NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Scholars

Graduate-level nursing education is designed to help nurses expand their expertise, contribute to research, and assume leadership roles in healthcare transformation. Among the advanced courses at Capella University, NURS FPX 9040 holds a special place as it focuses on evidence-based practice, scholarship, and innovation in nursing. Within this course, the first major task, Assessment 1, serves as a foundation that sets the tone for subsequent learning experiences.

In this blog, we will provide a detailed breakdown of NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1, including its purpose, structure, expectations, and tips for excelling. Whether you are currently enrolled in the course or preparing for it in the future, this guide will help you approach the assessment with confidence.

Understanding NURS FPX 9040: The Course Context

Before focusing on Assessment 1, let’s briefly review the course. NURS FPX 9040 is part of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum. It emphasizes advanced scholarship and leadership for system-level change in healthcare. Students explore strategies for designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices that address complex clinical, organizational, or community health problems.

Some of the course objectives include:

• Applying evidence-based practice (EBP) models to nursing challenges.

• Using critical appraisal of literature to support practice change.

• Developing strategic leadership skills for healthcare innovation.

• Aligning nursing practice with AACN DNP Essentials and professional standards.

• Demonstrating scholarly writing and dissemination of knowledge.

Within this context, NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1 is not just an assignment—it is a reflection of how learners can synthesize scholarly research with practical application.

What Is NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1?

Assessment 1 is often an evidence-based practice problem identification and analysis. It requires students to select a real-world clinical or organizational issue and frame it as a scholarly problem that could be addressed through EBP.

The assessment usually involves:

1. Identifying a Practice Problem

   • Example: High hospital readmission rates, nurse burnout, poor patient adherence to treatment, or healthcare disparities.

2. Reviewing the Evidence

   • Conducting a preliminary literature search to determine what research exists about the problem.

3. Establishing Significance

   • Explaining why the issue matters for nursing, patients, organizations, or public health.

4. Aligning with Standards and Frameworks

   • Connecting the problem with AACN DNP Essentials, ANA Standards of Practice, or Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies.

5. Outlining Next Steps

   • Laying the groundwork for future assessments where the problem will be developed into a full EBP project.

In short, this assessment asks: What problem are you passionate about solving, why is it important, and how does it align with evidence-based nursing scholarship?

Key Components of NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1

Although instructions may differ slightly across course versions, the assessment typically includes these structured elements:

1. Introduction to the Problem

This section introduces the clinical or organizational issue. Students describe the problem in detail, highlighting its prevalence, relevance, and impact on nursing practice.

Example: “Nurse burnout has become a pressing issue in healthcare, with studies indicating that over 40% of nurses report emotional exhaustion. This not only affects workforce retention but also compromises patient safety.”

2. Evidence-Based Practice Context

Here, the problem is situated within the framework of EBP. Students discuss why the issue is best approached using research, data, and scholarly inquiry rather than anecdotal solutions.

3. Review of Literature

This is where a preliminary literature review is conducted. Students summarize a few recent, peer-reviewed studies that shed light on the problem and potential solutions.

4. Significance of the Problem

This section elaborates on the broader implications of the issue. The significance can be examined through different lenses:

• Clinical Outcomes (e.g., patient safety, quality of care)

• Organizational Impact (e.g., cost, workforce retention)

• Public Health Perspective (e.g., disparities, access to care)

5. Theoretical and Professional Alignment

Students are expected to align their identified problem with established nursing frameworks. For example:

• Linking to AACN DNP Essentials (e.g., Essential I: Scientific Underpinnings for Practice).

• Connecting with ANA Nursing Scope and Standards.

• Using a change model such as Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation or Johns Hopkins EBP Model.

6. Proposed Next Steps

This section outlines how the identified problem could be transformed into a scholarly project. Students may propose conducting a systematic literature review, developing a practice change initiative, or piloting an intervention.

7. Conclusion

The assessment closes with a reflection on the importance of addressing the problem and a commitment to using evidence-based strategies to drive improvement.

Why Is This Assessment Important?

NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1 is critical for several reasons:

• Foundation for Scholarly Inquiry: It sets the stage for future assignments and potentially the final DNP project.

• Critical Thinking Development: Learners practice identifying and analyzing problems with a scholarly lens.

• EBP Integration: It encourages the use of peer-reviewed evidence, preventing reliance on outdated or anecdotal practices.

• Professional Relevance: By connecting issues to professional standards, students ensure their work has real-world value.

Ultimately, this assessment transitions students from being consumers of evidence to becoming scholarly leaders who can apply evidence to practice change.

Strategies for Success in NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1

Graduate-level assignments require not only content knowledge but also scholarly writing and critical analysis. Here are strategies to succeed:

1. Choose a Problem You’re Passionate About

Since this problem may form the basis of future work, pick an issue relevant to your practice setting or career goals. Passion fuels motivation and deep inquiry.

2. Conduct a Thorough Literature Search

Use databases like CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest Nursing to find at least 5–7 peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years. This demonstrates engagement with current evidence.

3. Frame the Problem Clearly

Be precise. Instead of saying, “There are issues with patient outcomes,” state: “Post-surgical patients at X hospital experience a 25% higher rate of surgical site infections compared to national benchmarks.”

4. Integrate Theory and Standards

Show scholarly depth by connecting your problem to DNP Essentials, EBP frameworks, and nursing theories.

5. Use APA Formatting

Proper citations and references are critical in graduate work. Following APA 7th edition guidelines avoids unnecessary point deductions.

6. Create a Logical Flow

Organize your paper so that each section builds on the previous one. A clear structure demonstrates critical thinking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing a Vague Problem – Broad topics like “patient safety” are too general. Narrow down to a specific, measurable issue.

2. Weak Literature Review – Relying on outdated or non-scholarly sources undermines credibility.

3. Forgetting Professional Alignment – Always connect your problem to nursing standards and frameworks.

4. Poor Organization – Jumping between unrelated ideas makes your argument unclear.

5. Neglecting Future Relevance – Remember, this problem may guide your later projects, so choose wisely.

Sample Reflection Ideas for NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1

Here are some problem areas you might explore:

• Nurse Burnout and Turnover – Investigating resilience training or staffing models.

• Hospital Readmission Rates – Exploring transitional care interventions.

• Medication Errors – Studying the role of electronic health records and barcode scanning.

• Healthcare Disparities – Addressing inequities in rural or underserved populations.

• Chronic Disease Management – Evaluating patient education programs for diabetes or hypertension.

Each of these topics can be framed as an EBP problem that aligns with DNP scholarship.

Example Outline for NURS FPX 9040 Assessment 1

To help you visualize, here’s a sample structure you might follow:

1. Introduction

   • Introduce the practice problem and explain its relevance.

2. Problem Statement

   • Define the issue clearly, supported by statistics or clinical evidence.

3. Literature Review

   • Summarize current research findings related to the problem.

4. Significance of the Problem

   • Explain its impact on patients, organizations, and healthcare outcomes.

5. Alignment with Professional Standards

   • Connect to AACN DNP Essentials, ANA standards, or EBP frameworks.

6. Proposed Next Steps

   • Suggest future scholarly inquiry or interventions.

7. Conclusion

   • Summarize key insights and reinforce commitment to addressing the problem.