Executive Summary

Executive Summary

During this course, you will be tasked with completing an Executive Summary. The goal of an Executive Summary is to summarize your DNP project, highlighting key points. Please carefully review all instructions, and use the proper checklists and templates, to effectively complete your Executive Summary.  

This will be your first submission of the Executive Summary.  

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To prepare:

· Download the Executive Summary template and checklist, based on your DNP project.  

· All documents used during implementation must be submitted and approved by your faculty. You should zip all the files together and submit them as one .zip file. Instructions on how to zip files for a MAC or PC: 

· MACLinks to an external site.

· PCLinks to an external site.

· Review your Executive Summary against the form and style checklist found in the Learning Resources. Make corrections as needed. 

· Walden University has extensive writing support. As a doctoral student, it is your responsibility to ensure that your executive summary meets the requirements for scholarly writing. Review the writing center support links in the Week 1 Learning Resources. Use the resources as you complete your Executive Summary. 

The Assignment (Template) 

· Using the DNP Project Executive Summary Template, complete the Executive Summary following the Executive Summary Checklist.  

· Follow the Checklist that aligns with your project type (clinical practice guideline, staff education, or organization change process). 

2

Executive Summary: Organization Change Process Initiative Template

[Project Title]

by

[your official name]

MS, [university], 20XX

BS, [university], 20XX

Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

[last month of term you graduate] 20XX

Summary

The Summary section must be no longer than one page, double spaced. The full Executive Summary document should be no longer than 10 pages, double spaced. Throughout the narrative, use American Psychological Association (APA) format when it is necessary to cite sources, following the guidelines in Chapter 8 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) and/or the APA citations webpage on the Walden Doctoral Capstone Form and Style website.

In this section, indicate the type of project. Describe the practice problem and why it is important to address within the context of nursing practice. Summarize the practice-focused question(s) and the purpose for the doctoral project. Describe the analytical strategies used in the doctoral project. Concisely summarize the findings and implications. Concisely identify major products, conclusions, and/or recommendations as appropriate. Summarize potential implications for nursing practice and for positive social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Background

Describe elements in the background that connect to the reason for the practice change or gap in practice. Discuss the project question and project purpose. Identify evidence that supports the project change or gap in practice. Briefly summarize the evidence supporting the change. Indicate the strength of the evidence.

Project Development

Discuss outcome variable(s) for the evaluation. Discuss the method of obtaining deidentified data. Include the time prior to the implementation of the evaluation and the time post evaluation. Discuss the method of data analysis used in the evaluation.

Results

State the postimplementation results. Discuss the impact on the organization. State limitations and how they impacted results. Discuss why the project is important beyond the local site.

Table 1 and Figure 1 reflect APA (7th ed.) rules for table and figure formatting and labeling. Note that any tables and figures should be mentioned by number in the narrative text (e.g., “Table 1 includes …”) before they appear in the document. The point size of table and figure text can be smaller than body text (which is 12 point) but no smaller than 8 point. You may change the font inside tables and figures to a sans serif font such as Arial if you wish. For guidance on formatting tables and figures in APA Style, visit the Doctoral Capstone Form and Style webpage on tables and figures.

The general table note under Table 1 cites the source of a table that was originally printed elsewhere. You must obtain permission from the copyright holder to reprint a table or figure that is not in the public domain. Include letters of permission in an appendix. Per APA 7.14, table and figure notes must be left justified and double spaced, as shown here.

Table 1 Sample Table Showing Correct Formatting

Stub heading	Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4

Note. From “Attitudes Toward Dissertation Editors,” by W. Student, 2020, Journal of Academic Optimism, 98, p. 11 ( https://doi.org/10.xxxxxxxxx) . Copyright 2020 by Academic Publishing Consortium. Reprinted with permission.

Figure 1 Sample Figure Showing Correct Formatting

Conclusions

Summarize the impact to the organization. Identify further recommendations that might be considered. Discuss potential implications for nursing practice and for positive social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

References

Insert references here. Examples of some common types of references follow.

These sample entries are tagged with the “APA Reference” style tag, which means that the line spacing and hanging indent are automatic. Apply the “APA Reference” style tag to your entries.

Sample Entries

Journal article with DOI (even if accessed in print form)

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2019). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx(x), xxx–xxx. https://doi.org/xxxxxx . . .

Nonperiodical (authored book with a DOI)

Author, A. A. (2020). Title of work. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx . . .

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2020). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx(x), xxx–xxx. https://doi.org/xxxxxx

Book

Author, D. (2021). Title of book. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Webpage

Author, E. (2021, August 1). Title of webpage. Name of website. https://URL

Organization A. (2022). Title of webpage. https://URL

Chapter 10 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) includes numerous examples of reference list entries. For more information on references in APA Style, consult the APA website or the Walden Doctoral Capstone Form and Style page on APA References .

Appendix

Students may place deliverables, or the products developed during the project, into the executive summary appendix. All materials placed in the appendix must follow APA guidelines and the DNP Doctoral Project Ethics Pledge. Tables with results should be presented in the Results section of the executive summary. The appropriate deliverables include the following: the data collection tool(s) used to evaluate the QI initiative. If you have additional questions on appropriate materials for the appendix, contact your faculty advisor for assistance.

2

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project

Staff Education to ]

by

[your official name]

MS, [university], 20XX

BS, [university], 20XX

Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

[last month of term you graduate] 20XX

Summary

The Summary section must be no longer than one page, double spaced. The full Executive Summary document should be no longer than 10 pages, double spaced. Throughout the narrative, use American Psychological Association (APA) format when it is necessary to cite sources, following the guidelines in Chapter 8 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) and/or the APA citations webpage on the Walden Doctoral Capstone Form and Style website.

In this section, indicate the type of project. Describe the practice problem and why it is important to address within the context of nursing practice. Summarize the practice-focused question(s) and the purpose for the doctoral project. Describe the analytical strategies used in the doctoral project. Concisely summarize the findings and implications. Concisely identify major products, conclusions, and/or recommendations as appropriate. Summarize potential implications for nursing practice and for positive social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Background

Describe elements in the background that connect to the reason for the practice change or gap in practice. Discuss the project question and project purpose. Identify evidence that supports the project change or gap in practice. Briefly summarize the evidence supporting the change. Indicate the strength of the evidence.

Staff Education Project Development

Describe the participants and procedures used for developing and implementing the project. Describe the collection and analysis of evidence. Discuss the evaluation process.

Results

State the postimplementation results. Discuss the impact on the organization. State limitations and how they impacted results. Discuss why the project is important beyond the local site.

Table 1 and Figure 1 reflect APA (7th ed.) rules for table and figure formatting and labeling. Note that any tables and figures should be mentioned by number in the narrative text (e.g., “Table 1 includes …”) before they appear in the document. The point size of table and figure text can be smaller than body text (which is 12 point) but no smaller than 8 point. You may change the font inside tables and figures to a sans serif font such as Arial if you wish. For guidance on formatting tables and figures in APA Style, visit the Doctoral Capstone Form and Style webpage on tables and figures.

The general table note under Table 1 cites the source of a table that was originally printed elsewhere. You must obtain permission from the copyright holder to reprint a table or figure that is not in the public domain. Include letters of permission in an appendix. Per APA 7.14, table and figure notes must be left justified and double spaced, as shown here.

Table 1 Sample Table Showing Correct Formatting

Stub heading	Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4

Note. From “Attitudes Toward Dissertation Editors,” by W. Student, 2020, Journal of Academic Optimism, 98, p. 11 ( https://doi.org/10.xxxxxxxxx) . Copyright 2020 by Academic Publishing Consortium. Reprinted with permission.

Figure 1 Sample Figure Showing Correct Formatting

Chart, line chart Description automatically generated

Conclusions

Summarize the impact to the organization. Identify further recommendations that might be considered. Discuss potential implications for nursing practice and for positive social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

References

Insert references here. Examples of some common types of references follow.

These sample entries are tagged with the “APA Reference” style tag, which means that the line spacing and hanging indent are automatic. Apply the “APA Reference” style tag to your entries.

Sample Entries

Journal article with DOI (even if accessed in print form)

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2019). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx(x), xxx–xxx. https://doi.org/xxxxxx . . .

Nonperiodical (authored book with a DOI)

Author, A. A. (2020). Title of work. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx . . .

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2020). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx(x), xxx–xxx. https://doi.org/xxxxxx

Book

Author, D. (2021). Title of book. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Webpage

Author, E. (2021, August 1). Title of webpage. Name of website. https://URL

Organization A. (2022). Title of webpage. https://URL

Chapter 10 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) includes numerous examples of reference list entries. For more information on references in APA Style, consult the APA website or the Walden Doctoral Capstone Form and Style page on APA References .

Appendix

Students may place deliverables, or the products developed during the project, into the executive summary appendix. All materials placed in the appendix must follow APA guidelines and the DNP Doctoral Project Ethics Pledge. Tables with results should be presented in the results section of the executive summary. The appropriate deliverables include the following: the pre/post anonymous questionnaire, PowerPoint presentation, and any other supporting education materials developed and provided to the participants. If you have additional questions on appropriate materials for the appendix, contact your faculty advisor for assistance.