NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development
Discussion: Practicum Professional Development
Objectives: Progress Appraisal
In Week 1, you developed your practicum professional development objectives. How have your experiences thus far in the practicum contributed to your growth as nurse leader-manager or nurse informaticist? What difficulties, if any, have you experienced, and how might this affect the achievement of your objectives?
In this Discussion, you assess your progress toward fulfilling your practicum professional development objectives and consider how you could enhance or alter your activities to achieve your aims. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
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To prepare:
Reflect on the practicum professional development objectives you developed and outlined in your Practicum Professional Experience Plan in Week 1.
Keeping in mind the practicum activities you have engaged in thus far, consider the following questions:
How have these activities helped to promote your professional development? NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Are you satisfied with your progress toward meeting your objectives? If not, what will you do to ensure you achieve them before the end of your Practicum Experience? As a reminder, you must complete all of your practicum hours on or before Day 5 of Week 11.
What challenges or unexpected opportunities have arisen at your practicum site? How has this affected your professional development?
Think about the experiences you may have in the forthcoming weeks. Do you foresee any particular challenges on the horizon? If so, what is your plan for addressing those challenges? NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Think about the time you have spent with your Preceptor. How has this time enhanced or changed your understanding of the role and functions of the nurse leader-manager or nurse informaticist?
Post an assessment of your progress toward achieving your practicum professional development objectives, including how your involvement in specific practicum activities has contributed to your development. Explain what you will do to ensure you achieve your objectives by the end of your practicum. Summarize challenges or unexpected opportunities that have arisen, as well as any challenges that you anticipate may arise. Explain how you will address those challenges. Finally, summarize what you have learned about the role and functions related to your specialization through time spent with your Preceptor. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days, using one or more of the following approaches:
Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Required Readings
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Cipriano, P. F., & Murphy, J. (2011). The future of nursing and health IT: The quality elixir. Nursing Economic$, 29(5), 286–289.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
“Technology tools will continue to revolutionize how we plan, deliver, document, review, evaluate, and derive the evidence about care” (p. 289). This article examines how nurses can use information technology to transform nursing and redesign the health care system. It focuses on the use of technology to promote quality and notes that technology can also be used to address challenges in education, research, leadership, and policy.
McKimm, J., & Swanwick, T. (2009). Setting learning objectives. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 70(7), 406–409. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article clarifies the terminology associated with learning objectives and explains how learning objectives relate to professional development and the transformation from novice to expert. It also introduces common pitfalls when setting learning objectives and provides suggestions for avoiding them.
Murphy, J. (2011). The nursing informatics workforce: Who are they and what do they do? Nursing Economic$, 29(3), 150–153.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The author examines the nursing informatics workforce, explaining that professionals in this well-established specialty area can play an integral role in transforming health care. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Sørensen, E. E., Delmar, C., & Pedersen, B. D. (2011). Leading nurses in dire straits: Head nurses’ navigation between nursing and leadership roles. Journal of Nursing Management, 19(4), 421–430.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
“Successful nursing leaders navigate between nursing and leadership roles while nourishing a double identity” (p. 421). In this article, the authors examine how individuals in key professional roles negotiate between and apply nursing and leadership skills.
Warm, D., & Thomas, B. (2011). A review of the effectiveness of the clinical informaticist role. Nursing Standard, 25(44), 35–38. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors investigate the application of specialized knowledge and expertise to facilitate the appropriate use of emerging technologies in clinical settings. They argue for informaticists’ involvement in strategic development and delivery of information management and technology initiatives to promote patient-centered outcomes. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Wilkinson, J. E., Nutley, S. M., & Davies, H. T. O. (2011). An exploration of the roles of nurse managers in evidence-based practice implementation. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 8(4), 236–246.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
In this article, the authors examine the role nurse managers should play in leading and facilitating evidence-based practice.
Armstrong, P. (2013). Bloom’s taxonomy. Retrieved from http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-guides/pedagogical/blooms-taxonomy/
Vanderbilt University provides this overview of Bloom’s taxonomy. This site also presents the original and updated versions of the taxonomy along with verb suggestions for each level. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Clark, D. (2013). Bloom’s taxonomy of learning domains. Retrieved from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html
This article addresses three domains of learning: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.
University of Central Florida, Office of Experiential Learning (n.d.). Writing SMART learning objectives, Retrieved from http://explearning.ucf.edu/registered-students/tips-for-success/writing-smart-learning-objectives/195
This blog post focuses on the distinction between learning outcomes and objectives. Consider this information as you develop your practicum professional development objectives this week.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Center for Teaching & Learning. (2013). Writing objectives using Bloom’s taxonomy. Retrieved from http://teaching.uncc.edu/articles-books/best-practice-articles/goals-objectives/writing-objectives-using-blooms-taxonomy. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
This resource outlines elements of Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Document: Practicum Professional Experience Plan (Word Document)
Use this form to develop your Practicum Professional Experience Plan as outlined this week.
Document: Practicum Professional Experience Plan (Word Document)
Use this form to develop your Practicum Professional Experience Plan as outlined this week.
Document: Practicum Journal (Word Document)
During your Practicum Experience, you are required to submit your time log and three journal entries. You will use this form to complete your journal reflections.
Document: School of Nursing Practicum Manual: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Quarter-Based Programs (PDF)
This comprehensive manual outlines all of the requirements for the Practicum Experience.
Clinical Resources
Document: Introduction to Clinical Experiences (PowerPoint)
Document: Practicum Manual (PDF)
Wk 6 Discussion
I have grown as far as learning how to perform my job in a leadership role, versus a staff nurse on the floor. I have had several opportunities where I had to use critical thinking skills from a managerial standpoint. For instance, there was a situation where a nurse had previously been warned regarding attendance. I was allowed to sit in with the Manager of the unit as we discussed with the employee further disciplinary actions. I asked the employee several questions, and allowed them input, which ultimately, the employee informed both myself and the manager she has been homeless for over a month, and she was trying to deal with the situation without losing her job. In the end, there was a need for a full time nurse, therefore the nurse accepted in hopes this will help with her financial situation. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
The one difficulty that has arisen thus far has been is that the last two Managers meetings have fell on Wednesdays, which they were originally on Fridays the days I complete my Practicum. Fortunately my Preceptor has been of good help with them allowing a briefing and my having the notes, and agendas from the meetings.
With the activities that have occurred while on my Practicum, I have been fortunate to show the Supervisor of the department of Clinical Education, Staffing Development that I am a team player. She has informed me that by being dedicated, and have a willingness to learn, I would be a great asset to their team. I have been introduced to the Leadership staff, and have been invited to the Leadership Development Institute Seminar that will be held October 13th.
To this point I am satisfied with my progress. I have been making great headway as far as Practicum Project.
The one challenge that has arisen is that one of the Clinical Educators has taken another job in which this puts a little more pressure on my preceptor to now perform orientations in two sections, whereas it was previously done with three nurses. The one good thing is a nurse will be coming this Monday to assist with scheduling and call backs. Because I am available on Mondays and Fridays, I have been able to assist with classes. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
At this time I do not foresee any challenges on the horizon.
While spending time with Preceptor I now have a greater understanding of how much is put into the role of a leader. Before now I could do my job, complete the days work, and leave, Now it’s not that simple, I am responsible for how the department flows, how the staff is engaged, as well as having to maintain my home and work life balance.
Practicum Professional Development Objectives Progress
The overall goal of my practicum project is to improve the Pressure Injury Program in the Community Living Center (CLC). To do this I have set a few objectives. The first was to educate the front line staff on pressure ulcer/injury prevention. I have completed the pre-test focus groups and the actual trainings start this week. Another objective was to improve the handoff process. Focus groups, observations and interviews are continuing in week 6 of my project. Both objectives are on target based upon my established timeline. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
Personal Development
My involvement in these specific practicum actives has contributed to my professional development. To achieve the first objectives of educating front line staff, it was necessary for me to use my communication and facilitation skills in focus groups and during the pre-test meetings. In a few of these group meetings, I needed to utilize conflict management skills when arguments arose over lack of performance on the part of some team members. The conflict strategy I used was compromising. Compromising allows each party to give up something so that a win-win outcome is the result (Marquis & Huston, 2015). In working towards a change in the handoff process, once again my communication skills were necessary as well as my change agent skills. It was necessary for me to get the staff to understand how the current process is failing and that they are an essential part of the solution.
Achieving Objectives
In order to achieve the first objective of educating the front line staff on pressure injury prevention, I will need to continue to present the trainings in week 6 and 7. This will ensure I can meet my timeline goal of collecting the post-tests in week 8. The hand-off process changes will need to be listed by week 7 so they can be implemented by week 9. I will continue to hold the meetings and gather the suggestions during this time.
Challenges
So far, the biggest challenge for me is the ability to get every front line staff to the meetings and to complete the trainings. Because of scheduled sick leave and vacations, some staff may not be able to participate in my project until their return. The challenge for me is to get the highest percent of participation as possible. The challenge for me in the handoff process is lack of employee engagement. I have found so far, that the charge nurses didn’t seem to want to offer any solutions. It’s as they were just waiting for someone to tell them how to do it. I had a hard time explaining in the first few meetings that they were the ones to come up with the solution for a better handoff. The importance of being involved as an active member of the planning team was explained. I plan to address these challenges by continuing to meet with staff and present the justification for the project and why I need everyone to participate. I plan to use the Appreciative Inquiry Process in our problem solving meetings. In this approach to problem solving, participants work towards the ideal handoff process during the design phase of the process (Manion, 2011). NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
I did have an unexpected opportunity during my front line focus groups. A group from the National Office of Nursing Services (ONS) made a scheduled visit to discuss and review our evidence based practice at our facility. Separate meetings were held on quality improvement and I was able to participate in the one for skin care. It was a great opportunity to explain my project and how it should help improve quality in the CLC.
Preceptor Role & Function
During the first half of my practicum project, I have been able to meet and update my preceptor a few times per week. I have learned that her role and function as my preceptor isn’t just to guide me to keep on track with my goals and objectives, but to encourage me. I have found that my preceptor offers me suggestions to improve the way I am meeting the objectives, but at the same time, she is giving me the freedom to do it my way. I have found that her encouragement during my weekly updates gives me the motivation to continue to push forward to finishing this class and earning my degree. She has also encouraged me to be a mentor after I finish my degree and help other students with their projects. One key goal of being a preceptor is to always create a positive and rich learning environment (Ulrich, 2010). My preceptor is always finding unplanned events in my workday to use as an example to add value to my project. I look forward to working with my preceptor for the duration of my project. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.
References
Manion, J. (2011). From Management to Leadership (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint.
Marquis, B.L., & Huston, C.J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and Application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Ulrich, B.T. (2010). The Preceptor Role. Nursing Informatics. Retrieved from: http://nursinginformatics-umdnj.com/toolkit/images/Preceptor_role.pdf. NURS 6600: Capstone Synthesis Discussion: Practicum Professional Development.