Nursing is a dynamic discipline with constant change. Practicing in such changing professional context demands highly competent and safe care from nurses. This means that nurses demonstrate ability to grow personally and professionally in order to remain relevant and informed about new technology, evidence based practices, recent research within the nursing profession as well as capacity to function multi-culturally within diverse population. These expectations require professional development. Nursing professional development “is the lifelong process of active participation by nurses in learning activities that assist in developing and maintaining their continuing competence, enhance their professional practice, and support achievement of …show more content…
To ensure the delivery of evidence-base and patient-centered care one has to stay current by taking courses, attending conferences, continuous online CEUs and obtaining certification. Professional growth will benefit the nurse and the patient in giving competent care. Church (2016) enumerated the consequences of nursing competence and development to include improved patient outcomes, clinical judgement, accountability and confidence. Church further asserts that “an environment that emphasizes a culture of continuous professional development is crucial, as it motivates nurses to develop their competence, improve their work environment, and deliver quality patient care” (p. E13). Professional development in nursing enhance the knowledge, confident and skills of nurses in caring for patient; promotes healthy work culture, high quality nursing care and positive patient outcome (Elder, 2017). In this paper, I will be reviewing my professional history, growth, strategic plan now and for five to ten …show more content…
I obtained my LPN license shortly after taking my licensing examination in June 2009. I was not eligible to work because my visa status in the United States was “Dependent Pass,” I could only work when my status changed to permanent resident (Green Card). I was able to volunteer as an LPN at the Harrisonburg Free Clinic, a health center where individuals with chronic illness, low income and no insurance receive some form of medical service. I received my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in 2014, from the Blue Ridge Community College(BRCC), Weyers Cave and received my license right after graduation. My nursing school at BRCC was very challenging because I enrolled in the LPN –RN program, which was three semesters after completion of the required prerequisite courses when compared to the five semesters for the traditional RN program. The program was somewhat accelerated with the assumption that one has some nursing experience working as nurse after graduation from LPN school. The classwork, tests and paper writing went very well but not the clinical, consequently, I had to take one more semester for clinical. November 7, 2013 “was a watershed in my nursing career’s history,” against all odds I was determined to graduate nursing school. Being nurse has been a great adventure for
As a nurse we are responsible for the safety and overall health promotion of our patients. Competency in the nursing field is what ensures patient safety and decreased hospital acquired injury. Continued competence ensures that the nurse is able to perform efficiently and safely in a constantly changing environment. Nurses must continuously evaluate their level of skill and find where improvement needs to be made in order to keep up to date with the expected skill level set by their
My courses and experience has empowered, and has reinforced my determination to pursue a career as a nurse. I am eager and excited about starting nursing school, and having my dream which started as a young girl to come full circle. I am convinced I am a good candidate because I have the innate drive to complete the program. I am willing to learn and use those skills and knowledge acquired to provide something meaningful to the society and humanity. I have the personal determination to face the challenges and rigors of nursing school. With hard work, perseverance, and determination I believe I have the essential character to be successful as a nursing student and an excellent quality nurse in the near future. A degree in nursing paves ways for other degrees to emerge especially for those interested in furthering their education in health care. I am committed to continue to pursed advanced degree in nursing ultimately becoming a nurse practitioner. . In the next five to ten years from now, I want to write articles and books about nursing and healthcare related. Therefore, I believe that if I improve myself further positively, I will grow from strength to strength and one day my paper will be read in one of the prestigious newsletters, journals, and textbooks. I know the sky is my starting
Most APNs or NPs posses a master’s degree; however the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) member institutions voted to change the current level of preparation for advanced nursing practice from a masters degree to a doctorate level by 2015”. “An individual who wished to apply for a license must meet the following requirements; a complete application, pass the NCLEX, provide any felony or misdemeanor conviction information, any drug related behavior, functional ability deficit and license fee to Virginia State Board of Nursing”. Most RNs gain their clinical experience by working a staff nurse before entering into a graduate program for their nurse practitioners, but once they gain a significant of experience as a nurse t...
Increases the responsibility and accountability of professional nurses — an advantage for lifelong learners and knowledge workers, but a disadvantage for those without the proper knowledge and
Black, B. P., & Chitty, K. K. (2014). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges(7th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders.
Kearney, N.R. (2012). Advancing your career: Concepts of professional nursing (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis
My quest of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) actually began in the year 2000 while I was a Emergency Medical Technician in the military. With my wife 's and military colleagues ' encouragement, I decided to go back to school to become an RN. I took and completed all my general education requirements for the Associate Degree in Nursing and finally became a nursing student in the Fall of 2001 with intentions to obtain my BSN soon after that. A few weeks after starting the ADN program, the terrible events of 9/11 occurred, setting my military career into high gear by getting promoted through the ranks along with the additional responsibilities. I welcomed the military promotions as a way to supplement my family income while I attended nursing school. Soon after graduating from the ADN program in the Spring of 2003, I became active with the military for about 8 months thus putting my quest for the BSN on hold. In January 2004, I was hired and started working The Queen 's Medical Center (QMC) in January 2004. Two months after completing my new hire orientation, I was recalled to military active duty for 21 months for deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Soon after returning from deployment, I resumed my job at QMC. The military deployment placed our family in a great financial burden, which took us several years to recover from, thus my quest for the BSN was again put on hold.
Upon being accepted at the Georgia Military College, I determined that I would spend my two years retaining everything I could in order to successfully become a registered nurse. Not only does getting my associates degree in Science and Pre-Nursing get all of my prerequisites out of the way, it is preparing me for my further education afterwards. In high school, every career goal test and
Nursing is a growing and constantly changing profession, making a bigger impact in healthcare with every turn. In fact, it was not so long ago that nursing was not even thought of as a profession and we have come a long way since the pioneer days of Florence Nightingale. Nursing is steadily evolving in terms of opportunities, educational requirements, professional recognition, and the advancement of nursing theories. These theories influence the environment, the patient, health, and overall nursing. Nursing theories will continue to evolve and guide as we continue to explore and learn new ways to improve overall nursing practice not only for the sake of the patients, but also for the future of nursing as a whole. However, when one looks to the future of nursing, they must also remember where it started; the basics of Florence Nightingale and that “Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better” (Nightingale, 1859).
.... Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Science Health Science div.
Continued Professional Development is now an important part of ongoing registration with the NMC and is essential in maintaining professional standards. In order to revalidate, nurses must write 5 reflective accounts within a 3 year period and each reflective account must explain what the nurse has learnt from the CPD activity and explain how it relates to the Code of Conduct and in particular the 4 themes of Prioritising People, Practicing Effectively, Preserving Safety and Promoting Professionalism and Trust.. Nurses also have to discuss the written reflective accounts with another NMC registered nurse coving the 5 reflective accounts Section 9.2 of the NMC code of conduct asks nurses to “gather and reflect on feedback from a variety of sources, using it to improve your practice and performance” (NMC, 2015) This is why the NMC promotes reflective practice as it ensures the nurse is practicing within their competency and in a safe manner while identifying any areas for improvement in their practice Reflective practice also makes the nurses more accountable for their actions.. (NMC, 2015) Reflective writing is an important feature of professional practice. Nurses have to keep a record of their continued professional development. At annual reviews nurses are able to present evidence of their development through a portfolio which should contain reflective accounts of their practice. These reflective accounts will help them identify strengths and weaknesses, highlight their performance, improve their skills and highlight any area that could be
Nurses need a seat at the table to ensure they have a voice to influence and shape their future. Nursing is constantly evolving and changing, and employers continue to raise the bar for nursing. Nurses understand early in their career the importance of continuing education to enhance future career opportunities. Professional development relates to how nurses continue to broaden their knowledge, skills, and expertise throughout their career, therefore enhancing their professional practice. This advanced knowledge is not only career boosting, but also opens a seat at the table giving nurses the power to make decisions and effect changes. Professional development and continuing education are more important to nurses now than ever before to keep up with the rapid changes in healthcare today. Numminen, Leino-Kilpi, Isoaho and Meretoja’s (2017) article contends professional development enhances personal satisfaction, rejuvenates the love of nursing, builds confidence and credibility. There are many avenues to pursue
The Scope of Nursing Practice describes the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” of nursing practice. Each of these questions must be answered to provide a complete picture of the dynamic and complex practice of nursing and its evolving boundaries and membership. (ANA, 2010). Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering
Blais, K., & Hayes, J. S.(2011). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Nurses are one of the most valuable resources in any healthcare organization (Longest, Rakich, & Darr, 2006). Nurses play an important role as members of the multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Nurses help organizations to achieve its mission and vision and meet its goals and objectives. Nursing care is vital to the provision of the healthcare delivery system in promoting health and wellness, preventing illness, restoring health, caring for disabled, and helping dying patients and their families (Catalano, 2006). The promotion of quality of nursing care and the safety of nursing practice takes place through nursing education and ensuring clinical practices meet evidence-based practice, accreditation, and certification requirements (Ironside,