Discussion: Foundations of Professional Nursing and Networking Opportunities

NURS 6003 Discussion: Foundations of Professional Nursing and Networking Opportunities

Discussion: Foundations of Professional Nursing and Networking Opportunities

Establishing a Network and Progression

                           My name is C.. and i’m very excited to get started on this journey with all of you! I am currently working in the acute critical care field in a smaller community hospital in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I have been in ICU for about 5 years now and i have been extremely interested to further my education since day one, so finally getting into this is amazing and anxiety inducing too! Luckily, much of this course seems to aim at helping establish a network and outline those who can help you in times of stress. I have four brothers (two older, one younger) and we are all nurses in either Acute Intensive Care or Long Term Intensive Care. My parents are both nurses, too. My mother has been an ER nurse for thirty years now, and my father has been a nurse for the same amount of time. My father has always pushed for furthering one’s education (he holds many degrees himself, from Bachelors in nursing to MBA). He instilled the importance of “never-slowing down” and “always utilize education to help grow”, so while looking at the vision, missions, goals and social change for Walden, i had a good feeling about what i was signing up for.

                                                                                Comparison to Walden’s Mission

                  While reading the “Visions” provided by Walden, it became apparent that their aim is to promote the greater good. Hoping to learn knowledge to help me grow in a professional setting will hopefully reflect the impact we all hope to make, which is promoting the greatest good to those we care for everyday. The “missions” section just reinforced this by outlining the importance of having an outlet that promotes growth in an individual, in this case via educational program. Walden’s mission to aid in the transition into knowledgeable and confident nurse who provide for a greater good lines up with the perfect with the roles my father tried to instill in me at a young age as previously discussed. Walden provides a series of goals for their program, but one of them specifically stood out to me. On their website, the final goal is “to produce graduates who are scholarly, reflective practitioners and agents for positive change” (Walden University, n.d.). This stood out because the second half is something I truly value. Change is a term thrown around too often without highlighting it’s impact, and hearing my father’s influence float around throughout my life, it’s important to note how strong change can be. Social change, from Walden’s perspective seems entirely driven on growth and development with the implication of application to a society for the greater good. The social change aspect really speaks to me, for it not only outlines the importance of this knowledge, but focuses primarily on applying the skills we will develop along the way. I hope to further my application skills through Walden to provide for these we come in contact with everyday. Walden provides University Outcomes that seemingly wrap up everything outlined previously in a flawless fashion. The second outcome is most relatable to my hopes and desires through this program, for it encompasses everything I’ve discussed. It states that the goal is to use knowledge obtained to positively impact the community, society, and profession. Following the words of my father, I hope this program helps me encourage those I come in contact with to grow, whether it be using my knowledge to provide for an individual or an entire community I work with.

                                                                                          Conclusion and Final Thoughts

                    The outreach that Walden gives their community is honestly amazing, and I look forward to experiencing it first hand. The world is an ever-changing surrounding, and the healthcare field is no stranger to that. As stated in an article entitled “Missions and Organizational Performance in the Healthcare Industry”, the author writes “the diverse characteristics of the healthcare market make it essential for employees on all levels to not only have a clear understanding of what they are trying to achieve, but also a feeling of support and involvement in determining the mission” (Forehand, A., 2000). This is something I strongly believe in, and feeling understood in my missions by Walden is crucial. Another article I came across refers to the value in an organizations vision stated “Successful organizations will be those that are steadfast in pursuit of their vision, unfailingly true to their mission and unwavering in adherence to their values” (MacLeod L.,2016). In Walden’s case, every point lines up coherently and I’ve found myself truly identifying with their clear vision. I believe in the success this organization will bring and look forward to finding enhanced methods to bring forth my personal goals outlined by my father in my younger years as well as grow with the values this institution has to offer!

                                                                                                References

Forehand, A. (2000). Mission and Organizational Performance in the Healthcare Industry. Journal of Healthcare Management, 45(4), 267.

     https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1097/00115514-200007000-00012

MacLeod, L. (2016). Mission, Vision and Values Statements: The Physician Leader’s Role. Physician Leadership Journal, 3(5), 18–25.

Walden University. (N.d.). College of Nursing. Retrieved October June 5th, 2020, from

     https://www.waldenu.edu/about/colleges=schools/college-of-nursing 

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT: Discussion: Foundations of Professional Nursing and Networking Opportunities

Question Description
I don’t know how to handle this Nursing question and need guidance.

This week you begin to lay the foundation for your academic and professional success. Your efforts begin with a vision, which includes your own definition of success. Your vision may vary from those of your colleagues, but this does not mean you have to take these first steps alone.

Walden University and the School of Nursing (SON) also have a vision and mission, which include helping you to make your own vision a reality. Members of your new academic community, such as faculty, support teams, and fellow students, can also be helpful. Current practitioners and other members of the professional community can also help you to clarify your vision.

This week’s Discussion asks you to think about how the Walden mission and vision and the School of Nursing (SON) mission and vision apply to your professional and academic goals. You will also begin to identify individuals and teams that can help you along the way, as you begin to design the “blueprint”—your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan—that will guide you toward your own vision for academic and professional success.

To Prepare:

Review the Walden and the School of Nursing (SON) mission and vision statements, Walden’s goals and University Outcomes, and the MSN Program Learning Outcomes presented in this week’s Learning Resources.

Reflect on your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.

Consider how the information in these resources fit with your own goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.

Also consider academic and professional individuals and teams that you may collaborate with in support of your efforts as a student at the University and as a professional within your organization and career.

By Day 3

Post a brief post introducing yourself to your colleagues. Include an explanation for how Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Also include an explanation for how the Walden MSN program outcomes and perspectives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Then, post a draft of Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template indicating at least two academic and at least two professional individuals or teams that you would like to collaborate with to be successful in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse along with an explanation for your selection

A Facebook group is still a convenient way to connect with others. Groups on Facebook allow you to connect with colleagues around the world. When you read the description of a group, you can determine whether it’s right for you. If you’re a newbie to networking, don’t join more than ten groups so you don’t get too busy. The key to networking is building genuine relationships. Make sure you introduce yourself and what you do, comment on posts, share articles or other resources that are relevant to the group, and, most importantly, participate (Schmidt, n.d).

Volunteering gives you the chance to learn a wide set of skills while gaining the experience of working with diverse types of people. Find charities and organizations that align with your cause and goals. You’ll get to connect with the community and learn more about the industry. Get to know the leaders of the organizations and build meaningful relationships with them (Schmidt, n.d.).

Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking. Links to an external site. Links to an external site. https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/

Networking Opportunities

My name is Guerdie Nonez. I am a Registered Nurse in the state of New Jersey. I am currently enrolled in the MSN ( FNP) program. In my quest to become a scholar-practitioner, I have found Walden University to be the most ideal choice for my current step in this career path. The goals and mission of Walden University align with my ideologies and desires. As a health practitioner, one ought to acquire knowledge that they can use to solve problems and make the world a better place. This defines the vision of Walden University (Walden University, 2011a). Its graduates should be released to the community with the ability to apply the knowledge instilled in them by the institution to advance the greater global good.

Walden’s mission statement emphasizes on the ability of the diverse professionals who graduate from the institution to effect positive change in the society (Walden University, 2011a). In health care, positive change is measured in terms of patient outcomes among others. As such, I intend to further my knowledge at Walden to better the outcomes of my patients albeit to effect positive change. Additionally, one of the goals of Walden University is to provide innovative programs that are at par with the current societal needs (Walden University, 2011b). For instance, as a health practitioner, I look forward to being able to provide the most current and effective management to my patients as opposed to relying on old and potentially outdated guidelines.

Evidence-based practice is cornerstone to nursing and other medical disciplines. At Walden, it is the goal of the institution to provide learning using diverse approaches including evidence-based practice (Walden University, 2011b). I look forward to meeting all the university outcomes as put out by the institution. Above all, I look forward to being able to impact positive change in the profession and the society at large after completing the program.

References

Walden University. (2011a). About the school. Retrieved from

http://www.waldenu.edu/Colleges-and-Schools/College-of-HealthSciences/15863.htm

Walden University. (2011b). Vision, mission, and goals. Retrieved from

https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=153&navoid=49950

Networking Opportunities

In this discussion board I will introduce myself, discuss Walden University’s foundation in relation to my aspirations, and the importance of professional networking. It is important to understand that each nurse has a unique background that influences the care they provide. Gaining nursing experiences and creating professional relationships can provide life long positive influences impacting patient’s lives, families, and communities.

Self-Introduction

My name is Krystal Simmons. I have worked in the healthcare system for over fifteen years in various settings. Some of my favorite nursing experiences include working in the primary care setting for seven years and the medical floor for almost two years.  I live in rural southern Ohio, married with two girls. In my free time I enjoy nature by running, hiking, kayaking, and swimming.

Dreams, Missions, and Visions

The vision and mission statements Walden University stands by promotes a modern curriculum in a challenging atmosphere that collaborates with each nursing professional’s lifestyle meeting the needs of individuals, families, and communities (Walden University, 2021). My plan for school is to become a family nurse practitioner and continue working in my rural hometown. I started this journey in 2017 after watching several nursing students complete clinicals at my primary care office. In 2019 I moved from the primary care setting to the inpatient medical floor to expand on my nursing background and experience. I feel that working on the medical floor has helped me become a better leader which will enhance my nursing as a practitioner in the future. Walden University’s MSN learning outcomes lists qualities a nursing professional will possess at the end of the program which includes the ongoing commitment to professional development, enhanced communications skills, and evidenced-based high-quality healthcare delivery skills (Walden University, 2021).

Academic and Professional Networking

Starting out as a state tested nursing assistant in 2003, I have learned that continued education opportunities, new experiences, and effective communication skills are some core materials that make up good nursing professionals. With almost twenty years of service in the nursing field I have developed several professional mentors and role models who have inspired and motivated me to strive for my nurse practitioner degree. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is just one group of professionals aimed at improving the health of the nation by supporting the advancement of the nurse practitioner role (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). Professional networking in the nursing field can take place in work and in continuing education settings. Professional networking within nursing professionals can influence healthcare systems, advance careers, and promote professional support in an ever changing, demanding profession (Schmidt, K., 2020).

In conclusion, I feel that gaining new experiences, creating new relationships, and learning to provide modern high quality evidenced based care will aide in my professional nursing development. Optimizing nursing experiences and relationships improves overall outcomes in all nursing aspects.

References

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2021).  Retrieved August 29, 2021, from https://www.aanp.org/membership

Schmidt, K. (2020). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-professional-networking-seriously/

Walden University. (2021). College of Nursing. Retrieved August 29, 2021, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-log-box-3837398

Walden University. (2021). Walden University catalog. Retrieved August 29, 2021, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu

Professional networking opportunities emphasize development of relationships and interactions among nurse practitioners and scholars. I have been a registered nurse (RN) with a BSN and my intent is to specialize as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. Having a family and trying to advance one’s education can be complex but I believe that my resolve to go back to school is critical in changing my career advancement and attaining requisite qualifications to improve the quality of care outcomes. My goal is to specialize in psychiatric mental health as nurse practitioner to help individuals, households, and communities as well as the health system deal with the opioid epidemic and associated mental health issues. Through this, I can bring social change to families and patients. After reflection on furthering my education in nursing, I realized that getting a master’s degree as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) will offer the education, knowledge and skills that I require to serve the population (ANCC, n.d). Therefore, my academic and professional goals entail getting a master’s degree and probably getting a terminal degree like Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to position myself as a psychiatric-mental nurse practitioner who can practice independently. Through the incorporation of personal and professional values like compassion, empath, integrity and hard work, I will offer patient-centered care for better outcomes.

Getting the right school is essential to meet my professional goals. The Walden University’s School of Nursing (SON) (n.d) vision and mission statement inspires me to understand that I can attain these goals. The school’s vision is having a unique learning community where knowledge is considered valuable when it allows graduates to develop solutions to critical society problems to advance the greater global good. As a master’s student, the knowledge and skills I acquire in through this university and its nursing school should be applied to effect change in communities in different areas of healthcare provision.

The MSN program outcomes and perspectives relate to my professional and academic goals as they expect one to acquire skills as an advanced nurse practitioner to implement change in their communities. The program’s perspectives include having social change and deployment of skills to generate local solutions to local challenges (Walden University, n.d b). These relate to my goals of providing quality care to families and developing interventions based on evidence-based practices. As I become a scholar-practitioner, it implies that I should show more dedication and commitment because of the challenges of the combination. As such the MSN program outcomes and perspectives will help me understand what is expected and what lies ahead for effective adjustments.

Networking is important as it allows one to interact with goals, share best practices in care, and get the motivation and inspiration to pursue professional and career development paths. Networking will help me achieve my professional and academic goals through interaction with colleagues to develop inter-professional and multidisciplinary collaborations (AANP, n.d). Through the collaborations I will enhance approaches to patient situations and offer the best optimal care interventions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (n.d). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse

Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC). https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner/

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) (n.d). The Importance of NP Networking

 and How to Get Involved. https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/the-importance-of-np-networking-and-how-to-get-involved

Walden University (n.d.) Social Change. https://www.waldenu.edu/why-walden/social-change

Walden University (n.d.b). Walden and Social Change.

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/social change/mission