Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

I have always been fascinated by Nursing Education and Leadership. As a teacher, I have the ability to breakdown complex concepts into small pieces of information, facilitating understanding and comprehension. Teaching, educating, and influencing future generations of healthcare professionals has been my imperative goal since I completed a master’s program in Advance Nursing Education. However, with the transition from Jamaica to the United States, my teaching duties have been on hold to a certain extent. As a leader, I have found a way to convey my teaching skills into daily practice outside the classroom. Leaders mentor, coach, empower, motivate.

Although my passion for leadership and education goes hand in hand, the decision to pursue the Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Executive responds to a strategy I had to play to obtain an RN license in the state of Georgia. I am thankful that Walden University offers such a convenient program.  The post master’s certificate adds greater depth and value to my portfolio, enhancing professional respect and recognition. (Walden University, 2020). In the end, the benefits of completing the post mater’s certificate will be immeasurable.

Current Difficulties and Factors Driving the Decision

As an international nurse, the transition from Cuba to Jamaica to the United States has not been easy. Passing the NCLEX and obtaining the RN license endorsement in GA have been the two most difficult tasks I have ever faced. Not being able to obtain the endorsement is the driving force to pursue the postmasters’ certificate. The Georgia Board of Nursing only accepts credential evaluations from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). This agency requires transcripts to be sent directly from the university where the applicant completed the program of study. Although I graduated with a master’s degree from The University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and the CGFNS has already received the transcripts, they cannot issue the evaluation without the BSN documentation. Cuba is a particular country that, due to political reasons, does not release transcripts. Long story short, to qualify for license endorsement in GA, I decided to complete a program in this country to, basically, end the nightmare of transcripts. I also hold a multi-state license issued in FL, and even though GA is a member of the eNLC, many employers still require a GA license. I was surprised that after a year of sending countless applications and receiving no for an answer, I was accepted at a rehabilitation center. Without having previous experience in this area, I had to accept the offer.

Professional Organization

The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) is one of the organizations that I plan to join. The AONL is the voice of nursing leadership and the only organization dedicated to this specialized field. Previously known as the American Organization for Nurse Executives (AONE), the AONL changed its name in 2019 to better reflect its core mission and vision. These statements resonate with my future professional goals. The AONL mission is “to shape health care through innovative and expert nursing leadership.” Its vision is “Nursing leadership-one voice advancing health” (American Organization for Nursing Leadership, 2020a); among the benefits of joining this organization are networking and career development. The applicant can tailor his/her membership by selecting a specific type; for instance: full, associate, student, group and team, and international. I find this very flexible since nurse leaders are often appointed for a short period of time based on need instead of a career path. Additionally, the AONL offers the opportunity to professional nurses from other countries who support its mission and vision statements to become a member (American Organization for Nursing Leadership, 2020b).

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2020a). American Organization for Nursing

Leadership. https://www.aonl.org/about/overview

American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2020b). Become an AONL Member.

https://www.aonl.org/membership/join

Walden University. (2020). An Opportunity to Make a Difference.

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-certificates-programs/nursing-post-masters/nurse-executive

My first step when choosing a nursing specialty within the program was to know what I absolutely did not want to do within this profession.  I Immediately knew that I was not interested in psychiatric nursing, pediatrics or maternity.  Nursing education is a specialty that I am very interested in, but not at this time.  I would love to be an adjunct faculty at a college or university once I have been a nurse for 15 years or greater.  Having been a nurse for only 7 years, I believe that gaining more experience in the field will help me to become an even better instructor.  Moreover, I realized that I was no longer interested in working in a hospital setting so the acute care nurse practitioner program also did not seem like a good fit for me.  I chose the adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AG PCNP) program because I wanted to work with the older population and build long-term relationships with my patients. I also like the fact that this specialty’s scope of practice is based on patient needs rather than the setting itself (Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group, 2016).  

Professional organizations seek to advance the profession and interests of its members.  However, the cost of membership can be a deterrent for many nurses especially if a nurse wants to become a member of multiple organizations.  Since membership to these organizations comes at a cost, it would behoove the nurse to take time choosing an organization to join.  Choosing the right organization includes ensuring that membership in a particular organization is in line with personal and professional goals (Echevarria, 2018).  As a future AG PCNP, I am interested in becoming a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).  I believe that no matter the specialty, it is extremely important to build a solid foundation as I advance in the nursing profession in a new role.  This organization provides flexibility with membership, offering six options for membership based on where you are in your career.  For example, there is a student NP membership with an annual fee of $55.  This membership is made specifically for the student nurse practitioner who does not have experience in the role.  It provides opportunities for networking and free continuing education courses to facilitate career growth (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, n.d.).  In order to apply for membership, simply click the link that says “Join AANP” and the user will be redirected to another page for which they will be given prompts to join.  Licensing information is required and the annual fee is due at the time of registration (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, n.d.).    

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Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf

American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  N.d.  Membership.  Retrieved November 1, 2021 from https://www.aanp.org/membership   

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.

https://onlinenursingessays.com/discussion-examining-nursing-specialties-nurs-6003-2/

You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.

Often decisions are not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice.

To Prepare:

Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.

I enjoyed reading your post and find your commitment to your career, family, and service to our country admirable.  

You are right that working with a mentor is an excellent way to ease stress and anxiety, especially in nursing, where people entrust their health and lives to us.  Hill, L. A., & Sawatzky, J.-A. V. (2011). Transitioning into the nurse practitioner role through mentorship. Journal of Professional Nursing, 27(3), 161–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2011.02.004.  As we continue to grow in our knowledge and skills, we should also aspire to mentor others one day.

Before reading your post, I had not considered the Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE). I am now checking out the website and had yet to consider the Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE). The NPACE offers an impressive array of services, including hands-on training in in-person and online courses.  Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE). (2023).  Retrieved February 16, 2023. https://www.npace.orf/about-us. It is hard to believe there is no membership fee for access to resources of this quality.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member. Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

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

Be sure to offer support from at least 2 current, credible sources in each required response to classmates’ main post and cite per APA.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days, by sharing your thoughts on their specialty, supporting their choice or offering suggestions if they have yet to choose.

Thank you for sharing your experience and future goals. I’m sure you have gained an incredible amount of knowledge from cardiology. I was also deciding between the FNP specialty and the ACNP program. I ultimately chose the family nurse practitioner route. One of the nursing outcomes of the Family Nurse Practitioner program and Walden 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, 2019b). The thing that stands out to me about the family nurse practitioner is that they have the opportunity to work with patients from all age groups. There are so many options for places to work and career paths.However, the World Health Organization, states “as populations continue to grow and age, there will be increasing demand for acute curative services responsive to life-threatening emergencies, acute exacerbation of chronic illnesses and many routine health problems that nevertheless require prompt action” (Hirshon et al., 2013). Deciding between acute care and family practice is a tough choice. In the ACNP program, “you can gain the knowledge and clinical skills to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care to individuals 13 years or older with complex acute and chronic medical conditions” (Walden University, 2019a). The decision of which specialty to choose depends on your professional goals. What do you want to accomplish as a nurse practitioner? I think your choice to complete the family nurse practitioner program will be greatly beneficial to your career and will help you reach your goals.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 6 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

While I have only been a nurse for a little over a year, I have always known that my goal would be to eventually further my education. Having caught COVID earlier this year I decided the best time to try to achieve your goals is while you still have it. I chose to attend Walden University because of its focus on preparing its students to practice in the field. The emphasis on evidence-based practice and the development of critical thinking skills appealed to me. I became interested in psychiatric mental health nursing during clinical in nursing school in which I had the opportunity to work with adolescent patients. My particular interest is in mental health in communities of color because of the stigma that is still attached due to culture and religious issues. As Walden has a diverse student as well as faculty population, I believe it will create a positive learning environment.

We have all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Healthcare is not a field in which a man can be an island. In other words, we must work with others and become part of an interdisciplinary team to ensure positive outcomes for our patients. Networking allows for the collaboration of people with varying backgrounds and experiences which can aid in the development of new ideas and finding answers to questions you may not have otherwise. In essence, networking is “relationship building to achieve goals.” (Drake, 2017) Making these connections can help you find a job or new opportunity, expand your knowledge, increase your self-confidence, and improve your interpersonal skills.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Drake, Kirsten DNP, RN, OCN, NEA-BC (2017) The power of networking, Nursing

Management (Springhouse): September 2017 – Vol. 48 – Issue 9 – p 56. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000522184.39403.65

Walden University. (2015). School of Nursing Mission and Vision. Retrieved from

https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=122&navoid=35010

Week 6 Discussion

Examining Nursing Specialties

Having been a nurse for many years has taught me so much about life and making sacrifices on a daily basis with the aim of enhancing care through quality care provision. Through the nursing experience, I have nurtured compassionate care and believe that a nurse’s greatest gift to a patient is to love patients in ways that make a difference in their lives (Valiga & Thornlow, 2018). I have grown not just as a nurse practitioner but also as an individual who believe that caring for other is more than a career but a calling. This has given me the chance to work with patients from diverse populations with diverse needs; right from critical care, emergency, and behavioral health (Cherry et al., 2019). Consequently, as I embark on my Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN), I took a conscious decision to specialize in psychiatric and mental health care. Pursuing this specialty (PMHNP) will not only allow me to attain my dream of caring for mental health individuals but also enhance my professional and career nursing skills (Gleeson, 2020). My aim is to ensure that I improve my competence as a nurse and a leader in healthcare provision, especially in my clinical practice setting and community.

I have chosen to pursue a degree in the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program here at Walden University.  For me the decision was easy, honestly.  I am actually a transfer student here at Walden University and had started a FNP program several years ago at a local university in my state. Well life happened and I ultimately took a 4 year long break after I was about a third of the way done with their program.  I was able to transfer a lot of credits to Walden University in their MSN-FNP program.  I will be beginning my clinicals for the FNP program at Walden in the spring term. I am taking this transition course as a requirement Walden has for navigating their programs.  I have known that I have wanted to be an FNP since I became a nurse.  As a bedside RN I am always seeking autonomy and critically thinking.  I enjoy interpreting labs and diagnostics and “putting the pieces together” to understand diagnoses.  I work in the ER and I find myself thinking of differential diagnoses immediately after triaging someone.  I enjoy this part of care. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2012) states that “Nurse Practitioner graduates have knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to independent clinical practice” (para.3).  They discuss how nurse practitioners have an advanced knowledge of the healthcare system.  I want to continue to grow as a nurse and build on my knowledge.  Cherry et al. (2019) discuss how one important component to professional development is the commitment to lifelong learning. Becoming a family nurse practitioner would be a lifelong commitment to continuous education and clinical practice.  This is something that I am dedicated to do. 

An organization I would like to apart of as a FNP would be the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  I would like to join this group because they are recognized nationally and offer many benefits with their members.  The AANP offers different conferences, events, CE credits, clinical references, and clinical tools to its members (AANP, n.d).  To become a member, one must be a licensed NP or a student in a NP program.  To become a member as a student you must enter your demographic information, your program and school, and pay a 55$ annual fee. The student fee is discounted compared to the normal fee.  Then you can have access to all the benefits.  The AANP (n.d) states that “Being a part of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is more than just a membership — it’s a real opportunity to make a measurable difference in the strength of your profession and the health of this country” (para.1). 

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (n.d). AANP Member Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/membership/member- m           benefits

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the Power of Board Leadership in Professional Nursing                  Organizations. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49, 517-519. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies.                                                    https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

It was not difficult for me to decide to specialize in psychiatry or mental health, but I had to consider the fact that I was returning to school and needed to strike a balance between employment, school, and family. However, with the help of my mentor, family, and coworkers, I made the decision to advance professionally and professionally. Both the mentor and coworker have completed the PMHNP, which qualifies them to provide professional advice (Riley et al., 2019). The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is the professional organization associated with my specific specialty (APNA). The group serves as a forum for the exchange of information among psychiatric mental health nurses whose expertise spans all aspects of the nursing profession (APNA, 2021). To join the association, you must be a psychiatric mental health nurse and meet other requirements.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) (2021). Membership in the American

            Psychiatric Nurses Association. https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3293

Cherry, B. & Caramanica, Laura, et al. (2019). Leveraging the Power of Board Leadership in

Professional Nursing Organizations. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49, 517-519. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805

Gleeson, M. (2020). Institutions Innovate to Fill the National Shortage of Nurse Educators.

Insight into Diversity, 94(4/5), 58–60.

Riley, J. M., Collins, D., & Collins, J. (2019). Nursing students’ commitment and the mediating

effect of stress. Nurse education today, 76, 172-177. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.01.018.

Valiga, T., Thornlow, D. (2018). What to consider when choosing a graduate nursing program. Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

Nursing, 48, 11-14. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000527614.67902.8e

A PMHNP is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. They are registered nurses who have specialized in psychiatric mental health nursing and who have completed a Master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing. PMHNPs work with patients who have a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder (Cherry et al., 2019). They provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for their patients. They may also prescribe medication to their patients as needed.

There are many reasons why I developed interest in PMHNP. My own choice of specialty was informed by personal experience with mental health problems that hat has negatively impacted the lives of my close family members. This is one of the reasons I feel so passionate about working in this field. It was hard for me to make this choice of becoming a PMHNP then I realized this was my passion to help others and my family with mental illness all along. It was not a hard decision for me to choose PMHNP because I had so much experience with it dealing with mentally ill patients has always been my passion.

Comparison between FNP and PMHNP

There are a few key differences between Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP). First, the focus of care. FNPs graduates are prepared to provide primary care for families, whereas PMHNP graduates focus specifically on mental health disorders. This can include diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, providing psychotherapy, and prescribing medications (Cherry et al., 2019). Second, the level of training. FNPs complete a Master’s degree, while PMHNPs earn a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Finally, FNPs are certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), while PMHNPS are certified through the American Nurses Association’s Commission on Psychiatric Nursing Certification (Buppert, 2020). Mental illness is often misunderstood and fear-driven, but it is important to remember that these are real illnesses that impact real people’s lives. As a psychiatric nurse, I would have the opportunity to help people who are struggling with these conditions regain their health and quality of life.

There are a few different roles that graduates may hold within the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. Some may work in clinics or doctor’s offices, while others may work in hospitals or other healthcare settings. Many FNPs also work in rural and underserved areas, providing much-needed care to those who might not have access to it otherwise. FNPs can provide primary care to patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and provide education and counseling on various health topics. They also help patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Massachusetts Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (MAAPPN) is one of the professional nursing organization that is involved in the regulation of PMHNP nurses. This professional organization composed of psychiatric nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists (Beck et al., 2020). The MAAPPN is the only statewide organization that represents advanced practice psychiatric nurses in Massachusetts. The MAAPPN provides advocacy, education, and networking opportunities to its members. It also promotes the role of psychiatric nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the provision of mental health care in Massachusetts. To become a member of the MAAPPN, one must be a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist residing in Massachusetts (Beck et al., 2020). To join as an APRN, one must first verify their membership eligibility and then complete the online MAAPPN Member Application plus the required fees.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Beck, A. J., Page, C., Buche, J., & Gaiser, M. (2020). The distribution of advanced practice nurses within the psychiatric workforce. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 26(1), 92-96. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390319886366

Buppert, C. (2020). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Scott, E. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519. https://journals.lww.com/jonajournal/Abstract/2019/11000/Leveraging_the_Power_of_Board_Leadership_in.2.aspx

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing2020, 48(12), 35-38. https://journals.lww.com/nursing/FullText/2018/12000/Make_connections_by_joining_a_professional_nursing.12.aspx

Module 6 (Weeks 10–11): Standards of Practice

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Standards of Practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Standards of Practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Final Thoughts [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Learning Objectives

The students will:

Examine the difficulties in deciding on nursing specializations.
Examine nursing specialties
Justify your choice of MSN specialization.
Examine professional organization engagement strategies for nursing specializations.
Plan for Academic Success and Professional Development

Assignment Deadline

Day 1–2 of Week 10

Check out the Learning Resources.
Create your first Discussion post.
Day 3 of Week 10

The deadline for posting your first Discussion post has passed.
Begin writing Part 4 of your Assignment.
Day 4–5 of Week 10

Prepare your responses to the peer discussion.
Continue writing Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 10, Day 6: Deadline for posting Discussion responses.
Day 7 of Week 10
Continue writing Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 11 (Days 1–4)
Continue writing Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 11, Day 5 Submission deadline for Part 4 of your Assignment.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition – 2015. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519.

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.

Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 27(1), 2-4.

Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing

Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)

Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of Practice or Competencies:

Nursing Informatics

Ebook: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

• “The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing Informatics” (pp. 18–39)

Nursing Education

Website: Competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator

National League for Nursing. (2019). Nurse educator core competency. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-education/nurse-educator-core-competency https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf
Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study. Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

Nurse Executive

Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competencies. Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Public Health Nursing

Website: Public Health Nursing Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competencies. Retrieved from https://www.cphno.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/QCC-C-PHN-COMPETENCIES-Approved_2018.05.04_Final-002.pdf

American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author. Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

APRN

Website: APRN Consensus Model
APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & education. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Care NP Competencies

Website: AGAC and ACPC NP Competencies
Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies

Website: Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner core competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Programs

Website: Nurse Practitioner Programs
National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. (2016). Criteria for evaluation of Nurse Practitioner programs (5th ed.). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf

Population-Focused NP Competencies

Website: Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies
Population-Focused Competencies Task Force. (2013). Population-focused Nurse Practitioner competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Competencies/CompilationPopFocusComps2013.pdf

RE: Discussion – Week 10

Education advancement has been my goal for a very long time. I also knew that I wanted to continue my study in order to become a mental health nurse. Mental health has always been important to me, as I have witnessed close friends and family members struggle with mental disorders. Many more people battle with mental health, and although it has been discussed and awareness has been raised over the past many years, some still find it difficult to seek help out of a fear of stigma. As a nurse, I viewed this as a crucial area in which to expand my expertise.
Especially since the COVID-19 outbreak, mental health concerns have been fairly widespread. The rates of people getting mental health illnesses have grown dramatically as a result of the pandemic’s impact on concern and anxiety. According to Czeisler et al. (2020), there was a significant increase in anxiety disorder and depressive disorder symptoms in the United States from April to June of 2020 compared to the same time in 2019. Considering the number of individuals suffering to manage their mental health has increased my desire to study this field further.
American Psychiatry Nurses Association is one of the organizations linked with my nursing specialization (APNA). This organization’s mission is to enhance the science and teaching of psychiatric-mental health nursing, and I believe that my membership would benefit me. Student membership in the organization costs $25 per year, while affiliate and foreign memberships cost $135 per year. I am confident that by joining the APNA, I will be able to develop my academic and professional knowledge, have access to countless mental health resources, and network and connect with people who share my goal.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

(APNA) is the American Psychiatry Nurses Association (n.d). Mission, objectives, and a strategic plan 8 July 2021, retrieved from www.apna.org.
Czeisler, M. É., Lane, R. I., Petrosky, E., Wiley, J. F., Christensen, A., Njai, R., … & Rajaratnam, S. M. (2020). Mental health, substance abuse, and suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, June 24 through June 30, 2020. 69(32), 1049 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

RE: Discussion – Week 10 RESPONSE

Excellent post! I respect your dedication to working with individuals with mental illness. It takes a genuinely unique individual to endure the rigors of the field. I also like your intention to join the American Psychiatry Nurses Association as a student member. “Professional nursing organizations are an excellent beginning point for earning and maintaining speciality certifications” and can provide access to an abundance of information in your specialized sector (Echevarria, 2018, p. 37). Becoming a member of a professional nursing organization such as the APNA can also help you create contacts with other APRNs in your specialty through networking opportunities, as well as give you with access to new academic articles and conferences in the mental health area (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, n.d.). “One crucial ingredient for professional development is committing the time necessary to deliberately engage in lifelong learning,” so beginning to establish your strategy as a future psychiatric APRN by joining the nursing association as a master’s student would definitely put you ahead of the game (Cherry et al., 2019, p. 517). Best wishes for your future activities, and I look forward to reading your thoughts in a future course.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Cherry, B. , Caramanica, L. , Everett, L. Q. , Fennimore, L. & Scott, E. (2019). Utilizing the Leadership Potential of Boards in Professional Nursing Organizations The Journal of Nursing Administration, Volume 49, Issue 11, Pages 517-519. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805.
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Join a professional nursing group in order to develop your network. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
American Psychiatric Nurses Association membership. American Association of Psychiatric Nurses (n.d.). https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3293.

I worked on a gen/med floor in a level one trauma hospital when I started nursing.  It provided a good foundation for being a new nurse, but it was a slower-paced job than I was expecting.  Downtime has always been challenging for me, so I decided to change positions and become an intensive care nurse.  Here is where I found my passion for action, well, in a sense.  I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and had more confidence in my skills at the end of each shift.  And as I took on the position of charge nurse, I realized that I was good at being a leader. I enjoyed working in a high-intensity environment, and people responded well to me.  With this in mind, I decided to take things a step further in my career, so I applied to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program here at Walden.As an ICU travel nurse, technically a “COVID ICU travel nurse,” the workload has become more demanding in the past year and a half.  During this time, I couldn’t physically be with my family due to obvious reasons, which made coping alone difficult.  I also started noticing a feeling of being utterly drained of energy.  I was burned out!  According to research, health workers can encounter various psychological difficulties when working in high-pressure and high-risk situations, such as those associated with disasters and pandemics (Salamah, 2020).  So instead of taking the break I so desperately needed, I decided to head back to nursing school and keep that momentum of intensity going.  Unfortunately, distraction is a coping mechanism I have learned to master.  So it’s clear to say, here is where I’ve been struggling a bit with making a definite career choice.  Though I love taking care of patients and providing support to families, I started questioning whether or not working in a hospital setting as a nurse practitioner is what I wanted to do.  I knew I needed some guidance and clarity if I wanted to stay on the path of becoming an acute care NP.

Being an active member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), I knew that I would find information to tackle my fatigue and learn new ways to plan for career advancement in the field I once loved.  In addition, AACN provides resources to assist nurses in prioritizing their well-being while providing substantial care to patients and their families.  For example, nurse leaders affiliated with the organization offer sessions on practical mindful activities to improve personal and organizational resilience during current challenging times in healthcare.  As a result, nurses will learn to implement strategic pauses and thoughtful moments into their workday (Bay, 2021).

There are several professional nursing organizations whose primary focus is on critical care nursing for nurses practicing in acute care, one being AACN.  The AACN has provided progressive and critical care nurses with world-class resources, education, and support for over 50 years and has over 130,000 members (AACN, 2021).  Listed below are some of the membership options for those who are interested in joining.  Membership fees can be found on the AACN website.

• Active membership is open to any registered nurse licensed in the United States interested in critical care nursing and is in good standing with their state or territory’s licensing office.  Additionally, nurses who work in research, administration, education, medical-surgical, telemetry, progressive care units, home health, or any other healthcare agency are qualified (AACN, 2021).
• Any LVN or LPN, non-nurse professional, or student working in these fields, as well as any healthcare consumer or member of the business or political community, is eligible.  However, affiliate members cannot vote, hold office, or serve on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
• Professional nurses who have an RN license in a country other than the United States are eligible. Membership includes all AACN privileges; however, all benefits, including a member card, are provided digitally (through email or the Web).  International members are not eligible to run for office or participate on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
• Any resident of the United States (or a non-citizen of the United States who resides inside the United States) enrolled in an accredited professional nursing program and is not currently licensed as a registered nurse is eligible.  Membership in the AACN entitles them to all AACN advantages.  However, student members cannot vote, hold office, or serve on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2021). AACN Membership Types and Rates. https://www.aacn.org/membership/aacn-membership-types-and-rate

Bay, L. M. (2021). Mindfulness: Using Pause Principles to Enhance Your Nursing Practice. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. https://www.aacn.org/education/ce-activities/nti18396/mindfulness-using-pause-principles-to-enhance-your-nursing-practice.

Salamah, B. (2020). Exploring the mental health needs of intensive care unit nurses facing the pandemic of covid-19. ScholarWorks@UARK. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursstudent/13/.

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Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 Rubric

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	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Main Posting	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.	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.	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.	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	10 (10%) – 10 (10%)Posts main post by day 3.	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)Does not post by day 3.
First Response	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.	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.	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.	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	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.	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.	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.	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	5 (5%) – 5 (5%)Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)