NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Collaboration

NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2, part of Capella University’s course Leading People, Processes, and Organizations in Interprofessional Practice, focuses on improving healthcare quality and safety through collaborative leadership. It’s a critical assignment where students analyze an organizational issue and develop a solution using leadership, communication, and evidence-based practice.

The healthcare environment is dynamic and high-stakes, and quality depends not only on clinical expertise but also on teamwork, systems thinking, and leadership. In this assessment, nursing students are called to take initiative—investigating a problem, proposing solutions, and leading change that directly impacts patient safety and interprofessional collaboration.

Objective of NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2

This assessment helps students:

  • Analyze a real-world healthcare issue related to quality and safety

  • Understand how leadership and collaboration affect outcomes

  • Develop an actionable plan supported by data and theory

  • Apply evidence-based practice (EBP) to propose improvements

  • Demonstrate leadership potential in a multidisciplinary context

Assignment Overview

The main task in NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 is to:

  1. Identify a quality/safety issue within a healthcare organization

  2. Analyze the impact on patients, staff, and processes

  3. Apply leadership and collaboration concepts to address the problem

  4. Propose measurable, evidence-based solutions

The deliverable is a structured academic paper, typically 5–7 pages, in APA format with references from scholarly sources (published within the last 5 years).

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Assessment 2

 Step 1: Select a Quality or Safety Issue

Choose a specific and relevant issue that you can analyze in depth. The problem should affect patient care, team dynamics, or workflow efficiency.

Examples:

  • Patient falls in a medical-surgical unit

  • Medication administration errors

  • Delayed pain management

  • Poor discharge planning

  • High rates of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)

Explain why the issue is important, citing statistics, policy documents, or organizational performance reports.

 Step 2: Analyze the Root Cause

Use tools like Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or Fishbone Diagrams to identify:

  • System failures

  • Communication breakdowns

  • Staffing shortages

  • Workflow inefficiencies

  • Cultural or ethical barriers

This step showcases your analytical and critical thinking skills, which are key traits of nursing leadership.

 Step 3: Apply Leadership and Collaboration Theories

Now connect the issue to leadership principles. Choose one or more models to guide your proposed solution:

  • Transformational Leadership: Engaging and inspiring the team to adopt change

  • Transactional Leadership: Structured, goal-oriented solutions

  • Servant Leadership: Leading by meeting the needs of others first

  • Situational Leadership: Adapting style based on team readiness

  • Interprofessional Collaboration Model: Enhancing team decision-making

Explain how these models would improve communication, decision-making, and patient outcomes in your scenario.

 Step 4: Propose Evidence-Based Solutions

Using current literature and guidelines, propose realistic and measurable interventions. Ensure they align with best practices in nursing leadership and safety improvement.

Example Interventions:

  • Daily interdisciplinary rounding to improve communication

  • Standardized handoff tools (e.g., SBAR or I-PASS)

  • Implementation of a fall risk screening protocol

  • Use of barcode medication administration (BCMA)

  • Staff workshops on safety culture or teamwork

Each intervention should be backed by peer-reviewed evidence, clearly citing journals or guidelines (e.g., AHRQ, ANA, CDC).

 Step 5: Define Measurable Outcomes

Use SMART goals to measure the impact of your solution:

  • Specific: Reduce medication errors by 25%

  • Measurable: Use monthly error tracking reports

  • Achievable: Provide training and supervision

  • Relevant: Align with hospital’s quality goals

  • Time-bound: Achieve goal within 90 days

Discuss how outcomes will be monitored using tools such as audits, patient surveys, or incident reporting systems.

EEAT Principles in Assessment 2

 Expertise

  • Use clinical and leadership knowledge to analyze the issue

  • Reflect on your personal or observed professional experience

  • Show competence in identifying organizational problems

 Authoritativeness

  • Use scholarly, recent sources (within 5 years)

  • Include guidelines from trusted institutions (AHRQ, WHO, ANA)

  • Reference leadership theory and research accurately

 Trustworthiness

  • Maintain academic tone

  • Provide balanced analysis

  • Avoid bias and make data-driven recommendations

  • Cite all sources correctly in APA format
     

Reducing Patient Falls in a Medical-Surgical Unit through Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration

I. Introduction

  • Overview of the problem (patient falls)

  • Significance and impact on healthcare quality

II. Problem Analysis

  • Data and root causes (e.g., poor staff communication, low staffing levels)

III. Leadership and Collaboration Framework

  • Transformational leadership to motivate staff

  • TeamSTEPPS to strengthen communication

IV. Proposed Interventions

  • Hourly rounding

  • Fall risk assessment tools

  • Staff training modules

V. Measurable Outcomes

  • SMART goals

  • Monitoring through incident reports and post-intervention audits

VI. Ethical and Cultural Considerations

  • Ensuring equity in patient care

  • Supporting staff with diverse learning styles

VII. Conclusion

  • Summary of strategies

  • Call to action for leadership accountability and continuous improvement

Recommended Resources

  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) – Patient Safety Toolkit

  • TeamSTEPPS by AHRQ – Communication tools for interprofessional teams

  • American Nurses Association (ANA) – Ethical and leadership standards

  • PubMed / CINAHL – For peer-reviewed research

  • The Joint Commission – Safety goals and accreditation standards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  •  Choosing an issue without available data or literature

  •  Proposing vague or unmeasurable interventions

  •  Ignoring leadership theories

  •  Failing to tie in collaboration and team dynamics

  •  Not citing credible sources (avoid blogs, Wikipedia, or outdated articles)

Conclusion

NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 empowers nursing students to take on a leadership mindset, addressing critical issues in healthcare quality and safety. By identifying a meaningful problem, analyzing root causes, and proposing evidence-based solutions, students demonstrate not only academic competence but also real-world readiness.

This assessment challenges you to lead from where you are—whether at the bedside, in the boardroom, or within interdisciplinary teams—by integrating knowledge, communication, and compassion into transformative nursing practice.