NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
The first challenge I want to talk about is shortage of nurses, in most all fields of nursing. I believe this is due to the high nurse to patient ratio, and poor compensation of the nurse for their services rendered. This leads to high turnover rates in hospital, and travel nurses come into the hospital. I worked as a travel nurse and I could see why travelers were needed at the hospitals I worked at. Another challenge related to this is burnout of nurses. I have seen job postings for travel nurses with a 1:8 nurse to patient ratio. This is not safe for any nurse. It is physically and mentally exhausting to work a 12 hour shift on a Med-Surg floor with no nurse’s aide with let alone six patients. Baby boomer nurses are retiring, which is requiring a number of nurses required to work overtime, which also leads to high nurse to patient ratios. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing. By doing this, there could be possibly a sentinel event or near miss event. A solution to fix this would be mandating nurse to patient ratios at a safe number, nurse managers making sure they have enough staff for each shift, and possibly give more incentive for nurses to come to said hospital. I would like to get involved with a passing a bill to limit nurse to patient ratios as my legacy and doing so by furthering my education.
My second challenge is the shortage of physicians. As America’s population ages and demand outpaces supply, a physician shortage will intensify. Americans are living longer and requiring more care later into life, and doctors themselves are aging out of the profession. Older patients use two-to-three times as many medical services than younger patients. The supply of physician assistants and nurse practitioners is predicted to increase, which will be mainly needed in primary care. This is another reason I am continuing my education to become a nurse practitioner.
response
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and I agree with you on both of your points. The shortage of nurses in all fields of nursing, poor compensation, and high nurse to patient ratios all contribute to nursing mistakes, nursing burnout and high nursing turnover rates in hospitals. This is not safe for neither nurses nor patients. I think a bill mandating safe nurse to patient ratios is an excellent idea and one that could help ensure higher rates of patient safety. Your willingness to get involved to help pass such a bill certainly demonstrates a strong clarity of purpose and contributes to your legacy of making meaningful transformations in the field of nursing (Hegge, M. 2011). NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Your second point regarding the need for more providers is one of the main reasons I am in this program. As you pointed out, our physicians themselves are aging out of the profession. I’ve seen this firsthand as my father, a cardiologist, just recently retired. And, with Americans living longer and needing more medical care, both primary and specialized, the need for physicians and mid-level providers, both physican assistants and nurse practitioners, will be great.
References:
Hegge, M. (2011). The empty carriage: Lessons in leadership from Florence Nightengale. Nursing Science Quarterly, 24 (1), 21-25.
Discussion – Week 2
I selected option 2- “Fitzpatrick (2015) describes how certain characteristics and competencies set nursing and nurses apart from other professions and practitioners. Describe how your nursing practice and ethical decision-making skills have furthered the quality and safety of patient care.”
As discussed in the article, they mentioned getting back to the basics of nursing care. They encouraged the nurse to be more involved with their patient and their families. Working in a locked mental health facility, this can be somewhat tricky. Because my work is a long-term care facility, we get to know our patients pretty well. But it is a different kind of relationship. We don’t share any personal information with our patients. Telling our patients personal information could put our safety and our family’s safety at risk. So, at times it can be difficult finding ways to relate to some patients. We are encouraged by our supervisors to spend as much time out on the unit with the patients as possible. Depending on the unit I am working on, I may not feel safe sitting out there. If this is the case, the nurse and patient interactions may be done in a conference room with additional staff and cameras for safety. This is not always the kind of environment that encourages the patient to be open and forthcoming with personal information. Our involvement with our patient’s families is relatively minimal. The interactions are done mostly over the phone or through emails. Some families participate in quarterly progress reviews, and they are invited to attend these. We need to have a signed release to share any information with families, and unfortunately, when patients are struggling with mental health symptoms, they tend not to want their families involved. With this being the case, we as nurses become their support system, and we are the ones who are encouraging them to progress in treatment. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
The nurse plays a significant role in the coordination of a multidisciplinary team at my work. I am in charge of coordinating the patient’s medical care and referring the patient to their physician when they have medical conditions or concerns. I also refer a patient to be seen by his psychiatrist if the patient may be struggling with symptoms. Nursing takes care of all of the patient’s basic needs. So, the patients frequently seek you out, and you are the one person they may trust. I am happy to see that there is a push to get back to the basic care of nursing because the patients are the ones who suffer when it is not.
Fitzpatrick, M. A. (2015). The essence of nursing: It’s time to put basic nursing care back in the spotlight. American Nurse Today, 10(5). Retrieved from http://www.americannursetoday.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Essence-Supplement_page-2.pdf
For our third discussion, I decided to elaborate on options 2, “Describe the personal contribution a nurse might make in the process of seeking or maintaining Magnet designation.”
One of the significant contributions nurses can make to either seeking or maintaining a magnet designation would be to obtain a higher education or certification. An organization can produce better patient outcomes by supporting professional development, which, in turn, shows nursing excellence. Many organizations support faculty continuing their education through tuition reimbursement (Tinkham, 2013). Organizations will often encourage nurses to continue their education to meet magnet recommendations for the percentage of baccalaureate nurses employed (Laureate, 2009). There is also a clinical ladder system that nurses may receive a financial incentive for continuing their education or obtaining additional certifications (Tinkham 2013). By also encouraging growth, organizations help empower their nurses and promote better care for the patients. The stroke certified nurses I currently work with are a significant asset to our unit and incredible resources for all staff. I often ask our stroke certified nurses about the most recent evidence-based practice methods that we include in our current protocols because they are frequently changing.
An additional contribution to assisting in obtaining or maintaining a magnet certification is to encourage nurses to be involved in decision making. Nurses’ input should be required when constructing and changing policies as it relates to patient care. As nurses, we should also contribute to creating a more “just culture” to facilitate learning and change (Tinkham, 2013). Nurses understand that healthcare changes every day, and without a “just culture” in nursing, patients would be at an increased risk of unreported mistakes. From personal experience, it feels awful to make a mistake when caring for a patient. I currently work for a magnet certified hospital, and I can honestly say that I could feel my mistake was more of a learning opportunity than punishment. We have a program called RL solutions that we can submit any errors in care or equipment malfunctions. It truly is more for preventing future errors than reporting mistakes. From our mistakes, we can see where problems may arise within our current system and contribute to finding solutions. By avoiding mistakes from occurring in the future, we also promote patient safety.
References:
Laureate Education (Producer). (2009b). Issues and trends in nursing: Professional practice models [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Tinkham.M. R. (2013). Pursuing magnet designation: The role of structural empowerment. AORN Journal, 97(2), 253-256.
Week 1: The Power of Nursing: One Nurse at a Time
As a Registered Nurse, you are a member of an honored profession that traces its roots back centuries. You are following in the footsteps of distinguished historical nursing figures such as Florence Nightingale, Lillian Wald, Mary Ezra Mahoney, Juan Ciudad, Mary Breckinridge, and Walt Whitman. Each applied professional skill sets to the specific demands of their time. Each left a legacy upon which the nursing profession has built a standard of care. Distinguished contemporary leaders are forging ahead with their legacies.
But times are constantly changing. Now it’s time to start building on the individual expertise and knowledge that you bring to Walden. The time has come for you to build your own legacy. Discover your passion, develop your leadership potential, and prepare yourself to make a difference in the lives of those affected by your nursing expertise.
Building your own professional legacy will not be without challenges. Registered Nurses (RNs) comprise the largest health care occupation in the U.S., yet the demand for RNs exceeds supply. The nursing shortage continues to expand, fueled by increases in population rates, greater longevity, and technological advances in health care. The nursing shortage is exacerbated by other factors, including the number of nurses aging out of the workforce and dissatisfied nurses leaving the profession prematurely. Additionally, the workplace is evolving in critical ways that increase the time required of existing nurses, including factors such as evidence-based practice, emphasis on quality and safety, and technology requirements, to name a few.
You have chosen to prepare yourself today for the challenges of tomorrow, and we are here for you. When you leave the classroom, you will take with you enhanced professional expertise and insights for your patients, their care, and the health care industry as a whole. When you graduate, you will be prepared to meet the specific demands you will face tomorrow; the demands of YOUR time. Welcome! Walden is glad you chose us as the place where you want to learn. Your legacy has begun.
Grossman and Valiga, in their book The New Leadership Challenge: Creating the Future of Nursing (2009), sum up leadership and the pursuit of excellence in nursing with these words of advice, quoted from Claude T. Bissell, Canadian author and educator, and the University of Toronto’s eighth president.
Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible. (Grossman & Valiga, p. 191)
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze challenges and solutions related to nursing
- Evaluate the role of advanced education as it relates to developing a personal nursing legacy
- Analyze the impact of nurses on patients, peers, and superiors
- Analyze the role of leadership in the field of nursing
- Develop a technology plan for use in an online classroom
- Reflect on personal and professional strengths and needs
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Heege, M. (2011). The empty carriage: Lessons in leadership from Florence Nightingale. Nursing Science Quarterly, 24(1), 21–25.
Hinds, P. S., Britton, D., Coleman, L., Engh, E., Humbel, T. K., Keller, S., … Walczak, D. (2015). Creating a career legacy map to help assure meaningful work in nursing. Nursing Outlook, 63(2), 211–218.
Document: Week 1 Assignment 1 Form (Word document)
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2009a). Issues and trends in nursing: Introduction [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.
–Downloads–
Download Video w/CC
Download Audio
Download Transcript
Laureate Education (Producer). (2009d). Welcome to the BSN program at Walden University. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
–Downloads–
Download Video w/CC
Download Audio
Download Transcript
Laureate Education (Producer). (2014). Creating a Technology Backup Plan [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.
–Downloads–
Download Video w/CC
Download Audio
Download Transcript
Walden University. (2020a). Section 1: Experience as an online student [Video]. In Online student roundtable discussion. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
Document: Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 1–3 (Word document)
This checklist will help you self-assess your writing to see if it meets academic writing standards for this course.
Document: Discussion Post Tips: Weeks 1–3 (PDF)
Walden University. (n.d.-e). Common course assignments: Discussion posts. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments/discussionpost
Walden University. (n.d.-h). Paragraphs: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paragraphs
Walden University. (n.d.-o). Using evidence: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence
Optional Resources
Document: Discussion Checklist (PDF)
Use this one-page checklist to prepare, write, and respond to your weekly discussions.
Document: Assignment Checklist (PDF)
Use this one-page checklist to prepare, write, and review feedback for your weekly assignments.
Discussion: Creating Your Personal Nursing Legacy
Many nurses throughout history have left long and distinguished legacies of excellence in a variety of ways. What impact might you have on the patients with whom you come into contact every day?
The past and current challenges to nursing and health care have been and are being met by exemplary nurse leaders. Each has exhibited or is exhibiting enhanced focus and ideation, enriched values, purpose, and grit! The successful nurse leader must prepare to be an effective thinker, communicator, motivator, and champion of personalized health care.
Nurses have built and will continue to build upon a rich legacy of innovations and commitment to meet issues of nursing and health care. Florence Nightingale, for example, was highly educated, focused on a path of lifelong discovery, and dedicated to knowledge and science in the service of others. Her legacy made us a better society.
Your individual nursing legacy is an integral part of the legacy of nursing as a whole. Think about how you want to be remembered at the end of your nursing career. Envision what you want to leave to the profession in the areas of practice, education, and research. Make a conscious decision to plan deliberately what your legacy will be, rather than just letting it happen. Review the Learning Resources and write at least 350 words addressing one of the following Discussion topics.
In this Discussion, you have the opportunity to begin considering your own personal nursing legacy.
To prepare
- Review the Discussion Post Tips Document in the Writing Resources and Program Success Tools for this week. Your initial post must be 2 paragraphs and at least 350 words.
- Review the Laureate Education video titled Issues and Trends in Nursing: Introduction (2009a) provided in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Explore this week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools, specifically:
- Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 1–3
- “Common Course Assignments: Discussion Posts” (Walden University, n.d.-e)
- “Paragraphs: Overview” (Walden University, n.d.-h)
- “Using Evidence: Overview” (Walden University, n.d.-o)
- Review the following articles, provided in this week’s Learning Resources:
- “The Empty Carriage: Lessons in Leadership From Florence Nightingale” (Heege, 2011)
- “Creating a Career Legacy Map to Help Assure Meaningful Work in Nursing” (Hinds et al., 2015)
By Day 3
Post a 2-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to one of the options below. Develop and post cohesive paragraphs and use evidence to support your ideas.
Option 1
Describe at least two current and/or future challenges in nursing and the solutions that are being proposed to meet those challenges. Explain how furthering your education will enable you to build upon your personal nursing legacy in meeting these types of challenges.
OR
Option 2
Describe a nurse colleague or current nurse leader who inspires you. Identify and describe how this person’s actions have led to positive outcomes related to patients, peers, and/or supervisors. What do you see yourself doing similarly or differently?
By Day 7
Read and respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings by sharing how you would change what you wrote based upon what you read in other posts. Also consider providing a supporting statement about each colleague’s vision for his/her personal nursing legacy based on at least one of this week’s Learning Resources. Ask a clarifying question about each colleague’s vision for his/her personal nursing legacy.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
Post a discussion entry on 3 different days of the week. Refer to the Week 1 Discussion Rubric found in the Course Information area, located in the top left area of the course or access the link below.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 1 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 7
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 1 Discussion
Assignment 1: Technology Contingency Plan
Learning online will put you into contact with a number of new technologies. Some of the tools that you will use will be easy to understand and even fun to engage with, but you may also encounter technology that you find frustrating. Technology can and does enhance learning, and technology also can cause many distractions. In this Assignment, you will view the Creating a Technology Backup Plan media located in this week’s Learning Resources and complete the Technology Contingency Plan worksheet.
To prepare
- View the Creating a Technology Backup Plan video (Laureate Education, 2014), provided in this week’s Learning Resources.
- View the Assignment 1 Rubric to guide you in completing your Assignment.
- Access the Technology Contingency Plan worksheet in this week’s resources.
Assignment Directions
- Complete the Technology Contingency Plan worksheet.
By Day 7
Submit your Technology Contingency Plan worksheet.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn1+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 1 Assignment 1 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 1 Assignment 1 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn1+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 1 Assignment 1 Rubric
Check your Assignment draft for authenticity
To check your assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 1 Assignment 1 Draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment 1 by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 1 Assignment 1
Assignment 2: Journal: Observe, Process, Reflect
The objective of the Journal Assignment is to provide you with a private place to think on the page; “thinking on the page” is a phrase used to describe writing as a form of thinking. Some of us process our thoughts out loud as we describe them to others. In an academic environment, you will be asked to record your ideas in writing (“thinking on the page”) to show the new knowledge that you’ve acquired through reading and listening to the resources and completing the assignments. The Journal is not formal writing, and only you and your Instructor will see the Journal Assignment. These assignments are meant to be free writing, but you should revise before submitting.
As you write, think about the audience to whom you are writing and the difference between personal writing and scholarly writing. Your journal writing falls into the category of personal writing and should be approached in that way. Think of the Journal as an academic reflection space.
To prepare
- Review the Week 1 Assignment 2 Rubric, provided in the Course Information area.
- Think about the feelings you have had as you prepared to return to school for your BSN.
- Think about the material you encountered in the course this week and consider one aspect of the classroom resources (Assignments, Discussions, or assigned readings) that surprised you. Be sure to think about why the material interested you as a thinker.
- Set a timer (on the stove, a clock, or on your phone) and write for 10 minutes without stopping.
- You may find it helpful to use the following format as a guide for your Journal writing:
- Observe. Describe the week’s content and resources as if you are writing to a person who has not seen, heard, or observed them.
- Process. Answer the question, “What does this content or topic mean?”
- Reflect. Answer the question, “What is the value of understanding this material?”
By Day 7
Submit a minimum 150-word Journal Assignment. Journal about one aspect of the classroom resources (Assignments, Discussions, or assigned readings) that surprised you. Make sure to describe why the material interested you as a thinker. You can also include your thoughts about returning to school, including your excitement, anxieties, and any concerns.
This Assignment is for you to share your feelings. There are no rules, and you will not be graded on your writing.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 1 Assignment 2 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 1 Assignment 2 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 1 Assignment 2 Rubric
Submit Your Assignment 2 by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 1 Assignment 2
Week in Review
Now you… have identified challenges to nursing and analyzed actions that can lead to positive outcomes for both patients and coworkers. In addition, care to share any thoughts or concerns on the use of the technology plan for your online classroom? Feel free to share your feedback in the Café. Next week you will… analyze the future of nursing in terms of quality, safety, leadership and equitable patient care. Time management and writing strategies will also be discussed.
NURS_3100_Week1_Discussion_Rubric
| Excellent | Proficient | Basic | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Option 1 Describe at least two current and/or future challenges in nursing and the solutions that are being proposed to meet those challenges. Explain how furthering your education will enable you to build upon your personal nursing legacy in meeting these types of challenges. OR Option 2 Describe a nurse colleague or current nurse leader who inspires you. Identify and describe how this person’s actions have led to positive outcomes related to patients, peers, and/or supervisors. What do you see yourself doing similarly or differently? “ |
18 (36%) – 20 (40%)
Initial post contains well developed and insightful analysis and brings new insight into the discussion.
|
16 (32%) – 18 (36%)
Initial post contains reasonable analysis that is focused and brings insight into the discussion.
|
14 (28%) – 15 (30%)
Initial post contains minimal analysis that is somewhat focused and brings limited insight into the discussion.
|
0 (0%) – 13 (26%)
Initial post lacks analysis and/or is not focused and brings little or no insight into the discussion.
|
| Response Posts “Entered the discussion thread on 3 separate days. Wrote at least two posts to two separate peers. Responses are appropriate to the topic, substantive, and promoted discussion by one or more of the following: • contributing insight to move the discussion forward. • offering substantial and/or different points of view and asks questions to add to discussion • including extra references or websites for peers to consider • relating discussion to different areas of practice and applying concepts to practice **Additional points may be deducted for late posting per the University late policy.” |
14 (28%) – 15 (30%)
Response posts add subtantial ideas and perspectives that invite further analysis and discussion. Participated 3 or more days in the classroom and responded to more than 2 classmates.
|
12 (24%) – 13 (26%)
Response posts are proficient and provide adequate analysis and discussion. Participated 3 days in the classroom and responds to at least two classmates.
|
11 (22%) – 11 (22%)
Response posts are limited and provide minimal analysis and discussion. Participated less than 3 days in the classroom and/or responds to less than two classmates.
|
0 (0%) – 10 (20%)
Response posts are inadequate and provide no analysis of discussion and/ or there is no participation in the classroom.
|
| Format and Writing points AWE 1000 Level. Displays sentence and paragraph level skills. Uses evidence from research to support a claim and give credit to the source. |
14 (28%) – 15 (30%)
Discussion posts demonstrate excellence in meeting the 1000 Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
12 (24%) – 13 (26%)
Discussion posts demonstrate proficiency in meeting the 1 Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
11 (22%) – 11 (22%)
Discussion posts demonstrate minimal skill in meeting the Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
0 (0%) – 10 (20%)
Discussion posts demonstrate inadequate skill in meeting the Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
| Total Points: 50 |
|---|
For this discussion I chose option 2: “Describe a nurse colleague or current nurse leader who inspires you. Identify and describe how this person’s actions have led to positive outcomes related to patients, peers, and/or supervisors. What do you see yourself doing similarly or differently?”
There are many people that I have met throughout my nursing career so far that have made such a significant impact on the type of nurse I want to become. But one individual that really stands out is my current director of nursing Justin Peters. My very first boss as a nurse and truly one of the most genuine and humbling individuals not only as a nurse but as a person that I have met. He inspired me from the day he interviewed me because throughout our entire conversation one theme that he focused on was for me and everyone this facility to succeed and accomplish one goal, which is to provide the best possible care to our patients. This may seem like a common outlook on things but he never once talked about what he is doing or can do to make this facility the best it can be but went on and on about what we can do as peers to provide the highest quality care we can. He instantly instilled a type of culture that I was so drawn to, which is a culture that encompasses teamwork, growth, and compassion. Hegge (2011) discussed in her article about leadership that Florence Nightingale was the type of leader that cared mainly about how how she could influence a positive change so that even when she is not around, people after her can continue to succeed as opposed to focusing on how she could make herself look admirable through the success of the people that followed her. This idea of dedicating your work to the cause rather than to your own personal success is an admirable and inspiring trait. This reminds me of Justin because all he wanted was to make changes so that the patients get the best possible care, which then reflects on the success of every single employee that played a part and not just him. After working at this facility for nearly three months, there has not been one time where Justin has take any credit for anything as he humbly redirects any attention to his staff.
There have been many changes that he has spearheaded that allowed the nursing staff to improve care, such as start daily screenings for Covid-19 on all our patients. This was an idea that he came up with and his nursing staff have implemented. Due to this change, we have not had any cases of Covid-19 in our facility and I believe it is due to our persistent efforts in assessing each of our patients, which came from Justin’s initial screening plan. However, after all the positive feedback from families, partnering hospitals, and doctors, he never once took the credit for this idea he came up with and directed all the credit towards the staff. Justin continues to inspire me each day and I always look to him as a guiding force behind the qualities I choose to model my self as a new nurse.
References: Hegge, M. (2011). The empty carriage: Lessons in leadership from Florence Nightengale. Nursing Science Quarterly, 24 (1), 21-25.
Week 2: The Future of Nursing
In Week 1, we discussed the idea that the foundation of YOUR emerging legacy is the current individual experience and knowledge that you bring to the profession. Your experience and knowledge are an invaluable and incredible contribution to the safety and quality of health care. In a recent report in the American Nurses Association (ANA) journal American Nurse Today, Fitzpatrick (2015)concludes that “nurses are the last defense in patient safety.” According to a Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Report (2008), nurse are the “sharp end” of patient care, in that nurses provide the closest and most continuous care of patients. As a practicing Registered Nurse, you are a full partner in and integral part of the health care team!
As a Registered Nurse, you have been carrying out six top aims to improve health care as stated by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI; n.d.). With compassion and vigilance, for example, nurses are at the forefront in maintaining a safe environment for patient welfare. Additionally, nurses are working to improve health care that is effective, or based on scientific knowledge, and that is patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable.
Let us focus for a moment on the term equitable, the last of the IHI aims. Equitable care means care that does not vary in quality because of personal characteristics such as gender, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. You are going to read more about equitable care in your assignments and provide your own comments and insights into that IHI aim.
The IHI has also concluded that nurses are critical to the future of health care. The IHI predicts that nurses will play a critical role in producing safe, quality care for all patients in the health care system.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) also made several recommendations for the future of nursing (Institute of Medicine, 2010):
- Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.
- Nurses should achieve higher levels of education through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.
- Nurses should be full partners with physicians and other health care professionals in a redesigned health care system.
- Effective workforce planning and policy making should be enhanced through better data collection and improved information infrastructure.
Without you, health care has little or no future. You are called to act as an indispensable part of the future of health care and an invaluable member of the nursing team that is already the last defense in patient care. Your Walden education will build upon and complement the rich individual experience and knowledge that you bring to the profession and to Walden.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze the critical role of nursing in the future of health care
- Analyze the impact of nursing practice on the quality, safety, and equitability of patient care
- Analyze the leadership role of nurses
- Apply time management techniques in virtual context
- Apply strategies to improve writing
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Fitzpatrick, M. A. (2015). The essence of nursing: It’s time to put basic nursing care back in the spotlight. American Nurse Today, 10(5). Retrieved from http://www.americannursetoday.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Essence-Supplement_page-2.pdf
Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (n.d.). Across the chasm: Six aims for changing the health care system. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/ImprovementStories/AcrosstheChasmSixAimsforChangingtheHealthCareSystem.aspx
Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from http://www.nacns.org/docs/toolkit/5-IOM-Report.pdf.
Required Media
Walden University. (2020b). Section 2: Time management and organization [Video]. In Online student roundtable discussion. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
Document: Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 1–3 (Word document)
This checklist will help you self-assess your writing to see if it meets academic writing standards for this course.
Walden University. (n.d.-e). Common course assignments: Discussion posts. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments/discussionpost
Walden University. (n.d.-o). Using evidence: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence
Walden University. (n.d.-f). Grammarly: Accessing Grammarly. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammarly/accessing
Walden University. (n.d.-h). Paragraphs: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paragraphs
Walden University. (2013, July 3). WriteCast episode 3: Creating a successful paragraph [Podcast]. Retrieved from http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2013/07/writecast-episode-3-creating-successful.html
Time Management Tool Kit
Cook, L., & Bergren, D. (2011). Time management strategies. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/jNLwj_i6MLU
Document: Time Management Tracking Table (Word Document)
This table is part of the Assignment for this week and will require you to think about how you use and manage your time as a student at Walden.
William, D. K. (n.d.). 10 proven time management skills you should learn today. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-proven-time-management-skills-you-should-learn-today.html
Optional Resources
Institute of Medicine. (2015). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from http://iom.nationalacademies.org/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health.aspx.
- Read pages 29 to 39.
Discussion: The Most Trusted Profession
Nurses are the most honest and ethical professionals in America, according to Gallup polls for more than 12 years in a row. In 2014, 80 percent of Americans said that nurses have “very high” or “high” standards of honesty and ethics, compared with 7% and 8% ratings, respectively, for members of Congress and salespeople. According to Pamela Cipiriano, President of the 35th American Nurses Association (ANA) (2015, March 01), “The public places its faith in nurses to practice ethically.”
A patient’s health, autonomy, and even life or death can be affected by a nurse’s decisions and actions. The IOM’s recommendation to increase the role of nursing in both present and future health care practice underscores the nexus between the decisions and actions of nurses and the health and outcomes of the patients cared for by nurses.
The critical role of nurses in present and future health care makes it imperative that nurses be knowledgeable about the ANA’s Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements (2015) (the “Code”). As the cornerstone document of the nursing profession, the Code reflects the evolution of health care and considers the most current ethical challenges nurses face in practice. The Codeupholds the best interests of patients, families, and communities.
To prepare
- Review the Discussion Rubric for Week 2, provided in the Course Information area or accessible through the link below.
- Review this week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools, specifically:
- Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 1–3
- “Paragraphs: Overview” (Walden University, n.d.-h)
- “Using Evidence: Overview” (Walden University, n.d.-o)
- WriteCast Episode 3: Creating A Successful Paragraph Podcast (Walden University, 2013, July 3)
- Read the following articles, provided in this week’s Learning Resources:
- “The Essence of Nursing: It’s Time to Put Basic Nursing Care Back in the Spotlight” (Fitzpatrick, 2015)
- The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (Institute of Medicine, 2010)
- Build on your own personal experience by thinking about how you might relate the information in the two articles to your own nursing experience. For example, pick out important points from the articles and connect them to your own work.
By Day 3
Post a 2-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to one of the options below. Develop and post cohesive paragraphs and use evidence to support your ideas. The practice of writing paragraphs is essential to good writing. Focus each paragraph on one main idea or goal. Use the writing resources, writing samples, and Discussion Rubric to develop your post.
Option 1
As a result of its deliberations, the IOM committee formulated four key messages to support efforts to improve the health of the U.S. population through the contributions nurses can make to the delivery of care. Provide one or more examples of how you or a colleague has practiced one or more of the IOM recommendations to take the lead effectively or be in charge of an issue or patient rather than just “being at the table.”
OR
Option 2
Fitzpatrick (2015) describes how certain characteristics and competencies set nursing and nurses apart from other professions and practitioners. Describe how your nursing practice and ethical decision-making skills have furthered the quality and safety of patient care.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings for the Discussion question.
Respond with suggestions to two or more of your colleagues by confirming their critical role in the health care system.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your classmates made.
Post a discussion entry on 3 different days of the week.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 2 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 7
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 2 Discussion
Assignment 1: Journal: Time Management (Observe, Process, Reflect)
Returning to school to earn your next degree is a wonderful goal, and balancing family, work, and school can seem daunting. Often when focusing on one task, you lose track of others. That is why it is important to have a plan for stepping out of your other roles and into your new role as student. We all have multiple roles in life. Being engaged in your classwork requires you to plan, prioritize, and create a space in which learning takes place.
For this assignment, you consider how to address distractions you might encounter as a student at Walden.
To prepare
- Review the Week 2 Assignment 1 Rubric, provided in the Course Information area.
- Complete the Time Management Tracking Table listed in the Time Management Tool Kit.
- Read or view at least one additional resource listed in the Time Management Tool Kit based upon your specific needs.
- Set a timer (on the stove, a clock, or on your phone) and write for 10 minutes without stopping.
By Day 7
Submit a minimum 150-word Journal Assignment. Journal about one aspect of the classroom resources (Assignments, Discussions, or assigned readings) that surprised you. Additionally, journal about one or both of the options below:
Option 1
What concerns do you have about managing distractions and obtaining the support you need to be successful? Include how you plan to make certain that you have support, and how you will take personal responsibility for your own success.
OR
Option 2
What study rituals are you putting in place, and how will these rituals help you focus and decrease distractions? Share your plan to develop rituals to help you transition into the role of Walden student.
This Assignment is for you to share your feelings. There are no rules, and you will not be graded on your writing.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment 1 for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK2Assgn1+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 2 Assignment 1 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 2 Assignment 1 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK2Assgn1+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 2 Assignment 1 Rubric
Submit Your Assignment 1 by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 2 Assignment 1
Assignment 2: Improving Writing: The “Grammarly” Report
Grammarly is a writing enhancement platform that helps make you a better writer by correcting more than 250 grammatical mistakes, while also catching contextual spelling errors and poor vocabulary usage. All you have to do is submit your work—and Grammarly will work its magic!
For this Assignment, you will practice using Grammarly by submitting your Week 1 Discussion posts to the Grammarly platform.
To prepare
- Review the Grading Rubric for Week 2 Assignment 2 provided in the Course Information area.
- Review the following documents to guide you (found at the end of the submission instructions):
-
- Grammarly Report Instructions (PDF)
- Copy and Paste (PDF)
- Review the tutorial Grammarly: Accessing Grammarly (Walden University, n.d.-f) from this week’s Learning Resources.
- Access the Grammarly Student Login website and follow the instructions for creating a free Grammarly student account. (A link to Grammarly is found at the end of these instructions.)
- Access your Discussion posts from Week 1. You may find it helpful to copy and paste it into a word processing document (such as in Microsoft Word).
- Submit your Word Document that contains the Week 1 Discussion to Grammarly.
- Note: Submit your work to Grammarly no later than Day 4 due to occasional turn-around delays from Grammarly.
Document: Grammarly Report Instructions (PDF)
Grammarly Assignment
- Once you receive you Grammarly Report back regarding your Week 1 Discussion post, upload your Grammarly Report for grading using the Assignment submission link.
- Please save your Assignment using the following naming convention: WK2Assgn2+last name+first initial.
- Submit your Assignment no later than Day 7.
Document: Copy and Paste (PDF)
Grammarly Student Login
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK2Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 2 Assignment 2 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 2 Assignment 2 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK2Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 2 Assignment 2 Rubric
Check your Assignment draft for authenticity
To check your assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 2 Assignment 2 Draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 2 Assignment 2
Week in Review
Now you… have analyzed the critical role of nursing in the future and the positive contributions nurses make to the delivery of care. You have also learned to manage distractions and improve your focus as you transition into the role of a Walden student. Next week you will… discuss the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) and Magnet Recognition Program (Magnet) where nurses appreciate the achievements of other nurses and are recognized for nursing excellence.
| Excellent | Proficient | Basic | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Content “Option 1 Provided one or more examples one or more of the IOM recommendations have been used to change nursing practice. OR Option 2 Described how nursing practice and ethical decision-making skills have furthered the quality and safety of patient care. “ |
18 (36%) – 20 (40%)
Initial post contains well developed and insightful analysis and brings new insight into the discussion .
|
16 (32%) – 17 (34%)
Initial post contains reasonable analysis that is focused and brings insight into the discussion.
|
14 (28%) – 15 (30%)
Initial post contains minimal analysis that is somewhat focused and brings limited insight into the discussion.
|
0 (0%) – 13 (26%)
Initial post lacks analysis and/or is not focused and brings little or no insight into the discussion.
|
| Response Posts “Entered the discussion thread on 3 separate days. Wrote at least two posts to two separate peers. Responses are appropriate to the topic, substantive, and promoted discussion by one or more of the following: • contributing insight to move the discussion forward. • offering substantial and/or different points of view and asks questions to add to discussion • including extra references or websites for peers to consider • relating discussion to different areas of practice and applying concepts to practice **Additional points may be deducted for late posting per the University late policy.” |
14 (28%) – 15 (30%)
Response posts add substantial ideas and perspectives that invite further analysis and discussion. Participated 3 or more days in the classroom and responded to more than 2 classmates.
|
12 (24%) – 13 (26%)
Response posts proficient and provide adequate analysis and discussion. Participated 3 days in the classroom and responds to at least two classmates.
|
11 (22%) – 11 (22%)
Response posts are limited and provide minimal analysis and discussion. Participated less than 3 days in the classroom and/or responds to less than two classmates.
|
0 (0%) – 10 (20%)
Response posts are inadequate and provide no analysis of discussion and/ or there is no participation in the classroom.
|
| Format and Writing 15 points AWE 1000 Level. Displays sentence and paragraph level skills. Uses evidence from research to support a claim and give credit to the source. |
14 (28%) – 15 (30%)
Discussion posts demonstrate excellence in meeting the 1000 Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
12 (24%) – 13 (26%)
Discussion posts demonstrate proficiency in meeting the 1000 Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
11 (22%) – 11 (22%)
Discussion posts demonstrate minimal skill in meeting the 1000 Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
0 (0%) – 10 (20%)
Discussion posts demonstrate inadequate skill in meeting the 1000 Academic Writing Expectations for this level.
|
| Total Points: 50 |
|---|
Name: NURS_3100_Week2_Discussion_Rubric
According to the article The Future of Nursing Leading Change, Advancing Healthcare. There are four barriers to the nursing profession which prevent nurses from keeping up with the everchanging field of healthcare. To ensure that nurses are active participants in the future, there are four barriers that should be considered according to the article. The four barriers are 1. Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training. 2. Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through a improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. 3. Nurses should be full partners with physicians and other healthcare professionals, in redesigning healthcare in the United States. 4. Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure. The focus of this discussion will be the barriers and how they relate to my nursing career currently.
I am a member of a five-person team called the ECMO team. Our team, has utilized all four of the recommendations to take a more active role in patient care. Traditionally a perfusionist sits at the bedside of these patients however, for the last few months my team and I have been doing it solo with just a few checks and calls to the perfusionist. We work as a partner with the intensivists, managing the patient and machine together. As a nurse on the ECMO team I have been involved in its conception, me and my team have set on board meetings with the leaders of our hospital explaining why we need more equipment or why we need a change in policy and procedure. We have been involved in the policy making of the program and have regular meetings where we discuss any changes needed. These meetings are led by the nurses, and any changes that are made are typically driven by us. At the start of the program we had a weeklong classroom education and wet lab so we could practice using the machine needed. Since that initial education, every quarter we get another round of education. We also catalog all the information of the cases we do. We record a set of data for each case and keep it so we can improve upon our method and during these meetings we discuss cases.
In conclusion, I feel as though the article is correct in its statements the nursing profession needs to be able to find a way not around these barriers but through them to create a better profession for us all. We must find lasting solutions to the problems described in the article. I myself feel lucky to work in a place where I can participate in such a program.
ORDER SHADOW HEALTH ASSESSMENT HELP HERE
Week 3: Taking the Lead: The Magnet Model
In previous weeks, we discussed how your current and future legacy is a meaningful and profound contribution to the quality of health care and to the safety of patients. This week we are discussing the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) Magnet Recognition Program (Magnet), an international credentialing program where nurses appreciate nurses for their nursing achievements. It is the highest recognition for nursing excellence within a health care organization!
Magnet is a guiding framework whereby you and your nursing colleagues are encouraged to intensify your efforts to improve organizational conditions, components, and processes of health care systems to enhance patient safety. The model serves as a road map for organizations seeking nursing excellence in five areas. Click on the following image and read about each of the five areas:
From Magnet, there has emerged a growing understanding of the professional elements that attract and retain nurses. The professional elements are now identified as the “best practices” for successful nurse recruitment and retention. Magnet status is awarded to health care institutions that act as a “magnet” for nurses by offering a work environment that rewards quality nursing services. Magnet health care institutions, in turn, enjoy improved patient outcomes. Think about which of the best practices are, or are not, present in your professional life and your strategies for improvement. Then proceed to the learning objectives for this week.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze the impact of Magnet status on health care change
- Analyze the impact of nurses on the process of health care change
- Analyze the role of nurses with Magnet
- Apply research and writing skills to current topics in nursing
Learning Resources
Required Readings
American Nurses Credentialing Center. (n.d.). ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/
Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from http://www.nacns.org/docs/toolkit/5-IOM-Report.pdf
Martin, D., Godfrey, N., & Walker, M. (2015). The baccalaureate big 5: What Magnet® hospitals should expect from a baccalaureate generalist nurse. Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(3), 121–123.
Tinkham, M. R. (2013). Pursuing magnet designation: The role of structural empowerment. AORN Journal, 97(2), 253—256.
Spreasheet: Weekly Schedule (Excel)
One of the most valuable skills you can have as an online student is effective time management. Therefore, we ask that you
- download and save this sample weekly schedule,
- use it to create your own based on your work and personal responsibilities, and
- revisit the schedule at least once a month to ensure that it still reflects your time commitments.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2009b). Issues and trends in nursing: Professional practice models [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 14 minutes.
In this program, Dr. McClure, one of the original investigators and founders of the Magnet model, and Dr. Drenkard, former Director of the Magnet Recognition Program, discuss the characteristics of Magnet designated hospitals and the nurse’s critical role at these facilities. Dr. McClure shares her original research into the best practices of hospitals that demonstrated quality and a strong workforce and how that evolved into the current Magnet model. Dr. Drenkard also discusses the characteristics of Magnet hospitals that influence the success of this professional practice model.
–Downloads–
Download Video w/CC
Download Audio
Download Transcript
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2013, August 6). The future of nursing: Campaign for action [Video file]. Retrieved from http://campaignforaction.org/resource/campaign-action-promotional-video.
Walden University. (2020c). Section 3: Self-care and self-pacing [Video]. In Online student roundtable discussion. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
Assignment Planning
Document: Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 4–6 (Word document)
This checklist will help you self-assess your writing to see if it meets academic writing standards for this course.
Walden University. (n.d.-n). Undergraduate writing: Assignment planner. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/undergraduate/assignments/planner
Walden University. (n.d.-l). Q. What is a summary? Retrieved September 22, 2015
Library Learning Resources
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/
Walden University. (n.d.-i). Q. How do I link Walden Library to Google scholar? Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/a.php?qid=218983
Walden University. (n.d.-g). Nursing research: Databases: Articles & more. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/nursingresearch
Writing Center Course Resources
Document: Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 1–3 (Word document)
This checklist will help you self-assess your writing to see if it meets academic writing standards for this course.
Document: 1000 AWE Level Assignment Template (Word Document)
Document: TOP Ten BSN Reference and Citations (Word document)
Walden University. (n.d.-a). ASC success strategies: Critical reading. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ASCsuccess/ASCcriticalreading
Walden University. (n.d.-j). Q. How do I paraphrase? Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/a.php?qid=386040
Walden University. (n.d.-b). ASC success strategies: Reading retention. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ASCsuccess/ASCreadingretention#s-lg-box-1531376
Academic Integrity
Please review the Academic Integrity area located on the Course Information page, particularly the Walden SafeAssign Tutorial.NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Discussion: Nurses Make the Difference
Health care organizations that adhere to or seek Magnet designation (Magnet hospitals) are exemplars in serving patients. They are recognized as organizations that have high nurse satisfaction and lower rates of nurse shortages. These organizations tend to have higher degrees of nurse involvement at all levels of decision making. Magnet hospitals also have improved patient outcomes.
For this Discussion, you explore how Magnet status contributes to health care change within an institution and the personal contribution nurses make to this process.
To prepare
- Review the Discussion Rubric for Week 3, provided in the Course Information area or accessible through the link below.
- Review the Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 1–3, listed in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Review the video Issues and Trends in Nursing: Professional Practice Models (Laureate Education, 2009b).
- Review the following articles from this week’s Resources:
By Day 3
Post a 2-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to either Option 1 or Option 2.
Use the writing resources, writing samples, and Discussion Rubric to develop your post. Reflect on your reading from this week, and then address one of the following:
Option 1
Provide an overview of a Magnet facility. Include an explanation of how Magnet status drives health care change in the institution. Develop and post cohesive paragraphs and use evidence to support your ideas. The practice of writing cohesive paragraphs is essential to good writing. Focus each paragraph on one main idea or goal. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
OR
Option 2
Describe the personal contribution a nurse might make in the process of seeking or maintaining Magnet designation. Develop and post cohesive paragraphs and use evidence to support your ideas. The practice of writing cohesive paragraphs is essential to good writing. Focus each paragraph on one main idea or goal.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings from the Discussion question.
Respond with a comment that asks for clarification from, provides support for, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your classmates made.
Post a discussion entry on 3 different days of the week.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 3 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 7
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 3 Discussion NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Assignment 1: Impact of Nurses On Health Care Quality
It is important for nurses to stay abreast of current issues and trends in our field. Use this opportunity to develop or enhance your expertise on your chosen topic.
This Assignment introduces you to the Walden Library. The Library is an invaluable resource for discovering nursing and health care–related databases and professional articles. Practice and refine your paraphrasing skills.
To prepare
- Review the Week 3 Assignment 1 Rubric, provided in the Course Information area.
- Review the AWE Checklist and Additional Resources for your Assignment:
- Review the Walden SafeAssign and Academic Integrity Online Tutorial, provided in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Use the 1000 AWE Level Assignment Template found in the Resources for this week to complete your Assignment.
- Explore this week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools, and specifically:
- Use Google Scholar to search for articles related to the topic you selected. Link Google Scholar to the Walden Library using the instructions provided.
- Search for articles related to the topic you selected using the Nursing Databases of the Walden Library.
- Use the Walden Library to research the impact of nursing on healthcare quality as viewed through the Magnet professional practice model. Select one current (published within the last 5 years) research article on this topic to address. This week’s Library Learning Resources will guide you through your database search.
Article Response Assignment
Write a one-page summary and response to the article that you selected from the Walden Library. A template is provided in the Learning Resources to guide you in formatting your paper.
As you reflect on the findings in your chosen article, consider how the findings compare to your own professional nursing experience with Magnet, or, if you have no personal experience with Magnet, your thoughts concerning Magnet:
- Paraphrase and integrate information from the article into paper.
- Include an introduction, body, and a summary (conclusion).
- NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
- Consider factors or principles from the article that hold true for or resonate with you.
Utilize this week’s Writing Center Course Resources to guide you through the process of paraphrasing and referencing evidence from your article. Review the AWE Checklist, Weeks 1–3, to see where you should be concerning your writing abilities. The Week 3 Assignment Rubric will keep you on track. Use Grammarly to check your writing for errors before submitting your Assignment.
Have fun writing your first paper!
Submit your Assignment by Day 7.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Prior to submitting your assignment for grading, upload your assignment to the SafeAssign Draft area of the course. Review your SafeAssign results, and revise your assignment as needed. You may need to work on properly paraphrasing material to improve your SafeAssign Score. Consider using this week’s Writing Center Course Resources to guide you through the process of paraphrasing and referencing evidence from your article. Once you are satisfied with the integrity of your assignment, submit it for grading.
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK03Assgn1+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 3 Assignment 1 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 3 Assignment 1 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK03Assgn1+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 3 Assignment 1 Rubric
Check your Assignment draft for authenticity
To check your assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 3 Assignment 1 Draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 3 Assignment 1
Assignment 2: Promise to Practice by Walden’s Code for Academic Integrity
As a nurse, the Nurses’ Code of Ethics is a foundational guide as you practice your professional obligations with integrity and ideals. This assignment allows you build on those nursing ethics as they pertain to your academic work and writing.
As a university student, you are bound by Walden’s Code of Conduct. An important aspect of the Code of Conduct is maintaining academic integrity which includes avoiding plagiarism. Here you will familiarize yourself with a portion of Walden’s Code of Conduct called Academic Integrity. You are asked to acknowledge that you have read the Academic Integrity expectations of the Code to uphold your HIGHEST standards in your student practice as you already do in your nursing practice.
To prepare
- Go to the Student Handbook found at https://catalog.waldenu.edu/
- Click on Student Expectations and Responsibilities and
- Choose Code of Conduct and click on it. Scroll down the page and please review number 4 Academic Integrity and the following topics that are covered:
- Plagiarism
- Student Misuse of Their Own Scholarly Work
- Cheating
- Providing False Information
- Copyright Violation
Assignment:
Fill in the attached template document Promise to Practice With Academic Integrity by typing your initials and name into the provided blank spaces.
Document: Promise to Practice With Academic Integrity (Word document)
By Day 7
Submit your document.
Submission and Grading Information
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK03Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 3 Assignment 2 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 3 Assignment 2 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK03Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 3 Assignment 2 Rubric
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 3 Assignment 2
Week in Review
Now you… have analyzed the impact of how Magnet status drives health care changes in various institutions, and what personal contributions a nurse may make to achieve and/or maintain a Magnet designation. Next week you will… analyze and evaluate your leadership and collaboration skills to improve quality in your current position or previous one through the use of quality indicators NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Week 4: Nurses in the Spotlight: Improving Health Care
These are challenging and exciting times for the nursing profession! According to Fitzpatrick (2015), nurses care for and interact with patients the most. Nurses perform a powerful role at all levels of decision making in the delivery of health care quality and safety, and patient outcomes (Stewart, Manges, & Ward, 2015). Close nurse-patient interactions allow problems to be identified, investigated, and improved upon. Thus, nurses are indispensable to improved health care.
As a Registered Nurse, you are trained and proficient in caring for the physical well-being of patients. Just think about how much time and effort those skills took you to acquire! And you are still improving, correct? The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has answered this question with a definitive yes. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
An IOM Report has called upon the nursing profession to “design healthcare delivery systems that will prevent patient care errors and patient harm and promote continuous quality improvement.”
Now, think about aiming your knowledge and skill set at improving patient safety and quality of care. What comes to mind for you? This is an undertaking that requires advanced knowledge and an understanding of theory, research, and much more. Your skill set is about to GROW over the course of your Walden education!
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze knowledge and skills related to achieving professional nursing goals
- Evaluate quality indicators related to nursing in a clinical environment
- Develop solutions related to quality indicators in a clinical nursing environment
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Ma, C., Shang, J., & Bott, M. J. (2015). Linking unit collaboration and nursing leadership to nurse outcomes and quality of care. Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(9), 435–442. DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000229
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2014). 2014 clinical quality measures. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/2014_ClinicalQualityMeasures.html
Click on one of the main categories of quality indicators. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). AHRQuality indicators. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/
Click on one of the main categories of quality indicators.
Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
Document: Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 4–6 (Word Document)
This checklist will help you self-assess your writing to see if it meets academic writing standards for this course.
Document: 2000/3000 AWE Level Assignment Template (Word document)
Document: TOP Ten BSN References and Citations (Word document)
Document: Discussion Post Tips: Weeks 4–6 (PDF)
Document: Rough Draft Worksheet (Word Document)
Walden University. (n.d.-d). Citations: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa/citations
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden templates: General templates: APA course paper template with advice (7th ed.). Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden templates: General templates: Undergraduate paper advice 1. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general
Walden University. (n.d.-t). Writing a paper: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess
Walden University. (n.d.-m). Scholarly writing: Overview. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarly
Walden Writing Center. (n.d.). APA formatting & style: Using the course paper template [Recorded webinar]. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates
Academic Integrity NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Please review the Academic Integrity area located on the Course Information page, particularly the SafeAssign Student Tutorial.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2009c). Issues and trends in nursing: The evolution of nursing as a profession [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 13 minutes.
In this program, Dr. Joel, Ms. Ferguson, Dr. Mancino, and Dr. McClure discuss the need to improve the current status of the nursing profession. They also outline current and historic educational movements in nursing and discuss how education is furthering the profession of nursing.
–Downloads–
Download Video w/CC
Download Audio
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Walden University. (2020d). Section 4: Connection and engagement [Video]. In Online student roundtable discussion. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Discussion: The Essence of Nursing
ORDER SHADOW HEALTH ASSESSMENT HELP HERE
Jean Watson states that “caring is the essence of nursing.” Compassion, wisdom, loving kindness, caring, and knowledge, all concepts of Watson’s Caring Theory, are what nurses are all about. Watson’s Caring Theory incorporates arts and humanities as well as science.
Delivering the kind of care Watson describes hinges on nurses practicing to the fullest extent of their education and training and on their taking the lead to improve health care safety and quality and patient outcomes (2010). Think about how you incorporate science into your everyday practice. Right now, for example, you may use your understanding of pharmacotherapy when safely administering medications. In the future, do you see yourself applying your research expertise by collecting or using clinical data to improve patient outcomes at your place of work or in the larger community?
To prepare
- Review the following resources from this week’s Learning Resources:
- Week 4 Discussion Rubric, provided in the Course Information area or accessible through the link below
- This week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
- This week’s articles and media
- NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
By Day 3
Post a 3-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to one of the following options. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Use the writing resources and the Week 4 Discussion Rubric to develop your post.
Reflect on your readings from this week, and then address one of the following options:
Option 1
According to Ma, Shang, & Bott (2015), it is critical that contemporary nurses have strong leadership and collaboration skills to improve health care. Reflect on the expertise that you expect to acquire with your education at Walden. Envision yourself taking the lead to improve patient care in your practice setting. Describe the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your professional goals.
OR
Option 2
Use the website, http://www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/ , found in the Learning Resources to do the following:
- Provide a brief definition of quality indicators.
- Choose a particular indicator that either is being addressed or you would like to see addressed at your place of employment (or previous place of employment), and explain your reasons. Describe both the issue and your involvement in it. Alternatively, discuss your leadership’s role and your role in utilizing the indicator to improve health care.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings from the Discussion question.
Respond with a comment that asks for clarification, provides support for, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your classmates made.
Post a discussion entry on 3 different days of the week.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 4 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 7
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 4 Discussion
Assignment: Quality Nursing (Part 1 of 2)
Welcome to Part 1 of this assignment!
Nurses use Quality Indicators (QIs) for several purposes. QIs highlight potential quality concerns, identify areas that need further study and investigation, and track changes over time. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) QIs include Prevention Quality Indicators, Inpatient Quality Indicators, Patient Safety Indicators, and Pediatric Quality Indicators (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.). You will use these quality indicators within your Assignment.
This Assignment also takes you back to the Walden Library. The Library is an invaluable resource for discovering nursing and health care–related databases and professional articles. Continue to practice and refine your writing skills. Learn how to use APA in-text citations and references. Use the Grammarly program—it is an invaluable writing tool to enhance your work.
In subsequent weeks, you will continue working in this substantive area.
To prepare
- Review the Week 4 Assignment Rubric, provided in the Course Information area.
- Review the AWE Checklist and Additional Resources for your Assignment:
- Review this week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools. Revisit the Writing Resources and Program Success Tools from Weeks 1 through 3 as needed. Focus on the QIs at http://www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/.
- Choose a QI related to a nursing topic of interest to you. Think about the ways in which following and measuring this crucial health data improve effectiveness and efficiency in your nursing practice. Consider any points that relate your selected topic to the journey ahead in your nursing career. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
- Find two articles in the Walden Library to support your scholarly opinion in your paper.
Assignment
Use the Walden Writing Center guidelines titled “Writing a Paper” and “Scholarly Writing: Overview” to do the following:
- Draft a 2- to 3-page paper describing your selected QI in general, and then describe how this QI has the potential to improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of your patients and their families.
- Describe the current data available and leadership’s goal for improvement.
- Draft a solution using 2 sources from professional and scholarly literature to support your proposal.
- Use the 2000/3000 AWE Level Assignment Template in the resources for this week to complete your Assignment.
- Use in-text citations to support your paper. Use essay-level writing skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames.
Before you submit your final paper for grading, submit it to a Safe Assign Draft in Academic Integrity. Use the information provided in the Originality Report (Walden University, n.d.-c) to revise your paper. Paraphrasing and citing your sources in-text will decrease the similarity score. Go to Academic Integrity to learn how to interpret your originality score. Revise your paper before submitting it to Week 4 Assignment within the course.
Safe Assign provides feedback to students on their use of source material using the world’s largest content comparison database. Safe Assign highlights original writing and instances of proper citation. Later in Week 6, you will learn the importance of understanding plagiarism and the concept of originality. Safe Assign is also found in Academic Integrity.
By Day 7
Submit both your revised paper and the Safe Assign report.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK04Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 4 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 4 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK04Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 4 Assignment Rubric
Check your Assignment draft for authenticity
To check your assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 4 Assignment Draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 4 Assignment
Week in Review
Now you… have identified the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your professional goals and discovered how QI has the potential to improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of patients and their families. You also edited your work using Grammarly feedback and learned how to incorporate APA in-text citations. Next week you will… analyze strategies for civility in the nursing environment and discover how teams can improve patient care.
Week 5: Interprofessional Teamwork: Civil Collaboration for the Common Good
It takes a team to deliver quality patient care! Cooperation, collaboration, and communication ensure that care is continuous, safe, and reliable (IOM 2003b p4). Research demonstrates that interprofessional (IP) practice improves care, safety, and patient outcomes.
Interprofessional (IP) Collaborative Practice: When multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients, families, carers [sic], and communities to deliver the highest quality of care (World Health Organization (WHO), 2010) NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Teamwork is not always intuitive. Nurses, physicians, nutritionists, psychologists, and other health professionals can suffer from a “professional nearsightedness” of sorts and go their own direction, working more in isolation. For obvious reasons, conflict may occur when professionals come together, because they bring their own unique viewpoints and backgrounds.
As a nurse leader, you will learn to embrace and expect conflict. You may find that your role on the team will be to promote respectful and positive relations among professionals in order for your organization to deliver the best patient care possible. Establish a culture among your colleagues and the various professions they represent to embrace IP collaboration—patients are counting on YOU!
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze collaborative strategies for leading civility in nursing environments
- Analyze the role of the nurse as part of an interprofessional team to improve patient care
- Summarize solutions related to quality indicators in a clinical nursing environment
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Clark, C. (2010). Why civility matters. Reflections On Nursing Leadership, 36(1).
Hart, C. (2015). The elephant in the room: Nursing and nursing power on an interprofessional team. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 46(8), 349– 355. doi:10.3928/00220124-20150721-01
Discussion: Leading Civility in the Workplace
With civility in action, everyone on the team feels authentically respected and valued. Civility leads to mutual respect, effective communication, and team collaboration. A civil, professional atmosphere is ENERGIZING! It promotes positive relations that enable the team to deliver the best possible performance, wherever it may be: in an effective educational classroom, such as here at Walden; or in a high-quality, safe patient care environment where you work.
Civility does not just happen naturally. People from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are expected to work together in high-stress and high-stakes work environments. It takes conscious willingness from everyone to engage in genuine discourse to seek common ground for the best outcome, which in our case means delivering high-quality, safe patient care. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Treating one another with respect is requisite to communicating effectively, building community, and creating high-functioning teams. Civility involves truly listening and understanding others’ points of view. Who doesn’t want that? GO TEAM!
To prepare
- Review the following from this week’s Learning Resources:
- Week 5 Discussion Rubric, provided in the Course Information area or accessible through the link below
- This week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
- This week’s articles
- Review the conflict scenarios provided. Select one of the scenarios on which to focus for this Discussion.
- Consider how civility and collaboration affect your role as both a student and a nurse.
- Consider the importance of the nurse’s role on the team.
Scenario 1: Case 001: A Case for Improvement
Scenario 2: Campaign for Action Promotional Video
By Day 3
Post a 3-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to one of the given scenarios. Explain how you would respond to the selected scenario. Before you begin writing, reflect on your reading from this week. Use the writing resources and the Week 5 Discussion Rubric to develop your post. Use evidence, in-text citations, and essay-level writing skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings from the Discussion question. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Respond with a comment that asks for clarification, provides support for, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your classmates made.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 5 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 7
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 5 Discussion
Assignment: Maintaining Academic Integrity by Avoiding Plagiarism
In Week 3, you reviewed the Academic Integrity portion of Walden’s Code of Conduct and signed a Promise to Practice According to Walden’s Code for Academic Integrity. As a nurse, you are empowered by practicing with the HIGHEST standards in both your nursing and academic writing practices.
This week, you will learn about plagiarism and ways to strengthen your academic writing integrity. As a future nurse scholar-practitioner, you want to have the skill-set to successfully propose changes for quality and safety in healthcare. Your integrity in the collection and sharing of this evidence is foundational to successfully support your propositions to change practice.
You want to be adequately prepared to successfully propose changes for quality and safety in healthcare. Your integrity in the collection and sharing of this evidence is foundational to successfully support your propositions to change practice. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
According to the Walden Writing Center (2017), plagiarism is when an author represents someone else’s intellectual property as his or her own work. Authors are most commonly at risk of plagiarizing when they fail to adequately cite the original source material from which they took words and ideas. Plagiarism can occur in many forms and can range from a lack of citations to incorrect paraphrasing or actual direct copy and pasting of a source’s phrasing into another author’s own paper. (para 1)
Key ways to avoid plagiarizing are as follows:
- Paraphrase your sources. Paraphrasing means rewriting your source’s content into your own words and NOT using direct quotes or cutting and pasting from sources.
- Synthesize the reading material. Throughout your program, focus on synthesizing more than paraphrasing. Thus, by graduation, you will be at the point where you can collect all pertinent sources for evidence, read and think about the material, and then synthesize those readings into your OWN words. Again, this process does NOT include the use of direct quotes.
Write with the same level of integrity as you practice your nursing obligations. Cheating is taken seriously at Walden and consequences include expulsion from the program. As a BSN student, avoid plagiarism in your assignments in the following ways.
- Do not use direct quotes.
- Understand that academic writing is about putting forth scholarly opinions in your own words. Provide proof of those opinions by paraphrasing and synthesizing material from scholarly research and professional experts. Throughout the program, focus on synthesizing more than paraphrasing so by graduation you will be at the point where you can collect all pertinent sources of evidence, read and think about the material, and then synthesize those readings into your own words. This process does not include the use of direct quotes.
- Give credit to someone else’s ideas and writings by citing and referencing in APA style.
- Upload all of your assignments to Safe Assign Drafts prior to submitting them for grading. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
To Prepare:
- Read the Writing Center’s section on Plagiarism found at http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ASCsuccess/ASCplagiarism
- The Writing Center has developed a Plagiarism Checklist to assist students in double-checking their work and scholarship practices to avoid plagiarism. Download the plagiarism checklist below and use it for each assignment to establish good academic integrity practices! http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ASCsuccess/ASCplagiarismchecklist
- Read the Writing Center’s section on Paraphrasing and watch the video on Paraphrasing found at http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/paraphrase/effective
- Read the Writing Center’s section on Synthesizing and watch the video on Synthesizing found at http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/synthesis
Assignment:
In this Assignment, a) describe how you will avoid plagiarism in your submitted assignments; and b) discuss how paraphrasing and synthesizing professional literature strengthens your future nurse scholar-practitioner practice.
By Day 7
Submit your Assignment.
Submission and Grading Information
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK05Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 5 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 5 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK05Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 5 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 5 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 5 Assignment
Week in Review
Now you… have analyzed collaborative strategies for civility and the role of nurses as part of a team to improve patient care. Next week you will… analyze strategies for patient advocating and ways to effect social change in health care. You will also develop solutions related to quality indicators. You should also be thinking about your personal and professional strengths and needs. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Week 6: Powerful Caring Leads to Social Change
The word power is derived from the Latin verb potere, meaning “to be able.” Power can also be defined as the capacity to act or the strength and potency to accomplish something. Caring is the core value of nursing. However, nurses sometimes mistakenly view power as being in opposition of our core value of caring. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Caring and power work together synergistically. They enable nurses to care more effectively for their patients. A caring and empowered nurse is more effective than either a disempowered nurse who cares or an empowered nurse who does not care.
In Sherman Alexie’s contemporary fiction book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a line reads, “If you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry. But you have to use it. Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad…”.
Emotions, including those described in Alexie’s book, are unavoidable in certain situations. However, they may be either an impediment to solutions or a tool to facilitate solutions. If a nurse cares enough about a situation to experience emotions, he or she has two choices: to be paralyzed by the emotions, or to be empowered by them.
The empowered nurse will set his or her mind on finding an effective solution to the problem at hand. Which choice do you make in navigating through emotionally charged issues that arise in the course of caring for your patients?
Caring and power are ACTION words! Use them together to find effective solutions. Changes in health care delivery systems around the world have intensified nurses’ roles and responsibilities in clinical, administrative, educational, and/or research practice/s. Despite the challenges, nurses are best able to exhibit their caring practices by making powerful, conscious contributions to health care solutions, thereby empowering nursing.
As a student at Walden University, you are part of an academic community whose mission is to “Provide a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.” Walden University defines positive social change as a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas, strategies, and actions to promote the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, and societies. Positive social change results in improved human and social conditions.
During this final week of the course, think about how your nursing practice has been influenced by issues and trends discussed over the past 5 weeks. How do you envision your future contribution to the profession? Consider how your own nursing practice can expand, from your role as an observer to that of a participant in shaping the future of nursing, improving the profession, and enhancing the quality of the health care that nursing delivers.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze strategies related to advocating for patients and effecting positive social change in health care
- Analyze the impact of nurses on shaping the future of the profession
- Develop a personal education success plan
- Develop solutions related to quality indicators in a clinical nursing environment
- Reflect on personal and professional strengths and needs NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Bradbury-Jones, C. & Taylor, J. (2014). Applying social impact assessment to nursing research. Nursing Standard, 28 (48), 45-49.
This article discusses the important influence of research on the social health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities and on the improved performance of relevant services. It also proposes that social impact should be considered from the beginning of a research project. Nursing research should be useful and should have a positive effect on practice. Focusing on social impact can increase the chances that this desirable outcome will occur.
Fowler, M. D. M., & American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements: Development, Interpretation, and Application (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: American Nurses Association.
Fowler, M. D. M. (2015). Guide to nursing’s social policy statement: Understanding the profession from social contract to social covenant. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.
Gilmartin, M. J. (2013). Principles and practices of social entrepreneurship for nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 52(11), 641–644.
Although social justice and action for change are among the nursing profession’s core values, curricular content on social entrepreneurship for nurses is not well developed. This article describes an undergraduate honors elective course in social entrepreneurship offered at New York University College of Nursing. The goal of the course is to promote participants’ understanding of the sources of inequality in the United States and providing the requisite skills to promote effective nursing action for social change.
Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
Document: Academic Writing Expectations (AWE) Checklist, Weeks 4–6 (Word Document)
This checklist will help you self-assess your writing to see if it meets academic writing standards for this course.
Document: 2000/3000 AWE Level Assignment Template (Word Document)
Document: TOP Ten BSN References and Citations (Word document)
Walden University. (n.d.-k). Q. How do I proofread or revise? Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/a.php?qid=442491
Websites
American Nurses Association. (2010a). Nursing’s social policy statement: The essence of the profession. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association. Retrieved from https://essentialguidetonursingpractice.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/pages-from-essential-guide-to-nursing-practice-chapter-1.pdf
This policy addresses six key areas of health care with which nurses are most concerned:
- Organization, delivery, and financing of quality health care
- Provision for the public’s health
- Expansion of nursing and health care knowledge and appropriate application of technology
- Expansion of health care resources and health policy
- Definitive planning for health policy and regulation
- Duties under extreme conditions
Walden University. (n.d.-p). Vision, mission, and goals. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://catalog.waldenu.edu
Required Media
Walden University. (2020e). Section 5: Rewarding experiences [Video]. In Online student roundtable discussion. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Scholars of Change
These videos illustrate the stories of Walden students who are supporting social change and making a difference in the world.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). Scholars of change: Andrea Baer. [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). Scholars of change: Reis Woollen. [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
Walden’s Social Change Initiative
Review the infographic first, then take the quiz to see how you might become a change agent.
Walden University. (n.d.-r). What kind of social change agent are you? [Infographic]. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/what-kind-of-social-change-agent-are-you_52a758e27a3a0.jpg
Walden University. (n.d.-s). What kind of social change agent are you? [Interactive file]. Retrieved September 22, 2015, from http://impactreport.waldenu.edu/
Discussion: Nurses are Changing the World!
As a future Walden nursing graduate, you will take your place beside the many Walden scholar-practitioner nurses that have preceded you. The current political milieu in the world of health care creates abundant opportunities for nurses like you to move health care toward positive social change. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
To prepare
- Review the following from this week’s Learning Resources:
- Week 6 Discussion Rubric in the Course Information area or accessible through the link below
- This week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools
By Day 3
Post a 3-paragraph response (of at least 350 words) to either Option 1 or 2 below.
Before you begin writing, reflect on your reading from this week. Use the writing resources and the Week 6 Discussion Rubric to develop your post. Be sure to use evidence, in-text citations, and essay-level writing skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames.
Option 1
As a nurse scholar-practitioner, how do you now, and how will you in the future, advocate for patients and effect positive social change in health care?
OR
Option 2
Address one of the six key areas of health care discussed in the ANA Social Policy Statement. Explain how you will shape the future for nursing to fulfill nursing’s social responsibilities.
By Day 7
Read two or more of your colleagues’ postings from the Discussion question.
Respond with a comment that asks for clarification, supports, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your classmates made.
Post a discussion entry on 3 different days of the week. See the Discussion Response and Grading Rubric found in Course Information.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 6 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 7
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 6 Discussion
Assignment 1: Quality Nursing (Part 2 of 2)
Welcome to Week 6, the final week of this 2-part assignment!
As you learned in previous weeks, effectiveness and efficiency are improved in your nursing practice by following and measuring Quality Indicators (QIs). In Week 4 you learned how quality, safety, and outcomes are vastly improved by monitoring and adjusting nursing practice for QIs. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
You have learned many new skills as well! You learned to utilize the Walden Library, Grammarly, and Safe Assign; to cite articles using APA in-text citations; and to summarize your colleagues’ work. Give yourself a “pat on the back”!
In this Week 6 Assignment, you revisit your paper one last time. This Assignment gives you the opportunity to thoroughly review your paper and incorporate your instructor’s feedback that you received in Week 4. You will also learn more about the “Safe Assign” program.
When it comes to writing, “practice makes perfect.” Enjoy the practice!
To prepare
- Review the Week 6 Assignment Rubric from the Course Information area.
- Review the AWE Checklist and Additional Resources for your Assignment:
- Review your Week 4 Assignment (Quality Nursing: Part 1) and the feedback that you received from your instructor (both within the paper and in the gradebook comments).
- Review “Q. How Do I Proofread or Revise?” (Walden University, n.d.-k) from this week’s Writing Resources and Program Success Tools.
- Use the 2000/3000 AWE Level Assignment Template to complete your Assignment.
Assignment: Revision of Quality Nursing Paper
- Revise your paper as needed to reflect the feedback that you received from your instructor within the paper and in the gradebook comments.
- Compose a paragraph about what you learned from writing and rewriting the Week 4 and Week 6 Assignments. For example, did you learn how to become a more organized writer; are you more adept at accessing Library resources; do you have a better understanding of how to cite resources using APA Style? This paragraph should be inserted before the conclusion paragraph (see the Assignment Template in your Week 4 Learning Resources for assistance in placement).
Do not submit your revised paper to the SafeAssign Draft area of the course this week unless you have made major revisions to your paper. SafeAssign will recognize your Week 4 draft and give you a high SafeAssign Score. Thus, if you are satisfied with the integrity of your Assignment, submit it for grading.
By Day 7
Submit your revised Quality Nursing paper.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK6Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment 2 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment 2 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK6Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 6 Assignment 1 Rubric
Check your Assignment draft for authenticity
To check your assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 6 Assignment 1 Draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 6 Assignment 1
Assignment 2: Journal: Observe, Process, and Reflect
As mentioned in Week 1 Assignment 2, the objective of the Journal Assignment is to provide you with a private place to “think on the page.” As a reminder, the Journal is not formal writing, and only you and your Instructor will see your Journal Assignment. Although these assignments are meant to be free writing, you should revise before submitting.
As you write, think about the audience to whom you are writing and the difference between personal writing and scholarly writing. Your Journal writing falls into the category of personal writing and should be approached in that way. Think of the Journal as an academic reflection space.
To prepare
- Review the Week 6 Assignment 2 Rubric from the Course Information area.
- Review the information about how to complete Journal Assignments.
- Think about the feelings you have experienced while completing your first BSN course.
- Reflect on your goals and think about how you plan to achieve them.
- Think about the material you encountered in the course this week and consider one aspect of the classroom resources (Assignments, Discussions, or assigned readings) that surprised you. Be sure to think about why the material interested you as a thinker.
- Set a timer (on the stove, a clock, or on your phone) and write for 10 minutes without stopping.
- You may find it helpful to use the following format as a guide for your Journal writing:
- Observe. Describe the week’s content and resources as if you are writing to a person who has not seen, heard, or observed them.
- Process. Answer the question, “What does this content or topic mean?”
- Reflect. Answer the question, “What is the value of understanding this material?”
This Assignment is for you to share your feelings. There are no rules, and you will not be graded on your writing.
By Day 7
Submit a minimum 150-word Journal Assignment. How do you feel about completing your first BSN course? What are your goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK6Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment 2 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment 2 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK6Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
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Week 6 Assignment 2 Rubric
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
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Week 6 Assignment 2
Week in Review
Now you… know how you will advocate for patients now and in the future and discovered how the six key areas of health care shape the future for nursing and fulfilling social responsibilities. Next you will… apply concepts gleaned in this course to next courses and in the future. Best wishes in your endeavors. Congratulations! You have completed this course.
Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this week, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.
For this week’s discussion, I choose option number two. In this option, we are supposed to write about quality indicators set forth by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and select one that we would like to see addressed at our current or prior place of employment. According to the website, “quality indicators are standardized, evidence-based measures of health care that can be combined with administrative data to measure and track clinical performance and outcomes” (Quality Improvement and monitoring at your fingertips.). They include prevention quality indicators, inpatient quality indicators, patient safety indicators, and pediatric quality indicators. Prevention quality indicators identify issues with access to outpatient care, they are used to flag potential health care quality problems, provide a check on primary care access and community resources and help organizations provide things that the commit y needs. Inpatient quality indicators provide information on inpatient mortality rates and questions of use overuse and misuse of health care. Patient safety indicators help identify issues with adverse events in the hospital. Pediatric quality indicators provide a special look at the pediatric population. NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing
I would like to see my institution focus on the inpatient quality review. As a surgical nurse, I would be interested in seeing the data for my institution on the mortality for surgical procedures as well as data on the overuse, misuse, and underuse of surgical procedures. According to a study on the website that analyses the death rate per 1000 cases of various surgical procedures the rate for death from coronary bypass artery grafting(CABG) is 23.83, the death rate for acute myocardial infarction (MI) is 50.96, while the death rate for heart failure is 27.99 (Quality Improvement and monitoring at your fingertips.). These figures in particular interest me because I work in a cardiovascular intensive care unit. I do open recovery and see a lot of patients with have had an acute MI who need CABG. I know that our CT Surgeons have a meeting monthly to discuss mortality rates, readmissions, and other indicators that are related to open-heart surgery. However, the only people at these meetings are the CT surgeons and their staff members and our performance improvement team. I think we could use this meeting at my hospital to improve health care because we would be aware of what the statistics surrounding our unit are. We would also know where we stand as an institution compared to the average. I spent some time on the website looking around at all the indicators and their stats. In conclusion, I think that these indicators are important. They all provide information that can be further studied and used to track the improvement of institutions and things that need focus.
References:
Quality Improvement and monitoring at your fingertips. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://www.qualityindicators.ahrq.gov/ NURS 3100 3101: Issues and Trends in Nursing