Personal Reflection

I am a recent baccalaureate graduate of Charleston Southern University. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May of 2015. On June 20, 2015, I received my NCLEX-RN results and became a registered nurse in the state of South Carolina. After considering my options for a graduate program, I happily accepted my offer from Case Western Reserve University and moved to Cleveland to pursue my graduate studies. Over the course of my undergraduate career, theories were included in the curriculum but not in depth. It is for this reason that I am excited to partake in this course – to learn the foundational and applicable theories of the nursing profession.

Nursing has become one of the most in-demand jobs in the last years. The reason for the high demand can be defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA) as “. . . nursing is the glue that holds a patients’ health care journey together.” Health field has been a hard-fought competition of requirements since the beginning. The development of the abilities and the rivalry to achieve the same objectives has demanded more diligence for colleagues. Being a professional requires a lot of abilities in whatever field and nursing is not an exception. Becoming a nurse can be daunting; however, if I have a plan of action to focus on seeking knowledge, personal values, and visualization guided by commitment,

On 08/20/2017 at 1002 hours FTO Wheeler #4361 and I responded to St. Luke’s Hospital emergency room entrance, on 3555 Cesar Chavez St., regarding a women in a hospital gown trying to break the caller’s vehicle window with a brick. Officer Wheeler and I were in full police uniform driving a marked patrol unit when we responded.

On November 1st, 2016 I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Katherine M. Sawyer RN, BSN of Owosso, Michigan. Katherine, a female nurse who has worked in the nursing field for thirty-six years began her nursing career at Ingham Medical where she was a full-time staff-nurse for three years; then worked as a per-diem staff-nurse for eleven years. After working at Ingham for a total of fourteen years, Katherine obtained a position at Memorial Healthcare in Owosso where she worked as a nurse educator for fifteen years. Shortly after this she became a Basic Life Saving (BLS) instructor as her main role as a nurse educator was to provide nursing orientation and this additional role fit in perfectly. After some time she became involved in Quality Improvement for four years, and she has now switched back to the nurse educator role where she once again has the role of nursing orientation for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Patient Care Techs (PCTs). The number of staff she teaches and orientates each month varies between one and ten individuals. She also teaches BLS and First Aid at Baker College of Owosso. Her contact information is as follows: Phone number (989) 413-1974 and e-mail address kmsawyer521@gmail.com. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader of Sawyer’s role in the nursing profession as a nurse leader. Individuals will learn of Sawyer’s many different roles, responsibilities, and the organizational structure of Memorial

Through my Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) educational journey, my nursing vision expanded exponentially creating a desire not only for more knowledge and skill, but also producing an understanding of lifelong learning commitments. Ever-changing technology is leading health care into the future with a demand for evidence-based practices to ensure safe care delivery, creating more opportunities for nurses to lead patients, families, and communities toward improved health practices. Essentials l, ll, lll, lV, V, lX Last November, I was offered an Administrative Supervisor position with my current employer, and I accepted. By doing so, I have had the opportunity to work in a multitude of capacities fostering self-growth,

“The curriculum provides learning experiences that prepare graduates to assume roles that are essential to quality nursing practice, including but not limited to roles of care provider, patient advocate, teacher, communicator, change agent, care coordinator, user of information technology, collaborator, and decision maker”

I have had the distinct privilege and honor of practicing the art of nursing since 2000. Throughout this time, I have seen the profession evolve through technology, practice and theory. With the recent and constant change created by the healthcare reform, today’s nurse must realize that learning is a lifelong process that does not end upon graduation. The nurse is never done learning, especially as technology and medical knowledge are constantly evolving. My most recent endeavor has been the pursuit of my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Western Carolina University. This education has broadened my mind to the opportunities nursing has to offer and has enriched my personal and professional goals.

Since July of 2015, I have been in school working towards obtaining my baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree. In October of 2016 I will have completed the BSN degree program at Grand Canyon University (GCU). Although I obtained my associates degree in nursing (ADN) in 2005, which has been well over five years ago, I will be one of the nurses who will help achieve the IOM’s recommendation of having eighty percent of the nursing workforce have their BSN.

This reflection will discuss personal diffidence and how it has influenced my academic studies, including my practice within placement settings. Gibbs reflective cycle (Gibbs, 1998) has been utilised as it illustrates a clear structure for the process of reflection. To conclude this reflection will draw together the themes which have emerged and highlight a clear action for future learning that will be used in order to enhance my future practice.

In May of 2015, I completed my nursing degree from the accredited nursing program at Carteret Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing. My dedication and hard work to my studies can be seen through my three year membership in the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. As a new graduate in the nursing field, my objective is to grow and engage in the knowledge and expertise of my chosen profession. I am very flexible and eager to begin utilizing my newly acquired degree. Therefore, please considered my resume for the Transition to the Practice New Nursing Resident Program at Carteret Health Care.

I have personally been involved in the development and implementation of other nursing professional development opportunities at IUH BMH. These opportunities have helped guide staff nurses to providing care that is based on current evidence and evaluation. Being an employee of IUH BMH has allowed me to have an in-depth perception to the needs and goals of the staff and the organization. I was also fortunate to have current working relationships with many levels of professionals.

I grow both personally and professionally through my relationship with nursing. Unlike many other careers, the growth is reciprocal. Nursing gives me the freedom to venture into uncharted territory and in turn, nursing’s boundaries expand. As the field of nursing develops and strengthens in new areas, unique and rewarding opportunities become available to me. While I achieve a Master’s of Science in Adult Primary Care from New York University the profession of nursing will, in return, be rewarded with a valuable contributor.

Recently in healthcare there has been a growing awareness in the delivery of healthcare and the errors and flaws that exist in the service of healthcare. Seeing how common and serious these flaws are it takes dedication and innovation to create a safer delivery of healthcare to all. Being a nurse and seeing the impact that I could have with each one of my patients and their families has brought great satisfaction to my everyday work. Since beginning my journey to become a nurse I knew from the first day that I would want to continue my education beyond my bachelor’s degree. With my love of learning and drive to progress my career I was excited to jump into a graduate program.

Cech, E.A., Metz, A.M., Babcock, T., & Smith, J.L. (2011). Journal of Nursing Education, 50(9), 524-531.

As a nurse, I have a life-long commitment to learning in order to advocate for my patients. I have always had a passion for learning; however, the opportunities afforded by the College of Nursing have taught me how to do so within my career and for my entire life. Not only do I have a drive to continually learn, my experience here enables my desire to carry on the flame of prestige, hard work, and innovation of University of Utah alumnus possesses. After I