Reflection Essay Paper

1. Discuss your options in the job market based on your educational level.

My education level is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Nursing (BSN) degree. As an ADN, I have a range of options in the job market with five of them standing out. Firstly, I can be employed as a registered nurse who works standard shifts in hospitals and similar medical facilities, to include general wards, maternity rooms and emergency rooms. The job duties would include helping physicians to manage care and patients, administering medication, and taking vital signs. Secondly, I can be employed as an outpatient care nurse who works in outpatient care facilities to provide routine care for patients following treatments and medical procedures. The job duties include checking in progression of surgical procedures, cleaning wounds and monitoring patients (Nurse Journal, 2020). Thirdly, I can be employed as a personal care nurse who visits patients in their homes and provides them with care on a regular basis. Duties range from total care to assisting in physical therapy to daily activities. Fourthly, I can be employed as a physician’s office nurse who provides routine care to patients. Duties include taking patient histories and vital signs, consultations with patients and initial exams, administering medication and vaccines, and consulting with physicians to determine the best course of treatment. Finally, I can be employed as a nursing care facility nurse who provides care to nursing home patients. Duties entail caring for the elderly and special needs patients to include assisting physicians, checking vital signs, administering medication and providing regular care (Nurse Journal, 2020). However, once I have graduated from the BSN program, I would be eligible for other job options. I could be employed as a school nurse, flight nurse, correctional nurse, and public/community health nurse. Reflection Essay Paper  Other job options include acting as a nurse manager to recruit and supervise other nurses, nurse educator, case management nurse, clinical nurse leader, quality improvement coordinator, and nursing research assistant (Arkansas State University, 2016).

2. Review the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations for achieving higher levels of education. Describe what professional certification and advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, etc.) you want to pursue and explain your reasons for wanting to attain the education. Discuss your timeline for accomplishing these goals.

I have an ADN qualification, am currently pursuing a BSN degree, and intend to enroll in a MSN program within 2 years thereby allowing for a seamless academic progression. As a professional nurse, I understand that my professional workplace environment is changing as a result of the critical intersection between the health care needs of changing and diverse populations across the lifespan. To keep up with the workplace demands, nurses must achieve higher levels of training that follows a logical education progression. This is in addition to being full partners of other medical personnel, and practicing to the full extent of education and training. By following through on the presented education progression, I expect to take on more roles and responsibilities in the professional work environment (Institute of Medicine, 2011).

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3. Discuss how increasing your level of education would affect how your competitiveness in the current job market and your role in the future of nursing.

Increasing level of education improves competitiveness in the current job market. That is because higher education offers a better understanding of and experience in systems-level change management, quality improvement methods, care management, and re-conceptualized roles of nurses in reformed health care systems. In fact, education serves a s platform for continued learning that facilitates efforts to transition into taking on greater responsibilities and roles. Besides that, the advanced education qualifications allow me to demonstrate mastery of competencies and skills mandated by certifying, licensing and accrediting organizations. In addition, the increasing level of education prepares nurses to advance science that benefits patients and the capacity to medical personnel to deliver quality and safe patient care, as well as function as leaders and meet the diverse needs of patients. Also, the education prepares nurses to effectively and collaboratively work with other medical personnel in evolving and complex health care systems in a range of settings. Additionally, continuing education helps in establishing, maintaining and expanding new competencies (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Overall, increasing the level of education improves competitiveness in the job market.

4. Discuss the relationship of continuing nursing education to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics.

Continuing nursing education is all about increasing knowledge and competency levels with a focus on relevance. In addition, it helps with increasing awareness of the appropriate attitudes as determined by the scope and standards of practice as well as code of ethics. As professionals, nurses are continuously challenged to support the activities of daily living, protect individual lives and provide direct care. Nurses can only rise to the challenge by improving their nursing knowledge and competencies, and utilizing them in their daily practice. Knowledge and competence are abilities that nurses acquire through learning (education) and experience. These are core abilities that help nurses to fulfill their professional roles, and help to establish education requirements (Fukada, 2018).

5. Discuss whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory. Provide support for your response.

Continuing nursing education should be mandatory. That is because it enables the development of a strong nursing workforce. Nurses with higher education are able to take on greater responsibilities (Campaign for Action, 2020). Besides that, it helps in ensuring that nurses remain compliant with the licensure and certification requirements (Washington State Nurses Association, 2020). Additionally, continuing education is a large contributor to the current abilities of nurses by presenting them with new concepts that better prepare them to handle the workplace responsibilities. Education is offered through accredited programs that are standardized to reflect the workplace needs and anticipated responsibilities. This ensures that nurses who qualify from each program are capable of handling the new and emerging workplace responsibilities (Smith, 2003).

References

Arkansas State University (2016, October 2016). Job Options for BSN-Prepared Nurses. https://degree.astate.edu/articles/nursing/job-options-for-bsn-prepared-nurses.aspx

Campaign for Action (2020). Transforming Nursing Education: Nurses must be prepared to meet increasingly complex health needs in all settings. https://campaignforaction.org/issue/transforming-nursing-education/

Fukada, M. (2018). Nursing Competency: Definition, Structure and Development. Yonaga Acta Medica (Journal of Medical Sciences), 61(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.33160/yam.2018.03.001

Institute of Medicine (2011). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The National Academies Press.

Nurse Journal (2020, June 3). 5 Best Paying Associates Nursing Jobs and Careers. https://nursejournal.org/adn-degree/5-best-paying-asn-nursing-jobs-and-careers/

Smith, J. (2003). Report of Findings: Exploring the Value of Continuing Education Mandates. NCSBN Research Brief, 6, 1-40. https://www.ncsbn.org/CEStudy.pdf

Washington State Nurses Association (2020). Continuing Competency. https://www.wsna.org/nursing-practice/continuing-competency/

The IOM published report, “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” makes recommendations for lifelong learning and achieving higher levels of education.

Examine the importance of nursing education and discuss your overall educational goals.

Include the following:

1. Discuss your options in the job market based on your educational level.
2. Review the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations for achieving higher levels of education. Describe what professional certification and advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, etc.) you want to pursue and explain your reasons for wanting to attain the education. Discuss your timeline for accomplishing these goals.
3. Discuss how increasing your level of education would affect how your competitiveness in the current job market and your role in the future of nursing.
4. Discuss the relationship of continuing nursing education to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics.
5. Discuss whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory. Provide support for your response.

You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. Reflection Essay Paper