Week 1-3: Academic and Professional Network, Resources and Strategies, Ethics and Integrity in Nursi

Part 1: My Academic and Professional Network

Task:

Week 1 | Part 1: My Academic and Professional Network

I have identified and secured the participation of the following academic (at least two) and professional (at least two) individuals and/or teams to form the basis of my network. This network will help me to clarify my vision for success and will help guide me now and in the future.

Directions: Complete the information below for each member of your network. For more than four entries repeat the items below with details of your additional network member(s) in the ‘ADDITIONAL NETWORK MEMBERS’ section.

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: Ajoke is not only a Colleague at work but is also a wonderful teacher and mentor.  She graduated 2 years ago with a master’s in Family NP.  We have worked together for several years and she is one of the hardest working nurses I have ever met.  Ajoke has always encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a Psychiatric nurse practitioner.  She is a nurse that I admire and respect greatly and I believe that she assist me through this journey.

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: I have worked with Latesha for the last 3 years.  She always encourages me to continue my education and reach for my dreams.  Latesha is a change facilitator and always has the patients’ best interest in mind.  She is never afraid to stand up for patients and their rights and I know that will be of great help to me.

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: I have worked with Iesha for years. She has a quick wit and an amazing work ethic.  Iesha started her journey at Walden before I did and also recommended Walden University to me, so I know she has a wealth of knowledge to offer me as I make my way on the same path.

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: I have known LaVerne since I started working as a Registered nurse.  She played a huge role in my transition from Home Health to acute care setting.  I admired her attention to detail and how organized she is. She graduated 2 years ago from the DNP program at South Alabama University.  She will be a valuable networking resource for me during my educational journey.

Week 2 | Part 2: Academic Resources and Strategies

I have identified the following academic resources and/or strategies that can be applied to success in the nursing practice in general or my specialty in particular.

Directions: In the space below Identify and describe at least three academic resources or strategies that can be applied to the MSN program, and at least three professional resources that can be applied to success in the nursing practice in general or your specialty in particular. For each, explain how you intend to use these resources, and how they might benefit you academically and professionally.

Becoming a nurse practitioner has always been my goal for several years; while bedside nursing is very rewarding I feel that it is time to further my education to be able to better serve my community. To succeed in this journey it is imperative to have resources that will enable me reach my goal, I have found several academic and professional resources to help me become successful in this journey.

Academic Resource/Strategy 1

Part 2: Academic Resources and Strategies

Instructors: Instructors are available to offer guidance to help me in all possible way they can during my time in their class, and I plan on taking advantage of the instructor provided by Walden University. Though I miss face-to-face instructor, because verbalizing my needs in person and communicating with live personnel is what I do better than writing, but I just need to adjust and adapt to this online learning. My strategy will be to get in contact with my instructor as early as possible whenever I have any class issue which varies from class registration, to asking for advice on how to go about answering questions if I don’t understand the assignment.

Academic Resource/Strategy 2

Walden University Library: The use of the library will not only be a good resource for me but also provide free access to scholarly books and journal that will benefit me through out my journey here at Walden. Librarians are available by phone and on the web, to help students locate and identify scholarly materials. I plan on taking advantage of the library for research of peer-reviewed articles that will directly apply to my assignments. I will be reaching out to the librarian to help with questions, suggestion of resources and formulation of research strategies, I also plan on taking advantage of their tutorials and quarterly webinars.

Academic Resource/Strategy 3

My main academic strategy is to create an academic/family/work schedule to help me maintain balance. Succeeding in this journey is paramount but my family and work is also important. I plan on creating a schedule for all my daily activities with date and time set for each. With self-discipline, I should be able to adhere to caring for my family, maintaining work schedule as well as succeeding in my class.

Professional Resource/Strategy 1

Becoming a member of American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) will provide me with resources on legislation, practice, questions and many more items valuable to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. I believe that becoming a member of this organization will enable me to network with other Nursing professionals to help support me during my career. The APNA also provides continuing education opportunities to help professionals stay abreast of changes in the field. I plan on utilizing everything this organization has to offer to be a great asset to my community.

Professional Resource/Strategy 2

Many Physicians and Nurse practitioners have inspired me to become a nurse practitioner. Dr. Ufuoma has made herself available to me, she encourages me to push myself to reach my goal, and she is an amazing physician who is dedicated to improving patient outcomes. Dr. Ufuoma will be a very valuable resource for me, I trust her professional guidance and I know that I can utilize her professional advice with any question I may have about career advancement.

Part 3: Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics

Professional Resource/Strategy 3

I have several friends who have made it through this journey and have become nurse practitioners. They work in various settings and are great assets to their organizations and communities. Tina has become successful working at a community hospital in North Carolina, caring for children with Mental Health challenge. Tina will be a valuable resource for me when I graduate
There are many academic and professional resources for students furthering their Education and careers. The resources that I chose are a combination of Walden’s many valuable resources, professional that I have had the pleasure of working with, and a well-known nursing organization. By combining all resources I know that I will be able to succeed academically and professionally.

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

I have analyzed the relationship between academic integrity and writing, as well as the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics. I have also identified strategies I intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of my academic work while a student of the MSN program, as well as my professional work as a nurse throughout my career. The results of these efforts are shared below.

Directions: In the space below craft your analysis/writing sample, including Part 1 (The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity) and Part 2 (Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work).

Part 1: Writing Sample: The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity

In the space below write a 2- 3-paragraph analysis that includes the following:

Explanation for the relationship between academic integrity and writing
Explanation for the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics
Cite at least 2 resources that support your arguments, being sure to use proper APA formatting.
Use Grammarly and SafeAssign to improve the product.
Explain how Grammarly, Safe Assign, and paraphrasing contributes to academic integrity


PART 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

Expand on your thoughts from Part 1 by:

Identifying and describing strategies you intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of your 1) academic work while a student of the MSN program, and 2) professional work as a nurse throughout your career. Include a review of resources and approaches you propose to use as a student and a professional.

Week 4 | Part 4: Research Analysis

I have identified one topic of interest for further study. I have researched and identified one peer-reviewed research article focused on this topic and have analyzed this article.  The results of these efforts are shared below.

Directions: Complete Step 1 by using the table and subsequent space below identify and analyze the research article you have selected. Complete Step 2 by summarizing in 2-3 paragraphs the results of your analysis using the space identified.

Week 5 | Part 5: Professional Development

I have developed a curriculum vitae to capture my academic and professional accomplishments to date. I have also developed a statement identifying one or more professional development goals, and a statement proposing how I might align one or more of these professional development goals with the University’s emphasis on social change.

The results of my efforts are below.

Directions: Complete Step 1 by developing (or copying and pasting) a curriculum vitae (CV) in the space provided. Complete Step 2 by completing a statement identifying your professional development goals space identified. Complete Step 3 by writing a statement proposing how you might align one or more of your professional development goals with the University’s emphasis on social change.

Step 1: Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Use the space below to write your CV based on your current education and professional background. Alternatively, you may write this in a separate document and copy/paste the results below.

NOTE: If needed there are a variety of online resources available with tips and samples of graduate nurse CVs.

Step 2: Professional Development Goals

Use the space below to write a statement identifying your professional development goals.

Step 3: Alignment with Social Change

Use the space below to write a statement proposing how you might align one or more of your professional development goals with the University’s emphasis on social change.

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 of 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.

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.

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.