Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) offers fully online nursing programs through its School of Nursing. The RN-BSN capstone and the MSN capstone both use evidence-based practice as the foundation — but the depth of analysis, the theory component, and the deliverable format differ significantly between programs. Purdue Global's competency framework means that each capstone component is evaluated against specific program outcomes, not just a generic rubric. Understanding which competencies your project must demonstrate is as important as the clinical content itself.
RN-BSN capstone requirements
The Purdue Global RN-BSN capstone is completed in the program's final nursing course (course numbers vary — confirm with your current course shell). The capstone is structured as an evidence-based practice project proposal: identify a clinical problem, review the evidence, and propose a practice change.
| RN-BSN capstone component | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Clinical problem and PICOT | RN-BSN students are expected to draw on their existing clinical experience — your setting should be real or directly relevant to your practice context; vague or hypothetical settings lose points |
| Evidence review | 5–8 peer-reviewed sources, last 5 years; CINAHL and PubMed preferred; evidence hierarchy used to rate each source; synthesis (not annotation) required |
| Practice change proposal | Implementation plan tied to a real or plausible clinical unit; identifies specific stakeholders, resources, barriers, and timeline |
| Program competency alignment | A required section in most Purdue Global nursing rubrics — explicitly map your project to BSN program competencies (patient-centered care, EBP, quality improvement, teamwork, informatics) |
| Evaluation plan | Specific measurable outcome, data collection method, evaluation timeline, and decision criteria for success |
MSN capstone requirements
Purdue Global's MSN program in nursing has multiple concentrations including Nursing Leadership and Administration and Nursing Informatics. The MSN capstone goes substantially beyond the BSN model — it requires graduate-level critical appraisal, nursing theory integration, and a professional-quality project deliverable.
MSN capstone components (Purdue Global)
- Problem analysis: Systems-level framing of the clinical problem, not just unit-level; includes organizational context, cost impact, and policy relevance
- Theoretical framework: A nursing theory (Lewin's Change Theory, Diffusion of Innovations, Rogers' Theory of Planned Change, or similar) applied to each phase of the project — not just named
- Evidence synthesis: Graduate-level critical appraisal using tools such as the CASP checklist or Johns Hopkins EBP model; addresses limitations and conflicting evidence
- Implementation and sustainability plan: Includes budget estimate, stakeholder engagement strategy, sustainability after initial rollout, and IT/informatics considerations (especially relevant for nursing informatics track)
- Project deliverable: Policy brief, educational program design, or quality improvement toolkit — must be formatted for a professional audience, not as a student paper
Purdue Global vs other large online nursing programs
| Program | Capstone model | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|
| Purdue Global | Competency-aligned EBP project | Explicit program competency mapping required in each submission |
| Chamberlain | Milestone-based (4 milestones) | Scaffolded across 8 weeks; iHuman integration at BSN level |
| WGU | Competency-based, self-paced | Performance tasks evaluated by course instructor against rubric; unlimited resubmissions |
| Capella FlexPath | Competency-based, scoring guide | Scoring guide replaces rubric; Distinguished/Proficient/Basic model |
| UT Arlington | EBP project proposal | Iowa Model standard; large cohorts, asynchronous delivery |
Get Purdue Global nursing capstone help
Share your course rubric and PICOT question. Your writer builds to Purdue Global's competency criteria from your clinical context and program level.
Get Purdue Global help BSN capstone guideSubmission format and APA requirements
Purdue Global uses APA 7th edition across all nursing programs. Specific formatting requirements to watch:
- Running head is NOT used in APA 7th (only the page number in the header)
- Level 1 headings are bold, centered; Level 2 headings are bold, flush left — apply the correct hierarchy to your capstone sections
- Tables require a table number, title above the table, and a note below if the source is not original
- All Purdue Global courses use the University's library databases — citing sources accessed through Google rather than CINAHL or PubMed may raise questions about source quality during grading
Related guides
Purdue Global nursing capstone FAQ
For most RN-BSN and MSN capstone projects, IRB approval is not required because the project is a practice change proposal, not primary research. If your project involves collecting patient data or surveying staff as part of the project, check with your faculty member — some projects require a QI determination from your clinical site or a Purdue Global IRB exemption review.
Purdue Global allows students to propose projects in a clinical context they have previously worked in or in a plausible hypothetical setting. However, MSN-level capstone projects receive higher marks when grounded in a specific, realistic organizational context. If you're not currently working clinically, use a past employer or a well-described realistic setting — and be specific about it.
RN-BSN capstone papers typically run 15–20 pages of content. MSN capstone papers are longer — 25–35 pages is common, not including the project deliverable artifact. Always defer to your current course rubric for the definitive page requirement.