Sample Professional Development Plan

Professional Development Plan

Entering into higher education and professional advancement, I have reflected on my educational background, nursing career opportunities, and future goals. Development of a plan will assist with navigating through a pathway of advanced practice training. According to Johnson (2012), the benefit of a professional development plan and portfolio can help individuals organize, present, and reflect on their personal and professional accomplishments. This presentation and summarization were the first step in mapping out my course to success. The paper will review my educational achievements, professional background, professional goals, course learning outcomes, and practicum application

Education and Professional

Background
My education began many years ago during my Bachelor nursing program. I was a young lady entering college upon completion of high school. The preparation I received was at Nicholls State University was fundamental. I began my career in the critical care setting and have managed to stay in this clinical setting for twenty-three years. Upon reflection of my early years as an impressionable nurse, I realize that I had no idea the level of development and growth I would gain over the course of my nursing career. The summation of my evolution could not ever be placed simply into a few words or pages. However, the word extraordinary does come to mind.
Formal training has been incorporated into my practice though attendance of conferences and continuing education lectures. I attended multiple lectures by respectable nurse leaders and educators throughput my career. I am an active member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, evidence-based committees, and many quality initiatives. I regularly attended the National Teaching Institute Conference sponsored by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. These experiences contributed to my formal training, professional growth, and maturity. Informal training from both job and life experiences have helped cultivate me into the nurse and person I have become. I have learned from physicians, clinical scenarios, and team dynamics. Positive lessons learned have become integrated into my daily professional and personal life. Learning how to think critically, proactively think, and forward think has been some of my accomplishments. I have been fortunate enough to train new critical care nurses, and my peers recognize me as a resource. The achievement I am most proud of is the feedback I receive from trained staff about my ability to be their mentor.
The knowledge and proficiencies that I will be able to apply to studies include clinical competencies and a basic research competency. Clinical competencies have been developed through both formal and informal training. Basic research competency has been supported by exposure and participation in hospital and nursing policy development for the last ten years. I have been able to learn how to research and make a case for best practice in our clinical setting. One example included our hypothermia program. I was the lead clinical advisor for this initiative. However, I recognized my limitations as a Bachelor prepared nurse and determined that higher education was necessary.
I am humbled every day when I appreciate how medicine is a myriad of ever-evolving learning and process improvements. I have a passion for improve my skills that help me bring best practices and improvements to the bedside. I look forward to extending my knowledge base through higher education. My professional development is not done, and I am ready to pursue graduate studies. There is something more to accomplish.

Professional Goals
The purpose of my initiation in a graduate program began with a desire to accomplish more within my profession.

The goals I have been inspired to achieve include expanding my clinical knowledge base, becoming more versed in research and evidence-based guidelines, developing my verbal and written communication, and learning how to contribute to societal health. Master level training will support me with these goals by affording me the opportunities to learn about research, health policy, informatics, leadership, pathophysiology, pharmacology and nurse practitioner specialty training. These classes will integrate communication, writing assignments, and interactions with diverse students and instructors. Moreover, Walden University's mission (2016) accentuates a student's ability to grow and develop into a practitioner that can influence social change. This concept has become foundational in my pursuit of master-level training. I am striving for this level of engagement and learning at Walden University. All of these actions will play a role in my personal and professional goals. At the same time, I will be able to align myself with the mission of Walden

University.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon introductory courses, I have already learned immensely. My initial learning objectives included familiarization with the website, familiarization with the library, organization of class expectations, and reviewing the writing references. It is fair to state that I have learned how to navigate the website and library fairly well. The accomplishment required practice and patience. This skill will benefit me in the long-run. According to Killion, Reilly, and Gallagher-Lepak (2011) achieving competency in the electronic system can contribute to our success. Organization was easy; once I was able to develop a personalized system. On the other hand, formatting references will continue to be work in progress. There has been a degree of format update and forgetfulness since my original training. Formatting and written style are areas I will need to continue to practice. To improve this area, I will review the tools, books, and references. Formatting practice and a level of patience will help me grow as a scholarly writer. Capitalizing on my strengths and initial learning will help me learn the techniques required to develop my written communication.
Practicum Application
I have chosen Great Lakes family practice for one of my clinical rotations.

This area will facilitate my personal, professional, and course learning objectives. The office cares for a diverse patient population without prejudice. The key nurse practitioner was a former Marine, who has practiced for ten years. I look forward to learning under his guidance and increasing my clinical knowledge base. Learning to develop health partnerships with patients who have various needs, differing backgrounds, diverse culture, and assorted socioeconomic status levels is exciting. Also, I hope to integrate evidence-based practices in daily assessments, diagnosis, and planning. With ongoing practice, I strive to enhance my verbal and written communication with both the patient and care team. Contributing to societal health is important to me. I would love to begin a project on smoking cessation. Smoking contributes to an immense global health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. (2016). As a result, A project that focuses on smoking cessation would contribute to both my personal learning goals and societal

health.
Summary
My professional development has benefited from both formal and informal learning opportunities throughout my career. Accepting what I have learned and recognizing the aptitudes that need further enhancement, I begin the next journey in my career path. The graduate-level study will help me achieve my personal, professional, and societal goals.