NURS 6003 Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
At some point in every construction project, efforts turn from design and the focus moves to actual construction. With the vision in place and the tools secured, the blueprint can be finalized and approved. Then it is time to put on hardhats and begin work.
Throughout the course you have developed aspects of your Academic and Professional Development Plan. You have put a great deal of thought into your vision and goals, your academic and professional network of support, research strategies and other tools you will need, the integrity of your work, and the value of consulting the work of others. With your portfolio in place, it is now time to finalize your blueprint for success.
Much as builders remain cognizant of the building standards as they plan and begin construction, nurses must remain mindful of the formal standards of practice that govern their specialty. A good understanding of these standards can help ensure that your success plan includes any steps necessary to excel within your chosen specialty.
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by developing the final component: a review of your specialty standards of practice. You will also submit your final version of the document, including Parts 1–5.
To Prepare:
- Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty.
- Download the Nursing Specialty Comparison Matrix.
- Examine professional organizations related to the specialization you have chosen and identify at least one to focus on for this assignment.
- Reflect on the thoughts you shared in the Discussion forum regarding your choice of a specialty, any challenges you have encountered in making this choice, and any feedback you have received from colleagues in the Discussion.
Also Read:
Strategies For Academic Portfolios NURS 6003
The Assignment:
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
- Write a paragraph that provides a detailed comparison at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
- Write a clear and accurate 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Provide sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
- Clearly identify and accurately describe in detail the professional organization related to the specialization you have chosen to focus on for this assignment and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.
Note: Your final version of the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan should include all components as presented the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan template. Make all corrections to each part based on faculty feedback and submit a final and edited copy of the template (Part 1-Part 6) in correct APA format.
By Day 7
Submit Parts 1-6 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
Remember to include an introduction paragraph which contains a clear and comprehensive purpose statement which delineates all required criteria, and end the assignment Part with a conclusion paragraph.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK6Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 6 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 6 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 6 Assignment
Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this week, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.
Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan Sample One
Nurses must advance their knowledge and competencies to fit in the current healthcare systems because of the existing dynamics and complexities surrounding quality health care. Advancing education and practical skills allow nurses to play a significant role in transforming clinical contexts and promoting interventions to address institutional challenges (Jormfeldt et al., 2018).
For instance, one of the benefits of advancing education in nursing practices is that it enables professionals to incorporate evidence-based practices (EBPs) in solving problems and making informed decisions. As an aspiring psychiatric-mental health nurse, I know that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is inadequate. Therefore, my BSN was only a gateway to higher education level, including Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). As a result, I have decided to advance my career by selecting two nursing specialties of interest.
I have the determination to enroll in the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), where I will pursue either a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing (PMHN) or family nurse practitioner (FNP). My first choice (PMHN) entails various priority areas because it allows nurses to work with families, individuals, groups, and communities to identify issues regarding mental health. Advanced practice registered nurses in psychiatric-mental health play a significant role in providing primary care for vulnerable populations, assessing causal factors, and promoting health.
On the other hand, a master’s degree in family nursing practice (FNP) will allow me to work with families and communities while providing patient care across the lifespan, especially for the underserved population sections. Further, the FNP field will enable me to perform physical exams for patients within my specialty, develop care plans, and collaborate with other professionals in delivering primary care to the underserved population. Although the two fields are fundamental in promoting quality health care services, I prefer enrolling for an MSN in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice because its activities my strengths, knowledge, and the dream of delivering care to psychiatry patients.
The psychiatric-mental health domain is a fundamental specialty because of the issues surrounding nurses’ roles in delivering quality care for patients with mental health concerns. Lake (2017) argues that the current treatments and the dominant mental health care model do not effectively address challenges in this specialty. The reason for failing to address clinical constraints related to cognitive health is that mental illnesses account for approximately one-third of all adult disabilities (Lake, 2017). Arguably, this consideration validates the claim that mental health patients overwhelm the current global health system.
Similarly, dealing with causal factors such as depression, stress, and suicidal ideations is a daunting endeavor for nurses. Consequently, many unaddressed gaps and untapped opportunities exist in this operational area. My desire to advance knowledge in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice relies massively on the determination to help people struggling with mental concerns. Also, this field is ever-transforming, meaning I will have opportunities to develop my career and access benefits such as job promotions or increased pay.
Although psychiatric-mental health nurses require prerequisite professional and interpersonal skills, colleagues always acknowledge my ability to relate with other people, applying evidence-based practice in projects, and effective collaboration during my clinical rotations in the psychiatry department. For instance, my BSN instructor indicated that I portrayed professional attributes and personal characteristics that will allow me to excel in the psychiatry specialty.
Complements from my preceptor and peers are icing on the cake because they enhance the determination to transform the psychiatry department. Although I possess the necessary skills that will help me execute my responsibilities well, I am aware of various challenges facing psychiatric nurses. In this sense, the primary challenge when delivering care to patients with different mental health concerns is establishing meaningful relationships with them, their families, and other professionals. Also, nurses face challenges in embracing patient-centeredness principles when dealing with psychiatry patients.
One of the most prominent strategies to address these challenges is joining a reputable organization in the specialty to facilitate information sharing, consultation among nurses, and access to vital resources in the field. Therefore, I am looking forward to joining the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). Since 1986, APNA has been in the frontline to help nursing students with various education programs and professional services to enable them excess in psychiatry departments (Delaney, Drew & Rushton, 2018). Today, the organization services nurses of different qualifications, including registered nurses (RNs), associate degree (ADN), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and baccalaureate (BSN).
The most profound strengths of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) are the ability to accommodate nurses from the different healthcare setting. In this sense, it is an ideal avenue where nurses, scholars, and communities can access education opportunities, scholarly resources, and other relevant information regarding the psychiatric domain. Therefore, joining APNA will advance my professional skills, enhancing knowledge, and transforming my capabilities to care for patients with different mental health concerns.
References
Delaney, K., Drew, B., & Rushton, A. (2018). Report on the APNA national psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurse survey. Journal Of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(2), 146-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390318777873
Jormfeldt, H., Doyle, L., Ellilä, H., Lahti, M., Higgins, A., & Keogh, B. et al. (2018). Master’s level mental health nursing competencies, a prerequisite for equal health among service users in mental health care. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 13(sup1), 1502013. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2018.1502013
Lake, J. (2017). Urgent need for improved mental health care and a more collaborative model of care. The Permanente Journal. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/17-024
Sample Student Approach on Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
The current healthcare system is dynamic with changes aimed at improving the quality of care provided. As nurses, we play a significant role in helping revolutionize the provision of care services. Attaining my BSN was only a beginning to pave way for further advancement in my career life. Currently, I have decided to enroll in the masters of science in nursing (MSN) program at Walden University to gain the required knowledge and skills in specialized nursing practice.
My main focus out of the available specialty option is to peruse a master’s degree in gerontology or psychiatry. Gerontology focuses on providing healthcare services to the elderly patients which have gained more market in the current healthcare system, whereas an MSN- PMHNP program mainly equips nurses with adequate knowledge and skills in delivering a full spectrum of care among patients suffering from psychiatric disorders including substance abuse issues and organic brain disorders (Endsley, 2017). Out of the two, I prefer enrolling in an MSN- PMHNP program, which aligns with my strength and prior knowledge in taking care of psychiatry patients.
The current healthcare system is overwhelmed with psychiatry patients as a result of increasing mental illness cases such as depression and anxiety. As such, there is an increased demand for psychiatry healthcare specialists across all disciplines including nurses.
Consequently, nurses working in this field enjoy several benefits such as increased pay, with numerous job opportunities. Additionally, most of my colleagues have observed my good communication skills and a good relationship with my patients, which is crucial when taking care of patients with psychiatry disorders (Vargas et al., 2017). In the course of my BSN program, my preceptor, during my clinical rotation in the psychiatry department also observed my keen insight and good relationship with patients suffering from different mental disorders.
Consequently, in my report, she pointed out a good clinical outcome, among most of the patients who were under my care. As such, I find it very convenient and life-changing to focus on specializing in psychiatry, to help patients suffering from mental illness. However, it is very important to note that, the main challenge facing psychiatric nurses is forming a strong therapeutic relationship with patients suffering from mental illness together with their families.
In my professional line, I am looking forward to becoming a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). This organization was founded in 1986 to provide leadership aimed at promoting psychiatric-mental health nurses, and improving the quality of mental health care services for patients from different cultural backgrounds, and shape the healthcare policies associated with improved mental health services (Delaney, Drew, & Rushton, 2019).
APNA membership incorporates all PMH nurses (RN), including baccalaureate (BSN), associate degree (ADN), and advanced practice (APRN). Members of this organization come from different healthcare settings such as inpatient, academic, community, and research settings, in both private and public sectors, and healthcare institutions at both federal and state levels.
APNA has made it easier for nurses to advance their education hence improving the quality of services provided to patients with mental illness, as such, becoming a member of this organization will help in advancing my career, and advance my knowledge and skills in taking care of psychiatry patients.
References
Delaney, K. R., Drew, B. L., & Rushton, A. (March 01, 2019). Report on the APNA National Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Survey. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25, 2, 146-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390318777873
Divane de Vargas, Janaina Soares, Talita Dutra Ponce, & Bruna Batista de Oliveira. (January 01, 2017). PSYCHIATRIC URGENCY AND EMERGENCY CARE NURSES: AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROFILE. Cogitare Enfermagem, 22, 4.) https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/b73d/25882372abdd7f69079cd553b590845f441f.pdf.
Endsley, P. (January 01, 2017). School Nurse Workload: A Scoping Review of Acute Care, Community Health, and Mental Health Nursing Workload Literature. Journal of School Nursing, 33, 1, 43-52. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840516681423