NRS 440: Reflection Paper Assignment

NRS 440: Reflection Paper Assignment

NRS 440 Reflection Paper Assignment

Nursing education offers learners sufficient knowledge and skills to provide safe and high-quality healthcare services to their clients, which is the overall goal of nursing. In the job market, different nursing roles are translated as practice areas. Registered and advanced practice nurses have different scopes of practice as provided by the American Nurses Association. In the ever-changing world, there is a continued increase in the need for specialist care, increasing the need to advance one’s nursing education. As nurses advance educationally, they also get more job opportunities. In this paper, I will discuss the opportunities in the job market, discuss the professional certificates and advanced degrees I will want to pursue, and analyze how increasing one’s level of education affects their competitiveness in the job market. I will also discuss how increasing education relates to knowledge, attitudes, and competency, and lastly, outline whether continuing nursing education should be made mandatory.

Options in the Job Market

Caring is the backbone of nursing. Nurses have a vast range of practice areas they can engage in the job market. Nurses are primary caregivers in various settings, and they offer different kinds of services. As a BSc Nurse, one of the available job options is working as a counselor providing youth-friendly services in youth-friendly centers. Halcomb et al. (2018) state that youths face significant challenges requiring counseling services. Youth-friendly services can be offered in campsites, learning institutions, and hospital settings.

As a licensed nurse, I can also work in different settings such as nursing homes, correctional facilities, and hospitals, fulfilling a primary caregiver’s role. Other options include administrative duties. With the current training and education advancements, nurses can run different units as managers, including an entire hospital. One can also be hired as the nursing services manager (NSM) to provide administrative aid and manage the nursing personnel in an institution. Nurses can also work in critical care settings, such as the intensive care unit and the high dependency units, which have a higher demand for nurses due to the prescribed nurse-patient ratio (2:1).

Another available option in the job market is working as a nurse educator. Nurse educators work in hospital settings and training institutions, providing educational services and experiences to upcoming nurses to mold them into competent and well-experienced professionals. Nurses also work as researchers. They liaise with other healthcare providers to understand the changes and trends in practice and develop recommendations that positively impact the healthcare system.

Nurses are also equipped with adequate knowledge and skills to participate effectively in managing crises. For instance, in the wake and strike of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were at the forefront in responding to and managing the affected patients. There was insufficient knowledge on the most effective therapies against the virus at that time. Fawaz et al. (2020) state that nurses used their intuition in patient management, and their success was impeccable. It provided enough evidence that nurses are competent in managing crises. Nurses are included in crisis response teams. The nursing scope offers a vast range of areas where nurses can practice.

Review of the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations

Released in October 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report aimed to provide recommendations for improving healthcare practice, especially the services offered by nurses. The report has four recommendations for improving nursing practice. Inherent in them is achieving higher academic levels and training for nurses to practice to their full educational extent by advancing the educational systems. Other recommendations are achieving healthcare redesigning and better data infrastructure and collection, essential for effective workforce planning and policymaking (Larson et al., 2017). Moreover, the primary purpose of the IOM report was to serve as a framework to improve nurses’ healthcare services provision by increasing their knowledge through extensive education and training.

I desire to pursue a master’s degree and specialize as a nurse practitioner for my advanced degrees and professional certification. This will enable me to make significant contributions in my aimed field, psychiatric nursing. Through my educational experiences and training level, I believe I will be able to improve nursing quality in the psychiatric field. As Donald et al. (2018) point out, nurses must undergo specialized training to become specialists and gain knowledge on human behavior and reactions to various situations. The training will enable me to achieve my lifelong professional dreams.

I am hopeful that I will have achieved my professional goals within four years. With the current vast acceptance of specialist nurses in medical fields compared to the general nurses, chances of securing a job are heightened. With higher educational levels (Donald et al., 2018). Increasing my level of education will increase my competitiveness in the current job market. Qualifying as an advanced nurse practitioner will tip my odds higher for securing a job, enabling me to bring intended revolution and changes in the psychiatric field.

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The Relationship of Continuing Nursing Education to Competency

With a rapidly aging population and the emergence of new diseases, healthcare needs are also changing. Nurses have continually been challenged on how they contribute to the health needs of society. Nurses are expected to take responsibilities that professionally support activities of daily living, protect individuals, and provide direct care. To accomplish their roles, nurses must improve their competence acquired through learning and experiencing (Fukada, 2018). By continuing nursing education, one gains in-depth understanding and advanced knowledge in a specific practice area, improving one’s competence. Some people tend to argue that practicing for an extended period increases competency. However, it would be years of redundancy without sufficient knowledge and training. It would be repeating a practice without an in-depth understanding of what one is practicing. Continuing nursing education also enables nurses to be more compliant with the ANA scope and standards of practice and the codes of ethics. This is because they have more knowledge and information in a given specialty.

On the other hand, continuing nursing education would not necessarily imply acquiring better attitudes. In as much as one may be trained on how to care for patients in a better way, an unspecialized nurse can have more passion for serving clients to their very best. In contrast, a specialized nurse may lack the drive regardless of having higher educational levels. They may use their specialty as a tool to make ends meet deficient of passion for their clients’ well-being.

Continuing Nursing Education

Nurses need to be fully equipped with skills and knowledge to respond to the vastly advancing and changing patient needs. However, there is still a great need for general nurses who are flexible to work in various settings rather than in a specific field. Therefore, advancing education should not be made mandatory. Moreover, it should be a personal decision depending on one’s career goals. However, nurses should be encouraged to improve their nursing education to understand patients’ needs better and improve communication skills.

Conclusion

Nursing education is fundamental in practice. The level and quality of educational preparation translate to the quality of services offered. However, attitude depends on one’s self-drive and personality, not just the educational preparation. Advancing education opens more job opportunities and increases competence and the quality of care offered. Nurses should continually update their training and venture into different specialties to respond to diverse patient needs.

References

Donald, W. E., Ashleigh, M. J., & Baruch, Y. (2018). Students’ perceptions of education and employability. Career Development International, 23(5), 513–540. https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi-09-2017-0171

Fawaz, M., Anshasi, H., & Samaha, A. (2020). Nurses at the Front Line of COVID-19: Roles, Responsibilities, Risks, and Rights. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 103(4), 1341–1342. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0650

Fukada, M. (2018). Nursing Competency: Definition, Structure and Development. Yonago Acta Medica, 61(1), 001–007. https://doi.org/10.33160/yam.2018.03.001

Halcomb, E., Smyth, E., & McInnes, S. (2018). Job satisfaction and career intentions of registered nurses in primary health care: an integrative review. BMC Family Practice, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-018-0819-1

Larson, D. B., Donnelly, L. F., Podberesky, D. J., Merrow, A. C., Sharpe, R. E., & Kruskal, J. B. (2017). Peer Feedback, Learning, and Improvement: Answering the Call of the Institute of Medicine Report on Diagnostic Error. Radiology, 283(1), 231–241. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2016161254

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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:

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.
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.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

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Reflection Paper – Rubric

Collapse All Reflection Paper – RubricCollapse All

Job Options Based on Educational Level

12.5 points

Criteria Description

Job Options Based on Educational Level

5. Excellent

12.5 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are thoroughly discussed. All options listed are realistic for educational level. The response demonstrates an awareness of job options based on educational level.

4. Good

11.13 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are discussed. Generally, options listed are realistic for educational level. The response demonstrates an awareness of job options based on educational level.

3. Satisfactory

9.88 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are summarized. Most options listed are realistic for educational level. The response demonstrates a general awareness of job options based on educational level.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.38 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are incomplete. Options listed are not realistic for educational level.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are omitted.

Goals for Professional Education

18.75 points

Criteria Description

Goals for Professional Education

5. Excellent

18.75 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are thoroughly described. Clear and compelling reasons for wanting to attain the education are discussed.

4. Good

16.69 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are described overall.

3. Satisfactory

14.81 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are summarized. Reasons for wanting to attain the education are unclear.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

14.06 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are incomplete.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are omitted.

Increase Level of Education and Effect on Competitiveness

18.75 points

Criteria Description

Increase in Level of Education and Effect on Competitiveness in Job Market and in Role in the Future of Nursing

5. Excellent

18.75 points

A well-developed discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented. The claims are substantiated and realistic for the current job market.

4. Good

16.69 points

Discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented. There are inaccuracies. Some support or rationale is needed.

3. Satisfactory

14.81 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are summarized. Reasons for wanting to attain the education are unclear.Overall, a general discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented. Some claims are not accurate or require further support or rationale.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

14.06 points

Summary of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented but is incomplete.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is omitted.

Relationship of Continuing Nursing Education to Competency

25 points

Criteria Description

Relationship of Continuing Nursing Education to Competency, Attitudes, Knowledge, and ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics

5. Excellent

25 points

A well-supported discussion clearly establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. The discussion demonstrates insight into the importance of education to the nursing profession.

4. Good

22.25 points

A discussion generally establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. Some minor evidence or rationale is needed.

3. Satisfactory

19.75 points

A summary partially establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. More evidence or rationale is needed.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

18.75 points

An incomplete discussion establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. A relationship has not been established.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

A discussion establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is omitted.

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Criteria 5Mandatory Continuing Education Nursing

25 points

Criteria Description

Criteria 5Mandatory Continuing Education Nursing

5. Excellent

25 points

A well-developed discussion of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. Compelling rationale and evidence-based support for the argument is provided.

4. Good

22.25 points

A discussion of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. Overall, rationale and evidence-based support for the argument is provided.

3. Satisfactory

19.75 points

A summary of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. The summary lacks some rationale or evidence-based support for the argument.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

18.75 points

An incomplete summary of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. The rationale and support for argument fail to support its claims.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

A discussion of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is omitted.

Thesis Development and Purpose

6.25 points

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

5. Excellent

6.25 points

Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

4. Good

5.56 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.

3. Satisfactory

4.94 points

Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

4.69 points

Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.

Argument Logic and Construction

6.25 points

Criteria Description

Argument Logic and Construction

5. Excellent

6.25 points

Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

4. Good

5.56 points

Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.

3. Satisfactory

4.94 points

Argument is orderly but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

4.69 points

Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

6.25 points

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

5. Excellent

6.25 points

Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

4. Good

5.56 points

Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.

3. Satisfactory

4.94 points

Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

4.69 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

2.5 points

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5. Excellent

2.5 points

All format elements are correct.

4. Good

2.23 points

Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.

3. Satisfactory

1.98 points

Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

1.88 points

Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.

Documentation of Sources

3.75 points

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)

5. Excellent

3.75 points

Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.

4. Good

3.34 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.

3. Satisfactory

2.96 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

2.81 points

Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Sources are not documented.

Total 125 points