NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios 1

NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios 1

NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios 1

As a critical care nurse advancing my career to becoming an acute care nurse practitioner, it is necessary to take a second to reflect on goal setting because it’s essential to choose the ones that I want to achieve. Therefore, the first step to developing a professional plan is to take a serious look at what I would like my nursing philosophy to be. This plan would include a complete understanding of what my values, beliefs, and inspirations are and what motivates me to want to be in this specific field of nursing. In addition, It is also necessary to conduct extensive research on the particular advanced nursing position I would be considering. Finally, when looking into a job opportunity, it’s essential to understand the qualifications required, such as education and certification, years of experience, and the cost of tuition and books.

Findings show that religious engagement among students declines during college, but their spirituality shows substantial growth. “Students become more caring, more tolerant, more connected with others, and more actively engaged in a spiritual quest.” (“Cultivating the Spirit – Spirituality in Higher Education”) The authors also found that spiritual growth enhances other outcomes, such as academic performance, psychological well-being, leadership development, and satisfaction with college. The study also identified a number of college activities that contribute to students’ spiritual growth. Some of these–study abroad, interdisciplinary studies, and service learning–appear to be effective because they expose students to new and diverse people, cultures, and ideas. Spiritual development is also enhanced if students engage in “inner work” through activities such as meditation or self-reflection, or if their professors actively encourage them to explore questions of meaning and purpose. (“Cultivating the Spirit – Spirituality in Higher (Alexander W, 2010)”). By raising public awareness of the key role that spirituality plays in student learning and development, by alerting academic administrators, faculty, and curriculum committees to the importance of spiritual development, and by identifying strategies for enhancing that development, this work encourages institutions to give greater priority to these spiritual aspects of students’ educational and professional development.

As we experience social change, knowledge is most useful when used for the greater good. Students, alumni, and faculty dedicate themselves to improving the human and social situation by developing and implementing ideas that benefit individuals, communities, organizations, and society as a whole (Walden University, n.d.). As nurses make advancements in their careers, it is important to remember this because it will pave our future paths as nurse practitioners. Furthermore, there are many academic activities to take advantage of to help us accomplish this. Some of these activities include leadership education, team-building, and advanced simulations. I would consider these are transferable skills that will help me during my time here at Walden and beyond. As I prepare my professional development goals, it would also be beneficial to find a mentor to help guide me, someone whose career I have admired and who can offer unbiased advice along the way. The Institute of Physics informs us that having a mentor not only helps you develop new skills and have a better grasp of your career path. It also gives us stability, constructive feedback, and an objective view of our goals, strengths, and obstacles (Robbins, 2021).
Healthcare is getting more complex and demanding every day, so the importance of being a certified nurse is becoming more necessary because it indicates a higher level of understanding. One of the professional Organizations I affiliate with is the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Being board certified will not only strengthen us into being ethical scholar-practitioners, but it also proves to patients, employers, and the general public that a nurse’s knowledge meets national requirements and demonstrates a solid commitment to patient safety. (AACN, 2021).
References
American Association Of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). (2021). Board Certification.https://www.aacn.org/certification?tab=First-Time%20Certification.
Robbins, T. (2021). 8 Effective Professional Development Strategies. Robbins Research International, Inc. https://www.tonyrobbins.com/business/professional-development-strategies/.
Walden University. (n.d.). Vision, Mission, and Goals. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=181&navoid=66193.

Greetings, fellow Walden Colleagues; I have been a registered nurse for the past 14 years and presently enrolled in the Adult and Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. Foremost, I believe that the curriculum set out by Walden will satisfy the necessary academic requirements I need for certification as an Adult and Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. In addition, Walden’s vision, mission, and social change initiatives can satisfy my professional and academic goals and path in becoming a scholar-practitioner.

I chose to major in Adult and Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner because of the desire to provide care to individuals across the human life span. Walden School of Nursing envisions the same, “contributions of nursing and its’ related disciplines at Walden will be seen as a source of education to satisfy the need for nursing services for every individual throughout their life span at an individual, societal, and global level. (Walden University, 2015).

In an ever-changing society, nurses would face situations requiring a critical thinking approach to finding a resolution. One of my professional goals is to be a critical thinker, in which I can provide valid and applicable solutions to different clinical and social situations that may arise. After reading Walden’s Vision statement, I believe they can help me attain my professional goal to be a critical thinker. “Walden believes that knowledge gained at the institution would allow students to affect solutions to societal challenges and by extension global society” (Walden University, 2018).

        Incorporation of Social Initiative/Change

No one individual is a team, nor can they individually affect social change. Therefore, I believe that communication and interaction with other professionals will improve my professional goal of affecting social change. Walden University affords social and professional networking through its student café initiatives, discussions, and projects. In addition, Walden School of Nursing holds my same belief of “positive social change can lead to an improvement in both the human and social conditions” (Walden University, 2015).

Additionally, due to the nursing field’s dynamic changes, there will always be a continuous expansion of knowledge. Therefore, “Both the development and maintenance of professional networking relationship would allow for ideas and information exchange to keep nurses knowledge base relevant” (Schmitt, n.d.).

References

Schmitt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking. BluePipes Blog.

https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/

Walden University. (2018, March). Vision, mission, and goals. Walden University – Acalog     ACMS™. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=153&navoid=49950

Walden University. (2015, March). School of nursing mission and vision. Walden University –

Acalog ACMS™. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=117&navoid=32441

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2 months ago
Susan Olson Walden Instructor Manager
Reply from Susan O. RE: Discussion – Week 8
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Kelly: You made some great points in your post! Where (which website) would you display your portfolio for maximum viewing? I look forward to your response! Susan
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2 months ago
Kelly Baldenegro
RE: Reply from Susan O. RE: Discussion – Week 8
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Hi Susan,

Thank you for your question! One of the websites I could use to display my professional portfolio is LinkedIn. LinkedIn (n.d.) is a professional networking site designed to help people make business connections, share their experiences and resumes, and find jobs. An area of a LinkedIn profile is devoted to showcasing a person’s work is referred to as a LinkedIn portfolio. Viewers of my profile can explore my portfolio, which includes samples of my work. This gives them an opportunity to better understand my personality. I can also share various media types, including photographs, audio illustrations, videos, presentations, and reports. When I link to my work, I can import content from a web page or various content sources, including Twitter, YouTube, Sound Cloud, Scribd, and Slide Share. Additionally, I can upload any files I wish to share with the public, including PDF, Power Point, Word, and Open Office files.

Many users use the site to expand their professional networks and seek out career prospects. As a result, the jobs area of the site is a beneficial resource for locating and applying for jobs. Furthermore, there are settings on LinkedIn that allow me to notify recruiters that I am actively job seeking.

Reference
LinkedIn (n.d.) Convert Your LinkedIn Profile Into An Online Portfolio.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/convert-your-linkedin-profile-online-portfolio-hannah-morgan

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2 months ago
Susan Olson Walden Instructor Manager
RE: Reply from Susan O. RE: Discussion – Week 8
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Excellent!!!
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2 months ago
Qasim Qunber
RE: Reply from Susan O. RE: Discussion – Week 8
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Hello Kelly
I think sharing your portfolio on Linkedin is a wonderful way to “introduce” yourself to potential colleagues and managers. As nurses, we don’t often think it’s necessary to promote ourselves, but as we to advance our education, we have to be willing to showcase our strengths and accomplishments (Wittman-Price, 2012). In this dayand age, I think designing an e-portfolio is the best way to market yourself. An e-portfolio can be apersonal blog, a website that highlights your work, or even a PowerPoint. If you’re like me this can seem daunting! I’m not technically advanced at all. on top of Linkedin there are other websites too like Wix.com it is so simple to use and navigate. Designing an e-portfolio can be as simple or as creative as we want, and Wix makes it so fun.Great post!
Qasim
Refrences
ReferencesWittman-Price, R. (2012) Fast facts for developing a nursing academic portfolio: What you really need to know in a nutshell.Springer Pub. Co. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohostcom.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06423a&AN=wal.EBC3035205&site=edslive&scope=site
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RE: Discussion – Week 8

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There are many strategies for incorporating academic activity and accomplishments into my professional development goals. First, it is essential to adopt a goal evolution mindset. As we grow and learn, our goals will evolve. Academic activities and accomplishments should constantly contribute to professional development goals. It is essential to determine what steps must be taken to achieve professional development goals (Walden University, LLC, 2018). Modern-day advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must develop a portfolio of evidence of professional development activities and achievements and how they contribute to professional practice as a visual representation of their experience, strengths, abilities, and skills (Casey & Egan, 2013). The benefits of portfolios include skill development, promoting active learning, improved clinical competency, and improved academic assessment and achievement (Dehkordi & Ghiasvandian, 2019). The portfolio will represent who I am, what I am passionate about, and the strengths I have obtained during my education at Walden University.

A strategy I could use to include academic activities and accomplishments in my professional development is to join professional nursing organizations. It is crucial to serve the community and profession (Walden University, LLC, 2018). I could connect with various professional organizations to participate in activities aligned with my career goals (Hannans & Olivo, 2017). Professional organization bring nurses together and empowers nurses to have a voice (Walden University, LLC, 2018). Nurses can also become certified in areas that may contribute to their professional development goals. The American Nurses Credentialing Center outlines steps for APRNs to expand their focus to meet expanded practice roles (Melander et al., 2020).

Another strategy is to record specific moments where I used my education and research to change a patient’s life. Casey and Egan (2013) suggested regularly accounting for incidents that have occurred in practice and using these instances in a portfolio, showcasing the application of knowledge learned. Collecting patient accounts evidencing competence in advanced practice will highlight academic activities contributing to professional development goals. Portions of my portfolio will highlight educational activities and accomplishments contributing to my professional development goals (Casey & Egan, 2013). I could specifically select evidence highlighting a skill I have obtained throughout my education. Nurses can also attend seminars and apply the knowledge learned in practice (Casey & Egan, 2013). I will attend conferences specific to my areas of interest, including aesthetic nursing, healthcare access in underprivileged communities, and healthcare policy. Clear ideas of education and certification must help you meet your professional development goals (Walden University, LLC, 2018).

Walden University is committed to social change by empowering change-makers, building communities, and maximizing social change outcomes (Walden University, 2022). Serving the community will align the University’s social change goals with my own. I want to affect positive change by improving access to care, especially in underserved and underprivileged communities, minimizing the healthcare disparity gap. I also want to promote social change through healthcare policy. By joining professional organizations that promote my development in these areas, I will develop from a student to a change-maker. The knowledge I gain throughout the Walden University program will assist me in making that possible.

References

Casey, D. & Egan, D. (2013). The use of professional portfolios for career enhancement. British Journal of Nursing, 15(11), 547-552.

Dehkordi, L. M., Ghiasvandian, S. (2019). Application of Portfolio in Nursing Education and Assessment of Learning. Journal of Medical Education and Development, 14(2), 136–143.

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2 months ago
Irikefe Ojevwe
RE: Discussion – Week 8 Initial Post
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Hello Kelly,
This is insightful. Professional development in nursing refers to the entire process of improving practice through continuing education and training. Being current in terms of the provision of healthcare services is a key component of professional development. Professional development entails different approaches including enhancement of educational and work experiences (Robbins, 2021). For acute care nurses professional development should involve understanding of personal values, inspirations, and beliefs. Besides, it is necessary for the healthcare professionals to conduct extensive research on their particular areas of practice. Delivery of quality care requires adjustment in knowledge and skills, this calls for professional adjustments in different areas of practice (Walden University, n.d). To enhance competency in the provision of healthcare services, there is the need for nurses to advance their educational qualification in order to gain relevant certifications (McCoy, 2019). Educational processes should also involve engagement in research and evidence-based practice. While advancing educational processes, it is necessary for the nurses to maintain high level of academic integrity.
References
McCoy, C. (2019). Professional development in rural nursing: Challenges and opportunities. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 40(3), 128-131. https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/00220124-20090301-08
Robbins, T. (2021). 8 Effective Professional Development Strategies. Robbins Research International, Inc. https://www.tonyrobbins.com/business/professional-development-strategies/.
Walden University. (n.d.). Vision, Mission, and Goals. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=181&navoid=66193.