NURS 6003 Discussion: Networking Opportunities
NURS 6003 Discussion: Networking Opportunities
Networking Opportunities
In this discussion board I will introduce myself, discuss Walden University’s foundation in relation to my aspirations, and the importance of professional networking. It is important to understand that each nurse has a unique background that influences the care they provide. Gaining nursing experiences and creating professional relationships can provide life long positive influences impacting patient’s lives, families, and communities.
Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS: NURS 6003 Discussion: Networking Opportunities
Self-Introduction
My name is Krystal Simmons. I have worked in the healthcare system for over fifteen years in various settings. Some of my favorite nursing experiences include working in the primary care setting for seven years and the medical floor for almost two years. I live in rural southern Ohio, married with two girls. In my free time I enjoy nature by running, hiking, kayaking, and swimming.
Dreams, Missions, and Visions
The vision and mission statements Walden University stands by promotes a modern curriculum in a challenging atmosphere that collaborates with each nursing professional’s lifestyle meeting the needs of individuals, families, and communities (Walden University, 2021). My plan for school is to become a family nurse practitioner and continue working in my rural hometown. I started this journey in 2017 after watching several nursing students complete clinicals at my primary care office. In 2019 I moved from the primary care setting to the inpatient medical floor to expand on my nursing background and experience. I feel that working on the medical floor has helped me become a better leader which will enhance my nursing as a practitioner in the future. Walden University’s MSN learning outcomes lists qualities a nursing professional will possess at the end of the program which includes the ongoing commitment to professional development, enhanced communications skills, and evidenced-based high-quality healthcare delivery skills (Walden University, 2021).
Academic and Professional Networking
Starting out as a state tested nursing assistant in 2003, I have learned that continued education opportunities, new experiences, and effective communication skills are some core materials that make up good nursing professionals. With almost twenty years of service in the nursing field I have developed several professional mentors and role models who have inspired and motivated me to strive for my nurse practitioner degree. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is just one group of professionals aimed at improving the health of the nation by supporting the advancement of the nurse practitioner role (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). Professional networking in the nursing field can take place in work and in continuing education settings. Professional networking within nursing professionals can influence healthcare systems, advance careers, and promote professional support in an ever changing, demanding profession (Schmidt, K., 2020).
In conclusion, I feel that gaining new experiences, creating new relationships, and learning to provide modern high quality evidenced based care will aide in my professional nursing development. Optimizing nursing experiences and relationships improves overall outcomes in all nursing aspects.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2021). Retrieved August 29, 2021, from https://www.aanp.org/membership
Schmidt, K. (2020). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-professional-networking-seriously/
Walden University. (2021). College of Nursing. Retrieved August 29, 2021, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-log-box-3837398
Walden University. (2021). Walden University catalog. Retrieved August 29, 2021, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu
This is the start of an important nursing degree journey that is replete with opportunities.
This week you start, as an MSN student, to lay the foundation for your professional and academic success. Your efforts begin with a vision, which includes your own definition of success. Your vision may vary from those of your colleagues, but this does not mean you have to take these first steps alone.
Walden University and the College of Nursing also have a vision and mission, which include helping you to make your own vision a reality. Members of your new academic community, such as faculty, support
teams, and fellow students, can also be helpful. Current practitioners and other members of the professional community can also help you to clarify your vision.
This week’s Discussion asks you to think about how the Walden mission and vision and the College of Nursing mission and vision apply to your professional and academic goals. You will also begin to identify individuals and teams that can help you along the way, as you begin to design the “blueprint”—your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan—that will guide you toward your own vision for academic and professional success.
To Prepare:
- Review the Walden and the College of Nursing mission and vision statements, Walden’s goals and University Outcomes, and the MSN Program Learning Outcomes presented in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Reflect on your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
- Consider how the information in these resources fit with your own goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.
- Also consider academic and professional individuals and teams that you may collaborate with in support of your efforts as a student at the University and as a professional within your organization and career.
By Day 3
Post a brief post introducing yourself to your colleagues. Include an explanation for how Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Also include an explanation for how the Walden MSN program outcomes and perspectives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.
Hello everyone. My name is Brandi Daniels. I am currently a RN serving active duty as a commissioned officer in the US Navy and work in the PACU. I decided to attend Walden University to pursue my Masters in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Walden University’s vision, mission and goals aligned with my desire and goal to be a critical asset to my community. The vision states that it aims to advance “the greater global good” (Walden University, 2019). The ability to have a positive effect on my patients and improve the overall health in the community I’m in help me to become a successful scholar-practitioner. Additionally, Walden’s mission lines up with my goal to increase positive patient outcomes as the mission states that it aims to transform professionals to “scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change” (Walden University, 2019). The goal “to produce graduates who are scholarly, reflective practitioners and agents of positive change” as well as the social change initiative that strives to result in the improvement of social conditions also aligns with my academic and professional goals.
The Walden MSN Program Outcomes and perspectives relate to my professional and academic goals and to becoming a scholar practitioner. One of the learning outcomes is to:
“implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations” (Walden University, 2020).
With this outcome in mind, the promotion of quality improvement that is evidence based, allows me to provide higher quality of care from patients of all backgrounds and social/economic status.
Networking can play a big role in increasing positive patient outcomes. By networking with other healthcare professionals that have the same as well as different specialties, referring a patient to a reputable health care specialist may help improve the patient’s prognosis. Additionally, networking with certain individuals can help my academic success as they can be valuable resources for advice and mentorship. It can also help with future job procurement. According to Schmidt (2018), 70% of all jobs are found through networking. The phrase “it’s all about who you know” holds true in this aspect.
References
Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/
Walden University. (n.d.). College of Nursing. Retrieved October 5, 2020, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-lg-box-3837398
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden University catalog. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu
My name is Steven Lopez, and I am starting the Psychiatric MSN program here at Walden. I have been a RN for almost 8 years now and, although it has been challenging, I have very much enjoyed the ride. Before becoming a Nurse, I was active duty with the Marine Corps Infantry and later went part time military where I continue to serve today. My experiences in Iraq and other places in the military more than prepared me for the intense and high paced nature of the Nursing field. I am grateful that I have been able to serve both my country and now my community most of my adult life and I find this very fulfilling. I am very excited to start this program and feel ready for the challenge.
I have spent most of my Nursing career in the behavioral health field. Walden’s social change initiatives very much support my goals and intentions in this field of nursing. Behavioral health reaches everyone regardless of income, race, sex, gender religion or any other category. It is the great equalizer, and it does not discriminate on how it impacts people. Sadly, something that I have seen in the healthcare field is the shunning of patients who experience these mental health illnesses. I would love to see great advancements in the field of behavioral health and especially for those who cannot afford the higher and more comfortable levels of care. Unfortunately, if a patient cannot afford the massive out of pocket expenses for the more extravagant health care facilities they are stuck with the local, community-based facilities which range from borderline untherapeutic to just plane uncomfortable to stay in for inpatient care. Walden’s social change initiatives would help expand higher quality services and funding to these community and state level facilities allowing for a more therapeutic environment to heal, change and grow for all patients regardless of their income earning abilities.
In line with Walden’s Nursing programs Mission and Vision statement I very much am motivated and driven to impalement change in not only the field of nursing but in the medical world in general. Perhaps I am a bit idealistic but if people lose that drive to make a difference, then we lose forward progress and stay with the same problems with are faced with today. One of the things I would love to be an “agent of change” for is behavioral health directly related to the military. My experiences leaving the military were bleak. No counseling services, no adjustment period no check on my actual mental health especially after my deployments to Iraq. I was taught how to fill out a check brook, how to apply for unemployment and sent on me to live in society again as if nothing ever happened. Fortunately, I was luck and was able to adjust back to normal life after Active duty but for many of my friends, and many more still today this adjustment phase ended in tragedy. I am driven to change this exit process and perhaps help influence the change with the military so service member and civilian employees of the military get the guidance and care needed when leaving the service so they may successfully and safely be reintegrated back into every day civilian life. I feel the MSN Learning outcomes very much will help achieve my goals I have just mentioned and more and that as a Nurse Practitioner, this level of nursing and healthcare will allow me the influence to at least start the change needed for my very large goals here.
In regard to Networking, one can never make enough professional connections. Having a good professional network gives people a leg up when looking for employment, funding for a project or even access to a pool of knowledge and experience other shave that can benefit out over all goals in healthcare. Networking also promotes that “interdisciplinary” approach to healthcare. Are we not networking when we make professional relationships with providers and therapists? It makes patient care so much easier when their connections have been established and allows much a smoother transfer of patient care and coordination. This same logic applies at the macro level of life. The healthier professional connections with make with others improves our own outcomes when it comes to achieving our goals
Support main post with 3 of more current, credible sources and cite source within content of posting and on a reference list in proper APA.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days, by suggesting additional individuals and/or teams with whom to collaborate or by offering additional networking strategies.
Be sure to offer support from at least 2 current, credible sources in each required response to classmates’ main post and cite per APA.
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
Module 1 (Week 1): Networking for Academic and Professional Success
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Foundation of Success [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: The Journey Begins [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Networking and Collaboration [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze relationships among Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives to professional and academic goals
Analyze the relationship between MSN program outcomes and perspectives to professional and academic goals
Identify academic and professional collaborators for academic and professional success
Identify concepts for Walden student readiness
Identify individuals or teams to collaborate with for success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse
Due By
Assignment
Week 1, Days 1–2
Read the Learning Resources.
Compose your initial Discussion post.
Begin to compose Part 1 of your Assignment.
Week 1, Day 3
Post your initial Discussion post.
Begin to check your knowledge with the Quiz.
Continue to work on of Part 1 of your Assignment.
Week 1, Day 4
Continue to check your knowledge with the Quiz.
Continue to work on Part 1 of your Assignment
Week 1, Day 5
Review peer Discussion posts.
Compose your peer Discussion responses.
Continue to check your knowledge with the Quiz.
Continue to compose your final draft of Part 1 of your Assignment.
Week 1, Day 6
Post two peer Discussion responses.
Continue to check your knowledge with the Quiz.
Continue to compose your final draft of Part 1 of your Assignment.
Week 1, Day 7
Wrap up Discussion.
Final day to complete Quiz.
Deadline to submit your final draft of Part 1 of your Assignment.
Photo Credit: David Baumber/Vetta/Getty Images
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Nurse.org. (n.d.). List of nursing organizations. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://nurse.org/orgs.shtml
Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/
Walden University. (n.d.). Connect to Walden. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/connect
Walden University. (n.d.). College of Nursing. Retrieved October 5, 2020, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-lg-box-3837398
Review the College of Nursing’s vision and mission.
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden University catalog. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu
Select College of Nursing, then Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Review the MSN Learning Outcomes on this page.
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden University catalog. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu
Select Introduction, then the link “Vision, Mission, and Goals” under the Introduction header. Review Walden’s vision, mission, and goals.
Walden University. (n.d.). Writing center. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter
Wofford, P. (2018). 10 networking tips for nurses who hate networking. Retrieved from https://nurse.org/articles/tips-for-nurse-networking/
Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)
Document: Discussion Posting Exemplars (PDF)
Week 1 Discussion Post Nurs-6003-3
Providing care to those in need is something that was instilled in me at an early age. Growing up with a single mother who has sickle cell disease, I developed an early understanding for the importance of health care and the vital role nurses play in it. It was those early childhood experiences with my mother that pushed me and helped cement my desire to become a nurse. Now 10 years strong in the nursing profession, I find myself realizing more each day that the integration of technology into nursing like so many other professions is a must for patients to receive high quality, safe and cost-effective care. Majority of the equipment I have used in the emergency rooms over the years require a minimal understanding of technology and its function in relation to the task or procedure that is to be performed. According to (Narayana Moorthi M. & Manjula R., 2018, Mobile devices, including phones and computers are becoming significant ICT tools for many activities and process of health care service delivery in both urban and rural areas, by organizations and individuals, literates and educated. section). In my opinion, I believe that before the next decade health care technology will allow patients to receive 75% or more of their care remotely and potentially even higher now with the current pandemic of Covid-19. Due to this increased demand for health care professionals to navigate the world of technology and integrate technology in our every day lives while providing care this is why I have chosen to seek a graduate degree in nursing informatics.
Armed with my previous experience of attending Walden University for my BSN program, I know firsthand the type of online learning environment that I am facing. Walden University provides their students with the necessary tools and resources to overcome many challenges that arise as you build a road map for academic success. Over the years, since I graduated from Walden, I have gained an even greater appreciation for its mission statement and the ways that I have seamlessly woven this philosophy into my everyday nursing practice. According to (Walden University, n.d., Walden University provides career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change. section) The most recent example I have that comes to mind of how Walden University’s idea of being a scholar-practitioner relates with my clinical practice is the current crisis of Covid 19 testing in our emergency room. When the pandemic occurred our emergency room (ER) like many emergency rooms around the world were rapidly changing how we provided care for our patients on a daily basis. Due to the current pandemic my facility is constantly changing how we practice emergency room nursing and rely on evidence-based nursing practice to facilitate care for our patients this allows me to develop into a more well-rounded scholar-practitioner.
Throughout the test role out of Covid-19 and the testing process I collaborated constantly with my department leadership, physicians, as well as our nurse educator to stay informed with the latest evidence-based practices for administering the test. As a whole the hospital really worked on involving the nursing staff in the decision-making process and offering us the latitude to speak up and initiate how the changes affect the care of our patients and their potential risk to all health care professionals throughout the organization. In an article writing by(Sanders, 2018, These professionals perform varying combinations of three roles: research, teaching and applied field work. They have developed different work habits, ways of thinking and even ways of being than their colleagues who focus on just one of those areas in either field, and have a set of personal characteristics including being adaptive, collaborative, holistic, passionate and wise, which empower their use of self in helping their clients or patients. section).
A contributing part of becoming a more effective scholar-practitioner lies with incorporating the outcome and perspectives of Walden’s MSN program into my professional practice. Some key points that I can readily identify within my role as an emergency room nurse are facilitating positive social change, a commitment to lifelong learning, and understanding the methods of inquiry. Each of these principles have helped me to be a more effective patient advocate as well as a nurse leader within my department.
References
Narayana Moorthi M., & Manjula R. (2018). Advances in healthcare information systems and administration.
IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5036-5.ch004
Sanders, E. (2018). Being scholar-practitioners – wisdom in action. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2018(1), 18522.
Retrieved August 28, 2020, from https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2018.18522abstract
Walden University. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2020, from https://catalog.walden.edu
Rubric Detail
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
Content
Name: NURS_6003_Module01_Week01_Discussion_Rubric
Grid View
List View
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Main Posting
Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.
Supported by at least three current, credible sources.
Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.
Supported by at least three credible sources.
Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to some of the discussion question(s).
One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed.
Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
Post is cited with two credible sources.
Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Contains some APA formatting errors.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately.
Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.
Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
Contains only one or no credible sources.
Not written clearly or concisely.
Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness
Points Range: 10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
First Response
Points Range: 17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.
Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.
Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.
Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Second Response
Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.
Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.
Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.
Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Participation
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6003_Module01_Week01_Discussion_Rubric
You’ve already rated students with this rubric. Any major changes could affect their assessment results.
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Posting |
|
|||||
|
Main Post: Timeliness |
|
|||||
|
First Response |
|
|||||
|
Second Response |
|
|||||
|
Participation |
|
|||||
|
Total Points: 100
|
||||||
Grading Rubric Guidelines
| Performance Category | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic decisions. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Performance Category | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Application of Course Knowledge –
Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles and concepts learned in the course lesson and outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
|
|
|
|
|
| Performance Category | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Interactive Dialogue
Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts a minimum of two times in each graded thread, on separate days. (5 points possible per graded thread) |
|
Summarizes what was learned from the lesson, readings, and other student posts for the week. |
|
|
|
| Minus 1 Point | Minus 2 Point | Minus 3 Point | Minus 4 Point | Minus 5 Point | |
| Grammar, Syntax, APA
Note: if there are only a few errors in these criteria, please note this for the student in as an area for improvement. If the student does not make the needed corrections in upcoming weeks, then points should be deducted. Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition |
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 points lost | -5 points lost | ||||
| Total Participation Requirements
per discussion thread |
The student answers the threaded discussion question or topic on one day and posts a second response on another day. | The student does not meet the minimum requirement of two postings on two different days | |||
| Early Participation Requirement
per discussion thread |
The student must provide a substantive answer to the graded discussion question(s) or topic(s), posted by the course instructor (not a response to a peer), by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT of each week. | The student does not meet the requirement of a substantive response to the stated question or topic by Wednesday at 11:59 pm MT. |