Mennonite College of Nursing
At Illinois State University
NUR 477 – FNP IV
Synthesis Project – Spring 2016
In an effort to prepare you for the FNP certification examination and for future practice as an FNP, the
project for FNP IV 477 is designed to synthesize all of the material on a particular system/specialty into a
comprehensive, yet succinct review document for your future use. All students in the course will benefit
in that each synthesis project will be provided to all fellow students in the course.
Last semester you were asked to rank your knowledge level and comfort level on a variety of topics.
Based on this ranking, you have been given two assignments. First, from amongst your areas of least
comfort, you have been assigned a topic to develop. Second, from amongst your areas of highest
comfort level, you have been assigned a topic for which you will serve as “reviewer.”
Expectations for topic to be developed by you
 Incorporate an overview of the anatomy and physiology related to the system (if applicable)
 Provide an overview of the typical history questions and physical examination of the system (if
applicable)
 Incorporate content related to pharmacotherapeutics, epidemiology, and legal/ethical
information as appropriate
 Provide relevant information on conditions typically seen by the FNP which occur in your
assigned system (if applicable)
o Carefully review the content outlines of your FNP courses at MCN to help determine the
conditions to be included….you can add others you feel are appropriate
 Include 10 sample questions regarding your content and on a separate page, provide the correct
answers and rationale for the correct answers
 NOTE: Simply copying past handouts from Denise and inserting them into the project is not
appropriate. The project needs to be your work.
 Resources used must be cited per APA format throughout the document
 APA format is to be used for a Reference List to be included at the end of the document
 Compile the material into a document which can be reviewed by your “reviewer” and give to
your reviewer a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the project due date ( Project due date: April 7,
2016).
 The reviewer is to review the project for accuracy and provide any suggestions for
improvement. The reviewer’s comments are to be in written form, with a copy given to both
the presenter and Teresa Valerio as course faculty. This should be provided to you a week
before the due date or any other date mutually decided on by the presenter and the reviewer.
 Revise the project as needed, incorporating the reviewer’s recommendations as appropriate.
 Provide the final document in PDF form to all class members and course faculty.
Expectations for reviewer
 It is your responsibility to review the draft project to ensure it is accurate, comprehensive, and
understandable.
 Provide your assessment of the project and any recommendations in writing to both the
presenter and to Teresa Valerio.
Grading Parameters
You will actually have two components to your synthesis project grade: One for the work you do as the
presenter/developer of the project and one for the work you do as the reviewer.
10 points
Quality of review of fellow student’s project
Completion of the review by established deadline
90 points
Quality of your project in the following areas:
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Contains content which is comprehensive regarding conditions most frequently
seen by FNPs (30 points)
Content is accurate and up-to-date with evidence-based clinical guidelines
incorporated when available/appropriate (30 points)
Information is presented in a succinct, understandable format (10 points)
Resources used are cited using APA format throughout the document (5 points)
Reference list using APA format is included (5 points)
Sample questions (10) with accompanying rationale are included and useful for
certification examination preparation (10 points)