Throughout UC's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, students gain a deep foundation in both the science and the art of healthcare. They learn anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology and evidence-based practice, while also building skills in critical thinking, communication, ethical decision-making and compassionate patient care. Clinical placements, co-ops and study abroad programs help students develop confidence in their role through hands-on, real-world experiences in a variety of healthcare settings.
During the program's final semester, all knowledge and experience acquired comes together at the Capstone course. Through this experience, students reflect on their academic and clinical journey and design an evidence-based project that connects their education with the realities of professional practice. Whether focused on improving patient outcomes, enhancing nursing workflows, promoting professional development, or impacting community health, the capstone project challenges students to think critically, act creatively and demonstrate their readiness to enter the nursing profession.
With guidance from a faculty advisor who offers support throughout the course, student groups begin by selecting a target patient population and identifying a key issue to address through an educational intervention. They then define how success will be measured and dive into current research to evaluate the evidence. From there, they develop a detailed plan that includes learning objectives, a content outline, and a strategy for evaluating outcomes.
Around the midpoint of the course, students share their project development, implementation, evaluation, and preliminary results with their classmates, fostering peer collaboration and constructive feedback. Following this, they present their work to key collaborators directly impacted by their educational intervention, which is ultimately implemented in a real-world setting. To conclude the course, each group creates and submits a project poster, which is showcased during the Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase in the final week of classes.
Capstone projects reflect the many interests and strengths of our students, as well as their commitment to improving patient and community care and advancing the nursing profession on many fronts. Here are a few examples showcasing the range of topics and approaches the 2025 senior class has taken:
