The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper
The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper
Reflection Paper
Professional nursing education is a formalized approach to specialized nursing training through which aspiring and practicing nurses learn to apply unique nursing techniques even as they acquire content knowledge. In fact, it is leveraged to play a significant role in administering new and continuing nursing structures. Although the education content is what nurses are expected to learn, the education helps them to acquire the competencies needed for proper professional behavior and practice (Butts & Rich, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper. This reflection paper discusses the importance of nursing education and overall education goals.
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Job Options Based on Education Level
I practice as a registered nurse (RN) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) qualification. I am enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, an undergraduate-level degree for RNs that introduces nursing topics within the health care systems, such as health promotion, safety and quality, public health, research, and patient care technology. Completing the BSN program will allow me to advance my nursing skills while unlocking the option of continuing to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). BSN qualifications continue to focus primarily on providing patient care (such as coordinating care with other health professionals, providing health education and counseling, taking histories, and performing physical exams) as is the case with the ADN qualifications. However, the BSN program exposes nurses to more advanced topics in public health, research and leadership. This allows nurses with BSN qualifications to go a step further than ADN in accessing a broader career path that includes taking on administrative positions that leverage leadership skills in education, consulting and research (DeNisco & Beauvais, 2020)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
I can pursue five job options with BSN qualifications. First, nurse health coach who guides patients in making healthy lifestyle choices in daily living, health care and careers, speak with other medical personnel on behalf of patients, and negotiate patient insurance claims. Second, clinical research nurse who studies diseases and disorders with a view to developing new medications and treatments. Third, forensic nurse who works with law enforcement personnel to collect and analyze evidence for criminal investigations. Fourth, nurse informaticist who focuses on the data aspect of health care to improve patient outcomes. Fifth, health policy nurse who is consulted in the creation of health policies that affect nursing and public health (St. Catherine University, 2020)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
Goals for Professional Education
Earning a BSN unlocks the option of continuing with nursing education to earn a MSN within four years of graduating with the BSN, an upgrade that would take about two years. A MSN is an advanced, post-graduate nursing degree that provides advanced training and skills for specialized roles as a nurse administrator or nurse practitioner. In fact, the MSN program advances the skills earned in the BSN program while developing core areas in informatics, policy and advocacy, quality and safety, evidence-based practice, inter-professional collaboration, program evaluation for improving patient outcomes, and organizational leadership. MSN qualifications are important because they lead to specialized nursing roles such as jobs as a nurse consultant, nurse anesthetist, and advanced nurses practitioner. In fact, pursuing a MSN qualification is a commitment to constantly learning and improving nursing skills and education. The nursing profession is always evolving, and being a nurse requires continuous development to fulfill the evolving nursing roles. The MSN qualifications will empower me to provide nursing services at a higher level than the BSN as I would have acquired more in-depth nursing expertise. In essence, MSN qualifications will open up more jobs than BSN qualifications as it allows for certification in advanced practice registered nurse specialties (Ervin & Kulbok, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
Increase Level of Education and Effect on Competitiveness
Increasing level of education implies pursing more advanced education levels and qualifications. This has an important effect on career advancement over the long-term. Advanced education levels brings more career opportunities than those available for persons with lower levels of education. The additional knowledge and training puts the individual closer to obtaining certification in a variety of nursing specialties. In addition, increasing the level of education comes with deeper understanding of nursing skills as the individual is better prepared to handle professional practice requirements than persons with lower levels of education. That is because advanced education is an indication that the individual has been through a rigorous curriculum that covers advanced topics (Joel, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
Having advanced education has a significant effect on competitiveness within the job market. That is because advanced education is an indication of qualified labor, showing that the individual would increase the productivity and performance of the organization. Although persons with advanced level of education are likely to demand higher salaries, they make up for that with advanced knowledge that acts as a propulsive force in the process creating better systems and providing sustainable development. For this reason, advanced education level is targeted for strengthening knowledge that in turn strengthens change by transferring the knowledge into organization performance and competitiveness. This makes higher education levels crucial in developing new systems, implementing new management systems and technologies at the point where strategical decisions are taken in the organization. Within the health care industry, particularly, medical personnel with higher levels of education are preferred because they are better able to adapt to the changing needs of the health care industry (Joel, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
Relationship of Continuing Nursing Education to Competency
Continuing nursing education has a significant effect on different aspects of nursing practice. First, it improves competency by offering nurses the opportunity to learn and advance their own professional skills and techniques. Second, it improves attitudes towards nursing practice by challenging the outlook and allowing for critical analysis that improves clinical reasoning to allow for greater accuracy. Third, it improves knowledge by enabling nurses to acquire advanced skills with a better understanding of nursing. Fourth, it is a condition for licensure. This is especially the case in license renewal where nurses are typically require to complete continuing education for job-specific certifications to indicate that they can complete the professional roles associated with the job in terms of scope and standards for practice as well as code of ethics (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2019).
Mandatory Continuing Nursing Education
Continuing nursing education should be mandatory. That is because nursing is a lifelong nursing process, and engaging in continuing nursing education offers nurses the opportunity to learn and advance their techniques in safe patient care. A nurse cannot learn everything at once as the nursing is constantly evolving and improving through advancements in knowledge and technology. Continuing education ensures that these advancements are communicated to facilitate positive patient outcomes and evidence-based care. In fact, it is an effective, popular way of propagating the advancements and changes (Joel, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
Nursing is constantly evolving, and there have been changes in nursing techniques to match the evolution. Continuing education allows nurses to know the changes and their justifications. This awareness empowers nurses to match the evolutions through changes in the way they practice and the patient outcomes. In essence, continuing education positively affects patient outcomes and care quality by providing nurses with the necessary opportunities to improve the knowledge and skills applied in nursing practice (Joel, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
References
Butts, J., & Rich, K. (Eds.) (2018). Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
DeNisco, S. M. & Beauvais, A. M. (2020). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential Knowledge for the Profession (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
Ervin, N. E., & Kulbok, P. A. (2018). Advanced Public and Community Health Nursing Practice: Population Assessment, Program Planning, and Evaluation (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
Joel, L. A. (2018). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essentials for Role Development (4th ed.). F.A. Davis Company.
St. Catherine University (2020, Dec. 15). What Can You Do With a BSN? 7 Careers Beyond Bedside Nursing. https://www.stkate.edu/academics/healthcare-degrees/what-can-you-do-with-a-bsn
Zaccagnini, M., & Pechacek, J. M. (Eds.) (2019). The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials: A New Model for Advanced Practice Nursing (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
The Future of Nursing Reflection Paper
As a registered nurse with an ADN, there are several options in the job market. First, I can work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. I can also work as a nurse practitioner, a type of registered nurse with additional training in medicine. Finally, I can work as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), a Registered Nurse who has completed additional training in providing care for people with disabilities. Despite these job options that are currently available based on my education level, the job market for registered nurses is always changing, so I should always check with the nursing employers in this area of my specialization to see what openings are available (McCauley et al., 2020). As a registered nurse, I have a lot of experience and training, which gives me an advantage in the job market. However, it’s important to remember that every area of nursing has specific requirements, so I think the type of nursing job that would suit me is a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
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After reviewing the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations, the professional certification and advanced degree I would like to pursue is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). There are several reasons that would make me pursue BSN. The first reason is that I am passionate about nursing and want to learn more about the field. The second reason is that I believe that BSN would benefit me in the long run. By having a BSN, I would be able to work in various settings and have more opportunities for advancement (McCauley et al., 2020)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper. The third reason is that I am currently working as a registered nurse with ADN, and I feel that BSN would give me the additional knowledge and skills I need to become a successful RN. My timeline for achieving this goal is five years. In the next few years, I will work on obtaining my BSN from an accredited program. After completing my BSN, I will pursue certification in nursing through the National League for Nursing. Once I am certified, I will continue to work on my advanced degree by enrolling in a nursing program that offers online courses. I am confident that by following this timeline, I will be able to achieve my goal of becoming successful nursing professional.
Nursing is a rapidly changing field and having the education and skills to stay ahead of the curve is key to success. Increasing my level of education will make me more competitive in the job market and my role in the future of nursing (Tluczek et al., 2019). With a Bachelor’s of science, I will be able to take on more responsibility and challenges in my career. Having a BSN will give me the foundation to continue learning and growing in this field, which is essential for any nursing profession. It will also increase my chances of finding a position in a health care setting that matches my skills and interests. Some of the job market opportunities that I will be able to get when I complete my BSN in nursing include registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, and respiratory therapist. These positions may require a specific certification, but all of them are in demand and can provide excellent career opportunities. Many hospitals and health care facilities always need qualified nurses, so pursuing a BSN may give me an advantage in the job market. The ability to continuously learn and grow is an essential skill for nurses, and having a BSN will give me a strong foundation for future success The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
Healthcare encompasses most of the critical areas that keep on changing due to new emerging healthcare issues, advancements in technology, and the availability of patients with multiple health problems simultaneously. Due to this reason, continuing education is essential for competency improvement. Through continuing education, nurses are equipped with sufficient training and skills required to handle emerging healthcare issues such as the covid-19 pandemic (Graves et al., 2021). Through continuing education, knowledge in specific areas of interest of a nurse is also advanced. For example, making a decision to advance in nurse-midwifery makes one to expertise in that area. Advancing education also plays an important role in boosting clinical knowledge and reasoning; thus, the attitude towards accuracy in diagnosis is also improved.
In some cases, having insufficient knowledge in decision-making regarding some nursing practices may impact a negative attitude towards the entire nursing practice (Spetz, 2018). Continuing education also acts as a source of knowledge concerning other fields for nurses, thereby improving standards of practice. It is also through continued education that a nurse also increases their certifications which impact their scope of practice in the American Nurses Association (ANA). When nurses gain more certifications through education advancements, their scope of practice in accordance with the ANA subsequently expands (Tluczek et al., 2019)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper. Through continued education, there is also an increased understanding level of nurses, which helps them practice while adhering to the code of ethics for the nursing profession.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports continuing nursing education (BSN) to ensure that nurses remain competent and knowledgeable in their practice. The ANA Scope and Standards for Practice provides guidance on the types of content that should be included in BSN programs. The ANA Code of Ethics sets standards for nurses’ professional behavior. In addition, the National Council on Nursing (NCN) has developed model policies on ethics that BSN programs should adhere to (Graves et al., 2021). These models guide specific ethical issues that nurses may encounter in their practice. BSN allows nurses to keep up to date on the latest research and best practices in their field. It also helps nurses maintain a high level of ethical behavior. By providing this type of training, nurses can help ensure that they provide quality patient care. This is critical as nurses who uphold professional ethics are more likely to be respected and have positive patient relationships (Spetz, 2018). Ultimately, BSN programs help ensure that nurses are competent and ethical professionals. A strong relationship exists between BSN and competency, attitudes, and knowledge. By providing nurses with the latest research and best practices, BSN can help ensure that nurses are competent in their practice (Spetz, 2018). In addition, by adhering to the National Councils on Nursing’s model policies on ethics, BSN programs can help ensure that nurses maintain a high level of ethical behavior.
In my opinion, continuing nursing education should be made mandatory in order to ensure that nurses are up-to-date on the latest nursing practices and trends. It also ensures that nurses are equipped with well-updated nursing competencies required to handle the new emerging healthcare issues. Continuing nursing education also enables nurses to utilize the fast-advancing technology that plays an important role in improving nursing competencies (Park & Kim, 2017). It is also essential in improving the competitiveness in the job market, thus encouraging nurses to be more competent to easily secure jobs.
References
Graves, L. Y., Tamez, P., Wallen, G. R., & Saligan, L. N. (2021). Defining the role of
individuals prepared as a doctor of nurse practice in symptoms science research. Nursing The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper
Outlook, 69(4), 542-549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.01.013
McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., … & Villarruel,
- (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting,
readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing outlook, 68(4), 494-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.03.008
Park, H. Y., & Kim, J. S. (2017). Factors influencing disaster nursing core competencies of
emergency nurses. Applied Nursing Research, 37, 1-5.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2017.06.004
Spetz, J. (2018). Projections of progress toward the 80% Bachelor of Science in Nursing
recommendation and strategies to accelerate change. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 394-400.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.04.012
Tluczek, A., Twal, M. E., Beamer, L. C., Burton, C. W., Darmofal, L., Kracun, M., … & Turner,
- (2019). How American Nurses Association code of ethics informs genetic/genomic
nursing. Nursing ethics, 26(5), 1505-1517. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733018767248
The future of nursing reflection Paper
Nursing is one of the best healthcare professions that becomes more interesting as one advances their education. I am a bachelor of nursing degree holder. Bachelor of nursing (BSN) degree is a course that usually takes a minimum of 4years for the student to be fully equipped with the general knowledge and skills required in the field of nursing (Graves et al., 2021)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper. As a BSN holder, I have acquired the knowledge and skills required to handle different diverse patients in different healthcare setting. It is therefore a full time course that prepares nursing students towards becoming reliable and competent not only at job market but also in their respective areas of practice. BSN is also a course that helps the nurse students to identify their areas of interests before advancing to any specialty. The skills and knowledge gained include effective communication when dealing with diverse patients, proper critical thinking capacity when dealing with different patients, case management and patient care among others. These acquired skills and knowledge are vital when securing job opportunities in areas such as the hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, outpatient facilities and learning institutions among other healthcare related facilities.
Currently, I work as a regular nurse where my plan is to also get an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Acquiring an ADN requires a period of not less than two years where one is equipped with additional knowledge and skills of practicing in a variety of clinical settings. One must at least acquire an associate degree in nursing before becoming either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. It is therefore a program that facilitate the mobility of a nurse since they can practice in different environments. The aim of the program is to ensure that nurses provide quality healthcare services to all kind of patients ranging from pediatrics, adults and the elderly (Spetz, 2018). The roles of ADN nurses in their respective healthcare settings include conducting patient assessments and diagnosis, offering direct care and treatment to admitted patients, and working together with other healthcare providers towards ensuring safety in delivery of healthcare services to patients (McCauley et al., 2020). Some of the areas where ADN nurses can comfortably work include hospitals, nursing homes and care facilities, outpatient facilities and higher education institutions among other healthcare related institutions The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper.
The Institute of medicine had observed the increasing challenges in the profession of nursing hence saw the need for continuing of education to help nurses cope with the arising health challenges. The IOM therefore developed a recommendation emphasizing on the need of nursing training and education advancement for the high demand of healthcare system to be met. Due to this reason I am planning to advance my degree as well as acquiring another professional certification. My area of practice touches for major specifications which are my target. Pursuing these specifications will improve my competence as a practitioner. I will also be able to minimize the risks of medical error occurrence thus promoting patients’ safety. My first certification target is certified pediatric nurse (CPN). It is an area that requires a minimum of 1800hours of completion in pediatric clinical care for a registered nurse (Graves et al., 2021). One then applies for an examination where the acquired certificate validates knowledge and skills in pediatric nursing and thus increasing competitiveness in job market.
The Aids Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) is my second major certification target. It is a program that requires a minimum of two years for a registered nurse to pursue in caring for HIV/AIDS patients. A professional exam is then done where areas such as HIV pathophysiology, prevention measures, legal and ethical issues among other factors concerning HIV/AIDS are tested (Graves et al., 2021)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper. Pursuing this program will help me to avail prevention measures at communal levels while at the same time actively caring for HIV infected patients and thus improving my job market competitiveness. Finally, I also target to pursue an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) program. It is a program that requires a registered nurse to at least practice in an oncology for a minimum of 2000hrs for two years consecutively. It is after this that an examination is offered to test all the essential areas of oncology such as management of symptoms and palliative care for a certificate to be accorded.
One of my desired advanced practice nursing degree is DNP and specifically a specialization in Family medicine. It is a course that takes a minimum period of four years and therefore my timeline for pursuing the course is four years. One of the major reasons for aiming this course is to gain the necessary skills of nursing leadership. I also plan to take the course to help equip me with skills in scientific research which promote innovation of new skills of treatment as well as skills in policy development and implementation. Through acquiring the course, I will also have an advantage of career choice expansion since I can also become a political leader or nurse manager from the skills gained.
Increasing my level of education as a BSN nurse will highly improve my competitiveness at job market. Having certifications in the various DNP programs will act as proof of having multiple skills of handling different patients. Combining my specialization of family medicine with these DNP certifications will help me to boost my competencies as well as competitiveness in job market. Unlike in the past where there were limited competencies required at nursing job market, these competencies have increased in number in today’s world due to the increase in demand of healthcare services (McCauley et al., 2020). Some of the competencies required in today’s nursing practice include having a proper knowledge in evidence based practice, knowledge in policy implementation and development, skills required in nursing leadership as well as public health and geriatric issues.
Healthcare encompasses most of the critical areas that keep on changing due to new emerging healthcare issues, advancements in technology and availability of patients having multiple health problems at the same time. Due to this reason, continuing of education is essential for competency improvement. Through continuing of education, nurses are equipped with sufficient training and skills required to handle the emerging healthcare issues such as the covid-19 pandemic. Through continuing of education, knowledge in specific areas of interest of a nurse is also advanced. For example, making a decision to advance in nurse mid-wifery makes one to expertise in that area. Continuing education also plays an important role in boosting the clinical knowledge and reasoning thus the attitude towards accuracy in diagnosis is also improved. In some cases, having insufficient knowledge in decision making towards some nursing practices may impact a negative attitude towards the entire nursing practice (Spetz, 2018)The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper. Continuing of education also acts as a source of knowledge concerning other variety of fields for nurses thereby resulting to improvement in standards of practice. It is also through continued education that a nurse also increases their certifications which impact their scope of practice in the American Nurses Association (ANA). When a nurse gains more certifications through education advancements, their scope of practice in accordance with the ANA subsequently expands (Tluczek et al., 2019). Through continued education, there is also an increased understanding level of nurses which help them to practice while adhering to the code of ethics for nursing profession.
In my opinion continuing of nursing education should be made mandatory. The reason is that nurses are equipped with well updated nursing competencies required to handle the new emerging healthcare issues. Continuing of nursing education also enables nurses to be able to utilize the fast advancing technology that play an important role in improving nursing competencies (Park & Kim, 2017). It is also essential in improving the competitiveness in job market thus encouraging nurses to be more competent for them to easily secure jobs.
References
Graves, L. Y., Tamez, P., Wallen, G. R., & Saligan, L. N. (2021). Defining the role of
individuals prepared as a doctor of nurse practice in symptoms science research. Nursing
Outlook, 69(4), 542-549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.01.013
McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., … & Villarruel, The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper
- (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting,
readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing outlook, 68(4), 494-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.03.008
Park, H. Y., & Kim, J. S. (2017). Factors influencing disaster nursing core competencies of
emergency nurses. Applied Nursing Research, 37, 1-5.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2017.06.004
Spetz, J. (2018). Projections of progress toward the 80% Bachelor of Science in Nursing
recommendation and strategies to accelerate change. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 394-400.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.04.012
Tluczek, A., Twal, M. E., Beamer, L. C., Burton, C. W., Darmofal, L., Kracun, M., … & Turner,
- (2019). How American Nurses Association code of ethics informs genetic/genomic
nursing. Nursing ethics, 26(5), 1505-1517. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733018767248
T3 Assignment
Reflection Paper
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Assessment Description
The IOM published report, “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” makes recommendations for lifelong learning and achieving higher levels of education.
In 1,000-1,250 words, examine the importance of nursing education and discuss your overall educational goals.
Include the following: The Future Of Nursing Reflection Paper
1. Discuss your options in the job market based on your educational level.
2. Review the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations for achieving higher levels of education. Describe what professional certification and advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, etc.) you want to pursue and explain your reasons for wanting to attain the education. Discuss your timeline for accomplishing these goals.
3. Discuss how increasing your level of education would affect how your competitiveness in the current job market and your role in the future of nursing.
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4. Discuss the relationship of continuing nursing education to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics.
5. Discuss whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory. Provide support for your response.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
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