NSG5120

his assignment invites you to create a professional advocacy or leadership brief grounded in nursing theory. As an advanced practice nurse, your voice is essential in shaping policy, improving systems, and promoting equitable, evidence-informed change. By aligning your recommendations with a nursing theory, you strengthen the ethical and conceptual foundation of your leadership approach.

Purpose

By completing this assignment, you will:

• Demonstrate how nursing theory supports leadership and policy advocacy.
• Apply a theoretical framework to a practice, organizational, or policy issue.
• Develop concise, action-oriented communication skills appropriate for professional settings.

Instructions

Write a brief advocating for a change or action relevant to your current or future practice setting (EMERGENCY ROOM PROVIDER/ ARNP). You may focus on a clinical issue, a systems improvement opportunity, or a formal policy initiative (local, institutional, or governmental).

Your brief should include the following sections:

1. Issue Overview

• Describe the issue clearly and concisely.
• Identify who is affected (patients, nurses, systems) and why it matters.

1. Theory Integration

• Select a relevant nursing theory and identify the theorist.
• Explain how the theory aligns with your values and supports your proposed approach or solution.

1. Proposed Change or Action

• Present 23 clear, evidence-informed recommendations for addressing the issue.
• Ensure recommendations are actionable, feasible, and theoretically justified.

1. Implications

• Describe the anticipated benefits or outcomes of your recommendations.
• Consider clinical, organizational, and population-level impacts.

1. References

• Include 23 scholarly sources in APA 7 format, including a source that describes the selected theory and at least one source supporting your proposed change.

Submission Guidelines

• Format your brief using APA 7 style (title page, double-spacing, in-text citations, reference list) as a Word document.
• Use professional, concise language appropriate for academic and clinical audiences.

Rubric

Theory-Based Policy or Leadership Advocacy Brief Rubric

Theory-Based Policy or Leadership Advocacy Brief Rubric

CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Issue Overview

20 to >18.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Clearly articulates a relevant issue with strong significance and impact on practice or population.

18 to >15.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Issue is described with general relevance; some details may lack depth or focus.

15 to >0 pts

Needs Improvement

Issue is vague, underdeveloped, or lacks relevance to advanced practice.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Theory Integration

20 to >18.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Theory is clearly identified and well aligned with the issue. Integration is insightful and supports a strong rationale.

18 to >15.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Theory is present and generally aligned with the issue. Rationale is adequate but may lack depth.

15 to >0 pts

Needs Improvement

Theory is missing, unclear, or poorly connected to the issue.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Proposed Change or Action

25 to >22.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Recommendations are clear, actionable, and grounded in both theory and evidence. Feasibility is well considered.

22 to >19.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Recommendations are appropriate and supported, though may need further development or clarity.

19 to >0 pts

Needs Improvement

Recommendations are vague, unsupported, or not clearly tied to the issue.

25 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Implications

20 to >18.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Implications are well-developed and reflect critical thinking about outcomes at multiple levels (e.g., clinical, systems, policy).

18 to >15.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Implications are discussed but may be limited in scope or depth.

15 to >0 pts

Needs Improvement

Implications are unclear, missing, or disconnected from the proposed change.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

APA Formatting & Scholarly Writing

15 to >13.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Writing is professional, well-organized, and free of errors. APA 7 is followed accurately with proper citations and references.

13 to >11.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Minor issues with APA, grammar, or structure that do not interfere with clarity.

11 to >0 pts

Needs Improvement

Frequent APA or writing issues that affect readability or professionalism.

15 pts

Total Points: 100