NRNP- 6531 Week 1 Discussion: Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies
Table of Contents
Wk1 Competencies Initial Discussion Post with Example
As an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) student enrolled in NRNP 6531, I anticipate refining my skills in conducting examinations, performing procedures, and documenting patient interactions. These competencies are crucial for excelling in this advanced clinical practice course. While I feel a bit anxious about starting this first clinical experience, particularly regarding remembering everything I’ve learned so far when assessing patients with my preceptor, I recognize that this is a learning process, and these skills will improve with practice.
When reflecting on strengths and challenges related to professional competencies, it is clear that self-evaluation plays a critical role in growth. Among the strengths I bring to this course and to my future role as a nurse practitioner are my ability to think critically and make sound clinical decisions, my capacity for developing trusting relationships with patients and their families, and my empathetic approach to care. Additionally, I am committed to patient education, ensuring that patients and their caregivers understand their treatment and management plans. These strengths align with the core competencies for AGPCNPs set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). These competencies emphasize the importance of integrating knowledge from the humanities, sciences, and nursing to enhance patient care and utilizing national aging data sources like the CDC and National Health and Aging Trends Study for evidence-based practices.
However, one challenge I face is focusing too much on the present situation, without fully considering the long-term outlook for my patients. As an advanced practice nurse, I need to shift my thinking to incorporate future planning and anticipate patient needs beyond the immediate moment. The AGPCNP competencies require practitioners to recognize clinical trends and forecast deviations from expected outcomes, a skill I am actively working to develop (Flanders et al., 2017).
Career Goals
My primary career goal is to become an AGPCNP specializing in palliative care, with a focus on adult-gerontology oncology patients. This course will be instrumental in helping me achieve this goal by sharpening my clinical assessment abilities in a primary care setting. By immersing myself in the clinical environment, I will gain hands-on experience with the skills required to care for palliative care patients, which will have a significant impact on my professional development (Gentry & Dahlin, 2020).
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2016). Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Adult-Gero-NP-Comp-2016.pdf
Flanders, S. A., Gunn, S., Wheeler, M., Newsome, E., & Altman Klein, H. (2017). Accelerating the development of higher-level clinical thinking in novice nurses. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 33(5), 240-246.
Gentry, J., & Dahlin, C. (2020). The evaluation of a palliative care advanced practice nursing externship. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 22, 172-179. https://doi.org/10.1097/NJH.0000000000000637
Response Example
Thank you for sharing your post! I can relate to your concerns about transitioning to a more future-focused approach when caring for patients. It’s something many of us face as we shift from RN to APRN roles. I’ve also spoken with colleagues who shared similar experiences, and they assured me that, as we gain more experience and confidence, we will naturally develop the ability to anticipate patient needs and future care. I also believe that by engaging in evidence-based practices and continuing our education, we will become adept at this skill (Moore et al., 2019). Keep up the good work, and remember that this is all part of the learning journey.
References
Moore, E. R., Watters, R., & Wallston, K. A. (2019). Effect of evidence-based practice (EBP) courses on MSN and DNP students’ use of EBP. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(4), 319-326. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12369
Barnes, H., Richards, M. R., McHugh, M. D., & Martsolf, G. (2018). Rural and nonrural primary care physician practices increasingly rely on nurse practitioners. Health Affairs (Project Hope), 37(6), 908–914. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1158
Popejoy, L., Vogelsmeier, A., Galambos, C., Flesner, M., Alexander, G., Lueckenotte, A., Lyons, V., & Rantz, M. (2017). The APRN role in changing nursing home quality: The Missouri Quality Improvement Initiative. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 32(3), 196–201. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000264
Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies
Advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) must achieve key competencies to practice independently and effectively. As a nurse practitioner (NP) student, it’s essential to apply these competencies to our clinical practice. This course aims to guide us through the practicum experience, helping us identify and build on our strengths while addressing any challenges. The purpose of this discussion is to share my expectations for the course, outline my strengths and challenges in working with adults, and explain the career goals this course will help me achieve.
Summary of Expectations for the Course
I expect this course to be the foundation where theory and practice converge as we begin our practicum. I anticipate an enriching experience as we apply theoretical knowledge in real-world clinical settings. Additionally, I hope to learn from my preceptor, instructors, and peers, gaining valuable insights to enhance my skills. Throughout the practicum, I aim to build more confidence in my clinical abilities, especially in working with adult patients.
Strengths and Challenges in Nursing Practice Competencies
One of my strengths is advocating for patients by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes and ensure high-quality care. My experience as a registered nurse in a rehabilitation hospital has sharpened my communication skills with patients, families, and healthcare professionals. I also prioritize patient education, helping them and their families understand how to manage their health effectively.
However, I recognize some challenges. I’m concerned about facing ethical and legal issues, such as misdiagnosing patients or prescribing incorrect treatments due to inexperience. I fear that missing critical details or overlooking important tests could negatively impact patient care. This lack of confidence is something I aim to improve through experience and guidance.
Career Goals and Objectives for the FNP Role
In exploring potential career paths as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), I envision starting in family practice within a clinic. This setting would allow me to gain valuable experience while treating patients of all ages and building my confidence as an NP. Serving rural communities near where I live is particularly important to me. I aim to promote health education and provide much-needed resources for better health outcomes in these areas. Eventually, I would like to explore public or community health, perhaps working with local outreach programs. This course will help me develop the clinical skills and confidence needed to succeed in these roles by analyzing conditions, diagnosing, and formulating treatment plans for adult patients.
Summary
I look forward to growing into my role as an advanced practice nurse. This course will provide opportunities to apply my learning in real-world situations, helping me recognize and address both my strengths and weaknesses. I am ready to embrace the challenges ahead, all with the goal of becoming a better advocate for my patients.
References
Chan, T. E., Lockhart, J. S., Thomas, A., Kronk, R., & Schreiber, J. B. (2019). An integrative review of nurse practitioner practice and its relationship to the core competencies. Journal of Professional Nursing, 36(4), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2019.11.003
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2017). Nurse practitioner core competencies contents. https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/Docs/Quality/Nurse%20Practitioner%20Core%20Competencies%20(2017).pdf
Walden University. (2020). Outcomes/Alignment Chart, NRNP 6531: Primary care of adults across the lifespan. https://content.waldenu.edu/e96ba5fcda8f577a44864e45d4902cd2.pdf
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