NURS 6003 Assignment specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing

Nursing is a dynamic profession that aims to address health care needs of patients depending on the changes of patterns of disease in a society. In this regard, nurses play a significant role in optimizing quality outcomes for patients regardless of the state of health manifested by individuals (Delaney & Vanderhoef, 2019). Most often, pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing is not an end to a nursing career but it is the path that one can use to specialize in a given area of practice that guarantees quality care to patients. In a similar case, I have enrolled for Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Walden University to pursue further interest and knowledge in the specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing to address the dynamics of healthcare system of the current society (Bingham & O’Brien, 2018). Initially, I hoped to enroll in gerontology nursing but upon guidance and with extensive consultations, I chose psychiatric mental health. PMHNP is a specialty where nurses provide direct care to clients in need of mental health assistance (Ong et al., 2017). Gerontology nursing on the other hand involves the provision of care to older patients in nursing homes or a health facility.

Christian values are essential to embody in all aspects of life. While GCU utilizes these values as a foundational component for educational standards, these should also be standard for how students are influenced in their academic performance as well. Academic dishonesty, which is the opposite of academic integrity, plagues all academic levels. There are several reasons why I think students are tempted into dishonesty including pressure for success, lack of understanding about what constitutes plagiarism, and not fully understanding the entire process of academia. Integrity is the intrinsic belief to do the right thing even when no one is watching and is an essential value of the Christian doctrine. When students believe and practice integrity, they will be able to apply this outside of the classroom and to other aspects of life. If students are engaging in academic dishonesty, this may be suggestive of a lack of integrity outside of the classroom as well. Lack of integrity is one example of the brokenness seen in society today. It shows a desire for success regardless of the means to get there or if there was any actual self-growth in the achievement of success. Having an educational infrastructure based on Christian values will not only foster academic success but will support students to apply these values beyond the classroom and become a part of their daily lives.

As for psychiatric-mental health nursing, students are prepared to identify typical vital signs, administer medication, and how to provide ambulatory services to patients with psychological problems (Hastings, Kroposki & Williams, 2017). In addition, nurses in this specialty are trained on wound care and skills on intravenous (IV) therapy as well as competencies on grading comatose patients who need intensive care treatment. On the contrary, gerontology nurses require skills on biopsychosocial factors related to elderly patients, complications of polypharmacy, and analysis of morbidity patterns in old age (Garbrah et al., 2017). In both settings of PMHNP and gerontology nursing, students need skills to address health needs of patients.

When compared to gerontology, psychiatric-mental health nursing is required in almost all settings of care across the world. In essence, PMHNP would be a better specialty of nursing to study as career prospects in the profession are promising being that one can work anywhere and at any time (Ong et al., 2017). However, despite the imminent and unwavering progression of aging in the present world, fewer nursing students select gerontology as a specialty due to low interest in the area. The reason could partly be due to a lack of interest in providing care at the end of life setting possibly in a nursing home or in a hospice (Garbrah et al., 2017). In this regard, psychiatric-mental health nursing is exciting and provides an avenue where nurses meet patients with different urgent needs as opposed to routine check-ups of elderly patients with degenerative diseases.

Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty

Use the space below to write a paragraph identifying and justifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Be sure to incorporate any feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.

I prefer psychiatric-mental health nursing for MSN specialization to gerontology nursing even though the former requires one to work in a high-stress environment. I find the setting in mental health nursing exciting as one works at every instant to address urgent needs of patients as opposed to care of older patients which can at times be boring due to repeated cases of service delivery (Bingham & O’Brien, 2018). Most of the colleagues I work with have observed keenly my good speed in care delivery and excellent communication skills which can be instrumental in providing urgent care in a mental health setting. Coupled with my good relationship with patients, I have a conviction that an MSN in mental health nursing will help me offer utmost care to clients presented at the psychiatric unit of the health facility.

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.).

RE: Discussion – Week 8

COLLAPSE

Top of Form

Kara,

I really enjoyed your post! I found to be well put together and it offered a lot of useless points related to this weeks topic. I agree that the development of an eportforlio is essential to an advanced providers career developed. Hannans and Olivo (2017) discuss that traditional resumes may become a thing of the past and they predict eportfolios as being a requirement for job candidates in the future. Hannans and Olivo (2017) also discuss that prospective employers may attempt to research a canidate online before hire and it could look ill part on the candidate to not have an online portfolio established on some time of social media platform. I never thought of this myself until reading that article.

I too think that it is really important for future and current advanced practitioners to become a member of an organization related to their field/speciality. My background as a nurse is Emergency room and I myself have been a member of the ENA for several years. I enjoy being a member because they send routine emails about conference, training, and continuing education oppurtunies in my speciality. This will be extremely important for us as advanced practice nurses in order to stay up to date with current research and data. According to Crumley (2020) “Professional nursing organizations (PNOs) play a critical role in maximizing the influence of our nursing profession on health systems and policy, through support of patient safety, the socioeconomic welfare of nurses, and professional practice” (p.1).

References

Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48-49. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.americannursetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ant11-Digital-Identity-1017a-1.pdf

Crumley, C. (2020). The Benefits of Active Engagement in Nursing Professional Organizations: A View From Here. Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing, 47(6),

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

Step 3: Professional Organizations

Use the space below to identify and examine one professional organization related to your selected or preferred specialty. Explain how you can become a member of this organization.

My specialty area in the MSN program operates under the umbrella of American Psychiatric Nurse Association (APNA) in the United States of America. Founded in 1986, APNA is not meant for profit and is exclusively organized for charitable, educational as well as for scientific purposes (Hastings, Kroposki & Williams, 2017). The professional organization requires that each member must have been a registered nurse and completed a masters of science in nursing with a specialty in psychiatric-mental health nursing (Delaney & Vanderhoef, 2019). Upon completing my MSN program at Walden University, I will seek a state license with APNA so that I receive certification needed for. With the document, I will be able to assume membership with the organization and comply with the financial obligations stipulated in its policy.

Conclusion

Pursuing degree in nursing may not be an end to studies in the nursing profession. This could be supported by the premise that the patient care strategies continue to change which also necessitate improved care option. As for the case of psychiatric-mental health nursing, an advanced degree will be necessary to optimize care to patients. An MSN will also offer an avenue for a psychiatric-mental health nurse to be registered with the APNA professional body so the one works with a uniform standard for improved care.

References

Bingham, H., & O’Brien, A. J. (2018). Educational intervention to decrease stigmatizing attitudes of undergraduate nurses towards people with mental illness. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 27(1), 311-319. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12322

Delaney, K. R., & Vanderhoef, D. (2019). The psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurse workforce: Charting the future. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390318806571

Garbrah, W., Välimäki, T., Palovaara, M., & Kankkunen, P. (2017). Nursing curriculums may hinder a career in gerontological nursing: An integrative review. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 12(3), e12152. https://doi.org/10.1111/opn.12152

Hastings, T., Kroposki, M., & Williams, G. (2017). Can completing a mental health nursing course change students’ attitudes?. Issues in mental health nursing, 38(5), 449-454. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1278810

Ong, H. L., Seow, E., Chua, B. Y., Xie, H., Wang, J., Lau, Y. W., … & Subramaniam, M. (2017). Why is psychiatric nursing not the preferred option for nursing students: A cross-sectional study examining pre-nursing and nursing school factors. Nurse education today, 52, 95-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.02.014

Week 1 | Part 1: My Academic and Professional Network

When joining college, nursing students are usually gray in many areas, and professional knowledge develops as they learn concepts in their respective fields and network with peers. For nurses to complete their programs successfully, academic and professional support is essential. This support is enhanced by collaborating inter-professionally. Interprofessional collaboration is vital in nursing since it provides nurses with platforms for social and professional interaction as they work in teams (Moss et al., 2016). It is a way to share knowledge and resources. Networking opens a broader sphere of influence.

According to Goolsby and Knestrick (2017), professional networking is an element that enables nurses to communicate with others with shared interests and expertise. It creates relationships that support new opportunities. Khanum et al. (2016) further mentioned that interdisciplinary networking provides nurses with contacts for personal development and establishing contacts that make them better patient care providers. This section of my plan describes the academic and professional resources that I believe will be instrumental in my nursing program.

NETWORK MEMBER 1

Name: Karen Ouzts

Title: Program Director

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: When pursuing any professional program in a learning institution, it is crucial to look for people who can guide when academic matters are not progressing as expected. They are the people to consult due to their in-depth experience about the practice and educational issues. Dr. Ouzts is well-conversant with Walden University’s academic structure and how the nursing environment operates, having taught in the university for about a decade. She has also taught various courses whose concepts are applicable in many nursing areas and can be consulted on them. They include the role of nurses in population health and preserving health in a diverse society. As a scholar, Dr. Ouzts has written various books and articles, which I will read to improve my experience.

NETWORK MEMBER 2

Name: MSN Colleagues

Title: RN/MSN/NP Students

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Excellence and comfort in nursing depend largely on how nurses team up with their colleagues in the same programs. Under the same program, nurse students handle the same assignments and discuss concepts from different perspectives. MSN colleagues would be vital in discussing issues and overcoming challenges I am likely to experience in the program. The support system we will establish would be critical in forming future networks to enable us to get employment and understand practice requirements and changes occurring every day. I look forward to learning from my colleagues as they learn from me as well.

NETWORK MEMBER 3

Name: Dr. Shari Lawson

Title: MD; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Organization: Johns Hopkins Medicine

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: As I pursue the MSN program, it is crucial to keep learning from others, particularly those involved in the practice directly. Such individuals are adequately informed on matters happening in practice as situations change and how nursing matters, including illness dynamics, change over time. Through them, nurses get insight into how to utilize their knowledge to address population needs. Due to her broad experience in the health practice as an employee of Johns Hopkins, Dr. Shari Lawson would be crucial in research matters and information on emerging issues and how to prepare well to meet the changing professional demands.

NETWORK MEMBER 4

Name: Diane Whitehead

Title: Program Director

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Diane Whitehead is experienced and honored in many areas of the nursing practice. She has been actively teaching and administering associate degree, bachelor, and graduate nursing programs for a while. Also, she has published several books on the nursing practice and online nursing education. I chose her due to her vast experience in evidence-based practice, having taught several courses in this area. Lehane et al. (2019) and Chien (2019) noted that nurses implement research findings to improve patient outcomes, the work environment, and the clinical practice through evidence-based practice. As I look forward to gaining more knowledge on my program, I will also be looking for guidance and knowledge to supplement what I will be learning. I believe that Diane Whitehead is among the most suited to guide me in this area.

ADDITIONAL NETWORK MEMBERS

Nursing Association (ANA) Members

Title: RN/MSN/NP

Organization: American Nursing Association

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: As a nurse student or when actively engaged in the nursing profession, nurses need a lot of information about professional demands, ideas of excellence or failure, and changes characterizing the health practice over time. The best people to liaise with are those registered in professional bodies. Since these professional bodies have options for nurse students, it is crucial to register to get a chance to know how the health care industry operates. I look forward to benefiting from representation as I use the professional network to expand my knowledge and access more information and resources to become an excellent and committed nurse.

In conclusion, networking enhances professional knowledge diversely. Although nurses gain a lot of information through classwork, they need to discuss concepts from different perspectives, hence networking with their colleagues. Challenges are part of the practice, and nurses require guidance in many areas. Academic and professional networks are the ideal sources of the required support system.

References

Chien, L. Y. (2019). Evidence-based practice and nursing research. The Journal of Nursing Research, 27(4), e29. doi: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000346

Goolsby, M. J., & Knestrick, J. M. (2017). Effective professional networking. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(8), 441-445. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12484

Khanum, S., Souza, M. D. L. D., Naz, N., Sasso, G. T. M. D., Brüggemann, O. M., & Heideman, I. T. S. B. (2016). The use of networking in nursing practice—An integrative review. Societies, 6(3), 22. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/6/3/22/pdf

Lehane, E., Leahy-Warren, P., O’Riordan, C., Savage, E., Drennan, J., O’Tuathaigh, C., … & Hegarty, J. (2019). Evidence-based practice education for healthcare professions: an expert view. BMJ evidence-based medicine, 24(3), 103-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2018-111019

Moss, E., Seifert, P. C., & O’Sullivan, A. (2016). Registered nurses as interprofessional collaborative partners: creating value-based outcomes. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(3). doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No03Man04

Week 2 | Part 2: Academic Resources and Strategies

Academic and professional resources are essential in processing and understanding skills acquired in the MSN program. Importantly, the strategies used in academics are important as they facilitate the degree of understanding of the learner and development of an environment for better knowledge acquisition (Bradshaw, 2017). On their part, professional resources or strategies enable learners in MSN programs to establish and nurture a credible and reliable network that allows them to develop personally and professionally after complete their program. As such, the following academic and professional development resources or strategies will be important in this MSN program.

Academic Resource/Strategy 1: Academic Mentorship

Academic mentorship is the first resource that I will use while undertaking the MSN program. Mentorship denotes the process of nurturing that entails learning from more experienced professionals and organizations to attain the necessary knowledge. The MSN program at Walden is conducted through mentorship programs by the enrolment advisor’s office. Based on the program, the university arranges for professional networking that I will use to derive both knowledge and skills from more experienced nursing practitioners. The academic coaches will enable me to acquire and learn skills while at the institution.

Academic Resource/Strategy 2: Library

The library is the second resource that I will use for academic learning at this institution. Walden University’s central library provides learners access to relevant books, articles and journals. The library’s central database is accessible from any part of the institution and has different databases relevant to advanced nursing education. Furthermore, students can remotely access the library and get an avenue to conduct detailed research and acquire more knowledge (Bradshaw, 2017). The library has resource individuals like the librarian who can guide students on how to research and access critical information for the MSN program.

Academic Resource/Strategy 3: Peer Study Groups

Peer study groups will offer a third academic strategy as the university provide effective learning opportunities through these online discussion boards. The online program offers one the opportunity to interact with fellow MSN students from different parts of the country and even world for effective discussions on their experiences and responding to questions (Bradshaw, 2017). Through the discussion groups, I will learn and understand new concepts and their application in nursing practice.

Academic Resource/Strategy 4: The Writing Center

The fourth resource that I will deploy is the writing center. The resource offers graduate students with additional opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge on various styles of writing and how to report their research findings. The center also offers guidance to students on different ways to write their reports in a better and effective manner. I will utilize the writing center to get assistance on issues like proofreading and enhancing my research skills to ensure that they meet the required standards. I hope to get research-related information on issues like writing guidelines that I will use to improve my overall approach to research in this program. The implication is that as a resource, the center will offer increased opportunities to access evidence-based approaches to research and interactions with other students that will share their perspectives on different issues in the course for effective delivery and meeting expected performance.

Professional Resource/Strategy 1: Professional Mentorship

Professional mentorship is a professional strategy that I will use while understanding the MSN program. Walden University allows its MSN program students to develop professional through various attachment to nursing institutions. The internship program allows MSN program students to acquire primary skills through practical engagement while being guided by more experienced health professionals (Gilmore et al., 2017). The aim of this arrangement is to facilitate the learning process by establishing a link between practice and theoretical components of study. Professional mentorship allows students to get hand-on skills in advanced practice nursing, especially in specialty areas.

Professional Resource/Strategy 2: Nursing Bodies and Organizations

The second professional strategy that I will utilize to succeed in the MSN course and nursing practice are professional nursing bodies and organizations. The development of knowledge and networking opportunities are essential components in the MSN program. Students in the program should be informed on activities and events that impact their practice and get connected to other advanced practice nurses in the state and around the country. Professional nursing entities like the American Nurses Association (ANA) offer nurses the opportunity to participate in professional activities and research events like conferences, seminars, and workshops to enhance their practice and apply their educational knowledge (ANA, n.d). The bodies also set and review standards and ethical principles that guide nursing practice. Participation in these organizations through different avenues is critical in developing new insights and understanding research trends.

Professional Resource/Strategy 3: Development Programs

The third resource or strategy that I will deploy are development programs that denote to necessary interventions that the institution has to guide the acquisition of important skills for learners. For instance, the approaches under the program focus on sharpening both communication and interactive skills among learners as the foundation of improving interpersonal skills (Gilmore et al., 2017). Imperatively, MSN program learners require soft skills as they are valuable in future workplace as nurses will interact with patients to get relevant information in nursing practice.

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE/STRATEGY 4: The Librarian

The fourth resource from a professional perspective is the librarian. Studies show that librarians possess extensive knowledge and skills on acquiring various sources of evidence-based research information and statistics. As professionals, they possess adept experience in deployment of various research tools that can be utilized in developing researches, dissertations and proposals by graduate students. MSN students can use these tools to advance their research through an effective librarian support. The librarian can help one advance their understanding on different concepts associated with the acquisition, review and analysis of literature and how to present data. The librarian will help me in getting resources from the library, especially literature aligned with my project and how it helps one get their goals effectively in research. I will guidelines on complex citations and adherence to institutional expectations, particularly on quality and integrity of the research work.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES/STRATEGIES: Time Management

An additional strategy that I will employ to attain my success in the program is time management. I will ascertain that I utilize the available time in the most appropriate way to meet the program’s demands and requirements like submission of assignments and homework as well as discussions and respective responses. I will prioritize the tasks that are most important and complete them on time. I will strive to create a balance between the different roles and duties that I have, right from professional duties to personal obligations. The other strategy is to be active in group discussions and ensure that I collaborate effectively with all members and the faculty. I will ensure that I take a leading role in projects and attain optimum productivity by using better communication aspects like enhanced interactions and feedback from colleagues. The last strategy is self-discipline to help me meet all the goals and success requirements. I will ensure that I meet the rules and regulations of the university on issues like academic integrity and performance.

Conclusion

These resources and strategies demonstrate the need for MSN program students to be proactive and focused on succeeding in their studies as well as translating their knowledge into practice. Academic and professional resources or strategies will be critical in getting better education and knowledge for effective care delivery as I advance in nursing education under the MSN program. These resources and strategies are critical in helping me meet my goals and attain advanced qualifications through attainment of the MSN degree.

References

American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d). Professional Development Resources.

https://www.nursingworld.org/membership/member-benefits/professional-development-resources/

Bradshaw, M. J. (2017). Innovative teaching strategies in nursing and related health

professions. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Gilmore, J., Wofford, A. M., & Maher, M. A. (2017). The flip side of the attrition coin:

Faculty perceptions of factors supporting graduate student success. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 11, 419-439. DOI: 10.28945/3618

Walden University. (2019). Discover Online Nursing Degrees.

https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/nursing

Week 3 | Part 3: Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics

Introduction

Professional integrity incorporates behaviors consistent with the ethical and professional expectations in nursing practices. On the other hand, academic integrity combines five major fundamental values, including fairness, honesty, trust, respect, as well as responsibility for the entire academic works. In both nursing education and profession, there is always the need for individuals involved to adhere to educational and professional integrity so at to ensure effective practices. Academic integrity is usually observed at all levels of learning processes, from discussion, assignments, to examinations. Students or learners are always expected to maintain the originality of their works and ensure that there is no plagiarism. Also, there is always the need to ensure appropriate grammar before submitting assignments. Plagiarism is regarded as a serious offense in the writing process. In most cases, learners found to have plagiarized opinions, thoughts, as well as ideas of other people without recognition are subject to disciplinary actions such as course failure and suspension. In the professional environment, moral and ethical principles dictate different aspects of human lives. Established social, ethical, and moral principles considerably enable individuals to co-exist and live harmoniously with each other. A high level of professionalism often begins at the education level. While in nursing school and other different colleges, learners are always taught to maintain a high level of integrity; through continuous learning processes, they become familiar with most of the requirements in professional practices. The purpose of this paper is to determine the connection between academic and professional integrity.

The Relationship between Academic Integrity and Writing

Academic integrity is perceived as the backbone of academic and professional writing. In other words, while writing academic papers, there is always the need for nursing and other students to adhere to the requirements that lead to quality papers. Academic integrity involves taking appropriate measures and responsibilities and exhibiting honesty in writing and presenting original work. While writing, it is necessary for the students and other professionals to give credit to the scholarly works used when presenting one’s ideas. Academic papers need to have citations that acknowledges other people’s idea. These citations also need to have references to the sources that have been used. In general, while doing academic writing, it is necessary for one to observe academic integrity.

In most cases, the perception of the readers, as well as the level of writing, are always shaped by academic integrity expressed by the authors in the course of writing. One of the virtues of academic integrity is producing plagiarism-free papers by either paraphrasing ideas or acknowledging other people’s ideas through the application of citations. Also, proper referencing needs to be made at the end of the paper. Additionally, creativity is always required in the writing process; creativity care therefore be expressed through the presentation of original work. Academic integrity is critical in different aspects of life. Usually, high personality, integrity, as well as a discipline are molded through adherence to academic integrity, a scenario that creates a good association with the written work of a given author.

The Relationship between Professional Practices and Scholarly Ethics

Professional practices refer to the conducts and behaviors that guide different professionals in a given work environment. Every organization has different requirements and standards on how employees need to behave. On the other, scholarly ethics incorporate moral and academic integrity while undertaking research processes and different coursework. Scholarly ethics may also involve moral and academic integrity, often observed during examinations often conducted at the end of every study. Both scholarly ethics and professional practices have always been intertwined since they build on each other. Individuals with a high level of scholarly ethics are bound to have strong skills that can also be expressed into high standards of professional practices (Bealle, 2017). Through practicing scholarly ethics, an individual’s creativity, and confidence and builds when engaged in different things. Gaining confidence and creativity through scholarly ethics can lead to excellent professional practices.

In some cases, developing and maintaining both professional and academic ethics and integrity can be challenging. The strict requirements may force some people to avoid adhering to professional and scholarly practices (Memon et al., 2019). However, failure to follow guidelines that lead to academic integrity often leads to severe consequences such as disqualification from learning institutions. Individuals who are able to follow academic guidelines are more likely to achieve best professional practices. Scholarly ethics is effectively defined in nursing practices; however, professional practices may change due to internal and external forces that guide the ever-changing nursing profession. As a result, there is the need for healthcare institutions to continuously engage in establishing effective professional ethics among learners and the entire academic integrity.

How Grammarly, Safe Assign, And Paraphrasing Contributes to Academic Integrity

There are different tools that can be applied while writing academic papers. These tools are always applied in improving the general quality of the paper. These tools can also be applied to reduce the similar index for the academic papers submitted. Grammarly and Safe Assign software are always applied in academic writing to enhance the quality of papers (Elmunsyah et al., 2018). Since plagiarism is considered a severe offense in academic writing, Safe Assign can reduce the similarity index. Grammarly can also be applied to detect and correct the existing errors or omissions in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuations, and sentence structures. Most universities and other learning institutions often provide these tools to allow students to check their assignments before submission. For writers who want to reduce the levels of plagiarism, paraphrasing is always considered the best approach. It involves rephrasing other people’s ideas or opinions.

Most writers are often involved in paraphrasing to ensure a significant reduction in the level of plagiarism. Through the application of the above tools, writers or students can identify areas that require citations and rephrasing. The application of the above tools can significantly reduce the similarity index. In general, the application of the above tools can improve the quality of original work (Badge & Scott, 2019). The above tools often lead to the overall improvement in academic integrity. Students who use the above tools often obtain high scores in their assignments. They also tend to produce original papers that portray a high level of creativity. Safe Assign automatically conducts checks by comparing the written papers against online databases and institutional databases. The instructors can also apply the safe Assign tool to check the originality of the assignments submitted by students. When students are involved in the use of Grammarly and Safe Assign, they are able to check and correct the similarity index and remove plagiarism below the required level.

Conclusion

Most writers are often involved in paraphrasing to ensure a significant reduction in the level of plagiarism. Through the application of the above tools, writers or students can identify areas that require citations and rephrasing. Developing and maintaining both professional and academic ethics and integrity can be challenging. Academic integrity is perceived as the backbone of academic and professional writing. In other words, while writing academic papers, there is always the need for nursing and other students to adhere to the requirements that lead to quality papers.

References

Badge, J., & Scott, J. (2019). Dealing with plagiarism in the digital age. Synthesis, 1-18. https://evidencenet.pbworks.com/f/Badge_Scott_plagiarism.pdf

Elmunsyah, H., Suswanto, H., Asfani, K., & Hidayat, W. (2018, July). The effectiveness of plagiarism checker implementation in scientific writing for vocational high school. In International Conference on Indonesian Technical Vocational Education and Association (APTEKINDO 2018) (pp. 192-196). Atlantis Press. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wahyu-Nur-Hidayat-3/publication/328342735_The_Effectiveness_of_Plagiarism_Checker_Implementation_in_Scientific_Writing_for_Vocational_High_School/links/5fc7a42492851c00f84543c4/The-Effectiveness-of-Plagiarism-Checker-Implementation-in-Scientific-Writing-for-Vocational-High-School.pdf

Memon, M. A., Salleh, R., & Baharom, M. N. R. (2019). The link between training satisfaction, work engagement and turnover intention. European Journal of Training and Development. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EJTD-10-2015-0077/full/html

Bealle, P. (2017). Community college academic integrity lessons that put research into practice. Theory Into Practice, 56(2), 144-155. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00405841.2017.1283573

PART 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

Expand on your thoughts from Part 1 by:

Introduction

Maintaining both professional and academic integrity is critical (Ison & Szathmary, 2018). To score high on assignments, students always need to use tools such as Grammarly, Safe Assign, and paraphrasing tools (Badge & Scott, 2019). These tools are used to ensure appropriate grammar, plagiarism-free papers, as well as proper citations for the borrowed ideas and opinions. This section aims to examine the strategies that can be employed in maintaining the integrity of work.

Academic Work While a Student of the MSN Program

As a student of the MSN Program, I will ensure the application of appropriate tools that ensure plagiarism-free papers. In other words, I will adhere to the application of tools such as Grammarly, Safe Assign as well as paraphrasing tools. Also, I will ensure timely delivery of assignments to avoid the rush that often leads to the submission of poorly structured and constructed papers. While writing assignments, I will also ensure the integration of citations and references to acknowledge the work and opinions of other authors.

Professional Work as A Nurse Throughout Your Career

As a professional nurse, it is always necessary to maintain a high level of integrity to ensure quality and effective care delivery. I may adhere to the evidence-based practices and research processes to ensure the integrity of the papers being submitted. Additionally, I will adhere to scholarly practices to ensure accurate healthcare delivery outcomes (Elmunsyah et al., 2018). Finally, I will ensure compassion, empathy, as well as honesty in professional practice to ensure successful healthcare outcomes. Healthcare professionals are required to adhere to professional practices to ensure effective treatment outcomes (Garcia et al., 2020).

References

Badge, J., & Scott, J. (2019). Dealing with plagiarism in the digital age. Synthesis, 1-18. https://evidencenet.pbworks.com/f/Badge_Scott_plagiarism.pdf

Garcia, R., Chaiprasert, K., & Velasquez, K. (2020). Academic Freedom: Intellectual Integrity in Times of Institutional Change. https://preprints.apsanet.org/engage/apsa/article-details/5e3b746e0238e40018302a79

Ison, D. C., & Szathmary, K. J. (2018). Assessing academic integrity using SafeAssign plagiarism detection software. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 34(1). https://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view/7444

Week 4 | Part 4: Research Analysis

Nursing students taking the MSN program need to understand the health care environment and issues that affect care delivery. Research analysis skills are critical tools for advanced education nursing students who seek to understand the different aspects of care and how to delivery better interventions for quality patient outcomes. One of such issues affecting health population is accessibility to health care services and resources, especially among low-income populations, households, and individuals. The enactment of health policies like the Affordable Care Act 2010 is focused on improving accessibility, lowering the cost of care and enhancing quality, especially for individuals from low-income settings. However, irrespective of the transformation and changes in the health care industry, millions of vulnerable Americans have limited access to care while the demand for health care increases due to the existing diversity and an aging population. As such, in this part, I review an article on the issue and reflect on the professional practice use of the concepts and theoretical frameworks described in the article.

Step 1: Research Analysis

Complete the table below

Topic of Interest:	Health Care Access among Vulnerable Communities
Research Article: Include full citation in APA format, as well as link or search details (such as DOI)	Bhatt, J. & Bathija, P. (2018). Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care in Vulnerable Communities, Academic Medicine, 93(9):1271-1275. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000002254
Professional Practice Use: One or more professional practice uses of the theories/concepts presented in the article	In the study, the authors highlight the need for increased access to health for millions of Americans living in vulnerable situations; both in rural and urban settings. The authors are categorical that the current transformation in healthcare service delivery may lead to loss of access to health care services, opportunities and resources that these communities and individuals need to enhance and maintain their health. The authors in the article present a commentary outlining features and parameters of vulnerable communities and the need for essential health care services that facilities need to maintain locally based on a taskforce report on ensuring access to these populations and communities. The concept of access to health care services by vulnerable communities and individuals is essential for professional practice use and understanding for nurse practitioners and other individuals to offer quality care. The authors mention critical strategies that can improve access to health care by the vulnerable communities. These include tackling the social determinants of health, embracing new and innovative virtual strategies, designing global budgets and using a transformational strategy targeting outpatient and inpatients in these setting. The implication is that the concepts presented in the article can be used by professional nurses and other healthcare providers to understand the vulnerability of these communities and need to use interventions that will lead to improved access to health care. The authors emphasize the need to enhance innovative models through collaboration among all stakeholder to address value and affordability and ensure that all involved in care practice understand the underlying issues. Secondly, professionals can use the concepts to determine and implement the most effective approaches to addressing challenges faced by the vulnerable communities in different parts of the country in accessing quality and affordable care interventions. The concept implies that professional health care providers should develop innovative yet collaborative approaches to tackle the limited access to these communities in both rural and urban settings.
Research Analysis Matrix Add more rows if necessary	Strengths of the Research	Limitations of the Research	Relevancy to Topic of Interest	Notes
	Demonstrates the quality and economic security risks faced by many individuals because of the systematic health care challenges in the country.	Focuses on patients who defied the status quos based on their socioeconomic status.	Indicates causes of limited access and the inherent challenges to the health care system, especially among the vulnerable populations and individuals	The strengths and relevance meet the need to enhance access to healthcare for all people irrespective of their conditions and social statuses.
	The study shows the challenges that hospitals and health systems are facing and opportunities presented by the ever changing health care environment	The commentary shows the need to advance the health of all patients and communities by health systems through increased access, value creation and addition, partners, wellbeing and coordination	Important to the topic as it illustrates the need to attain optimal care outcomes for a healthy population	The research shows that optimal health and wellness are critical to lifelong healthy living for many people who have limited access to care.
	The commentary shows the need for providers to identify and implement different strategies to enhance access to care among vulnerable communities.	The commentary shows the parameters to define vulnerable communities. However, these parameters only focus on social determinants of health as opposed to other features like systematic inefficiencies and inability to deploy innovative models.	The research is essential to the topic as it demonstrates that effective strategies based on interventions from providers and government entities lead to improved accessibility to healthcare, especially among the vulnerable communities.	Again, the study demonstrates the need to collect evidence from primary sources on ways or practices that address ways to overcome challenges to access
	Gathered evidence from diverse patient population based on participating clinics and patients	The article offers a commentary based on data from existing research and therefore does not give new information.	It shows the significance of patient-centered care and its effects on cost of health care.	Evidence shows that patient-centered interventions or practices are better at addressing barriers to accessibility.
	Demonstrates how health care providers, patients, their families and vulnerable communities can collaborate to develop responsive approaches to enhancing accessibility.	The article focuses on one segment of the population yet many not described as vulnerable face limitations in accessing care in different settings.	It helps the topic as it shows that collaboration among providers can lower costs, increase access and improve quality of care. It also illustrates the need for innovative models that can help providers increase access through collaboration.	The study shows the importance of having a collaboration among all stakeholders focused on addressing accessibility to care issues in community health clinics

Recommending the Article for Professional Practice

The need to understand barriers to healthcare accessibility is essential for professional practitioners like nurses. In this case, the article shows how vulnerable communities fail to access primary care services due to a host of issues; key among them social determinants of health. Therefore, I would recommend the article to inform professional practice as it describes the barriers faced by vulnerable communities in accessing primary care interventions.

Summary of Analysis

Analyzing a peer-reviewed article is essential in identifying care aspects under study in research. As such, one need to possess critical thinking abilities and use analytical models related to the study topic or area. Based on these aspects, my approach focused on getting the most critical and common issue that impacts health care delivery system in the United States. Despite enactment of different legal frameworks at state and federal levels, millions of Americans continue to face hurdles in accessing health care resources and services (Ware et al., 2017). Vulnerable populations and individuals that consist mainly of racial minorities face unprecedented levels of low accessibility to these resources.

Identifying and analyzing peer-reviewed research is critical to clinical and nursing practice, especially the translation of evidence into care practice for better patient outcomes and accessibility. In this case, my approach to the identification and analysis of the peer-reviewed research depends on ensuring that I get my topic of interest and one that aligns with the issues affecting healthcare delivery, especially the concept of accessibility.

I will use various strategies that I employed to effectively find peer-reviewed research article for the topic and the other future projects as I undertake my MSN program. The first strategy in this case was the application of the right search words in different database to get the article. Secondly, finding peer-reviewed journals on the relevant issue enables one to get the best articles, particularly from primary research works. One can also employ various resources to access peer-reviewed research studies (Tulimiero et al., 2021). Among these resources is Walden online library with journal databases from different areas and specialties. These include databases like Medline, Cochrane library and CINAHL plus among others.

Conclusion

Research analysis is an important component of completing an MSN program and nurse students need to use the opportunity to improve their critical thinking skills and analytical abilities. Limited access to healthcare remains a critical challenge to care provision, particularly among the vulnerable communities in both rural and urban settings. Generating viable solutions to the problem is important to enhancing quality of care in community health settings.

References

Ahmed, S. (2017). Using eHealth Technologies: Interests, Preferences, and Concerns of Older Adults. Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 6(1), e3. http://doi.org.library.capella.edu/10.2196/ijmr.4447

Bhatt, J. D. O. & Priya, B. J. D. (2018). Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care in

to health care access in rural Latino communities: an innovative model in the eastern Coachella Valley. The Journal of Rural Health, 37(3), 635-644. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12483

Tulimiero, M., Garcia, M., Rodriguez, M., & Cheney, A. M. (2021). Overcoming barriers

Vulnerable Communities. Academic Medicine, 93(9):1271-1275. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000002254

Ware, P., Bartlett, S. J., Paré, G., Symeonidis, I., Tannenbaum, C., Bartlett, G., …

Week 5 | Part 5: Professional Development

I have developed a curriculum vitae to capture my academic and professional accomplishments to date.

The results of my efforts are below.

Directions: Complete Step a curriculum vitae (CV) in the space provided.

Academic accomplishments are vital parts of professional development, and an academic portfolio is essential for building a professional’s brand (Elciyar, 2021). It is worth noting that a professional portfolio is much more than building own brand is it can be a base for building vision, mission, and establishing development goals (Seldin, P., & Miller, 2018). It is important to undertake the process of developing a portfolio as it makes an individual develop various skills and identify skills that the person has gained through various experiences and how the experiences relate to the career of interest. A portfolio contains various parts, including, statement of originality, work philosophy, career goals, a resume, and skill areas (Chaudhuri, T., & Cabau, 2017). Therefore, this latest part of the academic and professional success plan entails the addition of my resume.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Modesta Chioma Gathers

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented nurse with experience in leadership and management roles. Organized and great interpersonal skills.

Skills

Caring and sympathetic Great ability to multi-task Organized

Leadership skills Able to think critically Attention to detail

Experience

Direct Care Professional Merakey, Broomall, PA

Administered medications as prescribed by doctors for the best health of the patients. Aided families in adjusting to lifestyle changes.

Assisted clients in getting involved in community events and projects.

Listened to and resolved patient concerns.

July 2016 – Current

Direct Care Professional

Amudipe’s Residential and Day Treatment Facilities, Clifton Heights, PA

Engaged clients in game playing, going on walks or having conversations.

June 2016 – Current

Handled personal hygiene of convalescents, such as bathing, grooming and getting dressed every morning. Administered medications as prescribed by doctors for the best health of the patients.

Social welfare officer

Ministry of women affairs &social development, Owerri, imo state, Nigeria

March 2009 – April 2014

Collaborated with [Department, team or personnel] to plan, develop and implement [Project, program or process].

Registered Nurse Private Hospital Owerri, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.

Registered Nurse-Recovery center of America Devon, PA.

Registered Nurse-Lincoln healthcare services, PA

Charge Nurse-Fairmount behavioral healthcare services, PA

April 2011 – February 2014

March 2020

March 2020 -Current

August 2020-Current

Education

Associate degree – school of nursing ministry of health, Owerri, imo state, Nigeria November 2010

Bachelor’s degree -Sociology and Anthropology, imo state university, Owerri, imo state, Nigeria March 2003

Bachelor’s degree in nursing- Grand Canyon University, Arizona May 2021

Conclusion

A professional portfolio is one of the most important documents for a professional. With every section or part keenly written, it can be instrumental for building vision, mission, and establishing development goals. This section has entailed writing a curriculum vitae part of the portfolio.

References

Chaudhuri, T., & Cabau, B. (Eds.). (2017). E-portfolios in higher education: A multidisciplinary approach. Springer.

Elciyar, K. (2021). Social Media and Career Building: Creating Online Portfolios and Personal Brands. In Innovative Perspectives on Corporate Communication in the Global World (pp. 22-37). IGI Global.

Seldin, P., & Miller, J. E. (2018). The academic portfolio: A practical guide to documenting teaching, research, and service. John Wiley & Sons.

Week 6 | Part 6: Finalizing the Plan

This course has focused on the development of sections of an academic and professional plan in the past weeks. Vision and goals, academic and professional network of support, research strategies, work integrity, and the value of consulting the work of others have been explored. Part of an academic and professional development plan includes being cognizant of the formal standards and career guidelines that govern a particular specialty. These standards are important for a nurse specialist to establish grounds of excellence in that particular specialty (Cusack & Smith, 2020). Identifying a relevant organization is a good starting point as the nurse organizations focus on, among other things, helping the professionals grow in the profession, advance education, and become established professionals. This latest part of the academic and professional development plan deals with a nurse specialty comparison, justification for choosing the Master of Nursing specialization. In addition, a professional organization will be identified, and ways of becoming an active member of the organization will also be explored. Walden University provides various nursing specialties that nursing students can choose from to advance their careers and achieve their goals. Various nursing specialties offered by Walden University include psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner, family nurse practice, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, among others. The purpose of this section is therefore to finalize the academic and professional success plan template by comparing specialties.

Comparison of Nursing Specialties

As indicated earlier, it took me some time to settle on psychiatry nursing as my specialty. This section, therefore, compares psychiatry nurse practitioners and family nurse practitioners. While the two specialties have similarities when it comes to responsibilities and job descriptions, there are also differences. One of the similarities is that both the psychiatry nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner are allowed to assess and diagnose their patients and offer treatment, even though the extent of autonomy may differ from state to state (Fagerström, 2021). Various differences exist, though. For instance, family nurse practitioners focus on caring for physical or medical illnesses like abdominal pain. The implication is that they offer care to individuals presenting with injury, infection, and acute illnesses. On the other hand, a psychiatric nurse practitioner by training possesses knowledge of caring for patients presenting with psychological or psychiatric illnesses. They can handle patients in need of high levels of care, presenting with persistent mental illness symptoms, or those who have complicated diseases (Fagerström, 2021). As opposed to the family nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioners are authorized to diagnose mental health patients using DSM 5 and offer them psychotherapy.

Another significant difference comes in the form of certification and licensure requirements. The family nurse practitioner has to complete an examination from either the American Nurse Credentialing Center or the Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Board to obtain certification. If specializing further in a specific field of study, the nurse would need more hours of training and education besides additional certification examination (Phoenix, 2019). For one to obtain certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, they have to write a certification examination given by the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Besides further specialization, for instance, as a pediatrician, the nurse has to take additional coursework dealing with psychiatric-mental health.

Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty

Even though I have always been motivated to continue my education as an APRN after my initial stages of nursing education, one worry has been making the correct choice regarding the specialty. So I had difficulty choosing the correct specialty as some are regarded to involve far much more work and more demanding than others. However, I was eventually convinced that psychiatry nursing is the way to go after observing one of our neighbors diagnosed with mental illness, but I was so inadequate that I was not able to help much. Over the years, there has been more awareness on mental health illness which has helped fight the existing misconceptions and myths about the disease (Latha et al., 2021). I got various replies from my peer regarding my choice of psychiatry nursing. For instance, I got encouragement that it is a good field to pursue. One thing I also noted from the replies is that others just like me struggled at first to choose an area of specialization, but after consultations and varying experiences, they were able to settle on an area.

Step 3: Professional Organizations

One of the most relevant professional organizations to psychiatry nurse practitioners is the American Psychiatry Nurse Association. Professional organizations are essential for professional growth and advancing education (Crumley, 2020). For one to become a member of the organization, the individual has to pay a regular membership fee of $135, must be a registered nurse, and should also be able to pay dues. For affiliate membership, being a registered nurse is not mandatory. The student membership fee is only $25 (APNA, 2021). The organization gives opportunities for professional growth and continual education. In addition, the information and networking opportunities provided by the organization are also immense.

Conclusion

This closing section has explored various aspects of nurse specialty. A comparison has been given between Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner, which is my specialty, and family nurse practitioner, with the focus given to areas of practice and responsibility. In addition, justification for choosing psychiatry and a relevant professional organization has been presented.

References

APNA. (2021). Membership types and dues. https://www.apna.org/m/pages.cfm?pageid=3293.

Crumley, C. (2020). The Benefits of Active Engagement in Nursing Professional Organizations: A View from Here. Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing, 47(6), 547. Doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000700

Cusack, L., & Smith, M. (2020). Portfolios for Nursing, Midwifery and other Health Professions, E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Fagerström, L. M. (2021). A Caring Advanced Practice Nursing Model: Theoretical Perspectives and Competency Domains. Springer Nature.

Latha, K., Meena, K. S., Pravitha, M. R., Dasgupta, M., & Chaturvedi, S. K. (2020). Effective use of social media platforms for promotion of mental health awareness. Journal of education and health promotion, 9. https://dx.doi.org/10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_90_20.

Phoenix, B. J. (2019). The current psychiatric mental health registered nurse workforce. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1078390318810417

Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.

With the resources specific to the MSN specialization and the, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), shared in this module, write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table, comparing at least two nursing specialties that include your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
Write a 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this Module’s Discussion forum.
Identify the professional organization related to your chosen specialization for this Assignment, and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.

Note: Your final version of the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan should include all components as presented the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan template.

By Day 5 of Week 11

Submit your final draft of Parts 1-4 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK11Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Week 11 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Week 11 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK11Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS: NURS 6003 Assignment specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 11 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 11 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 5 of Week 11

To submit your Assignment:

Week 11 Assignment

Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this module, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.

Module 6 (Weeks 10–11): Standards of Practice

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Standards of Practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Standards of Practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Final Thoughts [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze difficulties in determining nursing specializations
Compare nursing specialties
Justify selection of MSN specialization
Analyze nursing specialization professional organization engagement strategies
Create Academic Success and Professional Development Plans

Due By
Assignment
Week 10, Days 1–2

Read the Learning Resources.
Compose your initial Discussion post.
Week 10, Day 3

Deadline to post your initial Discussion post.
Begin to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 10, Days 4–5

Compose your peer Discussion responses.
Continue to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 10, Day 6
Last day to post Discussion responses.
Week 10, Day 7
Continue to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 11, Days 1–4
Continue to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 11, Day 5
Deadline to submit Part 4 of your Assignment.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition – 2015. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519.

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.

Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 27(1), 2-4.

Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing

Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)

Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of Practice or Competencies:

Nursing Informatics

Ebook: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

“The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing Informatics” (pp. 18–39)

Nursing Education

Website: Competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator
National League for Nursing. (2019). Nurse educator core competency. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-education/nurse-educator-core-competency
Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study.

Nurse Executive

Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competencies. Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Public Health Nursing

Website: Public Health Nursing Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competencies. Retrieved from https://www.cphno.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/QCC-C-PHN-COMPETENCIES-Approved_2018.05.04_Final-002.pdf

American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

APRN

Website: APRN Consensus Model
APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & education. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Care NP Competencies

Website: AGAC and ACPC NP Competencies
Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies

Website: Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner core competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Programs

Website: Nurse Practitioner Programs
National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. (2016). Criteria for evaluation of Nurse Practitioner programs (5th ed.). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf

Population-Focused NP Competencies

Website: Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies
Population-Focused Competencies Task Force. (2013). Population-focused Nurse Practitioner competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Competencies/CompilationPopFocusComps2013.pdf

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) pursuing advanced education, especially Master of Science in Nursing (MS) need to specialize in certain areas of care provision based on their options and desires. Deciding the choice of specialty is essential for APRNs so that they can focus on a certain area of healthcare delivery and improve overall patient outcomes (Delaney et al., 2019). Consequently, I have considered different specialties before making the decision to be a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). The purpose of this paper is to discuss and compare my primary and second preferred specialties and identify the role of each specialty based on the preparation. The paper also discusses the justification for the selected or preferred specialty and examines a professional organization related to the specialty and way of joining the organization.

Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties

My preferred specialty is being a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNP nurses offer a full range of primary mental health care, including the psychosocial assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and developing treatment and care plans for patients with mental health needs and psychiatric disorders (Foster et al., 2020). Through the use of their knowledge and skills of psychotherapy modalities and psychopharmacology and in collaboration with physicians and other professional, PMHNP nurses place their patients on regimen of therapy and prescription medications to enhance their mental health. Psychiatric nurse practitioners also offer support and education to families and communities besides the evaluation of their patients’ progress throughout their lifespan (Jones et al., 2022). They also participate in policy development and health care reforms as they relate to mental health and treatment of mental health patients to improve access, reduce cost burden and enhance overall quality of care delivery (Delaney et al., 2019). The PMHNP specialty offers different opportunities and options for one to work in various settings that include inpatient and emergency department, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities and even in telehealth or tele-psychiatry.

The second preferred option is working as family nurse practitioner. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) work with families to offer both preventing and secondary care through implementation of health care plans. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), FNPs maintain patient records, perform physical examination and order or conduct diagnostic tests as well as prescribe medications. They can also work in a variety of health care practice areas that include community health settings, private practice, health care systems and even in institutions like universities (AANP, 2019). FNPs can also attain additional certifications in different areas like diabetes and obesity management to meet the specific needs of their different patients across the care and age continuum. These certifications also help them to enhance their career prospects.

Similar to the PMHNP, a family nurse practitioner works with patients of all age groups in different care settings. The FNP can work independently in their own practice or be part of a team. Further, like the PMHNP, the FNP also requires similar qualifications of at least a master’s degree in advanced nursing education. However, the two specialties are fundamentally different in terms of roles and responsibilities and even the practice settings. For instance, the FNP’s primary focus is meeting the physical needs of patients, families and health populations (Kleinpell et al., 2019). Conversely, the PMHNP focuses on meeting the mental health needs of patients and even families. The two specialties are critical because they all implore providers to have further areas of focus that can include geriatrics, pediatrics, and even adolescent health.

Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty

The choice of nursing specialty depends on one’s desires as a healthcare providers based on needs within the community. The decision to select PMHNP specialty emanates from various reasons that include bridging the gap in mental health access to available resources. My qualification and practice as a PMHNP will assist address the rift between psychiatric services need and availability and access. Secondly, the misconceptions on mental health continue to rise and this affects accessibility by patients and the quality of care that one gets. Individuals and families have failed to seek mental health services because of increased levels of stigmatization and limited resources within the community settings (Foster et al., 2020). Individuals are fast to ignore and even deny the existence of signs and symptoms of mental health problems because they fear stigma from society and family, especially victimization. Therefore, as a PMHNP, I will leverage my professional background and skills to alter these misconceptions and stigma and enhance access to these services by individuals in different settings. I will ensure that I integrate mental health as part of holistic care provision to improve overall patient outcomes, especially at this time when issues like the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic continue to have devastating effects on mental health among individuals. I will practice where I am most required and meet patient needs by leveraging technologies like telehealth and telemedicine to improve access to resources and lower the overall cost burden associated with mental health provision for low-income individuals and communities

Step 3: Professional Organizations

Professional associations are an essential component for nurse as they offer them the chance to influence nursing practice, nursing education, health policy, and patient care provision through the implementation of innovative care models and evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions. These associations also generate energy, flow of idea and proactive work required to attain patient quality care delivery. The professional association related to my selected or preferred specialty is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) (2023). This professional nursing association offers members a chance to connect with fellow psychiatric-mental health nurses, have access to resources like evidence-based resources and programs as well as participate in exclusive opportunities in advancing care and treatment of individuals with health and substance use disorders and needs. The organization also provides opportunities for members to enhance their PMH nursing knowledge through over 230 online continuing education sessions, and programs. For instance, members get four free education sessions every month to improve their skills in care provision. One can become a member as a practice nurse (APRN) specializing in mental health area or as a student. The individual meets the criteria and makes online application and pays the requisite fees.

Conclusion

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) identify specialties to offer specialized care to selected patient populations with the aim of improving quality of care and expanding access as well as reducing the overall cost burden. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) play a critical role in care delivery as they provide mental health care to individuals in need of these services to attain holistic care. As specialized providers, the psychiatric mental health nurses require certain qualifications and should join professional nursing organizations to improve their skills and knowledge in care provision.

References

American Association of Family Nurse Practitioners (AANP) (2019). Are You

Considering a Career as a Family Nurse Practitioner? https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-a-family-nurse-practitioner

American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) (2023). Welcome to Your Psychiatric-

Mental Health Nursing Community. https://www.apna.org/

Delaney, K. R., & Vanderhoef, D. (2019). The psychiatric mental health advanced

practice registered nurse workforce: Charting the future. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(1), 11-18. DOI: 10.1177/1078390318806571.

Foster, K., Roche, M., Giandinoto, J. A., & Furness, T. (2020). Workplace stressors,

psychological well‐being, resilience, and caring behaviours of mental health nurses: A descriptive correlational study. International journal of mental health nursing, 29(1), 56-68. DOI: 10.1111/inm.12610.

Jones, J. S., Jones, J. S., & Beauvais, A. M. (2022). Psychiatric mental health nursing:

An interpersonal approach. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Kleinpell, R. M., Grabenkort, W. R., Kapu, A. N., Constantine, R., & Sicoutris, C. (2019).

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants in acute and critical care: A concise review of the literature and data 2008–2018. Critical care medicine, 47(10), 1442. DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003925.

Rubric Detail

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Content

Name: NURS_6003_Module06_Week11_Assignment_Rubric

	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan: · Write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table comparing at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization. · Write a 2-3 paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum. · Identify the professional organization related to the specialization you have chosen to focus on for this Assignment and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.	Points Range: 77 (77%) – 85 (85%) A fully completed and detailed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided that accurately and fully describes the selected and second-preferred specialization. A clear and accurately justified statement describes in detail the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum. The response clearly identifies and accurately describes in detail the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response clearly and accurately describes in detail how to become an active member of this organization.	Points Range: 68 (68%) – 76 (76%) A partially completed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided that partially describes the selected and second-preferred specialization. A partially justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with some evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum. The response partially describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response partially describes how to become an active member of this organization.	Points Range: 59 (59%) – 67 (67%) A vague or inaccurately completed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided describing the selected and second-preferred specialization. A vague or inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization.	Points Range: 0 (0%) – 58 (58%) A vague and inaccurately completed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided describing the selected and second-preferred specialization or is missing. A vague and inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague and inaccurate evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum, or is missing. The response vaguely and inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely and inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.	Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.	Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.	Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.	Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation	Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.	Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.	Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.	Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.	Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct APA format with no errors.	Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.	Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.	Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.

Total Points: 100