NRNP 6531 Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies Essay

NRNP 6531 Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies Essay

 

Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies

Nurse practitioners bear great responsibility in the continuous provision of direct care, preventing harm, and promoting the health and well-being of patients. To be able to accomplish these roles, nurses are required to advance their knowledge and skills through education and practicum experience (Zerwekh, 2018). At the end of the course, I expect to have gained the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to promote safe and quality care provision and advance my nursing career.

Summary of My Expectations

This course is crucial for my professional growth as it educates nurses on the appropriate application of clinical skills and knowledge in taking care of the geriatric population. As such, I expect to gain confidence in my diagnostic and treatment skills when taking care of an elderly patient by the end of this course (Wangensteen et al., 2018). I look forward to being able to independently diagnose and come up with the most effective care plan for an elderly patient without supervision.

Strengths and Challenges of Nursing Practice Competencies

Handling elderly patients is quite challenging given the increased risks of comorbidities that promote polypharmacy (Wangensteen et al., 2018). As such, nurses are required to exhibit appropriate competencies such as compassion, excellent communication skills, observation, flexibility, patience, and appropriate interpersonal skills among others. I am confident that I have displayed all these competencies and can take care of an elderly patient with minimal challenges. However, I still find it quite difficult to handle the emotional stress associated with the amount of time needed when taking care of an elderly patient.

 

Career Objectives

            An Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specializes in promoting the use of the evidence-based practice in the provision of patient-centered care for the elderly (Zerwekh, 2018). As such, this course will help me gain adequate knowledge and skills in advancing my nursing practice in reducing illness and disabilities, promoting wellness-oriented self-care, and promoting intervention-based risk assessment among the elderly. I will also be able to negotiate the healthcare system as a patient advocate.

 

References

Wangensteen, S., Finnbakk, E., Adolfsson, A., Kristjansdottir, G., Roodbol, P., Ward, H., & Fagerström, L. (2018). Postgraduate nurses’ self-assessment of clinical competence and need for further training. A European cross-sectional survey. Nurse Education Today, 62, 101-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.12.020

Zerwekh, J. (2018). Adult-gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Review. Elsevier Health Sciences.

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Week 1: Competencies of Advanced Nursing Practice

Advanced nursing practice competencies focus on the unique practice knowledge, skills, and attitudes a nurse practitioner must demonstrate as they work with adults across the lifespan in clinical settings. They are developed by experts in the field and provide clarity about what is needed to be successful in your career. Competencies need to be practiced so they can be used to effectively address a wide range of situations. In addition to real-world settings, there are virtual opportunities that can facilitate the development of competencies. For example, throughout this course, you will complete case study simulation assignments with virtual i-Human patients presenting a variety of medical conditions. These types of virtual simulations provide you with the formative practice needed to help guide and prepare you for the real-world clinical experience.

For this week, you will examine advanced nursing practice competencies and reflect on your strengths and challenges related to the competencies. In light of your reflection, you will consider how this course may help you attain your career goals or objectives.
Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze strengths and challenges related to nursing practice competencies
Describe professional career goals or objectives

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Class Café: Introductions

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This Class Café is a place for discussions that do not necessarily relate to the formal content of this course and will not be assessed. However, we encourage you to get to know your colleagues and familiarize yourselves with everyone’s background and personal history. Note: If your posting is of a personal nature or involves issues that are of concern only to you and require an individual response from the Instructor, please email the Instructor directly.

By Day 2

Post and introduce yourself to your colleagues and ask any questions you might have about the course or questions in general.

Respond to your colleagues and answer any questions or ask any questions that you might have.

Note: This Class Café is not required and will not be assessed; however, you are encouraged to get to know your colleagues.

Submission and Grading Information
Post by Day 2

To Participate in this Discussion:

Class Café: Introductions

Discussion: Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies

An advanced practice nurse collaborates and communicates with patients, families, doctors, nurses, and specialists to ensure patients receive the care they need. As they diagnose, treat, manage, and educate patients, they are responsible for ensuring patient safety and maintaining ethical behavior. Competencies have been developed to help the advanced practice nurse to understand the practice knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to be successful.

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For this Discussion, you will examine advanced nursing practice competencies and reflect on your strengths and challenges related to the competencies. In light of your reflection, you will consider how this course may help you attain your career goals or objectives.

To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources for this week, specifically the advanced nursing practice competencies. As you review the competencies, reflect on your own strengths and challenges when working with adults across the lifespan.

By Day 3

Post a summary of your expectations of this course. Also, include a brief explanation of your strengths and challenges as they relate to nursing practice competencies when working with adults. Describe any career goals or objectives this course may help you accomplish in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) role and explain why. Use your research to support your explanations by providing credible and scholarly sources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by offering a suggestion or resources to help your colleagues in addressing their personal strengths or challenges, or their career goals. Use your research to support your suggestions. Provide at least 3 credible and current scholarly sources.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to Discussion Question link and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 1 Discussion

Assignment

Practicum Manual Acknowledgment

The Practicum Manual describes the structure and timing of the classroom-based and practicum experiences and the policies students must follow to be successful in the nurse practitioner (NP) specialties.

Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual

Click here and follow the instructions to confirm you have downloaded and read the entire MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual and will abide by the requirements described in order to successfully complete this program.

What’s Coming Up in Week 2?

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Practicum – Upcoming Deadline

In the Nurse Practitioner programs of study (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP) you are required to take several practicum courses. If you plan on taking a practicum course within the next two terms, you will need to submit your application via Meditrek .

For information on the practicum application process and deadlines, please visit the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Application Process – Graduate web page.

Please take the time to review the Appropriate Preceptors and Field Sites for your courses.

Please take the time to review the practicum manuals, FAQs, Webinars and any required forms on the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Student Resources and Manuals web page.

Field Experience: College of Nursing Quick Answers
Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual
Student Practicum Resources: NP Student Orientation

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Next week, you will analyze an i-Human simulation case study about an adult patient with an integumentary condition and formulate a differential diagnosis, based on the patient’s information. Using the findings of your analysis, you will evaluate treatment options and then create an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.

Looking Ahead:

In this course and beginning in Week 2, you will be required to complete case study assignments using the web-based software i-Human. You should have received an email with your i-Human Patients login and password information. If you have not received this information, please contact the Course Instructor.  

Ensure that you are able to log in to the software and review the i-Human Patients Case Player Student Manual as needed to familiarize yourself about how to navigate i-Human. 

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To go to the next week:

Week 2