Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator

Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator

Capella University Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator-Step-By-Step Guide

 

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Capella University  Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

 

How to Research and Prepare for Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator                   

 

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Capella University Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator   depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

 

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

 

How to Write the Introduction for Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator                   

The introduction for the Capella University Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator  is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

 

How to Write the Body for Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator                   

 

After the introduction, move into the main part of the Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator   assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

 

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

 

How to Write the Conclusion for Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator                   

 

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

 

How to Format the References List for Assignment: Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator                   

 

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Assignment Professional Development Plan as a Nurse Educator

Write a 6-8 page professional development plan for your work as a nurse educator. Write a 6-8 page professional development plan for your work as a nurse educator. 1.Describe area…

Professional Development

Professional development includes activities such as specialty certification, additional degrees, attending conferences, publishing scholarly work, committee membership, and more. Planning one’s professional development requires planning and goal setting. Contemplating a realistic timeline, financial resources, time management, and other considerations is a very important part of the plan.

A rapidly expanding and complex healthcare environment requires nurses with advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies to meet the growing demand for a highly skilled workforce. Nurses also need to bolster their existing practice to ensure progress and readiness for future challenges and maximum growth. Through professional development activities, nurses are able to reach their professional goals for growth and development, and at the same time meet the needs of a demanding healthcare environment. Creating a professional development plan (PDP) is an integral part of professional nursing practice, and planning should begin as early as possible in one’s career.

Professional growth and development are an expectation set forth in the American Nurses Association (ANA, 2021) Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice. Standard 13, Education, states “The registered nurse seeks knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice and promotes futuristic thinking” (p. 98). The Standard lists the competencies required by the registered nurse. The list below shares a few of the competencies for professional growth and development:

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.

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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.

Commits to lifelong learning through critical thinking, self-reflection, and inquiry for personal growth and learning.
Identifies learning needs based on the various roles assumed and associated requisite nursing knowledge.
Facilitates a work environment supportive of ongoing education of healthcare professionals and interprofessional colleagues (ANA, 2021, pp. 989-99)
Professional development is an essential task for every nurse, whether the goal is to seek a new nursing role or to remain at a current position. Regardless of the long-term goal, PDPs are focused on enhancing one’s career, planning for the future, paving the way towards a new job and career that meets your personal and professional goals. Creating PDPs gives nurses the momentum and excitement to reach new, stimulating opportunities, leading to a successful and satisfying career (Öznacar & Mümtazoğlu, 2017).

Evaluating a PDP on a regular basis gives nurses control over their practice, and ultimately, their future. Nurses have the power to free themselves from a job where their knowledge and skills may feel stagnant or there is no opportunity for advancement. A PDP offers nurses opportunities that build on strengths and passions, leading to a more gratifying and rewarding career.

Professional Nursing Roles
The nursing profession offers a wide array of job opportunities. Nurses can choose to work in a variety of practice settings that fits one’s goals. In order to keep current with the changing healthcare environment and achieve a satisfying nursing career, creating a PDP is key.

Creating a Professional Development Plan
Creating a PDP takes time to reflect on one’s life and experiences. The first step is to refer to one’s personal nursing philosophy where values, inspirations, beliefs, reasons for entering the profession, and other ideas can be used to create goals. Reflecting on aspects of a workday that are pleasing or enjoyable also assist with creating goals for a PDP.

In addition, comprehensive research will need to be completed if interested in a specific nursing role. Researching a potential role will include learning about required education/certification, years of experience, cost of education, availability of scholarships and other funding opportunities, and more.

Consider the following questions while pondering career goals:

What part of nursing practice inspires you?
Why did you enter the nursing profession?
Is there a particular work setting or specialty that you are drawn to?
Are there activities in your current role that excite you?
What are your strengths?
Do you enjoy working with technology?
Do you enjoy understanding how science and research impacts care?
Do you enjoy teaching patients or coworkers?
Are you interested in policy, improving practice for the profession as a whole?
What elements of nursing practice are you are passionate about?
Chang (2000) writes about following one’s passion, stating passion elicits feelings about the world being filled with possibilities. Passion is defined as “activities, ideas, and topics that elicit the emotions.” (Chang, 2000, p. 19). Chang (2000) further defines passion as an intensity, a force that fuels our strongest emotions.

Think about activities of nursing practice that illicit passion, follow your heart when making decisions. Following one’s passion helps find meaning in practice. Think back to the enthusiasm and feelings of excitement and fulfilled purpose that led to entering nursing school.

When nurses create their PDP by following their passions, the task becomes promising and positive, rather than overwhelming and frustrating. Creating a PDP requires time and thought, a process that cannot be rushed. Staying focused on the end goal of creating a future that melds with lifelong goals can overshadow any difficulties you may incur throughout the reflection, research, and planning phases.

Consider including some of the following activities in a PDP:

Participate on a hospital committee
Participate in shared governance in your unit
Present updated evidence-based practice topic to unit staff monthly or quarterly
Organize a unit committee based on a specific need
Offer to be a mentor or preceptor for novice nurses on your unit
Membership in professional organizations
Similar to a nursing philosophy, a PDP is dynamic and changes over time. Goals will be met at varying stages throughout one’s career, and long-term career goals are bound to change as experience impacts knowledge and thinking. The desire to work on a medical/surgical unit now may be very different 10 years from now. Over time nurses learn more about themselves and their strengths and passions will inevitably change. The opportunities in nursing practice are endless, it’s one of the countless benefits of working in this remarkable profession.

Benefits of Professional Development
Job Opportunities
Since the nursing profession offers multiple paths to licensure, nurses with varying types of degrees often compete with each other for certain nursing positions (acute care is one example). Depending on location, many employers require a baccalaureate degree (or working towards one) to be considered for hire. In addition, now that the BSN in 10 law has passed, current students entering nursing schools in NY will be required to earn a baccalaureate degree, adding more baccalaureate prepared nurses, and competition, into practice.

Creating a PDP with the job market and competition for nursing positions in mind, nurses can form a strategy for positions that may not have been available unless planning had been in place. Furthermore, nurses who include additional professional growth opportunities, such as certification or mentoring, in their PDP will be recognized for their added accomplishments.

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sign: we are hiring

Echevarria (2018) states membership in professional organizations helps nurses market themselves for future job opportunities. Sharing professional development activities on one’s resume or curricula vitae (CV) demonstrates to potential employers the nurse’s commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy for the professional. Participation in professional development opportunities meets competencies within Standard 8, Education, from the ANA (2021) Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, stating, “Maintains professional portfolio that provides evidence of individual competence and lifelong learning” (p. 99).

Recruiters seek out nurses who are actively seeking out professional development and often advertise job openings on professional organization sites. Depending on the organization, members may gain additional benefits with career development tools, such as writing a resume, mock interviews, and posting resumes to a job board (Echevarria, 2018).

Fulfilling Lifelong Learning Goals
Lifelong learning is an expectation of all nurses. Through professional development planning nurses can tailor learning activities to meet a variety of goals. Learning opportunities may be planned for license renewal or to meet a PDP goal. Planning a timeline to meet goals will ensure goals are met. Nurses need to be open to learning about an assortment of new knowledge, and accept constructive criticism (Mustafa, 2017). Continuing education on a variety of topics increases one’s control over practice, ultimately leading to a satisfying job and career.

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thinking about learning

Mentoring
Mentoring unites colleagues together, helping each other grow professionally. Whether it’s a novice nurse just entering the profession or an experienced nurse learning about a new specialty role, mentoring is an important way nurses can help each other with role transitions. Through mentoring, nurses are empowered by sharing their knowledge, which in turn strengthens the profession by securing competent practitioners and nurse leaders (Vance & Olsen, 1998). In addition, mentoring has been found to improve job satisfaction, and reduce the stress of working in a challenging environment (Jones, 2017).

Mentoring helps nurses gain clinical knowledge and advice at a time when confidence and decision-making abilities are in the beginning stages. Nurses helping nurses is the foundation of professional practice. Some of the qualities and duties of mentors includes the following:

Role model professional behaviors
Offer career development advice
Inspire others
Encourage and support novice nurses
Provide wisdom and share stories from their experience
Trustworthy, confidants
Mutual respect
Open attitude
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mentor name badge

Mentoring activities meets the competencies within Standard 12, Leadership, from the ANA (2021) Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, stating, “Mentors colleagues and others to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities” (p. 97). Mentoring may occur as a formal role, where a mentor and mentee have an official relationship or connection. Though nurses can mentor each other informally, by assisting others in need of advice and encouragement. The mentoring relationship is beneficial to both the mentor and the mentee, where both nurses benefitted from the process, stating they found their jobs more meaningful and satisfying (Malloy et al., 2015).

Healthcare organizations offer preceptors, mentoring, and residency programs for graduate nurses. Residency programs differ from other forms of mentoring or coaching where such programs offer organized educational sessions with assigned preceptors. Hospitals may create their own residency programs, though some private companies have created evidence-based residency programs used in healthcare organizations. For example, Vizient, a private organization, has teamed up with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2019) and created a Nurse Residency program. Vizient’s residency program, supported by The Joint Commission, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and others, found participants had higher retention rates (93%) compared to the national average (83%) (AACN, 2019). Additionally, participants in the program led to achieving Magnet status in their workplace. For more information about the Nurse Residency program, visit the AACN website.

Nurse residency programs are essential for new nurses entering the healthcare field. The growth of residency programs is encouraging for nurses, employers, and ultimately, patient care. Establishing residency programs fulfills the third recommendation set forth by the IOM (2010) where healthcare organizations were tasked with supporting nurses to complete a transition-to-practice programs.

Professional organizations offer tools to help organizations create mentoring programs, such as the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN). The AMSN offers guides tailored for mentors and mentees, and guidelines on how to create an environment where learning and sharing can occur. The mentorship program teaches nurse leaders how to match up mentors and mentees, tips for mentoring novice nurses, characteristics of successful mentoring, problems that may arise, how to evaluate the mentoring program, and more (Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 2018). For more information about the AMSN mentoring program, visit the AMSN website.

The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2018) offers a mentoring program as a benefit of being a member of the organization. The program is designed to help new nurses acclimate to their new role and the nursing profession. The program is virtual, with mentors and mentees meeting each other online or via phone. The mentoring process begins with joining the mentoring program, then further details are shared with matching up a mentor to a mentee. For more information about the AMSN mentoring program, visit the ANA website.

Networking
Creating professional networks or connections with groups of healthcare professionals within and outside one’s workplace helps nurses be cognizant of new career opportunities, advance quality patient care, and more (Sherman, 2018). Networking also offers nurses advice on how to overcome challenges and meet other nurses who have had similar experiences.

Professional networking assists nurses with developing relationships that offer professional growth and clinical knowledge to inform personal practice. Nurses who do not put forth the effort to network with peers and other healthcare professionals risk working in a silo, where care practices can become stagnant, risking the feeling of being in a “rut.”

Sherman (2018) explains the benefits of networking for career opportunities, stating recruiters may not always advertise job openings, instead relying on referrals from professionals they work with, whose judgment they trust. Creating and sustaining a professional network is key to advancing your career and finding new opportunities.

Nurses can find a plethora of networking opportunities through national and specialty professional nursing organizations. Professional organizations offer many opportunities for professional growth, such as developing leadership skills, continuing education/certifications, resources for career development, and more (Echevarria, 2018). Networking meets the following competencies in Standard 13, Education, from the ANA (2021) Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice:

Seeks experiences that reflect current practice to maintain and advance knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment in clinical practice or role performance.
Participates in continuing professional development activities related to nursing and interprofessional knowledge bases and professional topics.
Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peersand interprofessional colleagues (ANA, 2021, pp. 98-99).
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networking, everyone is connected

Planning short- and long-term goals helps nurses locate the most relevant, robust network of colleagues who can assist with seeking out new job opportunities. Many opportunities exist for networking within one’s institution, such as presenting a new evidence-based practice at a unit meeting or volunteering for an institutional-wide committee.

Social media is another way to network with other healthcare professionals, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Most professional organizations have their own Facebook and Twitter pages/feeds, making it easier for nurses to connect with other healthcare professionals that have similar interests and goals. Creating a LinkedIn account offers nurses opportunities to find mentors and colleagues who have similar interests as well.

While at a conference or other gatherings with healthcare professionals, Sherman (2018) encourages nurses to begin a conversation by asking any of the following questions:

How did you get started in your role?
What are your challenges?
What significant changes are you seeing in your environment?
What’s the most innovative thing that’s happening in your organization?
What do you think will happen with healthcare reform?
What trends do you see happening in nursing today?
What advice would you give to an emerging nurse leader?
How can I help you?
Who else at this meeting would be helpful for me to speak with?
Sherman (2018) offers some additional advice about networking:

Networking is about planning, developing the relationship over time. Do not inquire about a job too quickly.
Build a community of colleagues, think about what you can do for others first. Volunteer to offer your assistance with setting up for a conference or sharing an article on a clinical procedure.
Having an up-to-date LinkedIn page is essential, including a professional email address, outgoing phone message, and business cards. Always carry your business cards with you.
Prepare for networking opportunities. Think about (and write down) topics to discuss or introductory questions.
Be excited, and positive, to those you network with. Refrain from complaining about anything. Stay focused on building relationships.
Relationship building begins with listening. Ask other people about themselves and their careers. Offer your ideas and ask questions, though be sure your personal dialog does not take up the entire conversation.
Follow up with new relationships, whether it’s sending a thank-you note or responding promptly to a request.
Cultivate new relationships. Networking is an ongoing investment in professional development.

Course Code Class Code Assignment Title Total Points
NRS-430V NRS-430V-O503 Professional Development of Nursing Professionals 250.0

Criteria Percentage Unsatisfactory (0.00%) Less than Satisfactory (75.00%) Satisfactory (79.00%) Good (89.00%) Excellent (100.00%)
Content 80.0%
IOM Summary of Four Messages and Significance to Nursing Practice 16.0% Summary of the four messages outlined in the IOM report and explanation of why these are significant to nursing practice is omitted. Summary of the four messages outlined in the IOM report is partially presented. Explanation of why these are significant to nursing practice is incomplete. There are significant inaccuracies. Summary of the four messages outlined in the IOM report is presented. Explanation of why these are significant to nursing practice is generally presented. There are some inaccuracies. Some information or rationale is needed to fully support summary. Summary of the four messages outlined in the IOM report is presented. Explanation of why these are significant to nursing practice is presented. Minor detail is needed for clarity. Summary of the four messages outlined in the IOM report is clearly presented. A detailed explanation of why these are significant to nursing practice is presented. A strong understanding of the IOM report and its influence on nursing practice is demonstrated.

Influence of IOM on Education, Leadership, Benefits and Opportunities for BSN-Prepared Nurses 16.0% The direct influence of the IOM report on nursing education, nursing leadership, and the benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses is not discussed. The direct influence of the IOM report on nursing education and nursing leadership is partially presented. Some benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses resulting from the IOM report are summarized. There are inaccuracies. The direct influence of the IOM report on nursing education and nursing leadership is summarized. Some benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses resulting from the IOM report are generally described. Overall, a general understanding of the IOM report and its influence on nursing is demonstrated. The direct influence of the IOM report on nursing education and nursing leadership is discussed. The benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses resulting from the IOM report are described. Overall, an understanding of the IOM report and its influence on nursing is demonstrated. The direct influence of the IOM report on nursing education and nursing leadership is thoroughly discussed. The benefits and opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses resulting from the IOM report are described in detail. Overall, an in-depth understanding of the IOM report and its influence on nursing is demonstrated.

Importance of the Evolution of the Education and Role of the Nurse to Meet the Needs of an Aging and Diverse Population 16.0% The importance of the evolution of the education and role of the nurse to meet the needs of an aging and diverse population is not presented. A partial explanation the importance of the evolution of the education and role of the nurse to meet the needs of an aging and diverse population is presented. There major are inaccuracies. A summary of the importance of the evolution of the education and role of the nurse to meet the needs of an aging and diverse population is presented. Some information is needed to fully support explanation. An explanation of the importance of the evolution of the education and role of the nurse to meet the needs of an aging and diverse population is presented. Some detail is needed for clarity. A thorough explanation the importance of the evolution of the education and role of the nurse to meet the needs of an aging and diverse population is presented. The explanation demonstrates a clear understanding of the role of the nurse in meeting the needs of an aging and diverse population.

Significance of Professional Development, Lifelong Learning, in Relation to Diverse Populations Across the Life Span and Health-Illness Continuum 16.0% The significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum is not discussed. The significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum is incomplete. There are major inaccuracies The significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum is summarized. Some rationale or evidence is needed for support. The significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum is discussed. Some detail is needed for clarity. The significance of professional development, or lifelong learning, and its relevance in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum is discussed in detail. The relevance of professional development in caring for diverse populations across the life span and within the health-illness continuum is demonstrated.

Effectiveness of Nurses Managing Patient Care Within an Evolving Health Care System 16.0% A discussion of how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system is omitted. A partial discussion of how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system is presented. There are major inaccuracies. A general discussion of how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system is presented. Some rationale or evidence is needed for support. A discussion of how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system is presented. Minor detail or rationale is needed. A through discussion of how nurses can assist in effectively managing patient care within an evolving health care system is presented. The discussion offers compelling rationale and demonstrates insight into managing patient care within contemporary health care.

Organization and Effectiveness 15.0%
Thesis Development and Purpose 5.0% Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear. Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

Argument Logic and Construction 5.0% Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources. Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility. Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative. Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) 5.0% Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present. Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

Format 5.0%
Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) 2.0% Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent. Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style. All format elements are correct.

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style) 3.0% Sources are not documented. Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.

People inhabit different socioeconomic backgrounds with varying resources, values, and cultures. These variations prompt considerable health-related differences, including access to care, people’s perception of health, and health promotion activities. Since variations in resources and geographical locations are the primary cause of health disparities, interventions to reduce them should be intensified at the local and national levels. Nurses should also embrace their role as health equity promoters and ensure all populations get the deserved healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the significance of health equity in the National Academy of Medicine 2021 report, the impacts of social determinants of health, nurses’ role in equity promotion, and the significance of self-care.

The Significance of Healthy Equity in the National Academy of Medicine 2021 Report

Nurses play a pivotal role in advancing health by combining skills, expertise, and passion. Addressing health inequities to improve people’s health is among the highly stressed nurses’ roles. The National Academy of Medicine 2021 report explores nurses’ work in reducing health disparities and promoting equity into 2030 (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2023). Other focus areas include nurses’ role in cost reduction and technology utilization to achieve the best possible care for patients and populations. To achieve these goals, the current healthcare system should educate, remunerate and employ adequate nurses to remove barriers to care, diversify the workforce, and empower nurses to address health equity issues (Wakefield et al., 2021). As the report underlines, achieving health equity ensures all populations live the healthiest life possible irrespective of where they live, income levels, and race, among other factors. In collaboration with the government and partners, the healthcare system should also prepare the next generation of nurses to promote health equity and ensure all populations receive quality healthcare services. A suitable way of achieving this goal is to revamp nursing education to ensure nurses understand all the social and environmental factors that cause disparities, how to collaborate with colleagues to address health equity issues, and care provision to diverse populations.

Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly influence health outcomes across populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022) described SDOH as the conditions where people are born, live, and work and other wider systems that shape daily life. Largely, SDOH are the nonmedical factors influencing population health outcomes. They include education, healthcare access and quality, social and community contexts, access to nutritious foods and safe housing. Economic and social policies are among the wider forces impacting people’s health. Regarding their impacts on health equity, access to healthy foods increases health disparities in the affected communities. People’s geographical locations, cultural norms, and income levels affect access to healthy foods. Lack of access to healthy foods implies poor nutrition, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2023). Life expectancy also reduces in populations with poor access to healthy foods.

Role of the Nurse in Improving Health Equity and Impacting Social Needs

Nurses can use their position and influence to improve health equity and effectively address people’s multidimensional needs. In agreement with Oruche and Zapolski (2020), nurses can reduce health disparities by being increasingly committed to diversity, inclusion and breaking down barriers to health. In this case, they should ensure health resources are fairly distributed according to people’s diverse needs and that all patients are assisted to achieve their full health potential. The other critical nurse’s role is advocacy, which entails protecting patients’ rights and acting as their voice (Nsiah et al., 2019). While serving this role, nurses ensure no one faces discrimination when seeking care and that all patients can comfortably and safely interact with healthcare professionals. Importantly, nurses should partner with political and health stakeholders to advance health in the communities through education, screening, and other health-related activities. Such activities enable people to understand their health and social needs, advocate for them, and seek timely interventions to live healthily and productively.

Significance of Self-Care for Nursing Burnout and Strategies for Personal and Spiritual Health

Nurse burnout is prevalent in current settings and impedes nurses’ ability to provide high-quality care. Practicing self-care is crucial for nurses to reduce stress, increase their energy levels, and be better positioned to provide compassionate care (Kaple, 2023; Nilsson, 2022). Self-care ensures that nurses are optimally physically, mentally, and emotionally. Self-care strategies include regulating shift schedules, avoiding a high workload, building healthy relationships with co-workers, and exercising. Mindfulness and practicing spirituality are also highly recommended for nurses experiencing or at risk of burnout. To maintain personal and spiritual health, nurses should embrace mindfulness, meditative walking, and religious practices, such as prayers and reading religious books (Nilsson, 2022). These interventions provide nurses with the much-needed psychophysical balance and wellness to practice in stressful conditions. They also improve coping, which reduces job dissatisfaction, anxiety, and fatigue.

Conclusion

Nurses work in diverse settings and encounter patients with varying needs. Irrespective of these differences, nurses must strive to provide timely and satisfactory care as professionally mandated. The endeavor to promote health equity should be universal among nurses to ensure all populations can achieve the best possible care. Besides, nurses should practice self-care through meditation, exercises, mindfulness, and spirituality. Self-care enables them to cope with nurse burnout hence high productivity and job satisfaction.

 

 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Social determinants of health at CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.html#:~:text=Social%20determinants%20of%20health%20(SDOH,the%20conditions%20of%20daily%20life.

Kaple, T. (2023). Top tips for nurses on dealing with burnout. NurseJournal. https://nursejournal.org/resources/tips-for-avoiding-nurse-burnout/

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2023). The future of nursing 2020-2030. https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/the-future-of-nursing-2020-2030

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