Sample Answer for NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network Included After Question
When was the last time you read Meditation XVII of John Donne’s Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions?
Unless you are a student of seventeeth-century poetry, you may not be all that familiar with this piece. However, you may be much more familiar with one of its well-known phrases: “No man is an island…”.
As you begin your journey toward achieving your academic and professional goals, you have a great opportunity to network with academics and professionals who can help ensure you do not travel alone. This network can help to clarify your own vision for success and can help guide you now and in the future. To paraphrase Donne, no one is an island.
Begin creating an academic and professional network by identifying which academic and professional connections and resources with which you need to collaborate to succeed in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse.
To Prepare:
- Consider individuals, departments, teams, and/or resources within Walden University and within your profession that you believe can support your academic and professional success.
- Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals, colleagues, or teams that might help you succeed in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse.
- Download the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.
The Assignment:
Academic and Professional Network
Complete Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template. Be sure to address the following:
- Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse.
- Explain why you selected these individuals and/or teams and how they will support your success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse.
By Day 7 of Week 1
Submit Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 1 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Module 1 | Part 1: Developing an 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.
Nursing is one of the most intriguing professions in the health industry but students enrolling in the career are usually baffled by what they might expect when pursuing the course. Often, nursing students lack adequate information about the profession in their early instances of learning but as they progress in studies, they acquire additional information and guidance regarding the career (Roodbol & Peters, 2020). In order for nurses to successfully complete their program, they need academic and professional support. These provide avenue for professional interaction and networking to enhance knowledge sharing in the course of studies (Mesquita et al., 2017). As I transition to graduate students, I have also realized the benefits of academic and professional support as a way to optimize interactions for my future career as a family nurse practitioner. In this regard, this paper will help me organize my thoughts by enumerating academic and professional networks who will not only lay a foundation for my studies but also enhance my nursing care practice within a health setting.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 1 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 1
To submit your Assignment:
Week 1 Assignment
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
Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)
Document: Discussion Posting Exemplars (PDF)
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network
Title: NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network
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 selected Dr. Amber Cook due to her closeness with students as an instructor. She is also highly experienced since she has worked in a variety of settings, including medical/surgical nursing, administration, mental health, care management, ED, and palliative care. Through guidance and mentorship from experienced healthcare professionals, nurses understand nursing issues better and execute them successfully when learning and during practice (Foolchand & Maritz, 2020). At the same time, Dr. Cook will be a highly valuable resource for my better understanding and clarifying questions related to instructions, nursing research, and health concepts.
My name is …….., and I have been a nurse for thirteen years. I was born and raised in a small rural community and still reside there today. My nursing career has consisted of Labor and Delivery and Pediatrics. I have also held leadership roles for over half of my nursing career. Living in a rural community can mean decreased access to healthcare. Therefore, my professional goal is to become a Family Nurse Practitioner to serve the healthcare needs of those in my community.
Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives align with my professional goals by providing me with the knowledge to enable me to identify the health needs of those in my community, improve the quality of patient care, and increase access to evidence-based healthcare services across the human life span to meet the needs of the individuals in my local community (Walden University, n.d.a). I plan to follow Walden’s mission of lifelong learning commitment by joining and being an active participant in professional nursing organizations to stay current with the latest evidence-based practice (Walden University, n.d.a). In becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, I plan to use the knowledge I have gained at Walden to improve the social conditions in my community and impact positive social change (Walden University, n.d.b).
Walden University actively promotes leadership and social change among its students and graduates. Specifically, the MSN program will prepare me for my career as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the program’s learning outcomes which include leadership for cost-effective, high-quality healthcare delivery, knowledge to find and critique evidence-based research to guide my decision making, ability to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate healthcare strategies to promote health, reduce health disparities, and decrease illness (Walden University, n.d.c). Walden’s MSN program outcomes will enable me to provide holistic, patient-centered, evidence-based care to my patients to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network
Title: NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network
When joining college, nursing students are usually gray in many areas, and professional knowledge develops as they learn concepts in their respective fields and network with peers. For nurses to complete their programs successfully, academic and professional support is essential. This support is enhanced by collaborating inter-professionally. Interprofessional collaboration is vital in nursing since it provides nurses with platforms for social and professional interaction as they work in teams (Moss et al., 2016). It is a way to share knowledge and resources. Networking opens a broader sphere of influence. According to Goolsby and Knestrick (2017), professional networking is an element that enables nurses to communicate with others with shared interests and expertise. It creates relationships that support new opportunities. Khanum et al. (2016) further mentioned that interdisciplinary networking provides nurses with contacts for personal development and establishing contacts that make them better patient care providers. This section of my plan describes the academic and professional resources that I believe will be instrumental in my nursing program.
NETWORK MEMBER 1
Name: Karen Ouzts
Title: Program Director
Organization: Walden University
Academic or Professional: Academic
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: When pursuing any professional program in a learning institution, it is crucial to look for people who can guide when academic matters are not progressing as expected. They are the people to consult due to their in-depth experience about the practice and educational issues. Dr. Ouzts is well-conversant with Walden University’s academic structure and how the nursing environment operates, having taught in the university for about a decade. She has also taught various courses whose concepts are applicable in many nursing areas and can be consulted on them. They include the role of nurses in population health and preserving health in a diverse society. As a scholar, Dr. Ouzts has written various books and articles, which I will read to improve my experience.
NETWORK MEMBER 2
Name: MSN Colleagues
Title: RN/MSN/NP Students
Organization: Walden University
Academic or Professional: Academic
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: Excellence and comfort in nursing depend largely on how nurses team up with their colleagues in the same programs. Under the same program, nurse students handle the same assignments and discuss concepts from different perspectives. MSN colleagues would be vital in discussing issues and overcoming challenges I am likely to experience in the program. The support system we will establish would be critical in forming future networks to enable us to get employment and understand practice requirements and changes occurring every day. I look forward to learning from my colleagues as they learn from me as well.
NETWORK MEMBER 3
Name: Dr. Shari Lawson
Title: MD; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Organization: Johns Hopkins Medicine
Academic or Professional: Professional
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: As I pursue the MSN program, it is crucial to keep learning from others, particularly those involved in the practice directly. Such individuals are adequately informed on matters happening in practice as situations change and how nursing matters, including illness dynamics, change over time. Through them, nurses get insight into how to utilize their knowledge to address population needs. Due to her broad experience in the health practice as an employee of Johns Hopkins, Dr. Shari Lawson would be crucial in research matters and information on emerging issues and how to prepare well to meet the changing professional demands.
Name: NURS_6003_Module01_Week01_Assignment_Rubric
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | ||
| Complete Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template. Be sure to address the following:
· Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. |
Points Range: 32 (32%) – 35 (35%)
The response clearly and accurately identifies at least two academic individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. The response clearly and accurately identifies at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. |
Points Range: 28 (28%) – 31 (31%)
The response partially identifies at least two academic individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. The response partially identifies at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as practicing nurse. |
Points Range: 25 (25%) – 27 (27%)
The response identifies only one academic individual or team to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. The response identifies only one professional individual or team to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 24 (24%)
The response identifying at least two academic individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. The response identifying at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. |
|
| · Explain why these individuals and/or teams were selected and how they will support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. | Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Response clearly and thoroughly explains in detail why the academic and professional individuals/teams were selected to support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. Response clearly and accurately explains how the academic and professional individuals/teams will support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. |
Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Response explains why the academic and professional individuals/teams were selected to support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. Response explains how the academic and professional individuals/teams will support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse. |
Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Explanation of why the academic and professional individuals/teams were selected to support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of how the academic and professional individuals/teams will support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse is vague or inaccurate. |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Explanation of why the academic and professional individuals/teams were selected to support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. Explanation of how the academic and professional individuals/teams will support success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse is vague and inaccurate, 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. |
Points Range: 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. |
Points Range: 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. |
Points Range: 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. |
Points Range: 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 |
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors. |
Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. |
Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. |
Points Range: 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, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. | Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors. |
Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors. |
Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors. |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors. |
|
| Total Points: 100 | |||||
Name: NURS_6003_Module01_Week01_Assignment_Rubric
NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network Grading Rubric
| Performance Category | 100% or highest level of performance
100% 16 points |
Very good or high level of performance
88% 14 points |
Acceptable level of performance
81% 13 points |
Inadequate demonstration of expectations
68% 11 points |
Deficient level of performance
56% 9 points
|
Failing level
of performance 55% or less 0 points |
| Total Points Possible= 50 | 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points |
| Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic topics. |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three or more of the following elements
|
| 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points | |
| Application of Course Knowledge
Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply principles, knowledge and information learned in the outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
|
Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
|
Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in the all of the following elements:
|
Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
|
Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three of the following elements
|
| 10 Points | 9 Points | 6 Points | 0 Points | |||
| Interactive Dialogue
Initial post should be a minimum of 300 words (references do not count toward word count) The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each (references do not count toward word count) Responses are substantive and relate to the topic. |
Demonstrated all of the following:
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Demonstrated 3 of the following:
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Demonstrated 2 of the following:
|
Demonstrated 1 or less of the following:
|
||
| 8 Points | 7 Points | 6 Points | 5 Points | 4 Points | 0 Points | |
| Grammar, Syntax, APA
Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition Error is defined to be a unique APA error. Same type of error is only counted as one error. |
The following was present:
AND
AND
|
The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
|
The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
|
The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
|
The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
AND/OR
|
The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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| 0 Points Deducted | 5 Points Lost | |||||
| Participation
Requirements |
Demonstrated the following:
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Failed to demonstrate the following:
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| 0 Points Lost | 5 Points Lost | |||||
| Due Date Requirements | Demonstrated all of the following:
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |
Demonstrates one or less of the following.
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |
NURS 6003 Wk 1 Assignment Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 1 Developing an Academic and Professional Network
My Goals and Walden University’s Mission and Vision
According to Walden’s College of Nursing website, its vision is to “transform the provision of nursing services along the continuum of care and across the human life span to meet the needs of individuals and local and global communities (Walden University)”. This ambitious vision is set into action through Walden’s mission to “[seek] enhancement of critical thinking skills, abilities to select and implement evidence-based practices, and core and specialty nursing knowledge in order to transform society (Walden University).” When searching for a University to further expand my nursing knowledge and skills in order to provide the best nursing care possible, I wasn’t really sure where to start; or even exactly sure of what I was looking for. However, when I found Walden University through a mutual friend and Walden Alum, its mission and vision really hit home for me.
I should start by introducing myself. My name is Elizabeth. I was born and raised in Southern California. As a child, I did not really know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I did know, however, that I wanted to help people and make a difference in people’s lives. Through the years my passion for nursing became my calling and I set out to become a critical care nurse; where I personally felt that I could make the biggest difference. As a critical care nurse for half a decade, I began to really reflect on my career in the last 5 years and realized that I had hit a point in my nursing life where I had officially navigated from “novice to expert” (Benner). Of course, in nursing there is always learning to be done, and I do not mean “expert” in a way where I know it all and there is nothing left to learn; but more of an “expert nurse [who] no longer relies on principles, rules, or guidelines to connect situations and determine actions” (Benner). I was able to get through my shift with enough critical thinking, nursing skills, and knowledge to feel 100% confident that I was taking care of my patients in the best way possible. I hit a point where I felt that I was ready to learn more in order to be more for my patients’ and their families.
This was a ground-breaking moment in which for the first time in 5 years I felt lost in my career. So many different options in nursing; how would I possibly choose the right one? This is when I found Walden University and suddenly so many things became so much clearer. When I read Walden’s mission and vision which, in sum, strives “to meet the needs of individuals and local and global communities” and “transform society” through critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and specialized nursing knowledge I felt like it was calling out to me. Although I was not sure how I wanted to continue to expand my career in nursing, I knew that my goal and vision for my future was to further expand my nursing knowledge through evidence-based practice in order to promote my critical thinking skills to make a difference in the lives of the individuals and communities that I am blessed to work with. Being able to accomplish all of these things in addition to mastering Walden’s MSN learning outcomes, such as “exhibit[ing] ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical principles …”, in order to transform myself and create a positive social change at the individual, community and global levels, as Walden’s mission states, would make me feel truly accomplished as a nursing professional providing care to others.
Building relationships and Networking Opportunities
In addition to gaining all of the book knowledge and expanding my critical thinking skills from my courses at Walden, it is also crucial to begin to create relationships and a “social network” that would help make my goals more attainable. According to Schmidt, “a social network can be defined as a network of social interactions and personal relationships.” Building this network and establishing these relationships early on can help make a bigger impact in the long run. For example, taking the first step to achieve my career and educational goals all started through a mutual relationship that I established in the past. A previous coworker who attended Walden several years ago that I have kept in touch with, was the one who first directed me to the university when I felt like I was at crossroads in my nursing career; not knowing which path I wanted to take. Had I not kept this relationship, I may have never found Walden and may still be in the same lost place that I was just a few months ago.
In this same fashion, many professionals discover once in a life-time opportunities that they otherwise may never have known existed, such as nursing conferences, volunteer opportunities, and even employment opportunities. As a matter of fact, “both Yale University and Cornell University …[claim] that 70% of all jobs are found through networking” (Schmidt). I look forward to further developing my networking skills at Walden and using these relationships in any way that I can in order to continue to help others and further enhance social change in a positive manner. As the old proverb goes, “there is power in numbers” and this could not be truer when it comes to building relationships and networking, especially in the health care industry.
References
College of Nursing Mission and Vision. Walden University. (n.d.). https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-lg-box-3837398.
Dr. Patricia Benner. Nursing Theory. (2020, October 17). https://www.nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Patricia-Benner.php.
MSN Learning Outcomes. Walden University. (n.d.). https://catalog.waldenu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=179&poid=72167&returnto=65560.
Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 Reasons Nurses Should Engage in Professional Networking. BluePipes Blog. https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/.
Vision, Mission, and Goals. W