1 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Professional Development Plan Andrea Mygrants Ferris State University

2 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Abstract It is important for myself and for nurses everywhere to periodically evaluate their practice and think critically about their goals. This can be accomplished by reviewing professional standards of practice from the ANA, and also by creating a plan for improvement. It is also important to take into consideration strengths and weakness so that this plan can accurately depict a starting point and future goals to strive toward. This plan will examine further the professional standards of the ANA, and individual 5 and 10 year goals.

3 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Professional Development Plan The work of learning for a nurses should not end with the finishing of nursing school. The healthcare field is constantly changing, and therefore each nurse should be prepared to change with it. The challenge in this is both evaluating a starting point, then identifying strengths and weaknesses of this starting point, then determining goals. I will meet this challenge in my professional development plan by first identifying the standards of professionalism for nurses as laid out by the ANA. I will evaluate what my strengths and weaknesses are in each of these standards. I will then use this information to map out 5 and 10 year goals for my career. ANA Standards of Professionalism Standard 7: Ethics This standard lays out how nurses should act ethically in working both with patients and with other members of the healthcare team. The key points of this standard are that the nurse should adhere to and uphold concepts of patient rights, confidentiality, dignity, respect, and moral values. This standard also calls for nurses to be proactive in their ethical practice by advocating for patients rights, speaking up about unethical behavior, and participating in committees that address ethical problems. This standard speaks to the core of nursing as a caring and trustworthy profession. The strength of my practice in this area is that I work diligently to provide the best care possible to every patient regardless of their situation, socioeconomic status, race, gender, religion, or personal views. While this is hard sometimes when I don't agree with the choices a patient makes, I remind myself that my role is to help and not to judge. An example of this

4 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN would be when I take care of a patient with a drug addiction. It is easy to fall into the condemnation that society places on this group of people. Their addiction is seen as a moral flaw. I practice ethically in this situation by reminding myself that each person has a unique set of circumstances that have brought them to this place in their life. By offering them dignity, I can then encourage them to find the strength necessary in getting help with their addiction. The weakness in my practice in this area is that I need remember to promote ethical behavior for not just myself, but those around me. The ANA states an ethical nurse, Contributes to resolving ethical issues involving healthcare consumers, colleagues, community groups, systems, and other stakeholders (ANA, 2010, pg 67) This broader focus is hard for me to grasp or remember sometimes, but with practice I can become a strong advocate for my community in the same way I am currently for my individual patients.

Standard 8: Education The standard of education deals with the education of nurses both in formal and informal settings. The basis of this standard is that the nurse maintains their states and/or national license through re-certification. This is then enhanced by nurses who seek out educational experiences that increase skills, update their practice to accommodate new evidence, obtain a higher degree level, and gain credentialing for a specialty. My strength in this standard is that I am always seeking new ways to increase my knowledge base in nursing. I am achieving this by gaining certifications and returning to school for a higher degree. This year I have obtained certifications in Trauma Nurse Core Course, Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, as well as renewing

5 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN my certification in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. For the last year I have also been taking classes at Ferris State University so that I can eventually earn my Bachelor in Science in Nursing degree. My weakness in this standard is the statement, Demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning through self-reflection and inquiry to address learning and personal growth needs. (ANA, 2010, pg 69). In the past I have relied upon my employer to mandate what learning needs I have. By this standard I need to improve by becoming more independent and actively seeking learning opportunities and certifications beyond what is required for my job. This expanded knowledge base will then help me in dealing with the diverse patient population I see in my practice. Standard 9: Evidence-Based Practice and Research This standard lays out the foundation of the nursing profession as science based. This means that nurses must move away from basing their practice on anecdotal evidence and instead rely on empirical evidence found through research. This can be difficult for nurses who have practiced in their field for a long time. It is easy to fall into the paradigm of doing things a certain way because its they way it was done in the past. Nurses must be flexible enough to update their practice as new evidence becomes available. My strength in this standard is that I maintain an open attitude that the medical field is ever changing. While I use my previous education as a base of knowledge, I also understand that I must continue to learn new ways of doing things. An example of this is when I recently recertified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. I first certified in this 10 years ago when I went through paramedic school. Since that time the American Heart Association has used research to

6 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN change their recommendations. The biggest change over the last 10 years has been research showing a strong correlation between survival rates and high quality CPR. This paradigm shift now forces ACLS providers to focus not on advances interventions, but on high quality basic interventions. (Hazinski, 2010) My weakness in this standard is a need to read more of the research that has been put out. I have had intentions to subscribe to nursing journals but have not yet done so. By reading articles about the latest research, I will be better able to change my practice. I will also be better able to advocate institutional changes that reflect evidence based best practice. Standard 10: Quality of Practice This standard focuses on how nurses can participate in the quality improvement of both their own practice and of the institution they work for. Key to this standard is collecting accurate data and then reviewing the data to determine trends. Quality improvement is a continuous process, and a goal is reached, other goals should take its place. My strength in this standard is that I strive to collect quality data about my patients. To access the quality improvement initiatives at my job, there must be data collected about the patients. This includes things such as collecting vital signs, pain scores, and past medical history. In real time I use this data to validate if interventions used are working. At an institutional level, the hospital uses this data to assess the quality of care being given and if desired outcomes are being reached. My weakness in this standard is that I do not participate in any of the committees that look into quality control and improvement. We have committees at both the department and the institutional level that I may participate in.

7 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Standard 11: Communication This standard relates to communication on many different levels by nurses. The communication may occur between patients, other nurses, management, and other members of the healthcare team. Communication is a critical element in delivering safe effective care to patients. My strength in this standard is that I strive to foster open communication between both my patients and other members of the healthcare team. This means I actively work on my communication styles based on who I am speaking to. The ANA describes this as a nurse who, Assesses communication format preferences of healthcare consumers, families, and colleagues. (ANA, 2010, pg 74) To communicate effectively I have to be open to the background and culture of the person I am talking to. An example of this is when I speak to someone who is elderly. In this population, technical language and medical terminology may not be readily understood. My message needs to be explained in plain english and altered if special needs such as hearing loss is present. This is very different from when I communicate with a doctor on the progress of a patient. In this situation I would now be expected to use and know technical language and medical terminology. My weakness in this standard is that the fast pace of my work environment makes it difficult to be an attentive listener. While it is expected that an emergency room nurse thinks one step ahead, I need to remember not to make conclusions before all of the information is gathered. Standard 12: Leadership This standard deals with leadership of the nurse in both their individual practice and in the profession of nursing as a whole. This standard is very important as nurses are responsible as

8 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN the coordinator of healthcare for patients. This means that nurses must be both effective at delegation of tasks and responsible for making sure they are carried out. This also means that nurses must actively seek out ways to lead their community as a whole toward better health. My strength in this standard is that I have recently stepped into the role as a preceptor for new nurses to our department. By taking on this role, I am able to lead our department to quality care through effectively trained nurses. This new responsibility also means that I am also becoming a better nurse as I strive to make sure I am trusted resource person. My weakness in this standard is that I have not yet signed up for any professional organizations. I realize the importance of supporting the ANA and the Emergency Nurse Association (ENA) in their mission to build nurses as leaders in healthcare. I can strengthen these organizations by becoming a member. Standard 13: Collaboration This standard promotes nurses as members of a healthcare team. It is also important to note that this standard includes the patient as a member of this team. It is through teamwork with the patient , their family, and with other healthcare providers that this standard can be met. My strength in this standard is that I strive to be a nurse who, Communicates with the healthcare consumer, the family, and healthcare providers regarding healthcare consumer care and the nurse's role in the provision of that care. (ANA, 2010, pg77) This means that not only do I work to communicate information with the entire healthcare team, but I also work to make it clear what my role is in this team. This is especially important when speaking with patients so that they have realistic expectations about what each team member can offer them to improve their care.

9 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN My weakness in this standard is that I need to better promote, group processes and negotiation techniques with healthcare consumers and colleagues. (ANA, 2010, pg 77) I have noticed that both the patient, the doctor, and the nurse all communicate more openly when all members are present at once. It is this type of collaboration and teamwork that I would like to create more of in my work environment. Standard 14: Professional Practice Evaluation This standard lays out ways that nurses can evaluate their own practice for professional practice. This professional practice means that the nurse follows the guidelines set forth for their profession by national, state, local, and institutional policies, recommendations, and laws. It is the responsibility of the individual nurse to monitor and evaluate their own practice for adherence of professional standards. My strength in this standard is that I am a nurse who, Engages in self-evaluation of practice on a regular basis, identifying areas of strengths as well as areas in which professional growth would be beneficial. (ANA, 2010, pg 79) An example of this is that I read research that showed hospitals with more nurses at a BSN level had better patient outcomes. This then lead me to evaluate my own practice and return to school so I may earn my BSN. My weakness in this standard is in obtaining, informal feedback regarding her or his own practice from healthcare consumers, peers, professional colleagues, and others. (ANA, 2010, pg 79). While I try to keep an open mind when I am given feedback, I could do more to seek this out. Standard 15: Resource Utilization When speaking about resources in this standard it is referring to both physical resources

10 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN such as equipment and money, and of human resources. This standard is especially important today as there is increasing discussion about the cost of healthcare and how to lower it. Nurses can play an important role in the cost of healthcare by assessing patients needs and then educating them about how to meet these needs in effective ways. My strength in this standard are the times that I work in triage. Triage nurses in the ER use assessment skills to determine the needs of each patient and what resources each patient needs. This means that our ER can split patients into groups defined by age and severity of illness or injury. Having these different groups gives us the ability to focus certain equipment in certain areas, eliminating the need to purchase multiple pieces of expensive equipment. I fulfill the ANA's competency as a nurse who, Identifies healthcare consumer care needs, potential for harm, complexity of the task, and the desired outcome when considering resource allocation. (ANA, 2010, pg 80) My weakness in this standard is that I need to be more familiar with the resources that are available in my community. This would allow me to be a nurse who, Assists the healthcare consumer and family in identifying and securing appropriate services to address need across the healthcare continuum. Standard 16: Environmental Health This standard relates to how nurses control the environment in which the patient is being treated. In the hospital environment where I work this would primarily be the room where the patient stays. Secondarily it would relate the the department in which the room is located, the entire hospital, and even the community in which the hospital sits. This also focuses on not just the environment for a patient, but also for the nurse who works in it.

11 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN My strength in this standard is that I try to think about the esthetics of the environment where I work both for the patient and myself. A clean room that is free of trash, clutter, and strong odors conveys to the patient that they are being taken care of in a professional manner. It also helps to deliver care efficiently when equipment is taken care of and kept where it belongs. The environment of a patient room can also help them to heal. Giving a patient with pain a calm, dimmed, quiet room can alleviate a large amount of their stress and therefore suffering. My weakness in this standard is that I do not Utilize(s) scientific evidence to determine if a product or treatment is an environmental threat. (ANA, 2010, pg 81) With all the chemicals and products used in the hospital it seems a daunting task to research them all, but I can pick out a few that are used most often and research them. Goals Five Year Goals The goals that I have for the next five years pertain mostly to finishing the work that I have started to obtain my BSN. This is important to me both to increase my professional qualities as a nurse, but also to make myself more marketable when applying for jobs. Other five year professional goals that I have are to obtain my certification as an emergency nurse, become members of professional organizations such as the ANA and ENA, and become more involved in committees at work. Ten Year Goals I am not sure at this time if I will continue my formal education past a bachelor degree. I do however have the goal to become more involved in management aspects of my job. I will accomplish this goal by striving to become a charge nurse or department manager.

12 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Evaluation The goals I have laid out are all reasonable and achievable. By writing them down into a five and ten year plan this helps me solidify them in my mind and give me motivation to accomplish them. The highest priority goal at this time is to finish my BSN program. While working full time does not give me as much time as I would like to concentrate on school, I believe I can manage this by concentrating on 1-2 classes at a time. At this rate I can reasonably expect to finish my degree in 5-6 semesters including summer, or approximately two years. My longer term goals are harder to think of at this time as I have not decided if I want to pursue an advanced degree. As I look forward to starting a new family in the next year, I believe this will be an important factor as to if or when I will decide to continue my education. Conclusion Through the exploration of the ANA's standards of professional nurse practice, I can now see areas that I both excel in and that I need improvement upon. This is important because without self reflection it is impossible to map out a path to improvement. This has helped me to focus both my practice and give it a timeline to achieve it in.

13 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN References American Nurses Association [ANA] (2010). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (2nd Ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: Author Hazinski, M. F. (2010, October). American heart association. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heartpublic/@wcm/@ecc/documents/downloadable/ucm_317350.pdf

14 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING PAPERS CHECK DATE, TIME, & INITIAL yes yes PROOFREAD FOR: APA ISSUES 1. Page Numbers: Did you number your pages using the automatic functions of your Word program? [p. 230 and example on p. 40)] 2. Running head: Does the Running head: have a small h? Is it on every page? Is it less than 50 spaces total? Is the title of the Running head in all caps? Is it 1/2 from the top of your title page? (Should be a few words from the title of your paper). [p. 229 and example on p. 40] 3. Abstract: Make sure your abstract begins on a new page. Is there a label of Abstract and it is centered at the top of the page? Is it a single paragraph? Is the paragraph flush with the margin without an indentation? Is your abstract a summary of your entire paper? Remember it is not an introduction to your paper. Someone should be able to read the abstract and know what to find in your paper. [p. 25 and example on p. 41] 4. Introduction: Did you repeat the title of your paper on your first page of content? Do not use Introduction as a heading following the title. The first paragraph clearly implies the introduction and no heading is needed. [p. 27 and example on p. 42] 5. Margins: Did you leave 1 on all sides? [p. 229] 6. Double-spacing: Did you double-space throughout? No triple or extra spaces between sections or paragraphs except in special circumstances. This includes the reference page. [p. 229 and example on p. 40-59] 7. Line Length and Alignment: Did you use the flush-left style, and leave the right margin uneven, or ragged? [p. 229] 8. Paragraphs and Indentation: Did you indent the first line of every paragraph? See P. 229 for exceptions. 9. Spacing After Punctuation Marks: Did you space once at the end of separate parts of a reference and initials in a persons name? Do not space after periods in abbreviations. Space twice after punctuation marks at the end of a sentence. [p. 8788] 10. Typeface: Did you use Times Roman 12-point font? [p. 228] 11. Abbreviation: Did you explain each abbreviation the first time you used it? [p. 106-111] 12. Plagiarism: Cite all sources! If you say something that is not your original idea, it must be cited. You may be citing many timesthis is what you are supposed to be doing! [p. 170] 13. Direct Quote: A direct quote is exact words taken from another. An example with citation would look like this: The variables that impact the etiology and the human response to various disease states will be explored (Bell-Scriber, 2007, p. 1).

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15 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Please note where the quotation marks are placed, where the final period is placed, no first name of author, and inclusion of page number, etc. Do all direct quotes look like this? [p. 170-172] 14. Quotes Over 40 Words: Did you make block quotes out of any direct quotes that are 40 words or longer? [p. 170-172] 15. Paraphrase: A paraphrase citation would look like this: Patients respond to illnesses in various ways depending on a number of factors that will be explored (Bell-Scriber, 2007). It may also look like this: Bell-Scriber (2007) found that [p. 171 and multiple examples in text on p. 40-59] For multiple references within the same paragraph see page 174. 16. Headings: Did you check your headings for proper levels? [p. 62-63]. 17. General Guidelines for References: A. Did you start the References on a new page? [p. 37] B. Did you cut and paste references on your reference page? If so, check to make sure they are in correct APA format. Often they are not and must be adapted. Make sure all fonts are the same. C. Is your reference list double spaced with hanging indents? [p. 37] PROOFREAD FOR GRAMMAR, SPELLING, PUNCTUATION, & STRUCTURE 18. Did you follow the assignment rubric? Did you make headings that address each major section? (Required to point out where you addressed each section.) 19. Watch for run-on or long, cumbersome sentences. Read it out loud without pausing unless punctuation is present. If you become breathless or it doesnt make sense, you need to rephrase or break the sentence into 2 or more smaller sentences. Did you do this? 20. Wordiness: check for the words that, and the. If not necessary, did you omit? 21. Conversational tone: Dont write as if you are talking to someone in a casual way. For example, Well so I couldnt believe nurses did such things! or I was in total shock over that. Did you stay in a formal/professional tone? 22. Avoid contractions. i.e. dont, cant, wont, etc. Did you spell these out? 23. Did you check to make sure there are no hyphens and broken words in the right margin? 24. Do not use etc. or "i.e." in formal writing unless in parenthesis. Did you check for improper use of etc. & i.e.? 25. Stay in subject agreement. When referring to 1 nurse, dont refer to the nurse as they or them. Also, in referring to a human, dont refer to the person as that, but rather who. For example: The nurse that gave the injection. Should be The nurse who gave the injection Did you check for subject agreement? 26. Dont refer to us, we, our, within the paperthis is not about you and me. Be clear in identifying. For example dont say Our profession uses empirical data to support . . Instead say The nursing profession uses empirical data..

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16 Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN yes 27. Did you check your sentences to make sure you did not end them with a preposition? For example, I witnessed activities that I was not happy with. Instead, I witnessed activities with which I was not happy. yes 28. Did you run a Spellcheck? Did you proofread in addition to running the Spellcheck? yes 29. Did you have other people read your paper? Did they find any areas confusing? yes 30. Did you include a summary or conclusion heading and section to wrap up your paper? yes 31. Does your paper have sentence fragments? Do you have complete sentences? yes 32. Did you check apostrophes for correct possessive use. Dont use apostrophes unless it is showing possession and then be sure it is in the correct location. The exception is with the word it. Its = it is. Its is possessive. Signing below indicates you have proofread your paper for the errors in the checklist: NAME Andrea Mygrants_______________________DATE:_February 14, 2011