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
Kearney, N.R. (2012). Advancing your career: Concepts of professional nursing (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis
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.
Being a Nurse Practitioner takes more than just wanting to earn a pay check. It takes compassion, knowledge, and the want to help others. You can change lives on a daily bases. It’s a great responsibility that should be taken head on. It all started when Nurse Practitioners become in demand in the 1960s due to the increasing need for nurses. The first program to become an NP started at the University of Colorado by Dr. Henry Silver and Dr. Loretta Ford. (Historical) By the 1970s the programs increased to about 65 nationwide. The numbers of programs has helped increased the numbers of NPs to 195,000 in the U.S. as of 2014. (Historical) Being a Nurse Practitioner is truly a profession.
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).
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
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
Contemplating on the big responsibility that nurses will have to fulfill in the future, I see myself in a good position. I said that because I love the field and want to do it until I retired God’s willing. It is not impossible to achieve the recommendations on increasing the proportion of nurses with a BSN by 2020. The field of nursing is very fulfilling and anyone who loves people and wants to serve can be a great nurse. I know now I can help a lot to continue their education by being the example of someone who had many obstacles to overcome. Now a month away from receiving her BSN. I had a love in my heart to do more after I became PCA and worked at a nursing home. I took the necessary steps from being a PCA to a BSN. However from the beginning the ride was not easy. I remember like yesterday, when I first got to San Antonio, Texas looking for a better life for my family. I could barely speak English and I had 4 young children. We only had one car so I had to wait for my husband so I could go to school at night to get my GED after I finish taking care of the kids, cleaning and cooking. With this degree I
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.
Therefore, I strive every day to be that professional, that health care provider that has a positive and long lasting impact on patient’s health and wellbeing. I always strive to be that professional that my patients and colleagues trust, respect and admire. As a registered nurse, I have accomplished that. I know it because I am asked to precept new nurses and students, because my colleagues come to me frequently to ask me questions when they are in doubt, because when there is a difficult or complicated patient, my supervisor trust me with his care, because at the end of a long busy shift with seven to eight patients under my care, my patients praise me and thank me for the great and unique care I provided them.
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,