Posted: December 15th, 2022

NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

My Goals and University Vision and Mission

After being a nurse for 11 years, I feel the healthcare field is changing its dynamics and feel naturopathic medicine has become more excepted over recent years. Around five years ago, I developed an interest in naturopathic medicine and would like to pursue that after completion of my Nurse Practitioner degree. My current professional goal is to eventually open a naturopathic office treating patients and also have a separate component for energy healing, massage, acupuncture, and other treatment modalities in the alternative medical field. “Principles of Naturopathic Medicine—that include such things as stimulating the healing power of the body and addressing the underlying causes of disease, rather than focusing on alleviating symptoms. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities The practice of naturopathic medicine requires understanding illness within the context of a person’s whole life (Education, 2020). When searching a University to advance my degree, I did not yet know naturopathic and alternative medicine would be my focus. Therefore, my goal was to pursue a degree for Family Nurse Practitioner. Since I began at Walden University, I was able to slowly gain more detail and focus on what I believe to be my true interest. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

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I came to Walden University after finishing my BSN at Grand Canyon University. Once finished with my BSN, I found Grand Canyon’s NP program was not credentialed in Michigan and therefore had to find a college to transfer too. Several factors played a role in my choice at Walden University. Two of my biggest concerns were cost and flexibility. Like many, I compared the cost with other schools but that would not be the make it or break it in my decision. One very big concern was flexibility since I work two jobs. I found while completing my degree at Grand Canyon, that homework and assignments were consistently due throughout the entire program, on the same days. This type of consistency throughout the program, made it possible for me to work two jobs and create a work schedule that was consistent and able to be planned out ahead of time. I found that to be more beneficial than anything and was looking for an NP program with the same type of format. Walden had that same exact format, which was a huge two thumbs up for me. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities After learning cost and its scheduling consistency, I began to research Walden’s mission, vision, and goals, for its University. I liked that Walden’s vision of knowledge being, “judged worthy to the degree that it can be applied by its graduates to the immediate solutions of critical societal challenges, thereby advancing the greater global good” (University, Vision, Mission, and Goals, 2019). I personally think of myself as a humanitarian and also make decisions based on the greater good of the people. By increasing my knowledge in this program, I feel I can be part of creating solutions for the greater good of society.  Walden’s mission to create a diverse community within the professional healthcare system to allow healthcare professionals to advance their skills and knowledge in order to create a positive social change, allows everyone at all levels of healthcare to have an opportunity to make a difference in the community (University, 2019). Attending a college that promotes diversity among its students, for me, is beneficial in promoting different perspectives within healthcare and among students. One of  Walden’s goals are to “provide innovative, learner-centered educational programs that recognize and incorporate the knowledge, skills, and abilities” (University, Vision, Mission, and Goals, 2019). My goal is to also do my best to develop these skills to better treat patients within my chosen field. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

 

 

University Outcomes

Walden University outcomes are in alignment with my outcomes to have the ability to “facilitate positive social change where they work, in their communities, and society” (University, Vision, Mission, and Goals, 2019). My goal is to have the ability to create positive changes within my work environment and within my community and neighborhood. I relate these outcomes to having the ability to be an advocate of creating better outcomes within the healthcare system and having the knowledge to promote those outcomes to the community where I live and work. This also includes having the knowledge and expertise to know how to improve the healthcare field. 

MSN Learning Outcomes

As most of us know, not only is high-quality healthcare an objective among our communities, but so is cost-effective healthcare. Everyone deserves both, and as stated in Walden’s learning outcomes, I considered this to be a primary goal in learning my role as an NP student. Good healthcare is well rounded and includes both of these criteria in order to benefit the patient. Learning how to “critique evidence-based literature” (University, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), 2019) is also important for me to continue to educate myself in the future as the healthcare field changes with new technology and medical discoveries. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities Walden also has a learning outcome to teach its students to develop the ability to correctly communicate not only to their patients, but to the community, other professionals within the healthcare field, and diverse populations (University, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), 2019). Communicating appropriately within this profession is beneficial in the advancement of my career.

Academic and professional individuals are vital to the success of completion of this program, but also important to helping you throughout your career. I am currently a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners which gives me access to professional individuals and vital information within my chosen field. I have also developed a relationship with two prior Walden students who have recently graduated the Nurse Practitioner program and have helped me connect with my current preceptor and two other preceptors in the future rotations. These prior students have been extremely valuable to me as resources for the program and as a support team for questions and answers regarding any first-hand information I may need regarding the program. By collaborating with these individuals, doors have opened for me to complete my degree and most likely obtain an NP position in the future.

 

References

Education, C. o. (2020). Naturopathic Medicine. Retrieved from Council on Naturopathic Medical Education: https://cnme.org/naturopathic-medicine-an-overview/

University, W. (2019).

University, W. (2019, October 4). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved from Walden University Catalog: https://catalog.waldenu.edu

University, W. (2019, October 4). Vision, Mission, and Goals. Retrieved from Walden University Catalog: https://catalog.waldenu.edu

 

response

I was very impressed with your explanation of Naturopathic Medicine.  I am not to familiar with it, but I believe finding the etiology of the problem will be more beneficial for the patient instead of treating the symptoms.   It is also mentioned in your citations from Education, 2020 that it includes stimulating the healing power of the body and that is why I have chosen to obtain my degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP). It was interesting when I did a search on the Web, I was able to find an article of similarity.  According to the Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (2016), the Mind-Body Complementary Health (CHAs) “are a diverse group of health care practices focused on the relationships among the mind, body, brain, and behavior that are not currently considered a part of the conventional medicine” (Burnett-Zeigler et al., 2016, para. 2). NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

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     I was initially going to return to Chamberlain College of Nursing where I obtained my BSN, but knowing Walden utilized the same platform and provided a had specialization for Mental Health Nursing the decision became easier.  It was not until I spoke with the enrollment specialist and now reviewed in detail the Vision, Mission, and Goals set for by Walden that I have made the correct choice.  Walden’s mission to take an eager fresh new student again like myself and bring me into a community of professionals, so that I can promote a positive social change is what I will need and forever be grateful for (Walden University, 2020, para. 2).

References

Burnett-Zeigler, I., Schuette, S., Victorson, D., & Wisner, K. (2016). Mind–Body Approaches to Treating Mental Health Symptoms Among Disadvantaged Populations: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0038

Vision, Mission, and Goals. (2020). Walden University. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=172&navoid=59420

 

Discussion: Networking Opportunities

In this module, you begin laying the foundation for your academic and professional success. Your efforts begin with a vision that includes your own definition of success. Your vision may vary from those of your colleagues, but this does not mean you have to take these first steps alone. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

Walden University and the College of Nursing also have a vision and mission, which include helping you to make your own vision a reality. Members of your new academic community, such as faculty, support teams, and fellow students, can also be helpful. Current practitioners and other member of the professional community can also help you to clarify your vision.

This Module’s Discussion asks you to consider how the Walden mission and vision as well as the College of Nursing’s mission and vision apply to your professional and academic goals. You will also begin to identify individuals and teams who can help you along the way as you begin designing the “blueprint”—your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan—that will guide you toward your own vision for academic and professional success.

To Prepare:

• Review the Walden and College of Nursing mission and vision statements, Walden’s goals and University Outcomes, and the MSN Program Learning Outcomes presented in this Module’s Learning Resources.
• Reflect on your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
• Consider how the information in these resources fit with your own goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.
• Also consider academic and professional individuals and teams with whom you may collaborate in support of your efforts as a student at the university and as a professional within your organization and career. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a brief introduction of yourself to your colleagues. Include an explanation as to how Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Also include an explanation for how the Walden MSN Program Outcomes and perspectives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by suggesting additional individuals and/or teams with whom you wish to collaborate or by offering additional networking strategies.

 

I am currently attending Walden to receive my MSN and, ultimately, become a nurse practitioner (NP). I have been a nurse for a little over six years, primarily in the Oncology field. I hope to remain in the oncology field when I finish my degree.

Walden’s (n.d.) states their vision is to advance the greater good. The mission indicates there should be a transformation in students to scholar-practitioners (Walden, n.d.). A scholar-practitioner would use knowledge to drive commitment and ethical conduct (Miller, 2013). To become an NP, I feel I would be advancing the greater good as an NP can increase efficiency and effectiveness of care (Fowler, Landry, & Nunn, 2019). NPs also make care more accessible and improve patient satisfaction (Fowler, Landry, & Nunn, 2019) NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities. By transforming myself into an NP, I can utilize my knowledge to drive change in the world and ethically advance the greater good.

Nurses are taught from early on to follow one of the university outcomes, which is to practice ethical integrity (Walden, n.d.). By attending Walden and becoming an NP, I demonstrate my commitment to another university outcome: being a lifelong learner (Walden, n.d.). NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

Another university outcome, specifically having a positive impact on my profession (Walden, n.d.), can be accomplished in part by professional networking. Professional networking can be achieved by being an active member of a professional nursing organization, such as the ANA (Schmidt, n.d.). Being a member of the Oncology Nursing Society fills not only this goal, but also the lifelong learning goal, as there are frequent networking and learning events sponsored by this organization. These events further our knowledge and understanding of providing the most up-to-date, evidence-based care to our patients. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities

References

Fowler, L.H., Landry, J., and Nunn, M.F. (2019). Nurse Practitioners Improving Emergency Department Quality and Patient Outcomes. Critical Care Nursing Clinics, 31(2): 237-247. DOI: 10.1016/j.cnc.2019.02.010.

Miller, J. (2013). Theory to Practice or “Becoming a Scholar-Practitioner”. Retrieved from https://sites.psu.edu/joancsa/2013/02/10/theory-to-practice-or-becoming-a-scholar-practitioner/

Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/

Walden University (n.d.). Walden University catalog. Retrieved from https://catalog.waldenu.edu. NURS – 6003 Week 1 Networking Opportunities