressing aspects relating to the preparation of students' case studies during their clinical placements and recommendations for improvement (see Annex  3 ). Five students participated in the focus group, which was led by a moderator accompanied by an observer who took notes during the development of the session. All students actively participated in the discussion. The focus group session lasted 90 min and was audio‐recorded and transcribed for subsequent analysis, after obtaining informed consent from all participants.

4.4. Data analysis

The data from the case study evaluation were statistically analysed to assess any differences between link lecturers in the final grade they awarded to each case study and the grades they awarded to each of the items in the evaluation rubric. To analyse the data, a between‐subjects one‐factor ANOVA model was used (one lecturer representing one factor) using the total score given by the lecturer (the sum of all the rubric items) and each rubric item separately as the dependent variable. This was used to assess whether the average scores differed. Pairwise comparisons of lecturers were performed to establish whether lecturers differed in the average scores awarded using Tukey's method (controlling for the type I error rate). The statistical significance threshold for all analyses was set at 0.05. In addition, the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity were fulfilled for the dependent variables. Normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The assumption of homoscedasticity was assessed using Levene's test. When the assumption of the equality of variances was not met, Welch's corrected F ‐statistic was used. The non‐parametric Kruskal–Wallis test was also used to analyse whether the results were sensitive to the statistical model. The data were analysed using SPSS (version 25) software from IBM.

The qualitative data from the interviews and focus group sessions were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke method ( 2006 ). All authors read and underlined the interview and focus group transcripts to familiarise themselves with the data and to identify the first emerging codes. At a series of analytical meetings, the authors identified potential themes by clustering the codes and created a relationship map to refine and link the themes found. This refinement of the themes led to the final report, which included quotes from participants and analytical notes on each theme.

4.5. Ethical considerations

This study is part of a teaching innovation project entitled ‘Strategies for harmonising clinical practice evaluation standards’, approved by the Autonomous University of Madrid Teaching Innovation Ethical Committee, involving internal and external evaluators, with reference number M_015.18_INN.

All individuals involved in the study participated voluntarily, were informed about the study objectives and signed an informed consent form. Students were assured that their participation would have no impact on their grades. To this end, double anonymisation was carried out at the time of recruitment and during transcription.

A total of 132 case study evaluations were collected from 6 lecturers, with the number of cases evaluated by each lecturer ranging between 18 and 26 (see Table  1 ).

Means, standard deviations and number of students ( N ) per lecturer based on final grades and rubric items.

Table  2 shows the results comparing the means of the six lecturers. The results of the parametric ANOVA model and the non‐parametric Kruskal–Wallis model are also provided, with a sensitivity analysis performed in consideration of the fact that the assumptions required by the ANOVA are not always met. The results suggest that the two statistical models are robust and consistent with one another. In virtually all items of the rubric (in addition to the final grade), there are statistically significant differences in the mean grades awarded between the lecturers. The items in which significant differences were identified between the lecturers using both statistical models were information analysis, planning, follow‐up of the individual's progress and written communication. In the final assessment and literature review, differences were detected only in the non‐parametric test. Furthermore, in the final grade, the effect size measure, η 2 , exhibited a considerable magnitude according to Cohen's criteria ( 1988 , ps. 280–287), where 0.01, 0.07 and 0.14 are set as criteria for weak, moderate and strong effect sizes respectively. Table  2 shows that in four of the eight items evaluated, the effect size was high.

Significance of ANOVA tests based on final grades and rubric items.

Note: Bold values indicate the statistical significance of p < 0.05.

Pairwise comparisons between all lecturers were also assessed and one lecturer was found to differ significantly from two other lecturers ( p  < 0.05). Lecturer 6, in particular, awarded significantly higher averages than lecturers 1 and 4 (see Table  1 ). Finally, the six lecturers were grouped into two categories according to their job category (academic lecturer or clinical lecturer) in order to analyse whether academic and clinical lecturers used the rubric differently. The T ‐test for independent samples was used to compare the averages. The results showed no significant differences in any of the items analysed or in the total, except for written communication. In this item, the group of academic lecturers ( M  = 0.38, SD = 0.12) awarded significantly lower average scores than the group of clinical lecturers ( M  = 0.47, SD = 0.06): T (93) = 5.281, p  < 0.001.

Regarding the qualitative phase of the study, the thematic analysis of the discourses from the interviews with the link lecturers and the focus group with the students generated two core categories:

• The challenge of preparing the case study
• The variable nature of the evaluations

5.1. The challenge of preparing the case study

The link lecturers participating in the study viewed case studies as an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. However, they highlighted students' difficulties in incorporating theory into the case they are working on. They also pointed out that students tended to focus their attention on the physical problems of the people they care for. They stressed that a reductionist, superficial nursing assessment will not lead to a deep understanding of the social and emotional problems of the individual under their care.

The link lecturers participating in the study explained that the limitations of the case study were due, on the one hand, to the incorporation of the nursing process into the computer system, which simplifies the approach of a comprehensive vision of said process, and on the other hand, to the internalisation of care models that fail to take a holistic view of the individual by nursing students during their placements.

So, I think that this may be influencing a lot […] that they are influenced a lot by the computer systems, which, in some way, shape how you think, or your own mentalization. But, sometimes, what I am seeing is that there are students who do not go further. (E1)

(They are preparing) a case with a mentor, who almost always has a hospital background, who is not teaching them a holistic approach to patients. (E4)

During the focus group, the students stated that the clinical nurse mentors helped them in choosing a patient and support them in preparing their case. However, they pointed out that sometimes the clinical nurse mentors failed to fully understand the work they must carry out, even questioning the practicality of this type of exercise for their future professional practice.

I've even heard that. They [clinical nurse mentors] say “but this is a waste of time, you're never going to do this…” If the person who is above you, so to speak, comes to you and says: “don't do that, it's nonsense” or “it's no use”, they're not exactly going to be of much help. (FG)

In the focus group, the students identified the lack of precise, uniform instructions from all link lecturers as to the structure and basic contents of the case study as one of the main difficulties involved in the process. This prompts them to prioritise the creation of their own case study, ‘the model case study’, for which they resort to the following: 1. reviewing learning materials from previous modules in their academic training; 2. using available bibliographic resources; and 3. compiling case studies carried out by colleagues or by themselves that have already been corrected. The students expressed that they felt that some of the instructions provided by link lecturers were contradictory and wondered whether those instructions reflect personal inclinations rather than academic criteria.

The link lecturers who participated in the study also pointed to the lack of a precise, standardised structure and content as particularly problematic when it came to helping them guide the student in the development of the clinical case. They considered that the fact that the students could receive different indications from each link lecturer contributed to generating confusion among them.

Yes, I see the fact that you can have a tutor every year as an inconvenience, […]each tutor asks you really one thing. Maybe it's not worth it, even if it's well done, it's not worth it, because they wants… "No, I don't want this, I want you to develop this pattern more for me", "I don't like this, remove it" , and then, suddenly, the following year, or in the following practice, you get another one, and it's the other way around, they likes what you had done at the beginning better. (FG)

I really don't think the problem is that students aren't trying hard enough, it's that they're quite disoriented. We're giving them different instructions if you like. (E2)

During the focus group, the students complained that case studies were expected to meet certain requirements without considering the reality in which they carry out their clinical placements, such as requiring the case study to be carried out in a home environment or demanding that the care plan designed to be put into practice. This last point is also noted by the interviewed link lecturers.

The students and link lecturers mentioned that they sometimes resorted to ‘embellishing’ the real case study with fictitious content as a way of fulfilling the requirements, or to taking more simplistic approaches enabling them to obtain results in the short term.

I understand that the student may have difficulty understanding that we propose a care plan, and an evaluation, above all […], but the evaluation is very difficult, an evaluation in three weeks [the duration of the internship], in primary care. It is that sometimes not even in three weeks is a wound managed, nor is a therapeutic eating plan managed, nor is a grieving coping plan managed, nor do you manage… it is that practically very little. (E4)

But to comply with all the requirements, I think that I personally, in some cases, and I think other people too, end up having to make something up in the end. And just for that, for a good grade, when in reality it's not entirely true. (FG)

5.2. The variable nature of the evaluations

Despite the evaluation rubric, the students participating in the focus group perceived differences in the demands made by different link lecturers. They believed that there was variability in the grading of the cases that was intrinsic to the lecturers themselves and did not reflect the quality of their work. Students felt evaluation discrepancies as ‘unfair’, indicating the need to establish common, precise standards in line with the level of skills to be acquired.

Really, I've had classmates whose cases would have been graded a 9 (by the mentors that I've had), but if I'd handed over my case to their mentor, my case would've got a 5 instead of an 8. That's unacceptable. (FG)

Link lecturers participating in the study viewed the rubric as an instrument that could sometimes ‘constrict’ the evaluation process by requiring a separate grade for each item, overlooking the fact that the final grade was based on the overall quality of the student's work rather than on the sum of the individual parts of the rubric.

The rubric (…) was a bit constricting, I mean, it didn't allow me (…) to be consistent with my impressions after evaluating the student and after adjusting the items to the main dimensions of the rubric. (E2)

The link lecturers reported that the tool displays a central tendency in grades, causing difficulties in the evaluation of the case studies when it comes to minimum and maximum grades. They also believed that there were items in the rubric that needed to be changed and that, in order to reduce variability, certain adjectives should be more specific, for example, ‘complete’, ‘consistent’ and ‘appropriate’. They argued that the fact that not all link lecturers were experts in nursing methodology, and evaluation strategies resulted in the rubric not being used properly or in each link lecturer using it ‘in their own way’ in the evaluation process.

Each of us evaluators evaluate in a different way, from a different perspective. I think we try to do it in the same way, but we end up doing it in a different way. We all have different professional experience, or different academic experience (…). Each one of us might add a different nuance to it. (E3)

Link lecturers also mentioned that students failed to take on board their recommendations for improvement, partly due to discrepancies as to what was considered relevant in each case study.

6. DISCUSSION

The results of our study suggest that, despite the availability of a rubric for evaluating case studies, there are statistically significant differences in the mean grades given by the sample of lecturers. This echoes the findings of previous studies suggesting that, although the availability of rubrics reduces between‐lecturer variability, rubrics fail to eliminate all differences attributable to lecturer idiosyncrasies (Bearman & Ajjawi,  2021 ).

The benefits of using rubrics include the possibility of directing students' efforts towards core aspects of learning. When teachers' expectations are made explicit to students, they are more likely to be met (Panadero & Jonsson,  2013 ). No mention was made of the utility of the rubric as a ‘guide’ for the learning process by the participating students. Rubrics have been justified in academia as a way of ensuring transparency in evaluation. However, without student participation in their development and use, they provide little support for student learning and evaluation (Bearman & Ajjawi,  2021 ; Kilgour et al.,  2020 ).

Case studies have been incorporated into nursing degrees as a tool for learning to apply critical reasoning to nursing diagnoses, outcomes and interventions. Most of the experiences reported refer to the use of case studies designed by teachers and incorporated into clinical practice by students (Popil,  2011 ) or in comparison with other methods, such as simulated patients (Karadag et al.,  2016 ). Several studies analysing the development of care plans by students based on real patients highlight the importance of nursing taxonomies (NANDA, NIC and NOC) in incorporating evaluation criteria into the case study objectives and improving nursing interventions of a less technical nature (Palese et al.,  2009 ). However, as in our study, students report that nurses working at the healthcare facilities where they are carrying out their clinical placements make marginal use of the nursing methodology. Link lecturers also highlight the biological approach occasionally permeating case studies. Echoing these findings, Türk et al. ( 2013 ) explain the significant presence of physiological diagnoses in care plans made by students based on Benner's Novice to Expert Model. To these authors, the fact that ‘novices’ tend to identify problems of a biological nature results from their limited capacity to understand the situation of the individual being cared for as a whole, to apply critical thinking and to take a holistic approach. It is expected that novices will develop these skills with experience as they become experts. At the same time, identification of psychosocial problems requires a level of communication skill that is not available to students in the early stages of their training.

In our study, students and link lecturers both said that the case study script lacked clarity and specificity. In this sense, students and mentors said that having a follow‐up structure, with specific tasks relating to the preparation of the case study, could be a viable avenue for improvement. This is consistent with a study by Brugnolli et al. ( 2011 ), where students reported that gradual, experiential and guided learning was the most appropriate mentoring tool for their learning process. Palese et al. ( 2008 ) found that students who had received more intensive mentoring in the development of critical thinking skills made fewer errors in the initial formulation of hypotheses in case studies.

Furthermore, in a review by Flott and Linden ( 2016 ), the interaction between mentors and students in clinical practice learning, along with the physical space where learning takes place and the organisational culture, were considered essential components of the clinical learning environment (CLE). Student ‘exposure’ to clinical practice conditions echoes existing findings in the literature regarding the gap between theory and practice. Solutions include greater involvement of link lecturers in the acquisition of clinical skills and experimentation with the realities of practice, as well as a greater presence of clinical mentors in theory training, allowing them to build more meaningful bonds with students (Masterson et al.,  2020 ). This is especially relevant in primary care, where the gap between the hospital setting and the academic environment has been highlighted by various authors (Peters et al.,  2015 ; Valaitis et al.,  2020 ).

Finally, in our study, students and link lecturers feel that they are expected to produce work in accordance with requirements that are far removed from the reality of care. The theory taught at educational institutions aims to provide general practice guidelines that may be meaningless when they materialise in the dynamic, changing world of clinical care, causing feelings of frustration and futility (Salifu et al.,  2019 ).

6.1. Limitations

This study has some limitations. First, for the exploration of the difficulties expressed by the students, only one focus group was conducted with nursing students. This affects the possibility that different student profiles could be represented within the group. Nevertheless, an attempt was made to ensure a certain heterogeneity of the attendees in terms of experiential characteristics considered relevant to the phenomenon under study, such as grades obtained in the clinical case and specific primary health centre of clinical practice. Another limitation of the study is the number of cases evaluated by each teacher, which made it necessary to use non‐parametric tests. It should also be noted that the participants were recruited from a single university institution. This limits transferability to other academic contexts. On the other hand, it should be noted that the rubric used in the elaboration of the clinical cases was developed by a group of expert teachers in this teaching methodology, and has not been subjected to a formal validation process. This prevents knowing the reliability and validity of the instrument to evaluate the clinical cases prepared by the student.

7. CONCLUSION

The use of case studies based on real individuals cared for by students during their practical training as an evaluation tool poses several challenges. Students and link lecturers point out the complexity of the process of preparing a case study and consider that having uniform, clear criteria in line with the reality of clinical settings is essential to facilitate this task. The use of case studies as an evaluation tool requires the availability of rubrics that concisely reflect lecturers' expectations as to the work to be carried out, which can be used by students as a roadmap in preparing their case study.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

Acknowledgements.

This study is part of a teaching innovation project entitled ‘Strategies for harmonising clinical practice evaluation standards’, approved by the Autonomous University of Madrid Teaching Innovation Ethical Committee, involving internal and external evaluators, with reference number M_015.18_INN. We would like to thank the students and link lecturers for their collaboration in the study.

Rubric for evaluating case studies.

Interview guide for link lecturers.

Focus group guide.

Palmar‐Santos, A. M. , Oter‐Quintana, C. , Olmos, R. , Pedraz‐Marcos, A. , & Robledo‐Martin, J. (2023). A mixed methods study using case studies prepared by nursing students as a clinical practice evaluation tool . Nursing Open , 10 , 6592–6601. 10.1002/nop2.1919 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

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