In order to fulfil your DNP degree at Walden, you will complete non-clinical coursework, practicum hours, and a DNP Project
Aligning the essentials with a gap in practice or practice change
In order to fulfil your DNP degree at Walden, you will complete non-clinical coursework, practicum hours, and a DNP Project. Both the clinical hours you will complete as part of your Practicum and your DNP Project will align with specific Domains as defined in The Essentials.
Your DNP Project will focus on a gap in practice or practice change designed to improve quality within the organization at which you are doing your Practicum. The specifics of this will be decided later on, but at this early stage of your program, you should begin thinking about 1) the types of organizations you might select for your practicum experiences and 2) gaps in practice or practice changes that could be identified within these organizations. As you do this, keep in mind how the gaps in practice or practice changes will align with The Essentials.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To prepare:
- Review the Learning Resources for this week, specifically Chapter 4 of Bissett et al. (2025) addressing the practice question, AACN’s The Essentials, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practicum Manual, and the DNP Project Process Guide.
- Consider the types of organizations you might select for your practicum experiences (e.g., a large acute care health system, a long-term care facility, a pediatric hospital, a community health center, etc.)
- Consider the kinds of gaps in practice or practice changes that could benefit such organizations, including those specific to the organization and those that relate to healthcare practices more generally.
- Consider how the gaps in practice or practice changes you are interested in pursuing align to The Essentials.
- Select one organizational type and one gap in practice or practice change on which to focus for this Assignment.
Note: You may select a new organizational type and gap in practice or practice change or, if you choose, you may reuse one on which you focused for a previous Assignment, Discussion, or Blog in this course. - Also Note: These may or may not be the same organizational type and gap in practice or practice change as those you will focus onfor your Practicum and DNP Project.
- Select a minimum of four domains from The Essentials that closely align with the gap in practice or practice change you selected.
Note: Be sure to review the grading rubric for this Assignment so you fully understand what is expected of you. To access the rubric, scroll down to the bottom of the Assignment page.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Write a paper in which you address the following:
- Describe the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that you selected for this Assignment.
- Identify the four Domains from The Essentials you identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change.
- Justify your Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change you selected.
Note: Us this week’s Learning Resources to support your Assignment. Use proper APA format and style for all references and citations. The College of Nursing requires that all papers include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. Use the College of Nursing Writing Template
Links to an external site. for your Assignment submission.
By Day 7 of Week 3
Submit your Assignment.
submission information
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK3Assgn_Lastname_Firstinitial.
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Rubric
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
|---|---|---|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Describe the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that you selected for this Assignment.
|
10 to >9.0 pts Excellent The response accurately and clearly describes the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that they selected for this Assignment. The response includes relevant, specific, and appropriate examples that fully support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
9 to >8.0 pts Good The response accurately describes the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that they selected for this Assignment. The response includes relevant, specific, and accurate examples that support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
8 to >7.0 pts Fair The response inaccurately or vaguely describes the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that they selected for this Assignment. The response includes inaccurate and irrelevant examples that may support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
7 to >0 pts Poor The response inaccurately and vaguely describes the organization type and the gap in practice or practice change that they selected for this Assignment or it is missing. The response includes inaccurate and vague examples that do not support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described or it is missing.
|
10 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Identify the four Domains from The Essentials you identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change.
|
10 to >9.0 pts Excellent The response accurately and clearly identifies the four Domains from The Essentials they identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change. The response includes relevant, specific, and appropriate examples that fully support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
9 to >8.0 pts Good The response accurately identifies the four Domains from The Essentials they identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change. The response includes relevant, specific, and accurate examples that support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
8 to >7.0 pts Fair The response inaccurately or vaguely identifies the four Domains from The Essentials they identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change. The response includes inaccurate and irrelevant examples that may support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
7 to >0 pts Poor The response inaccurately and vaguely identifies the four Domains from The Essentials they identified which closely align with the gap in practice or practice change or it is missing. The response includes inaccurate and vague examples that do not support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described or it is missing.
|
10 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Justify your Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change you selected.
|
45 to >40.5 pts Excellent The response accurately and clearly justifies their Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change selected. The response includes relevant, specific, and appropriate examples that fully support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
40.5 to >36.0 pts Good The response accurately justifies their Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change selected. The response includes relevant, specific, and accurate examples that support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
36 to >31.5 pts Fair The response inaccurately or vaguely justifies their Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change selected. The response includes inaccurate and irrelevant examples that may support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described.
31.5 to >0 pts Poor The response inaccurately and vaguely justifies their Domain choices, explaining how each aligns with the gap in practice or practice change selected or it is missing. The response includes inaccurate and vague examples that do not support the explanations provided for each of the alignments described or it is missing.
|
45 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.
|
5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. 90% of the time. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
4 to >3.5 pts Good Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.
3.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 70% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.
3 to >0 pts Poor Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 70% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
|
5 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
|
5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4 to >3.5 pts Good Contains a few (1 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Contains several (3 or 4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
|
5 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
|
5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4 to >3.5 pts Good Contains a few (1 or 2) APA format errors.
3.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors.
3 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
|
5 pts
|

I am a professional nursing assignment expert offering comprehensive academic support to university nursing students across various institutions. My services are designed to help learners manage their workload effectively while maintaining academic excellence. With years of experience in nursing research, case study writing, and evidence-based reporting, I ensure every paper is original, well-researched, and aligned with current academic standards.
My goal is to provide dependable academic assistance that enables students to focus on practical training and career growth.
Contact me today to receive expert guidance and timely, high-quality nursing assignment help tailored to your academic needs.

