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.QUESTION
Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
At some point in every construction project, efforts turn from design and the focus moves to actual construction. With the vision in place and the tools secured, the blueprint can be finalized and approved. Then it is time to put on hardhats and begin work.
Throughout the course you have developed aspects of your Academic and Professional Development Plan. You have put a great deal of thought into your vision and goals, your academic and professional network of support, research strategies and other tools you will need, the integrity of your work, and the value of consulting the work of others. With your portfolio in place, it is now time to finalize your blueprint for success.
Much as builders remain cognizant of the building standards as they plan and begin construction, nurses must remain mindful of the formal standards of practice that govern their specialty. A good understanding of these standards can help ensure that your success plan includes any steps necessary to excel within your chosen specialty.
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by developing the final component: a review of your specialty standards of practice. You will also submit your final version of the document, including Parts 1–5.
To Prepare:
- Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty.
- Download the Nursing Specialty Comparison Matrix.
- Examine professional organizations related to the specialization you have chosen and identify at least one to focus on for this assignment.
- Reflect on the thoughts you shared in the Discussion forum regarding your choice of a specialty, any challenges you have encountered in making this choice, and any feedback you have received from colleagues in the Discussion.
The Assignment:
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.- Write a paragraph that provides a detailed comparison at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
- Write a clear and accurate 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Provide sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
- Clearly identify and accurately describe in detail 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.
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. Make all corrections to each part based on faculty feedback and submit a final and edited copy of the template (Part 1-Part 6) in correct APA format.
By Day 7
Submit Parts 1-6 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
Remember to include an introduction paragraph which contains a clear and comprehensive purpose statement which delineates all required criteria, and end the assignment Part with a conclusion paragraph.
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan:
· Compare 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.77 (77%) - 85 (85%)
A detailed comparison 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.
68 (68%) - 76 (76%)
A partial comparison 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.
59 (59%) - 67 (67%)
A vague or inaccurate ciomparison is provided that describes 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.
0 (0%) - 58 (58%)
A vague and inaccurate comparison is provided that describes 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
5 (5%) - 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4 (4%) - 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.5 (3.5%) - 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
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, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
5 (5%) - 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4 (4%) - 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
3.5 (3.5%) - 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
0 (0%) - 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6002_Week_6_Assignment_Rubric
| Subject | Nursing | Pages | 9 | Style | APA |
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Answer
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Nursing specialty
Week 6 | Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
I have considered various options for my nursing specialty, including a close look at my selected (or currently preferred) specialty and second-preferred specialty. I have also developed a justification for my selected (or preferred) specialty. Lastly, I have examined one professional organization related to my selected or preferred specialty and considered how I can become a member of this organization.
The results of my efforts are below.
Directions: Complete Step 1 by writing 2-3 paragraphs in the space below comparing the nursing specialty you have selected – or the one you prefer if your choice is still under consideration - to your second preference. Identify each specialty and describe the focus and the role that graduates are prepared for. Identify any other differentiators you feel are significant, especially those that helped or may help you reach a decision.
Complete Step 2 by writing 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.
Complete Step 3 by examining and identifying one professional organization related to your selected or preferred specialty. Explain how you can become a member of this organization.
Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties
Use the space below to write 2-3 paragraphs comparing the nursing specialty you have selected – or the one you prefer if your choice is still under consideration - to your second preference. Identify each specialty and describe the focus and the role that graduates are prepared for. Identify any other differentiators you feel are significant, especially those that helped or may help you reach a decision.
The first nursing specialty that I would choose is a nurse educator. Nurse educators are registered nurses with an advanced nursing degree. Upon acquiring an advanced nursing degree, nurse educators teach the nursing curriculum to students in colleges and universities, training and preparing them for the future world. Nurse educators are faculty members of both nursing schools and teaching hospitals. Nurse educators instill knowledge, skills, and experience to students who finally graduate and serve as nurses in the next generation. Apart from teaching, I prefer this specialty because it also enables nurses to work in clinical set-ups. Graduates who want to become nurse educators must prepare for various roles such as designing, updating, evaluating, and implementing the current and new curriculum. Besides, the graduates must be prepared to act as role models and advisors for nursing students, helping them in the journey of becoming focused and successful nurses upon licensing and registration.
To become a nurse educator, an individual needs to attend college or a nursing university and obtain a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. After obtaining the first degree, one can take a National Council Licensure Examination. Upon passing this exam, the graduate is eligible for licensing to work as a registered nurse.
My second thought is working as a clinical nurse. Clinical nurses perform various roles such as assessing nurses and helping them recover from illnesses and injuries. The graduates who intend to work in a clinical set-up must be prepared to undertake the duties such as assessing the conditions of patients, administering medications, provision of emotional support, updating patients' records, and educating the patients on how to manage their conditions such as illnesses and injuries. Clinical nurses may be required to work for long hours including weekends. To work as a clinical nurse, individuals must be able to make excellent judgments, portray good communication skills, active listening, problem-solving and close monitoring.
Given the two options, I prefer working as a nurse educator overworking as a clinical. Working as an educator offers a wide opportunity of working both in learning institutions and clinical set-ups. This enables me to develop a wide professional experience in both fields.
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.
Over time, I have developed an increasing interest in teaching as a profession. Kipalani (2017), suggests that for one to be a good teacher, they must understand the effectiveness of teaching as a profession. According to social cognitive theory, teachers are individuals with concerning personal capabilities, judgments, and self-efficacy (Hemmings, 2015). Being a nurse educator has been a life-time dream. I have strong clinical nursing experience and passion for teaching, this can enable me to work in both clinical set ups and nursing school. I also believe that am physically and mentally prepared to be a nursing educator.
As an upcoming nurse educator, I started teaching at the undergraduate level as a part-timer in the clinical faculty in my nursing school. This was introduced to the teaching profession. Besides, my faculty educate students on various skills such as high fidelity simulation, advising students, developing curriculum, grading assignments, and preparing lecturers (Graham & Johns, 2019). Therefore, I have a clear picture of working as a nurse educator. I also understand that nurse educators not only teach individuals aspiring to be nurses but also educate current nurses via the available nursed education programs provided in my college. Having worked as a part time-nurse educator in community groups and schools, I believe I have adequate passion to achieve my career objective as a nurse educator.
No matter the work setting, I have learned that nurse educators must have adequate clinical knowledge and expertise. Through the MSN program, I will develop an extensive knowledge of designing curriculum, assessing the students' learning style, developing objective tests, and evaluating their standards. Further, I have a strong desire to explore nursing education as a profession while still keeping the current medical knowledge. Overall, because of passion and love to teach and guide others, I choose to work hard to become a nurse educator with adequate clinical skills, and teaching ability. Nurse education is a specialty to explore, to me, ranks above other specialties.
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.
After choosing a professional program or specialization, it crucial to ensure that the chosen specialty is accredited and by a governing body. As an aspiring nurse educator, there are various professional organizations that I have joined or intending to join. For example, currently am a member of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. However, upon completion of the MSN program, I will pursue the National League for Nursing's Certified Nurse Educator and become a member of the National League for Nursing (Lubbe & Botha, 2020). National League for Nursing is a premier organization for nurse educators. It provides professional development and teaching resources such as research grants, testing services, and public policy initiatives for the nurse educators. Since can also operate as a clinical nurse, I will also join or work as a certified academic clinical nurse educator, this is a significant academic nursing career for nurse educators.
In short, nursing education is a rewarding profession that enables individuals to shape their careers for tomorrow while improving the patients' experience. With passion and the right education, I believe I have what it takes to be a nurse educator.
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References
Graham, M. & Johns, C. (2019). Becoming student kind: A nurse educator′s reflexive narrative inquiry. Nurse Education in Practice, 39
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2019.07.007
Hemmings, B. (2015). Strengthening the teaching self-efficacy of early career in academics Issues in Educational Research, 25 (1)
http://www.iier.org.au/iier25/hemmings.html
Kirpalani, N. (2017). Developing self-reflective practices to improve teaching effectiveness
Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice
Lubbe W. and Botha C.S (2020). The dimensions of reflective practice: A teacher educator's and nurse educator's perspective. Reflective, pp. 1-14
https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2020.1738369