Assignment: Academic Success & Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan

Collaboration among nurses enrolled in the same programs is critical to nursing quality and patient comfort. Nursing students in the same program manage the same assignments and debate concepts from different perspectives. Colleagues in the MSN program would be invaluable in addressing concerns and overcoming challenges I could experience in the program. The support network we build will be critical in establishing future contacts that will assist us in finding work and understanding daily changes and practice requirements. I look forward to learning from my teammates as they learn from me.

As I work toward my MSN, it’s critical for me to continue learning from others, especially those who are actively working in the industry. Such individuals are well-versed in challenges that develop in practice when conditions change, as well as how nursing issues, such as sickness dynamics, evolve with time. Through these, nurses learn how to apply their expertise to suit the requirements of the public. Dr. Shari Lawson’s vast experience in the health practice while working at Johns Hopkins would be invaluable in studying themes and information on new difficulties, as well as how to adequately prepare to meet changing professional needs.

Week 1 | Part 1: My Academic and Professional Network

When joining college, nursing students are usually gray in many areas, and professional knowledge develops as they learn concepts in their respective fields and network with peers. For nurses to complete their programs successfully, academic and professional support is essential. This support is enhanced by collaborating inter-professionally. Interprofessional collaboration is vital in nursing since it provides nurses with platforms for social and professional interaction as they work in teams (Moss et al., 2016). It is a way to share knowledge and resources. Networking opens a broader sphere of influence. According to Goolsby and Knestrick (2017), professional networking is an element that enables nurses to communicate with others with shared interests and expertise. It creates relationships that support new opportunities. Khanum et al. (2016) further mentioned that interdisciplinary networking provides nurses with contacts for personal development and establishing contacts that make them better patient care providers. This section of my plan describes the academic and professional resources that I believe will be instrumental in my nursing program.

NETWORK MEMBER 1

Name: Karen Ouzts

Title: Program Director

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes:  When pursuing any professional program in a learning institution, it is crucial to look for people who can guide when academic matters are not progressing as expected. They are the people to consult due to their in-depth experience about the practice and educational issues. Dr. Ouzts is well-conversant with Walden University’s academic structure and how the nursing environment operates, having taught in the university for about a decade. She has also taught various courses whose concepts are applicable in many nursing areas and can be consulted on them. They include the role of nurses in population health and preserving health in a diverse society. As a scholar, Dr. Ouzts has written various books and articles, which I will read to improve my experience.

Also Check Out: NURS 6501 Knowledge Check Psychological Disorders

NETWORK MEMBER 2

 Name: MSN Colleagues

Title: RN/MSN/NP Students

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Excellence and comfort in nursing depend largely on how nurses team up with their colleagues in the same programs. Under the same program, nurse students handle the same assignments and discuss concepts from different perspectives. MSN colleagues would be vital in discussing issues and overcoming challenges I am likely to experience in the program. The support system we will establish would be critical in forming future networks to enable us to get employment and understand practice requirements and changes occurring every day. I look forward to learning from my colleagues as they learn from me as well.

Notes: As I pursue the MSN program, it is crucial to keep learning from others, particularly those involved in the practice directly. Such individuals are adequately informed on matters happening in practice as situations change and how nursing matters, including illness dynamics, change over time. Through them, nurses get insight into how to utilize their knowledge to address population needs. Due to her broad experience in the health practice as an employee of Johns Hopkins, Dr. Shari Lawson would be crucial in research matters and information on emerging issues and how to prepare well to meet the changing professional demands.

NETWORK MEMBER 4

Name: Diane Whitehead

Title: Program Director

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Diane Whitehead is experienced and honored in many areas of the nursing practice. She has been actively teaching and administering associate degree, bachelor, and graduate nursing programs for a while. Also, she has published several books on the nursing practice and online nursing education. I chose her due to her vast experience in evidence-based practice, having taught several courses in this area. Lehane et al. (2019) and Chien (2019) noted that nurses implement research findings to improve patient outcomes, the work environment, and the clinical practice through evidence-based practice. As I look forward to gaining more knowledge on my program, I will also be looking for guidance and knowledge to supplement what I will be learning. I believe that Diane Whitehead is among the most suited to guide me in this area.

ADDITIONAL NETWORK MEMBERS

Nursing Association (ANA) Members

Title: RN/MSN/NP

Organization: American Nursing Association

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes:  As a nurse student or when actively engaged in the nursing profession, nurses need a lot of information about professional demands, ideas of excellence or failure, and changes characterizing the health practice over time. The best people to liaise with are those registered in professional bodies. Since these professional bodies have options for nurse students, it is crucial to register to get a chance to know how the health care industry operates. I look forward to benefiting from representation as I use the professional network to expand my knowledge and access more information and resources to become an excellent and committed nurse.

In conclusion, networking enhances professional knowledge diversely. Although nurses gain a lot of information through classwork, they need to discuss concepts from different perspectives, hence networking with their colleagues. Challenges are part of the practice, and nurses require guidance in many areas. Academic and professional networks are the ideal sources of the required support system.

 References

Chien, L. Y. (2019). Evidence-based practice and nursing research. The Journal of Nursing Research, 27(4), e29. doi: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000346

Goolsby, M. J., & Knestrick, J. M. (2017). Effective professional networking. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(8), 441-445. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12484

Khanum, S., Souza, M. D. L. D., Naz, N., Sasso, G. T. M. D., Brüggemann, O. M., & Heideman, I. T. S. B. (2016). The use of networking in nursing practice—An integrative review. Societies, 6(3), 22. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/6/3/22/pdf

Lehane, E., Leahy-Warren, P., O’Riordan, C., Savage, E., Drennan, J., O’Tuathaigh, C., … & Hegarty, J. (2019). Evidence-based practice education for healthcare professions: an expert view. BMJ evidence-based medicine, 24(3), 103-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2018-111019

Moss, E., Seifert, P. C., & O’Sullivan, A. (2016). Registered nurses as interprofessional collaborative partners: creating value-based outcomes. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(3). doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No03Man04

Week 2 | Part 2: Academic Resources and Strategies

Academic and professional resources are essential in processing and understanding skills acquired in the MSN program. Importantly, the strategies used in academics are important as they facilitate the degree of understanding of the learner and development of an environment for better knowledge acquisition (Bradshaw, 2017). On their part, professional resources or strategies enable learners in MSN programs to establish and nurture a credible and reliable network that allows them to develop personally and professionally after complete their program. As such, the following academic and professional development resources or strategies will be important in this MSN program.

Academic Resource/Strategy 1: Academic Mentorship

Academic mentorship is the first resource that I will use while undertaking the MSN program. Mentorship denotes the process of nurturing that entails learning from more experienced professionals and organizations to attain the necessary knowledge. The MSN program at Walden is conducted through mentorship programs by the enrolment advisor’s office. Based on the program, the university arranges for professional networking that I will use to derive both knowledge and skills from more experienced nursing practitioners. The academic coaches will enable me to acquire and learn skills while at the institution.

Academic Resource/Strategy 2: Library

The library is the second resource that I will use for academic learning at this institution. Walden University’s central library provides learners access to relevant books, articles and journals. The library’s central database is accessible from any part of the institution and has different databases relevant to advanced nursing education. Furthermore, students can remotely access the library and get an avenue to conduct detailed research and acquire more knowledge (Bradshaw, 2017). The library has resource individuals like the librarian who can guide students on how to research and access critical information for the MSN program.

Academic Resource/Strategy 3: Peer Study Groups

Peer study groups will offer a third academic strategy as the university provide effective learning opportunities through these online discussion boards. The online program offers one the opportunity to interact with fellow MSN students from different parts of the country and even world for effective discussions on their experiences and responding to questions (Bradshaw, 2017). Through the discussion groups, I will learn and understand new concepts and their application in nursing practice.

Academic Resource/Strategy 4:  The Writing Center

The fourth resource that I will deploy is the writing center. The resource offers graduate students with additional opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge on various styles of writing and how to report their research findings. The center also offers guidance to students on different ways to write their reports in a better and effective manner. I will utilize the writing center to get assistance on issues like proofreading and enhancing my research skills to ensure that they meet the required standards. I hope to get research-related information on issues like writing guidelines that I will use to improve my overall approach to research in this program. The implication is that as a resource, the center will offer increased opportunities to access evidence-based approaches to research and interactions with other students that will share their perspectives on different issues in the course for effective delivery and meeting expected performance.

Professional Resource/Strategy 1: Professional Mentorship

Professional mentorship is a professional strategy that I will use while understanding the MSN program. Walden University allows its MSN program students to develop professional through various attachment to nursing institutions. The internship program allows MSN program students to acquire primary skills through practical engagement while being guided by more experienced health professionals (Gilmore et al., 2017). The aim of this arrangement is to facilitate the learning process by establishing a link between practice and theoretical components of study. Professional mentorship allows students to get hand-on skills in advanced practice nursing, especially in specialty areas.

Professional Resource/Strategy 2: Nursing Bodies and Organizations

The second professional strategy that I will utilize to succeed in the MSN course and nursing practice are professional nursing bodies and organizations. The development of knowledge and networking opportunities are essential components in the MSN program. Students in the program should be informed on activities and events that impact their practice and get connected to other advanced practice nurses in the state and around the country. Professional nursing entities like the American Nurses Association (ANA) offer nurses the opportunity to participate in professional activities and research events like conferences, seminars, and workshops to enhance their practice and apply their educational knowledge (ANA, n.d). The bodies also set and review standards and ethical principles that guide nursing practice. Participation in these organizations through different avenues is critical in developing new insights and understanding research trends.

Professional Resource/Strategy 3: Development Programs

The third resource or strategy that I will deploy are development programs that denote to necessary interventions that the institution has to guide the acquisition of important skills for learners. For instance, the approaches under the program focus on sharpening both communication and interactive skills among learners as the foundation of improving interpersonal skills (Gilmore et al., 2017). Imperatively, MSN program learners require soft skills as they are valuable in future workplace as nurses will interact with patients to get relevant information in nursing practice.

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE/STRATEGY 4: The Librarian

The fourth resource from a professional perspective is the librarian. Studies show that librarians possess extensive knowledge and skills on acquiring various sources of evidence-based research information and statistics. As professionals, they possess adept experience in deployment of various research tools that can be utilized in developing researches, dissertations and proposals by graduate students. MSN students can use these tools to advance their research through an effective librarian support. The librarian can help one advance their understanding on different concepts associated with the acquisition, review and analysis of literature and how to present data. The librarian will help me in getting resources from the library, especially literature aligned with my project and how it helps one get their goals effectively in research. I will guidelines on complex citations and adherence to institutional expectations, particularly on quality and integrity of the research work.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES/STRATEGIES: Time Management

An additional strategy that I will employ to attain my success in the program is time management. I will ascertain that I utilize the available time in the most appropriate way to meet the program’s demands and requirements like submission of assignments and homework as well as discussions and respective responses. I will prioritize the tasks that are most important and complete them on time. I will strive to create a balance between the different roles and duties that I have, right from professional duties to personal obligations. The other strategy is to be active in group discussions and ensure that I collaborate effectively with all members and the faculty. I will ensure that I take a leading role in projects and attain optimum productivity by using better communication aspects like enhanced interactions and feedback from colleagues. The last strategy is self-discipline to help me meet all the goals and success requirements. I will ensure that I meet the rules and regulations of the university on issues like academic integrity and performance.

Conclusion

These resources and strategies demonstrate the need for MSN program students to be proactive and focused on succeeding in their studies as well as translating their knowledge into practice. Academic and professional resources or strategies will be critical in getting better education and knowledge for effective care delivery as I advance in nursing education under the MSN program. These resources and strategies are critical in helping me meet my goals and attain advanced qualifications through attainment of the MSN degree.

 References

American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d). Professional Development Resources.

https://www.nursingworld.org/membership/member-benefits/professional-development-resources/

Bradshaw, M. J. (2017). Innovative teaching strategies in nursing and related health

            professions. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Gilmore, J., Wofford, A. M., & Maher, M. A. (2017). The flip side of the attrition coin:

Faculty perceptions of factors supporting graduate student success. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 11, 419-439. DOI: 10.28945/3618

Walden University. (2019). Discover Online Nursing Degrees.

https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/nursing

Week 3 | Part 3: Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics

Introduction

Professional integrity incorporates behaviors consistent with the ethical and professional expectations in nursing practices. On the other hand, academic integrity combines five major fundamental values, including fairness, honesty, trust, respect, as well as responsibility for the entire academic works. In both nursing education and profession, there is always the need for individuals involved to adhere to educational and professional integrity so at to ensure effective practices. Academic integrity is usually observed at all levels of learning processes, from discussion, assignments, to examinations. Students or learners are always expected to maintain the originality of their works and ensure that there is no plagiarism. Also, there is always the need to ensure appropriate grammar before submitting assignments. Plagiarism is regarded as a serious offense in the writing process. In most cases, learners found to have plagiarized opinions, thoughts, as well as ideas of other people without recognition are subject to disciplinary actions such as course failure and suspension. In the professional environment, moral and ethical principles dictate different aspects of human lives. Established social, ethical, and moral principles considerably enable individuals to co-exist and live harmoniously with each other. A high level of professionalism often begins at the education level. While in nursing school and other different colleges, learners are always taught to maintain a high level of integrity; through continuous learning processes, they become familiar with most of the requirements in professional practices. The purpose of this paper is to determine the connection between academic and professional integrity.

The Relationship between Academic Integrity and Writing

Academic integrity is perceived as the backbone of academic and professional writing. In other words, while writing academic papers, there is always the need for nursing and other students to adhere to the requirements that lead to quality papers. Academic integrity involves taking appropriate measures and responsibilities and exhibiting honesty in writing and presenting original work. While writing, it is necessary for the students and other professionals to give credit to the scholarly works used when presenting one’s ideas. Academic papers need to have citations that acknowledges other people’s idea. These citations also need to have references to the sources that have been used. In general, while doing academic writing, it is necessary for one to observe academic integrity.

In most cases, the perception of the readers, as well as the level of writing, are always shaped by academic integrity expressed by the authors in the course of writing. One of the virtues of academic integrity is producing plagiarism-free papers by either paraphrasing ideas or acknowledging other people’s ideas through the application of citations. Also, proper referencing needs to be made at the end of the paper. Additionally, creativity is always required in the writing process; creativity care therefore be expressed through the presentation of original work. Academic integrity is critical in different aspects of life. Usually, high personality, integrity, as well as a discipline are molded through adherence to academic integrity, a scenario that creates a good association with the written work of a given author.

The Relationship between Professional Practices and Scholarly Ethics

Professional practices refer to the conducts and behaviors that guide different professionals in a given work environment. Every organization has different requirements and standards on how employees need to behave. On the other, scholarly ethics incorporate moral and academic integrity while undertaking research processes and different coursework. Scholarly ethics may also involve moral and academic integrity, often observed during examinations often conducted at the end of every study. Both scholarly ethics and professional practices have always been intertwined since they build on each other. Individuals with a high level of scholarly ethics are bound to have strong skills that can also be expressed into high standards of professional practices (Bealle, 2017). Through practicing scholarly ethics, an individual’s creativity, and confidence and builds when engaged in different things. Gaining confidence and creativity through scholarly ethics can lead to excellent professional practices.

In some cases, developing and maintaining both professional and academic ethics and integrity can be challenging. The strict requirements may force some people to avoid adhering to professional and scholarly practices (Memon et al., 2019). However, failure to follow guidelines that lead to academic integrity often leads to severe consequences such as disqualification from learning institutions. Individuals who are able to follow academic guidelines are more likely to achieve best professional practices. Scholarly ethics is effectively defined in nursing practices; however, professional practices may change due to internal and external forces that guide the ever-changing nursing profession. As a result, there is the need for healthcare institutions to continuously engage in establishing effective professional ethics among learners and the entire academic integrity.

How Grammarly, Safe Assign, And Paraphrasing Contributes to Academic Integrity

There are different tools that can be applied while writing academic papers. These tools are always applied in improving the general quality of the paper. These tools can also be applied to reduce the similar index for the academic papers submitted. Grammarly and Safe Assign software are always applied in academic writing to enhance the quality of papers (Elmunsyah et al., 2018). Since plagiarism is considered a severe offense in academic writing, Safe Assign can reduce the similarity index. Grammarly can also be applied to detect and correct the existing errors or omissions in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuations, and sentence structures. Most universities and other learning institutions often provide these tools to allow students to check their assignments before submission. For writers who want to reduce the levels of plagiarism, paraphrasing is always considered the best approach. It involves rephrasing other people’s ideas or opinions.

Most writers are often involved in paraphrasing to ensure a significant reduction in the level of plagiarism. Through the application of the above tools, writers or students can identify areas that require citations and rephrasing. The application of the above tools can significantly reduce the similarity index. In general, the application of the above tools can improve the quality of original work (Badge & Scott, 2019). The above tools often lead to the overall improvement in academic integrity. Students who use the above tools often obtain high scores in their assignments. They also tend to produce original papers that portray a high level of creativity. Safe Assign automatically conducts checks by comparing the written papers against online databases and institutional databases. The instructors can also apply the safe Assign tool to check the originality of the assignments submitted by students. When students are involved in the use of Grammarly and Safe Assign, they are able to check and correct the similarity index and remove plagiarism below the required level.

Conclusion

Most writers are often involved in paraphrasing to ensure a significant reduction in the level of plagiarism. Through the application of the above tools, writers or students can identify areas that require citations and rephrasing. Developing and maintaining both professional and academic ethics and integrity can be challenging. Academic integrity is perceived as the backbone of academic and professional writing. In other words, while writing academic papers, there is always the need for nursing and other students to adhere to the requirements that lead to quality papers.

References

Badge, J., & Scott, J. (2019). Dealing with plagiarism in the digital age. Synthesis, 1-18. https://evidencenet.pbworks.com/f/Badge_Scott_plagiarism.pdf

Elmunsyah, H., Suswanto, H., Asfani, K., & Hidayat, W. (2018, July). The effectiveness of plagiarism checker implementation in scientific writing for vocational high school. In International Conference on Indonesian Technical Vocational Education and Association (APTEKINDO 2018) (pp. 192-196). Atlantis Press. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wahyu-Nur-Hidayat-3/publication/328342735_The_Effectiveness_of_Plagiarism_Checker_Implementation_in_Scientific_Writing_for_Vocational_High_School/links/5fc7a42492851c00f84543c4/The-Effectiveness-of-Plagiarism-Checker-Implementation-in-Scientific-Writing-for-Vocational-High-School.pdf

Memon, M. A., Salleh, R., & Baharom, M. N. R. (2019). The link between training satisfaction, work engagement and turnover intention. European Journal of Training and Development. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EJTD-10-2015-0077/full/html

Bealle, P. (2017). Community college academic integrity lessons that put research into practice. Theory Into Practice, 56(2), 144-155. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00405841.2017.1283573

PART 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

Expand on your thoughts from Part 1 by:

Introduction

 Maintaining both professional and academic integrity is critical (Ison & Szathmary, 2018). To score high on assignments, students always need to use tools such as Grammarly, Safe Assign, and paraphrasing tools (Badge & Scott, 2019). These tools are used to ensure appropriate grammar, plagiarism-free papers, as well as proper citations for the borrowed ideas and opinions. This section aims to examine the strategies that can be employed in maintaining the integrity of work.

• Academic Work While a Student of the MSN Program

As a student of the MSN Program, I will ensure the application of appropriate tools that ensure plagiarism-free papers. In other words, I will adhere to the application of tools such as Grammarly, Safe Assign as well as paraphrasing tools. Also, I will ensure timely delivery of assignments to avoid the rush that often leads to the submission of poorly structured and constructed papers. While writing assignments, I will also ensure the integration of citations and references to acknowledge the work and opinions of other authors.

• Professional Work as A Nurse Throughout Your Career

As a professional nurse, it is always necessary to maintain a high level of integrity to ensure quality and effective care delivery. I may adhere to the evidence-based practices and research processes to ensure the integrity of the papers being submitted. Additionally, I will adhere to scholarly practices to ensure accurate healthcare delivery outcomes (Elmunsyah et al., 2018). Finally, I will ensure compassion, empathy, as well as honesty in professional practice to ensure successful healthcare outcomes. Healthcare professionals are required to adhere to professional practices to ensure effective treatment outcomes (Garcia et al., 2020).

References

Badge, J., & Scott, J. (2019). Dealing with plagiarism in the digital age. Synthesis, 1-18. https://evidencenet.pbworks.com/f/Badge_Scott_plagiarism.pdf

Elmunsyah, H., Suswanto, H., Asfani, K., & Hidayat, W. (2018, July). The effectiveness of plagiarism checker implementation in scientific writing for vocational high school. In International Conference on Indonesian Technical Vocational Education and Association (APTEKINDO 2018) (pp. 192-196). Atlantis Press. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wahyu-Nur-Hidayat-3/publication/328342735_The_Effectiveness_of_Plagiarism_Checker_Implementation_in_Scientific_Writing_for_Vocational_High_School/links/5fc7a42492851c00f84543c4/The-Effectiveness-of-Plagiarism-Checker-Implementation-in-Scientific-Writing-for-Vocational-High-School.pdf

Garcia, R., Chaiprasert, K., & Velasquez, K. (2020). Academic Freedom: Intellectual Integrity in Times of Institutional Change. https://preprints.apsanet.org/engage/apsa/article-details/5e3b746e0238e40018302a79

Ison, D. C., & Szathmary, K. J. (2018). Assessing academic integrity using SafeAssign plagiarism detection software. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 34(1). https://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view/7444

Week 4 | Part 4: Research Analysis

Nursing students taking the MSN program need to understand the health care environment and issues that affect care delivery. Research analysis skills are critical tools for advanced education nursing students who seek to understand the different aspects of care and how to delivery better interventions for quality patient outcomes. One of such issues affecting health population is accessibility to health care services and resources, especially among low-income populations, households, and individuals. The enactment of health policies like the Affordable Care Act 2010 is focused on improving accessibility, lowering the cost of care and enhancing quality, especially for individuals from low-income settings. However, irrespective of the transformation and changes in the health care industry, millions of vulnerable Americans have limited access to care while the demand for health care increases due to the existing diversity and an aging population. As such, in this part, I review an article on the issue and reflect on the professional practice use of the concepts and theoretical frameworks described in the article.

Step 1: Research Analysis

Complete the table below

Recommending the Article for Professional Practice

The need to understand barriers to healthcare accessibility is essential for professional practitioners like nurses. In this case, the article shows how vulnerable communities fail to access primary care services due to a host of issues; key among them social determinants of health. Therefore, I would recommend the article to inform professional practice as it describes the barriers faced by vulnerable communities in accessing primary care interventions.

Summary of Analysis

Analyzing a peer-reviewed article is essential in identifying care aspects under study in research. As such, one need to possess critical thinking abilities and use analytical models related to the study topic or area. Based on these aspects, my approach focused on getting the most critical and common issue that impacts health care delivery system in the United States. Despite enactment of different legal frameworks at state and federal levels, millions of Americans continue to face hurdles in accessing health care resources and services (Ware et al., 2017). Vulnerable populations and individuals that consist mainly of racial minorities face unprecedented levels of low accessibility to these resources.

Identifying and analyzing peer-reviewed research is critical to clinical and nursing practice, especially the translation of evidence into care practice for better patient outcomes and accessibility. In this case, my approach to the identification and analysis of the peer-reviewed research depends on ensuring that I get my topic of interest and one that aligns with the issues affecting healthcare delivery, especially the concept of accessibility.

I will use various strategies that I employed to effectively find peer-reviewed research article for the topic and the other future projects as I undertake my MSN program. The first strategy in this case was the application of the right search words in different database to get the article. Secondly, finding peer-reviewed journals on the relevant issue enables one to get the best articles, particularly from primary research works. One can also employ various resources to access peer-reviewed research studies (Tulimiero et al., 2021). Among these resources is Walden online library with journal databases from different areas and specialties. These include databases like Medline, Cochrane library and CINAHL plus among others.

Conclusion

Research analysis is an important component of completing an MSN program and nurse students need to use the opportunity to improve their critical thinking skills and analytical abilities. Limited access to healthcare remains a critical challenge to care provision, particularly among the vulnerable communities in both rural and urban settings. Generating viable solutions to the problem is important to enhancing quality of care in community health settings.

References

Ahmed, S. (2017). Using eHealth Technologies: Interests, Preferences, and Concerns of Older Adults. Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 6(1), e3. http://doi.org.library.capella.edu/10.2196/ijmr.4447

Bhatt, J. D. O. & Priya, B. J. D. (2018).  Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care in

to health care access in rural Latino communities: an innovative model in the eastern Coachella Valley. The Journal of Rural Health, 37(3), 635-644. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12483

Tulimiero, M., Garcia, M., Rodriguez, M., & Cheney, A. M. (2021). Overcoming barriers

Vulnerable Communities. Academic Medicine, 93(9):1271-1275. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000002254

Ware, P., Bartlett, S. J., Paré, G., Symeonidis, I., Tannenbaum, C., Bartlett, G., …

 Week 5 | Part 5: Professional Development

I have developed a curriculum vitae to capture my academic and professional accomplishments to date.

The results of my efforts are below.

 Directions: Complete Step a curriculum vitae (CV) in the space provided.

Academic accomplishments are vital parts of professional development, and an academic portfolio is essential for building a professional’s brand (Elciyar, 2021). It is worth noting that a professional portfolio is much more than building own brand is it can be a base for building vision, mission, and establishing development goals (Seldin, P., & Miller, 2018). It is important to undertake the process of developing a portfolio as it makes an individual develop various skills and identify skills that the person has gained through various experiences and how the experiences relate to the career of interest. A portfolio contains various parts, including, statement of originality, work philosophy, career goals, a resume, and skill areas (Chaudhuri, T., & Cabau, 2017). Therefore, this latest part of the academic and professional success plan entails the addition of my resume.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Modesta Chioma Gathers

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented nurse with experience in leadership and management roles. Organized and great interpersonal skills.

Skills

 Caring and sympathetic            Great ability to multi-task         Organized

Leadership skills                          Able to think critically                Attention to detail

Experience

 Direct Care Professional Merakey, Broomall, PA

Administered medications as prescribed by doctors for the best health of the patients. Aided families in adjusting to lifestyle changes.

Assisted clients in getting involved in community events and projects.

Listened to and resolved patient concerns.

July 2016 – Current

Direct Care Professional

Amudipe’s Residential and Day Treatment Facilities, Clifton Heights, PA

Engaged clients in game playing, going on walks or having conversations.

June 2016 – Current

Handled personal hygiene of convalescents, such as bathing, grooming and getting dressed every morning. Administered medications as prescribed by doctors for the best health of the patients.

Social welfare officer

Ministry of women affairs &social development, Owerri, imo state, Nigeria

March 2009 – April 2014

Collaborated with [Department, team or personnel] to plan, develop and implement [Project, program or process].

Registered Nurse Private Hospital Owerri, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.

Registered Nurse-Recovery center of America Devon, PA.

Registered Nurse-Lincoln healthcare services, PA

Charge Nurse-Fairmount behavioral       healthcare      services, PA

April 2011 – February 2014

March 2020

March 2020 -Current

August 2020-Current

Education

Associate degree – school of nursing ministry of health, Owerri, imo state, Nigeria                                  November 2010

Bachelor’s degree -Sociology and Anthropology, imo state university, Owerri, imo state, Nigeria               March 2003

Bachelor’s degree in nursing- Grand Canyon University, Arizona                                                                                   May 2021

Conclusion

A professional portfolio is one of the most important documents for a professional. With every section or part keenly written, it can be instrumental for building vision, mission, and establishing development goals. This section has entailed writing a curriculum vitae part of the portfolio.

References

Chaudhuri, T., & Cabau, B. (Eds.). (2017). E-portfolios in higher education: A multidisciplinary approach. Springer.

Elciyar, K. (2021). Social Media and Career Building: Creating Online Portfolios and Personal Brands. In Innovative Perspectives on Corporate Communication in the Global World (pp. 22-37). IGI Global.

Seldin, P., & Miller, J. E. (2018). The academic portfolio: A practical guide to documenting teaching, research, and service. John Wiley & Sons.

Week 6 | Part 6: Finalizing the Plan

This course has focused on the development of sections of an academic and professional plan in the past weeks. Vision and goals, academic and professional network of support, research strategies, work integrity, and the value of consulting the work of others have been explored. Part of an academic and professional development plan includes being cognizant of the formal standards and career guidelines that govern a particular specialty. These standards are important for a nurse specialist to establish grounds of excellence in that particular specialty (Cusack & Smith, 2020). Identifying a relevant organization is a good starting point as the nurse organizations focus on, among other things, helping the professionals grow in the profession, advance education, and become established professionals. This latest part of the academic and professional development plan deals with a nurse specialty comparison, justification for choosing the Master of Nursing specialization. In addition, a professional organization will be identified, and ways of becoming an active member of the organization will also be explored. Walden University provides various nursing specialties that nursing students can choose from to advance their careers and achieve their goals. Various nursing specialties offered by Walden University include psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner, family nurse practice, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, among others. The purpose of this section is therefore to finalize the academic and professional success plan template by comparing specialties.

Comparison of Nursing Specialties

As indicated earlier, it took me some time to settle on psychiatry nursing as my specialty. This section, therefore, compares psychiatry nurse practitioners and family nurse practitioners. While the two specialties have similarities when it comes to responsibilities and job descriptions, there are also differences. One of the similarities is that both the psychiatry nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner are allowed to assess and diagnose their patients and offer treatment, even though the extent of autonomy may differ from state to state (Fagerström, 2021). Various differences exist, though. For instance, family nurse practitioners focus on caring for physical or medical illnesses like abdominal pain. The implication is that they offer care to individuals presenting with injury, infection, and acute illnesses. On the other hand, a psychiatric nurse practitioner by training possesses knowledge of caring for patients presenting with psychological or psychiatric illnesses. They can handle patients in need of high levels of care, presenting with persistent mental illness symptoms, or those who have complicated diseases (Fagerström, 2021). As opposed to the family nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioners are authorized to diagnose mental health patients using DSM 5 and offer them psychotherapy.

Another significant difference comes in the form of certification and licensure requirements. The family nurse practitioner has to complete an examination from either the American Nurse Credentialing Center or the Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Board to obtain certification. If specializing further in a specific field of study, the nurse would need more hours of training and education besides additional certification examination (Phoenix, 2019). For one to obtain certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, they have to write a certification examination given by the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Besides further specialization, for instance, as a pediatrician, the nurse has to take additional coursework dealing with psychiatric-mental health.

Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty

Even though I have always been motivated to continue my education as an APRN after my initial stages of nursing education, one worry has been making the correct choice regarding the specialty. So I had difficulty choosing the correct specialty as some are regarded to involve far much more work and more demanding than others. However, I was eventually convinced that psychiatry nursing is the way to go after observing one of our neighbors diagnosed with mental illness, but I was so inadequate that I was not able to help much. Over the years, there has been more awareness on mental health illness which has helped fight the existing misconceptions and myths about the disease (Latha et al., 2021). I got various replies from my peer regarding my choice of psychiatry nursing. For instance, I got encouragement that it is a good field to pursue. One thing I also noted from the replies is that others just like me struggled at first to choose an area of specialization, but after consultations and varying experiences, they were able to settle on an area.

Step 3: Professional Organizations

One of the most relevant professional organizations to psychiatry nurse practitioners is the American Psychiatry Nurse Association. Professional organizations are essential for professional growth and advancing education (Crumley, 2020). For one to become a member of the organization, the individual has to pay a regular membership fee of $135, must be a registered nurse, and should also be able to pay dues. For affiliate membership, being a registered nurse is not mandatory. The student membership fee is only $25 (APNA, 2021). The organization gives opportunities for professional growth and continual education. In addition, the information and networking opportunities provided by the organization are also immense.

Conclusion

This closing section has explored various aspects of nurse specialty. A comparison has been given between Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner, which is my specialty, and family nurse practitioner, with the focus given to areas of practice and responsibility. In addition, justification for choosing psychiatry and a relevant professional organization has been presented.

References

APNA. (2021). Membership types and dues. https://www.apna.org/m/pages.cfm?pageid=3293.

Crumley, C. (2020). The Benefits of Active Engagement in Nursing Professional Organizations: A View from Here. Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing, 47(6), 547. Doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000700

Cusack, L., & Smith, M. (2020). Portfolios for Nursing, Midwifery and other Health Professions, E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Fagerström, L. M. (2021). A Caring Advanced Practice Nursing Model: Theoretical Perspectives and Competency Domains. Springer Nature.

Latha, K., Meena, K. S., Pravitha, M. R., Dasgupta, M., & Chaturvedi, S. K. (2020). Effective use of social media platforms for promotion of mental health awareness. Journal of education and health promotion, 9. https://dx.doi.org/10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_90_20.

Phoenix, B. J. (2019). The current psychiatric mental health registered nurse workforce. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1078390318810417

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.

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.

NURS 6003/NURS 6003A/NURS 6003F/NRSE 6003C/NURS 6003N/NURS 6003C

NURS6003 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing

Week 1 Assignment  

Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1: Developing an Academic and Professional Network

When was the last time you read Meditation XVII of John Donne’s Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions?

Unless you are a student of seventeenth-century poetry, you may not be all that familiar with this piece. However, you may be much more familiar with one of its well-known phrases: “No man is an island…”.

As you begin your journey toward achieving your academic and professional goals, you have a great opportunity to network with academics and professionals who can help ensure you do not travel alone. This network can help to clarify your own vision for success and can help guide you now and in the future. To paraphrase Donne, no one is an island.

Begin creating an academic and professional network by identifying which academic and professional connections and resources with which you need to collaborate to succeed in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse.

To Prepare:

Consider individuals, departments, teams, and/or resources within Walden University and within your profession that you believe can support your academic and professional success.

Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals, colleagues, or teams that might help you succeed in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse.

Download the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.

The Assignment:

Academic and Professional Network

Complete Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template. Be sure to address the following:

Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse.

Explain why you selected these individuals and/or teams and how they will support your success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse.

By Day 7 of Week 1

Submit Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.

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 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.

Click the Week 1 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 “WK1Assgn+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.

NURS 6003/NURS 6003A/NURS 6003F/NRSE 6003C/NURS 6003N/NURS 6003C

NURS6003 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing

Week 3 Assignment  

Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 2: Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics

Nurse-scholars have a significant obligation to their community as well. Their work must have academic and professional integrity. Their efforts are designed to add to the body of knowledge, advance the profession, and ultimately help in the care of patients. Work that lacks integrity is subject to erode quickly or worse.

Fortunately, there are strategies and tools that can help ensure integrity in academic and professional work. This Assignment asks you to consider these tools and how you might apply them to your own work.

In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by appending the original document you began in the previous assignment.

To Prepare:

Reflect on the strategies presented in the Resources for this Module in support of academic style, integrity, and scholarly ethics.

Reflect on the connection between academic and professional integrity.

The Assignment:

Part 2, Section 1: Writing Sample: The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity

Using the Academic and Professional Success Development Template you began in Module 1, write a 2- to 3-paragraph analysis that includes the following:

Explanation for the relationship between academic integrity and writing

Explanation for the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics

Cite at least two resources that support your arguments, being sure to use proper APA formatting.

Use Grammarly and SafeAssign to improve the product.

Explain how Grammarly, Safe Assign, and paraphrasing contributes to academic integrity.

Part 2, Section 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

Expand on your thoughts from Section 1 by identifying and describing strategies you intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of your:

academic work as a student of the MSN program and

professional work as a nurse throughout your career. Include a review of resources and approaches you propose to use as a student and a professional.

Note: Add your work for this Assignment to the original document you began in the Module 1 Assignment, which was built from the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.

By Day 7 of Week 3

Submit both Section 1 and Section 2 of Part 2.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK3Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.

Click the Week 3 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.

Click the Week 3 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 “WK3Assgn+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.

NURS 6003/NURS 6003A/NURS 6003F/NRSE 6003C/NURS 6003N/NURS 6003C

NURS6003 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing

Week 5 Assignment  

Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 3: Research Analysis

Architect Daniel Libeskind is credited with saying “To provide meaningful architecture is not to parody history, but to articulate it.” The suggestion is that his work does not copy the efforts of others but relies on it.

Understanding the work of others is critically important to new work. Contributions to the nursing body of knowledge can happen when you are able to analyze and articulate the efforts of previous research. Research analysis skills are therefore critical tools for your toolbox.

In this Assignment, you will locate relevant existing research. You also will analyze this research using a tool helpful for analysis.

To Prepare:

Reflect on the strategies presented in the Resources this Module’s Learning Resources in support of locating and analyzing research.

Use the Walden Library to identify and read one peer-reviewed research article focused on a topic in your specialty field that interests you.

Review the article you selected and reflect on the professional practice use of theories/concepts described by the article.

The Assignment:

Using the “Module 3 | Part 3” section of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template presented in the Resources, conduct an analysis of the elements of the research article you identified. Be sure to include the following:

Your topic of interest.

A correctly formatted APA citation of the article you selected, along with link or search details.

Identify a professional practice use of the theories/concepts presented in the article.

Analysis of the article using the “Research Analysis Matrix” section of the template

Write a 1-paragraph justification stating whether you would recommend this article to inform professional practice.

Write a 2- to 3-paragraph summary that you will add to your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan that includes the following:

Describe your approach to identifying and analyzing peer-reviewed research.

Identify at least two strategies that you would use that you found to be effective in finding peer-reviewed research.

Identify at least one resource you intend to use in the future to find peer-reviewed research.

Note: Add your work for this Assignment to the original document you began in the Module 1 Assignment, which was built from the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.

By Day 7 of Week 5

Submit your analysis, including your completed section of the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template sections and your matrix and summary.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK5Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.

Click the Week 5 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.

Click the Week 5 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 “Wk5Assgn+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.

NURS 6003/NURS 6003A/NURS 6003F/NRSE 6003C/NURS 6003N/NURS 6003C

NURS6003 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing

Week 7 Assignment  

Meditrek and the Practicum Plan

One of the requirements you must successfully complete for the Master of Science in Nursing is the Practicum(s). Everything you need to know about the Practicum requirements can be found in the Practicum Manual. It is important for you to be familiar with the Practicum Manual and the Practicum Requirements.

In preparation for the Practicum, you must identify your Preceptor(s), qualified nurses within a practicum site who are responsible for guiding students’ practicum experiences. There are specific qualifications for Preceptors. Once you find a person who is interested in serving as your Preceptor, you must also find out whether this individual meets the qualifications to serve as your preceptor. It is never too early to begin looking for a Preceptor.

For this Assignment, you will first login to Meditrek, the application the College of Nursing uses to track all Practicum information and documentation. You also will identify potential Preceptors and Practicum Sites and indicate when you plan to take the Practicum course(s) by completing the Practicum Plan in Meditrek.

Note: Make sure to start on this assignment early just in case you have problems logging into Meditrek.

To Prepare – Locate your Meditrek Credentials (Username and Password):

Your credentials have been emailed to your Walden student email address.  Search your Walden student issued email to locate the email from support@meditrek.info.  (NOTE:  Do not email Meditrek directly, please use the following methods if you are unable to locate your Meditrek credentials.)

If you are unable to find your email, you may request your credentials emailed to you online by requesting a password reset online: https://edu.meditrek.com/public/ForgotPassword.aspx

If you are unable to obtain your username and password for Meditrek, complete the Meditrek Credential Request form.

If you are unable to reset your password online, call the Customer Care Team Support at 800-925-3368 or live chat via your student portal.

Within Meditrek, click the “Search Affiliation Agreements” link to review the database of affiliation agreements that Walden has with potential field sites in your specialty and area.

The Assignment:

Part 1:

Login to Meditrek.

Once you are logged into Mediatrek, utilize the following tutorial to create a PDF of the home screen.

How to save a webpage as a PDF

Part 2:

Using the affiliation agreement database search within Meditrek, identify potential Practicum Sites that are in your area.

Complete the Practicum Plan form found in Meditrek.

Once you have submitted the Practicum Plan, you will receive a confirmation email. Use the following tutorials to create a PDF of your confirmation email.

Windows – Save an email as a PDF file

Mac – Save an email as a PDF file

By Day 7 of Week 7

Submit the PDF of the Meditrek Home Screen and the email confirmation you received after submitting your Practicum Plan form in Meditrek

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK7Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.

Click the Week 7 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.

Click the Week 7 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 “WK7Assgn+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.

NURS 6003/NURS 6003A/NURS 6003F/NRSE 6003C/NURS 6003N/NURS 6003C

NURS6003 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing

Week 11 Assignment  

Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 4: 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 thought a great deal about 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 specialties. 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 1–4.

Note: For students in Nursing Education, Executive Nursing, Nursing Informatics, or Public Health Nursing, this Assignment is the first Portfolio Assignment in your program. You will have one Portfolio Assignment in each of your courses. You will need to save these Assignments for inclusion in your portfolio that you will submit in your Capstone course.

To Prepare:

Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty in the resources for this module.

Review the MSN specializations offered at Walden by viewing the module resource, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

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.

The Assignment:

Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.

With the resources specific to the MSN specialization and the, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), shared in this module, write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table, comparing at least two nursing specialties that include your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.

Write a 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this Module’s Discussion forum.

Identify the professional organization related to your chosen specialization 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.

By Day 5 of Week 11

Submit your final draft of Parts 1-4 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK11Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.

Click the Week 11 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.

Click the Week 11 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 “WK11Assgn+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.

Learning Objectives
Students will:
· Analyze difficulties in determining nursing specializations (D)
· Compare nursing specialties (A)
· Justify selection of MSN specialization (A)
· Analyze nursing specialization professional organization engagement strategies (A)
· Create Academic Success and Professional Development Plans(A)

Learning Resources
Required Readings

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the
power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing
Administration, 49(11), 517-519.

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization.
Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.

Quinn-Szcesuil, J. (2016). Why you should join a nursing association. Retrieved from

Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the
context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal,
27(1), 2-4.

Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved October 12, 2018,
from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing

Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)

Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of
Practice or Competencies:

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice
(2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

Nursing Informatics

E-book: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice

· “The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing
Informatics” (pp. 18–3

Nursing Education
Website: Competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator
National League for Nursing. (2019). Nurse educator core competency. Retrieved from
http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-
education/nurse-educator-core-competency
Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies
or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of
competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be
examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study.

Nurse Executive
Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competencies.
Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Public Health Nursing
Website: Public Health Nurse Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competencies.
Retrieved from http://www.quadcouncilphn.org/documents-3/2018-qcc-competencies/

American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practice
(2nd ed.) Silver Spring, MD: Author.

Public Health Nursing
E-book: Public Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice

Optional Resources

Walden University. (n.d.). Subject Research: Nursing. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subject/nursing

Nurse Educator Core Competencies

• A⁺
• Print

NLN Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators

Competencies of Academic Nurse Educators

Defined and described in 2005, the competences demonstrated by the academic nurse educator have stood the test of time. These competencies related to academic nurse educators functioning in the full scope of the role. Educational environments may direct specific task statements over others, but the competencies remain the same.

1. Facilitate Learning
2. Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
3. Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
4. Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes
5. Function as a Change Agent and Leader
6. Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Nurse Educator Role
7. Engage in Scholarship
8. Function within the Educational Environment

Competencies of Academic Clinical Nurse Educators

In 2018, competencies related to the role of the academic nurse educator were developed. These competencies are described for the academic nurse educator that is responsible for facilitating learning primarily in the clinical setting, reports to an academic program of nursing education, and has input into the assessments of nursing learner clinical performance.

1. Function within the Education and Health Care Environments
   1. Function in the Clinical Educator Role
   2. Operationalize the Curriculum
   3. Abide by Legal Requirements, Ethical Guidelines, Agency Policies, and Guiding Framework
2. Facilitate Learning in the Health Care Environment
3. Demonstrate Effective Interpersonal Communication and Collaborative Inter-professional Relationships
4. Apply Clinical Expertise in the Health Care Environment
5. Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
6. Implement Effective Clinical and Assessment Evaluation Strategies

Competencies of Novice Academic Nurse Educators

In 2020, the competencies related to the roles and functions of a novice academic nurse educator were identified. Novice, as defined by literature, is a nurse educator with less than two years of experience in the role. Although the competencies are the same as the educator in the full scope of the role, the task statements related to the competencies are leveled down to general expectations to novice educator functions, which are not the same as the nurse educator with experience who functions within the full scope of the role.

1. Facilitate Learning
2. Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
3. Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
4. Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes
5. Function as a Change Agent and Leader
6. Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Role of Nurse Educator
7. Engage in Scholarship
8. Function within the Educational Environment

​Certification for Nurse Educators

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Name: NURS_6002_Week_6_Assignment_Rubric
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Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan:

· Compare at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
· Write a 2-3 paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
· Identify 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.
77 (77%) – 85 (85%)
A detailed comparison is provided that accurately and fully describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.

A clear and accurately justified statement describes in detail the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.

The response clearly identifies and accurately describes in detail the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response clearly and accurately describes in detail how to become an active member of this organization.
68 (68%) – 76 (76%)
A partial comparison is provided that partially describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.

A partially justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with some evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.

The response partially describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response partially describes how to become an active member of this organization.
59 (59%) – 67 (67%)
A vague or inaccurate ciomparison is provided that describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.

A vague or inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.

The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization.
0 (0%) – 58 (58%)
A vague and inaccurate comparison is provided that describes the selected and second-preferred specialization, or is missing.

A vague and inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague and inaccurate evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum, or is missing.

The response vaguely and inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely and inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:

Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.

A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.

No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:

Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting –

The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6002_Week_6_Assignment_Rubric

NURS_6003_Module06_Week11_Assignment_Rubric

Name: NURS_6003_Module06_Week11_Assignment_Rubric