minimum 3 pages double-spaced (not including title and references pages = 900 words minimum)

QEP Writing Assignment Tips

Use third person singular point of view throughout the paper, except for the reflection section

Don’t start every sentence with “I” in the reflective part of the assignment

Use transitional words such as furthermore, first, while, to conclude,etc

Describe the client and treatment, not assuming the reader understands/sees what you see

Write an outline of your paper

Suggestion: Use headings (refer to the format on next page as an example)

Third person sample sentences:

The client was given oxygen…

The client exhibited symptoms of myxedema..

The assigned client had an open bed sore on the back of…

Upon further assessment, the client demonstrated adventitious lung sounds…

The nursing student observed a lump on the client’s arm…

The student nurse checked the chart for vitals…

• Because the chart noted that the patient frequently experienced schizophrenic episodes, the nursing student was able to connect…

Bad: Patient is cool to touch. (too subjective)

Bad:I found the patient’s temp to be 98.5 degrees Fahrenheit. (in first person)

Better:The patient’s temperature was 98.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

In the Reflection section, pose questions like these to yourself:

What did you learn?

How do you feel about it?

How did it change you?

• What new skills can you now apply?

Reflection sample sentences:

Going forward with my clinical experience, I am reminded that whole purpose of my profession is to…

The experiences in my first clinical rotation changed the way I perceived…

These clinicals allow me to critically reflect on…

I found the article written by Bontrager to be biased toward…

I agree with the position that Kass presents; however, I would frame it…

As mentioned above, there are a few points in Stanhope’s article that I disagree with. For example, he discusses the importance of…

• My interpretation of the information presented is…

Suggested format for the body of the paper

Title of paper

Introduction

XXXXXXX all in third person Insert literature relevant, consistent and related to the topic XXXXXXX Insert literature relevant, consistent and related to the topic

Background/Description of patient

XXXXXXX all in third person XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Analysis

XXXXXXX all in third person Insert literature relevant, consistent and related to the topic XXXXXXX Insert literature relevant, consistent and related to the topic Make sure there is analysis (compare/contrast) of the topic

Care of patient

Relate this to the analysis and patient background/description XXXXXXX all in third person Insert literature relevant, consistent and related to the topic XXXXXXX Insert literature relevant, consistent and related to the topic

Summary

XXXXXXX all in third person XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Reflection

Now you can write in first person What did you learn? How do you feel about it? How did it change you? What new skills can you now apply?