Sample Answer for NURS 8000 WEEK 2 Discussion 2 : AACN Competencies and the Walden Mission, Vision, and Outcomes
The AACN developed the DNP essentials, which define the elements and competencies that the curriculum for a degree in Doctor of Nursing Practice must have. The AACN outlines eight essentials, which are considered the basic outcome competencies regarded as essential for every DNP graduate in spite of their nursing specialty or career focus (AACN, 2006). The Walden University mission is offering a diversified community of professionals with a chance to revolutionize themselves from scholar to practitioners to bring about positive social change (Walden University, 2021). Additionally, the Walden University foresees a uniquely diverse 21st-century learning community where knowledge is deemed valuable to the program that it can be employed by its learners to the solutions of vital challenges in the society, thus enhancing the overall global good.
The Walden University’s standpoint relates to the AACN competencies, including
Essential I, Scientific Underpinnings for Practice. The AACN Essential I states that DNP-prepared nurses should have broad and deep knowledge gained from sciences and should demonstrate the translation of that scientific knowledge promptly and efficiently to assist patients in the daily needs in the practice setting (AACN, 2006). Walden’s mission relates to this competency as it offers its students the opportunity to scholarly transforms themselves to bring about positive social change (Walden University, 2021). DNP students at Walden can become scholar-practitioners and effect positive health outcomes in society through putting evidence-based research into practice. They can also establish new strategies that can improve communities’ health outcomes and promote better outcomes in specific patient populations.
Walden’s standpoint is also support the AACN essential III on Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for EBP. Essential III explains that the DNP learner should apply knowledge to find solutions to challenges in practice through the scholarship of nursing practice (AACN, 2006). The Walden standpoint relates to essential III since it aims at having learners applying knowledge to identify immediate solutions to societal challenges.
My academic and professional goals are to improve health outcomes among individuals diagnosed with chronic illnesses. I also aim at making our communities healthier through sustainable and socially acceptable health promotion interventions. Walden’s standpoint relates to my goals as it encourages a learning community where scholars apply knowledge to solve crucial societal challenges (Walden University, 2021). My professional goals challenge me to make a difference in the community by addressing the common health challenges encountered in the community I live. Besides, promoting a healthier community through health promotion interventions will help shape a better world and advance the greater global good.
I will incorporate social change in the academic goal of improving health outcomes among individuals diagnosed with chronic illnesses by researching and identifying evidence-based community interventions that can promote better health outcomes. For instance, I will examine interventions that have effectively reduced morbidity rates in persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases (Phillips, 2019). I will also collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, which will help me implement the interventions in the community and measure their impact in achieving the overall goal (Phillips, 2019). Furthermore, I will incorporate social change to make communities healthier through sustainable and socially acceptable health promotion interventions by focusing on real-world applications that can improve the health of individuals (Phillips, 2019). I will also research theories and evidence-based strategies that engender positive social change.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). DNP essentials: the essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials
Phillips, A. (2019). Effective approaches to health promotion in nursing practice. Nursing Standard. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2019.e11312
Walden University. (2021). Social change. Accredited Online University | Online Degree Programs | Walden University. https://www.waldenu.edu/why-walden/social-change#mission
Sample Answer 2 for NURS 8000 WEEK 2 Discussion 2 : AACN Competencies and the Walden Mission, Vision, and Outcomes
Competent leadership is an essential component in nursing training and professionalism. Leadership development has been a bedrock of Walden University programs and services. The special attention accorded to leadership development is crucial in influencing students under nursing training to become leaders in their profession to contribute to high-quality healthcare delivery. Healthcare organizations provide a positive social service, and nurses should be instrumental change agents in these institutions so that healthcare becomes more accessible to everyone.
The American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) is a quintessential organization within the academic nursing community that advocates for advancing diversity and inclusivity. Its position statement regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing academics reflects Walden University’s core interests. America is increasingly becoming a multicultural diverse society, and it is projected that immigrants will account for a higher percentage of U.S population growth (Biggerst
aff & Skomra, 2020). Moreover, discerning ways of caring for a culturally diverse society is crucial for implementing well-being and positive health outcomes (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2021). The Walden University inclusivity in the admission process is crucial for developing culturally competent nurses at the forefront of implementing social justice in various organizations and hospitals of practice. Receiving enlightenment on different cultural values and communication styles is crucial in reducing unconscious racial bias and promoting positive health outcomes in patients.
Applying a positive social change is one of the core values that Walden University roots for. As it is succinctly stated, incorporating social change encompasses the graduate’s ability to generate creative ideas, strategies, and actions that would promote worth and dignity across a spectrum of individuals, communities, organizations, and cultures. The will to help other people has been the core foundation for pursuing a nursing degree. Therefore, I plan to incorporate social change with the knowledge gained from the School of Nursing’s rigorous training by putting that knowledge into practice. As a family nurse practitioner working in a clinic setting, I constantly endeavor to encourage families to strengthen their health or sickness relationships by providing truthful information, being dependable, and providing emotional support to the patients. According to Hafskjold et al. (2017), expressing emotional affections promote a caring relationship based on mutual trust and support. I underscore to my patients the fact that they should be physically and emotionally affectionate to each other during illness to help them cope successfully and promote positive health outcomes.
References
Biggerstaff, M. E., & Skomra, T. S. (2020). Nurses as immigrant advocates: A brief overview. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 25(2). https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-25-2020/No2-May-2020/Articles-Previous-Topics/Nurses-as-Immigrant-Advocates-A-Brief-Overview.html
Hafskjold, L., Sundling, V., van Dulmen, S., & Eide, H. (2017). The use of supportive communication when responding to older people’s emotional distress in home care — An observational study. BMC Nursing, 16, 1–12. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1186/s12912-017-0220-8
Jongen, C., McCalman, J., & Bainbridge, R. (2018). Health workforce cultural competency interventions: a systematic scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 232. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3001-5
Zaccagnini, M. & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.