It is important that one chooses the type of nursing career they want to pursue whether starting out or continuing education; it is like building a construction. The first steps are concept development and conceptualization, then acquisition of tools and materials. It is only when you have a plan in place that you can start working on the plan to achieve success. This article will help you understand how to complete the final steps of your Academic and Professional Development Plan (APDP) and give you tips on choosing your area of nursing specialty, thinking about your career, and participating in nursing organizations.
Step 1: Identify Your Specialization
The initial step in the construction of an APDP is to identify the nursing specialization. Regardless of whether you decide to become an FNP, NE, or another type of nurse, it is crucial to consider the choice in terms of your future career plans and preferences. Identify the different areas of focus offered in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) program at Walden University or the selected school. Every specialty has its own duties, abilities and competencies so do not hesitate to study them in details.
Develop a Nursing Specialty Comparison Table to compare the two specialties you selected, your preferred specialty and the second preference. This comparison will also assist you in identifying the competencies needed, the tasks performed in the course of work, education requirements, and the necessary certifications for the two positions.
For instance, the FNP and NE specialties may be compared as follows:
| Specialization | Focus Area | Skills and Competencies | Primary Responsibilities | Required Education |
| FNP | Primary care across the lifespan | Advanced clinical skills, health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and management | Providing direct care, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications | MSN with FNP track, certification |
| NE | Teaching and mentoring future nurses | Curriculum development, teaching methods, leadership | Teaching in academic or clinical settings, developing programs | MSN with Education focus, certification |
This table also assists you to compare between the two and can be useful in decision making.
Step 2: Write Your Justification Statement
After comparing the available specialties, the following justification statement should be written to explain why the particular MSN or PMC specialty was selected: Think about your hobbies, the type of job you want and what others told you about you. For example, if you are interested in direct patient care and wish to work in primary care facilities, then, the FNP position will be perfect for you. Describe how the forum discussions in the course or the discussions with peers influenced your decision.
Your justification statement should include:
- Professional Interest: Why do you think this specialty is of interest to you?
- Feedback Reflection: Incorporate insights and feedback from colleagues or mentors.
- Expected Impact: In what manner does this specialization fit your career plans?
For instance, you may write, “When reflecting on my career with the colleagues in the forum, I came to understand that I chose the Family Nurse Practitioner role because of my passion in patient education and prevention.” I consider it a privilege to be able to contribute towards the improvement of the quality of life of patients of all ages.
Step 3: Engage with Professional Organizations
Another important element of your APDP is to find out associations linked to your chosen specialty. These organizations can provide the means of making contacts, obtaining information on the current trends in the profession, and personal development. For example, if you are an FNP, you may become a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). It offers certifications, support and a great community for the nurse practitioners.
To become an active member:
- Membership benefits: Learn what is available in terms of continuing education, conferences, and job boards among others.
- Attend Events: Join webinars, conferences, local chapter meetings, etc.
- Volunteer: It is also important to volunteer at events or in publications to increase your visibility in your profession.
Membership in professional organizations will not only benefit your career but also assist you in keeping abreast with the latest practices.
Step 4: Understand Standards of Practice
Last of all, similar to how builders have to stick to the architectural drawings when constructing their projects, nurses have to stick to the formal guidelines of their specialization. These standards are important as they help you deliver quality services that are evidence-based. You need to find out the general and specific roles and responsibilities of a nurse in the chosen specialty, as well as the ethical requirements.
It is therefore important to keep abreast with the current practices and policies in order to perform well in your capacity and provide quality care to patients.
Conclusion
Developing your Academic and Professional Development Plan is an important process towards achieving your goal of becoming a nurse in your desired specialty. Therefore, choosing your nursing specialty, explaining your reasons for choosing that specialty, joining professional organizations, and learning about the standards of practice are the first steps to a successful nursing career. It is your plan and it is very useful when you are progressing in your nursing career path.
Related Question
At some point in every construction project, efforts turn from design and the focus moves to actual construction. With the vision in place and the tools secured, the blueprint can be finalized and approved. Then it is time to put on hardhats and begin work.
Throughout the course you have developed aspects of your Academic and Professional Development Plan. You have thought a great deal about your vision and goals, your academic and professional network of support, research strategies and other tools you will need, the integrity of your work, and the value of consulting the work of others. With your portfolio in place, it is now time to finalize your blueprint for success.
To Prepare:
- Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty in the resources for this module.
- Review the MSN or PMC specializations offered at Walden by viewing the module resource, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
- Examine professional organizations related to the specialization you have chosen and identify at least one to focus on for this Assignment.
- Reflect on the thoughts you shared in the Discussion forum regarding your choice of a specialty, any challenges you have encountered in making this choice, and any feedback you have received from colleagues in the Discussion.
The Assignment:
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
- With the resources specific to the MSN or PMC specialization and the Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or PMC, shared in this module, write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table, comparing at least two nursing specialties that include your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
- Write a 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN or PMC specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this Module’s Discussion forum.
- Identify the professional organization related to your chosen specialization for this Assignment, and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.
Much as builders remain cognizant of the building standards as they plan and begin construction, nurses must remain mindful of the formal standards of practice that govern their specialties. A good understanding of these standards can help ensure that your success plan includes any steps necessary to excel within your chosen specialty.
In this paper, I have chosen the Nursing Education as the area of focus for my MSN specialization and contrasted it with the Nurse Practitioner area of specialization. Nursing Education specialty prepares nurses to educate other nurses, design curricula and contribute to the formulation of policies in the nursing profession. On the other hand, Nurse Practitioner specialization involves the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients’ health conditions in different settings. However, Nursing Education has a wider scope of influence since it trains students to be educators and developers of nursing practice, while Nurse Practitioners are more involved in the treatment of patients.
I opted to pursue Nursing Education specialty because of my interest in training student nurses. During the years of work, it is very inspiring to help new nurses and to transfer the knowledge to other members of the team. This specialty is well in line with my career plan of enhancing the quality of education for future nurses and contribute towards the growth of the nursing profession. My colleagues’ comments in the discussion forum supported my decision because they insisted on the need for more qualified nurse educators in both academic and clinical practice. I also appreciate the possibility to participate in decision-making processes regarding educational policies and curriculum since I think that these aspects can affect the quality of nursing practice to the greatest extent.
The professional organization that I have chosen is the National League for Nursing (NLN) that is aimed at promoting the enhancement of nursing education. Joining the NLN will enable me to participate in professional development activities, interact with other nurse educators, and be updated on the current trends in the field of nursing. Through membership in this organization, I will be able to improve my knowledge and be familiar with the standards and developments in the nursing education.
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