SHN3056: Adult / SHN3061: Mental Health / SHN3062: Child
Advancing Professional Nursing Practice
(Module 11)
Summative Assessment Guidelines
I. What is the form of assessment?
For this assignment, you will conduct a narrative literature review on a topic that is related to one of the following themes:
• Service users’ perspective
• Interprofessional team working
• Culture and/or diversity
“A literature review is a comprehensive summary and critical appraisal of the literature that is relevant to your research topic. It presents the reader with what is already known in this field and identifies traditional and current controversies as well as weaknesses and gaps in the field.”
– Williamson G., Whitaker A. (2020). Succeeding in literature reviews and research project plans for
nursing students (4th ed). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
It is a critical review of the published literature on a particular subject.
You are expected to look at published work (not just research/studies) in a specific subject area. Literature reviews usually take the form of a critical discussion wherein the student is expected to show a critical understanding of the published work, as well as the differing arguments, theories and findings that they bring up.
For this assessment, you are required to write a narrative literature review. Such a review is usually driven by a general interest in a subject or a
question, and not necessarily by a scientific research approach. Take note, a literature review is not the same as a systematic review.
II. Why a literature review?
This form of assessment will demonstrate your ability to meet the module learning objectives wherein you will:
• Have a more in-depth study of your chosen topic.
• Undertake a review of existing literature and to critically appraise the information which is pertinent to the topic being investigated.
• Evaluate the information and organise it in a way to identify your perspective on the topic.
III. What should the literature review demonstrate?
Apart from critically appraising the literature that is relevant to the subject of interest, the content of your essay should also demonstrate the learning objectives of the module:
Critically evaluate contemporary nursing practice and justify the need for future development in light of current evidence and policy direction in the field of adult nursing.
Demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate the delivery of care to individuals with complex health needs in the field of adult nursing.
Critically evaluate the skills required by the nurse to engage and involve individuals, families and communities in decisions regarding their health and well-being in the field of adult nursing.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by the nurse when advocating for and on behalf of service users/clients in the field of adult nursing.
Critically appraise the skills required for partnership working with service users / clients and other professionals in the field of adult nursing.
Reflect on individual professional development within the field of adult nursing, and identify ongoing personal training and development needs.
IV. What research topics can be written about?
The 3 themes are very broad and it is unlikely that you will be able to produce a good quality review without narrowing your subject area. Therefore, you first need to choose a theme, and then identify a specific topic that you can focus on.
Remember, the topic must be related to your field of nursing (adult, child or mental health). You are strongly advised to discuss your ideas with your academic mentor.
To help you develop an idea, asking questions about a particular subject of interest is usually helpful:
– What are the effects of multimorbidity and polypharmacy on elderly patients?
– How can an interdisciplinary approach improve the nutritional care of elderly patients in hospital?
– How can nurses provide a culturally sensitive end of life care to patients?
