Core Measures Safety & Quality III Paper & Grading Rubric
Purpose of Writing Across the Curriculum:
Scholarly writing is a skill developed and employed throughout the undergraduate nursing
curriculum. Writing serves as a foundation for critical thinking, assists with exploring and
acquiring new knowledge, and engages students in creative thinking and problem solving about
specialized topics and areas of interest in the nursing discipline. Writing at the BSN level
provides a foundation for graduate work and professionalism. Upon graduation from the BSN
program, students will demonstrate achievement of the College of Nursing program objectives
(2, 3, & 4) and competencies (2, 4, & 7) related to scholarly writing from the BSN Handbook. In
order to demonstrate this achievement, students must be able to:
• Search and access scholarly literature and available resources
• Utilize proper Help write my thesis – APA formatting, grammar, syntax, and punctuation
• Outline and organize content in a logical and cohesive manner
• Critique, summarize, and synthesize evidence effectively
• Construct, deliver, and support concise, well-structured arguments
Purpose of this Paper:
The purpose of the Core Measures paper is for the student to explore and demonstrate an
understanding the accountability and role of the nurse in improving quality and safety
performance in the healthcare organization through Core Measures.
The paper will allow students to achieve the following objectives:
• Identify The Joint Commission Core Measures and history.
• Identify specific Chart Abstracts(data) Performance Measurements required for
accreditation.
• Understand the relationship of the Core Measure with nursing care.
• Use technology effectively for research and analysis of evidence-based interventions to
maintain or improve the Chart Abstract Performance Measurements within the Core
Measure.
• Identify an action plan and the role of the nurse in improving a healthcare organization’s
performance on the Core Measure.
Requirements:
1. The student will pick a Core Measure from the faculty provide list
2. The student will write a concise 3-page Help write my thesis – APA paper using the paper rubric Due 2/16 @
10 pm.
3. During the students scheduled quality audit or during one of their clinical experiences in
an environment that a Core Measure is implemented and assessed the student will:
a. Identify the units Core Measures and specific Performance Measurements of the
Core Measure that the defined clinical environment assesses.
b. Review the posted data sets of the Performance Measurements and Identify trends.
c. Reflect on the information as they complete the objectives of understanding the
nurse’s role in providing care to improve the healthcare organizations performance
on the Core Measure.
4. Literature Requirements
a. Careful selection and analysis of literature relevant to the selected Core Measure and
Performance Measurements, population, and outcome.
b. Literature must be synthesized and integrated throughout the paper.
c. Selected articles represent a review of the current literature (less than five years old
unless approved by paper grader).
d. A minimum of two approved resources that may include journals, clinical
practice guidelines, and standards of practice from professional organizations.
**This standardized rubric represents the minimum standard of Core Measure/ Paper Assignment.
Courses with numerical
grading
Outstanding
(91-100%)
Criteria followed in depth
and with critical thinking –
insightful
Satisfactory
(75-90%)
Criteria followed average –
met requirements
Unsatisfactory
(<75%)
Incomplete – incorrectly
applies and/or does not
demonstrate understanding
of course concepts
Identification/Introduction:
(1-2 paragraphs)
Identify The Joint Commission Core
Measures
Consider:
• History & Significance of the
Core Measure
• Population Profile
• Expected Outcome of The Joint
Commissions Core Measure
(18-20 Points) All
items are addressed,
stated clearly, and are
well-supported using
strong, relevant
evidence from research
and/or government
organizations.
Population profile is
described fully and
supported with evidence.
Purpose/Expected
Outcome statement is
clear and contains all
required elements.
(15-17.5 Points)
Major items are
addressed, but the use of
evidence is limited.
Needs to better articulate
& convey significance.
Population profile needs
more development
and/or clarification.
Purpose/Expected
Outcomes statement is
present but either lacks
clarity or is the missing
identification of variance
and/or specific
population/disease.
(14.5 or lower)
Content is incomplete.
Both significance and
population profile are
poorly discussed.
Purpose/Expected
Outcome is absent or
indiscernible.
Use of evidence is poor.
Assessment: (2-3
paragraphs)
Consider:
• Analysis of Chart Abstract
performance measurements
for specific Core Measure
• Identification of Criterion of
Acceptable performance for
the performance
measurements.
• Nurse’s role to
influence Core Measure
Performance Outcomes.
Include reflection of what
has been seen in the clinical
setting
• Identification of potential
Variances between what has
been seen (or could occur)
in the clinical setting and
evidence base practice
found in the literature on
the role of the nurse with
achieving Performance
Outcomes
(18-20 Points)
All items are addressed,
stated clearly.
Clearly states the analysis of
measurements/data
required and acceptable
performance
The nurse’s role is clear and
based on the specified Core
Measure. Reflection of personal
insight seen on clinical floor is
included.
The potential variance is
clearly identified and the
relationship between the
identified variance and
achieving the Performance
outcome is clear and
concisely described.
(15-17.5 Points)
All items are addressed.
States the analysis of
measurements/data
required but may not be
clear on the acceptable
performance
The nurse’s role is not clear
and/or based on the
specified Core Measure.
Minimal reflection of personal
insight seen on clinical floor is
included.
The potential variance is not
clearly identified and/or the
relationship between the
identified variance and the
Performance outcome is is
not clear and concisely
described.
(14.5 or lower)
Content is incomplete
The analysis of
measurements/ data is
vague and/or the acceptable
performance is not
addressed.
The nurse’s report on
knowledge and nursing role
is not addressed and/or is
not specified to Core Measure.
There is no reflection of
personal insight seen on the
floor.
The potential variance is not
identified and the
relationship between the
identified variance and the
Performance outcome is not
described.
Action plan: (2-3
paragraphs)
Synthesis of at least 1
Evidence Base Articles to
Maintain or Improve Chart
Abstract/Data Performance
Measurement Scores for
Specific Core Measure.
Consider:
• Next steps or connection to
improve practice
• Implications or outcomes of
interventions
• Systemic thinking, including
social or political
implications
(18-20 Points)
All items are addressed in
depth.
The selected nursing
strategies are clearly and
concisely described.
Comprehensively conveys
the relationship between
the Performance
Measurements being
addressed, the nursing care
strategy, and shows
excellent support for the
nurse’s role in addressing or
evaluating the variance, and
the desired outcome of the
strategy.
Detailed evidence of the
effectiveness of the evidence
base strategies is clearly
described and discussed and
reflects synthesis of the
literature. Includes
description of research
methods used and summary
of applicable findings.
(15-17.5 Points)
All items are addressed.
The selected nursing
strategies are defined but
may need minor clarification
or further description.
Shows limited support of
the relationship between
the Performance
Measurements being
addressed, the nursing care
strategy, and the support for
the nurse’s role in
addressing or evaluating the
variance, and the desired
outcome of the strategy.
Evidence of the effectiveness
of the evidence base
strategies is described
and/or discussed but
research evidence is limited.
(14.5 or lower)
Content is incomplete.
The selected nursing
strategies are vaguely
defined.
The relationship between
the Performance
Measurements being
addressed and the desired
outcome of the strategy is
either not addressed or is
unclear.
The strategy is not a
nursing strategy and/or
the support for the nurse’s
role is not addressed.
Evidence of the effectiveness
of the evidence base
strategies is missing or is
inadequately described.
Reflection: (1 paragraph)
What Made It Significant or
Meaningful
May include:
• Integration of previous and
new knowledge or skills
• Personal connection through
impressions or emotions
Self-assessment of beliefs,
biases, approaches,
motivations, or assumptions
(13.5-15 Points)
All items are addressed in
depth with personal
rationale
(11.5-13 Points )
All items are addressed but
minimal rationale
(11 or lower) Content is
incomplete with no rationale.
Organization & Writing
Skills:
• Narrative or creative writing
style
• Ideas are organized in a
logical fashion, are clearly
articulated, and easy to
follow
• Transitions are used
between subsections/main
thoughts
(5 Points)
Paper flows logically.
Purpose and
development of ideas
clear and adequate.
Conceptual clarity is
evident throughout.
Paragraphs are well
focused and organized
allowing for consistency of
idea/topic.
Paragraphs demonstrate
logical connection between
thoughts/ideas using
appropriate transition
statement between ideas.
(4-4.5 Points)
Purpose and ideas need further
development and articulation.
Introduction, body, and/or
conclusion not fully developed.
Conceptual clarity is evident;
paragraphs focused, but
improvement in organization of
ideas/topics is needed.
Connection between
thoughts/ideas evident but can
be improved. Transition
statements not always clear.
(3.5 or lower Points)
Purpose is unclear. Ideas poorly
developed and articulated.
Conceptual clarity absent.
Paragraphs contain multiple
ideas/topics.
Paragraphs do not demonstrate
logical connection between
thoughts/ideas.
Lacks appropriate transition
statement between ideas.
Grammar, Punctuation, &
Spelling
• Clear sentence structure
• Limited spelling errors
• Feedback of Grammar,
punctuation & spelling
from NUR 355 paper was
apparent.
(5 Points)
Writing contains correct
grammar, punctuation, and
spelling (including correct
choice/use of words,
consistent subject/verb
tense, order of words in
sentences is correct, no
contractions; no more than
one error per page, or for
longer papers, no more
than four errors
throughout paper.
Spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, and
vocabulary usage are
correct and appropriate.
Sentences are varied and
grammatically correct.
Language is clear and
precise. Word choice and
(4-4.5 Points)
Writing contains few
grammatical, punctuation, and
spelling errors; no more than
two minor errors per page, or
for longer papers, 5-7 errors
throughout paper.
Spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, and vocabulary
errors do not interfere with
comprehension.
Sentences could have been
more varied and interesting.
Language is clear. Word choice
and vocabulary are acceptable.
Some understanding of content
(3.5 or lower Points)
Writing contains numerous
and/or significant grammatical,
punctuation, and spelling errors;
three or more errors per page, or
for longer papers, more than
seven errors in paper.
Spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, and vocabulary
usage contain
flaws that impede/detract from
readability.
Sentences are simple and lack
variety. Language is vague, lacks
clarity, or includes the use of
some jargon or conversational.
vocabulary shows
exceptional
understanding of content
and is matched to the
subject and audience.
Uses active voice and
writes in 3rd person.
is shown. Use of active voice and
3rd person writing may be
inconsistent
tone. Word choice and
vocabulary do not clearly
express ideas or address the
assignment.
Active voice and/or 3rd person
writing not used.
Help write my thesis – APA Formatting
• Accurate Help write my thesis – APA formatted
• Cites sources when
appropriate but not required
• Feedback of Help write my thesis – APA from NUR
355 paper was apparent.
(9-10 Points)
Paper contains 0-2 Help write my thesis – APA
errors. One deduction per
type of error. Correct
Help write my thesis – APA formatting includes:
Title, page numbers,
margins (1-inch), font (12
pt), Times
New Roman, running
head (all caps & <50
characters), identifies
abbreviations at time of
initial use.
Level 1 headings are used
as required.
Sources are cited
correctly in the text,
including correct intext
citation of secondary
sources
and direct quotations.
Sources are cited
correctly in the reference
page.
Reference page is a
complete listing of all
sources used in the paper
(7.5-8.5 Points)
Paper contains 3-5 Help write my thesis – APA errors.
(7 or lower Points)
Paper contains >5 Help write my thesis – APA errors.
Length & Effort
• Length of the paper should be
3 pages
• Showed serious effort
• Not just a synopsis of the
content
(5 Points)
Paper is concise at 3 pages
long (will be deducted if over
4 pages)
Serious effort was noted
with in depth rationale, not
just a synopsis of the content
(4-4.5 Points)
Paper is a paragraph less than 3
pages long or longer than 4 pages
Serious effort is questioned as just
a synopsis of the content
(3.5 or lower Points)
Paper is a less than 3 pages long or
longer than 4 pages
No effort is noted as a brief synopsis
of the content
Timeliness
• On-time submission including
NUR 355 graded paper with
Feedback
• Deduction of 2 points per day
after the due date/time
(0 Points) (0 Points) (0 Points)
