My name is xxx; I am originally from Long Island, New York. I have been in the healthcare field for 12 years. My love for nursing began when I was a child; I would always listen to my mom talk about her various shifts as an ICU nurse. Her stories always sounded intriguing to me. When my father and I would pick her up from work, sometimes I would go into the hospital to meet her. Each time I went inside, I would always get a feeling that I was meant to be there. My first job in the healthcare field was as a CNA, in a nursing home and then in a hospital. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, I worked as a psychiatric tech in a hospital, which was a very interesting experience. After this, I went to nursing school at Jefferson College of Health Sciences and continued to work as a CNA on an oncology/palliative unit. I have been an RN for five years; I currently work on a surgical oncology unit in DC. One of the most satisfying aspects about nursing are the vast amount of choices that this career offers (Schmidt, n.d.) NURS 6003 Week 1 Discussion: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies.
Nursing provides many avenues for career advancement. After being a nurse for five years, I decided to expand my knowledge base and take the next step in gaining my master’s degree. Choosing a school was not as difficult as I initially expected. I knew I wanted to find an online program due to my schedule. A few of my co-workers gave me positive reviews about Walden University; after doing some research, I decided to apply.
I chose Walden University because they allow learning flexibility and are supportive of their students. Walden provides a clear vision, mission, and goal statement that I agree with as well. Walden’s vision and mission statement emphasizes any knowledge learned while attending the university should be used to enact change in a positive way (Walden University, 2020b). With the knowledge gained from Walden University, I will be able to confidently advocate for my patient and help to manage their symptoms. As a nurse, you always want the best for your patient, especially when they are being discharged home. For example, I make sure patients are comfortable and can take care of themselves (Gerber, 2018). To ensure this happens, I work with the discharge planner and review their discharge instructions with them and their family. I also allow them to ask questions/ voice concerns. NURS 6003 Week 1 Discussion: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies
Walden has five main goals, one of their goals states, “…education that fosters research, discovery, and critical thinking…results in professional excellence”(Walden University, 2020b). I aspire to be a nursing professional that exudes excellence throughout my practice by applying my knowledge that I have gained through research and discovery. Research, discovery, and critical thinking must take place daily in order to be well informed (Walden University, 2020b). Nursing, and nursing practice are continuously changing (Schmidt, n.d.). A prime example of nursing care practices changing would be the response to COVID-19. When COVID-19 first started, there were a lot of unknowns, now with more information and research; nursing, social, and health practices as a whole have changed. Now you cannot enter any public place without a face covering, and most health care providers have virtual appointments. NURS 6003 Week 1 Discussion: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies
Social Change and MSN Program Outcomes
Social change is an integral part of shaping a positive society. In order to achieve social change, several components must exist. According to Walden University, social change happens when ideas are created and applied to promote the worth and development of individuals, communities, and organizations (Walden University, 2020a). I plan to always keep this idea and use it as a driving force in my practice. According to Kyle Schmidt, (n.d) article titled “Five Reasons Nurses Should Engage in Professional Networking” he states that nurses are involved in every aspect of the health care system. With this knowledge and insight, nurses can make an impactful change that leads to more positive patient outcomes (Schmidt, n.d.). Positive patient outcomes lead to a healthier community and in turn a healthier population. This brings me to one of the goals for the Master of Nursing program, which states “evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury” (Walden University, 2020b). When I begin to practice as a nurse practitioner, I want to always encourage and exude positive change. I want to help my patients become more informed about their health, by providing them with factual information. NURS 6003 Week 1 Discussion: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies I want my coworkers to continue to advocate for their patients, and for my community to be informed of all resources that are available to them.
References
Gerber, L. (2018). Understanding the nurse’s role as a patient advocate. Nursing2020, 48(4), 55–58.
/orders/doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000531007.02224.65
Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking. Bluepipes.
/orders/blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-
seriously
Walden University. (2020a). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).2019-2020 University Catalog.
/orders/www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/msn-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner
Walden University. (2020b). Vision, Mission, and Goals. 2019-2020 University Catalog.
/orders/catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=147&navoid=47257