My Nursing Goals for the Next Three Years Essay

McKenna, L., & Newton, J. M. (2009). After the graduate year: a phenomenological exploration of how new nurses develop their knowledge and skill over the first 18 months following graduation. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.proxymu.wrlc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=57a243af-c0d3-4f81-addf-041456493db3%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4206

The transition from student nurse to registered nurse can be exciting, stressful and challenging and reality shock can be experienced (Kaihlanen, Lakanmaa, & Salminen, 2013). The skills knowledge and values learned during the 3 years period of the undergraduate program should be demonstrated while working as a Registered nurse. The transition from nursing student to professional nurse is complex and multifaceted experience (Clark & Springer, 2012). Therefore, it’s essential to guide the student during their learning process for their professional development. It is difficult for the student nurse to work on their own unsupervised right after completing their program. Being independent registered nurse will take lots of practice skills wise and knowledge wise. The transition from student to staff nurse ‘is a common rite of passage that marks the end of initial educational preparation in the discipline and the

This exposure of the nursing graduates to the professional environment is not alienated from the concepts of

Several learning theories have been put forward to explain how learning takes place in individuals. These theories have found application in formal learning situations including nursing education and training. In addition, a number of nursing theories also aim to prescribe the best approach to the practice of nursing in a professional environment. Of the learning theories, social learning theory takes into account the role of the environment in shaping responses through interaction with the cognitive skills of the learner. The deliberate nursing process theory also emphasizes the importance of responding to the real environment instead of blindly implementing prescribed solutions. This essay discusses the responses of a nursing professional in a real-life learning environment in the light of social learning theory and deliberative nursing process theory.

When most experienced registered nurses hear the word shock, they begin to use their critical thinking skills to determine the patient’s immediate need. However, new graduate nurses in the career field are faced with a different type of shock; they are faced with transitional shock. Transitional shock is a theory created by Judy Duchscher. Her theory is based on reality shock which is a term coined by Marlene Kramer. Reality shock is when new nurses recognize clinical practice and the classroom setting are two different worlds (Hentz and Gilmore, 2011, p.134). When new graduates transition to a registered nurse position, it does not happen with ease. Over the years, there has been a rise in concern with this transition. As new graduates move in the career field, they may feel anxious and uncertain about their new responsibilities. Unfortunately, when there is a high demand of nurses, new graduate nurses are expected to begin a new job at full speed, but they are not able to handle the fast pace position they are placed in. When new graduates are expected to accomplish task they are unprepared for, it sets them up for transitional shock. To minimize transition shock for new graduates, finding a mentor, preceptor, seeking an internship or residency program may help ease the transition.

The new graduate nurses (NGN) are faced with various issues and challenges especially in their first year of nursing practice. The period of transition from a student to a graduate nurse is a demanding period that is filled with new experiences and there are several concerns and factors that can affect the transition process. The research into the issues has recommended some strategies that can be utilised to ease the transition process from being a student to a professional practicing nurse. Exhaustion, reality shock and time management are some of the factors and issues that the new graduate might encounter during their first year in their career.

We live in a world where the human race seems to be disconnected. Nowadays it feels that there are not enough people helping each other. I don’t treat life like a competition I look at it and I ask myself how may I help? What may I do to make this world a more suitable place for all to live a comfortable and peaceful life? I yearn to come forward and fulfill my role and contribute to our society in any way possible. Nursing is my calling for helping others. It sounds cliché, this I know, but it’s what I desire and what I decided to do with my body, mind, and soul.

“When you’re a nurse you know that everyday you will touch a life or a life will touch yours” ("Home"). Pursuing nursing, specifically Registered Nursing (RN) was never a question, I have always known that is what I would become. Registered Nurses work for patient care, and explains and teaches patients about their health care needs. Nursing has been in my family now for three generations and I am here to carry out the legacy. It is important to understand the education and training requirements, skills and talents needed, salary benefits offered, and the duties when committing to this career.

With the increasing demands in Healthcare needs, newly licensed competent nurses are a commodity that simply do not exist. Every year there are new nurses graduating from associate and bachelor’s degree programs that enter the work force. Nursing students whom complete their degree program, whether it be an associates or bachelor degree sit to take the same state sanctioned nursing licensure exam. Upon successful completion of this exam a student quickly transitions from student to professional, in as little as two days, and is now deemed competent to practice safely and effectively. Unfortunately for new nurses whom enter the workforce, they are subjected to an environment that nursing schools simply cannot simulate accurately, and therefore not prepare students for. New nurses are expected to come out of school, especially by the patients they tend to, with competencies that are unrealistic. The reality is that new nurses lack skills that allow them to perform at a truly competent level. What this paper will discuss are the competencies that new graduate nurses enter the work force with compared to what is actually required in order to be proficient in this professional field. This paper will also discuss how the transition from student to professional can be facilitated through extensive orientation programs that have been proven to elevate nurses from novice to professional.

What could the faculty incorporate into the curriculum to decrease the “reality shock” of transition from student to the professional nurse?

The aim of this essay is to reflect on the personal development in one of the four domains at the progression point 2. The four domains of nursing care are professional values; communication and interpersonal skills; nursing practice and decision making; leadership, management and team working (NMC, 2016). These are the essential areas where student nurses have to improve their knowledge and skills prior to the nursing registration for improving the quality of nursing care that they provides afterwards (NMC, 2016). The chosen domain for this particular essay is the nursing practice and decision making, as the author had experienced an incident during the placement which is most

In part one of this assignment; I discussed my experiences as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I recalled into some of the biggest hurdles I tackled and now I envision the challenges, I may face during the transition. In this paper, I will be further discussing the transition from Licensed practical nurse to Registered nurse. The focus is on the responsibilities of a RN and stages of change in becoming a student once again. As I discussed in my video, there are challenges that I will face in the upcoming year that may make the journey difficult. I mentioned my current nursing experiences but as a RN, those experiences will vary because of the difference in training and accountability. I will outline the differences by elaborating on the scopes

The population that the educational initiative is trying to target are registered nurses working in the various clinical settings in the hospital such as medical, surgical, intensive care and the operating room. The target audience is a mixture of male and female nurses median age 27-59. Hence, these nurses have a wealth of knowledge and have been working in the field of nursing for some time. Thus, these nurses are motivated to learn new concepts and to attain their annual competency to continue employment and at the same time gain more in-depth theoretical and conceptual framework of using a four points restraints. Moreover, a gap analysis report from the hospital indicates that the nurses

In this phase there are mixed emotions such as; anxiety, excitement, and even uncertainty in some cases about embarking this new journey. The practice nurse may second doubt themselves, or question themselves as to why they are going back to school because they are nervous. The second stage deals more with the difficulty of the program. For instance some struggle with grades, or even the material. In this phase the nursing student begins to have a feeling of defeat, overwhelmed, or even frustrated. The third stage of role transitioning is the "letting go" phase (Harrington, 2008). In this phase the nurse must do away with old habits picked up from working as a LPN, and begin to adapt to the nursing process and learn to critically think in situations to function as a registered nurse. The nursing student now beings to have a sense of accomplishment, and enjoys learning. Finally, the fourth and final stage of transitioning is when the nursing student takes the role of a registered nurse. The student now no longer feels overwhelmed. But, the nurse feels well-groomed in the registered nurse role, has most likely enjoyed their journey in seeking a higher level of nursing knowledge, and comfortable in providing care to patients. They have learned to trust themselves, and have a whole new level of confidence, not only in their skills but their judgment as well. Currently I am in the second stage. I believe this stage fits me because I

I am striving to achieve professionalism and growth in roles and values while going through the bachelor’s degree in nursing program. I plan on taking each class one at a time, try to do my best, and gain the knowledge needed to grow in the nursing profession. By October 2010, I should obtain my bachelor’s degree in nursing, which will provide new opportunities, such as management, and educator positions. A bachelor’s degree in nursing will provide the opportunity to further my education to a master’s degree level.