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The Importance Of Nursing Professional Development

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Introduction Nursing is a dynamic discipline with constant change. Practicing in such changing professional context demands highly competent and safe care from nurses. This means that nurses demonstrate ability to grow personally and professionally in order to remain relevant and informed about new technology, evidence based practices, recent research within the nursing profession as well as capacity to function multi-culturally within diverse population. These expectations require professional development. Nursing professional development has been defined as “the lifelong process of active participation by nurses in learning activities that assist in developing and maintaining their continuing competence, enhance their professional practice, and support achievement of their career goal” (Kowitlawakul, 2013 p. 43). Nursing education or training does not end at graduation but it is a lifelong learning. To ensure the delivery of evidence-base and patient-centered care one has to stay current by taking courses, attending conferences, continuous online CEUs and obtaining certification. Professional growth will benefit the nurse and the patient in giving competent care. Church (2016) enumerated the consequences of nursing competence and development to include improved patient outcomes, clinical judgement, accountability and confidence. Church further asserts that “an environment that emphasizes a culture of continuous professional development is crucial, as it motivates nurses to develop their competence, improve their work environment, and deliver quality patient care” (p. E13). Professional development in nursing enhance the knowledge, confident and skills of nurses in caring for patient; promotes healthy work culture, high quality nursing care and positive patient outcome (Elder, 2017). In this paper, I will be reviewing my professional history, growth, strategic plan now and for five to ten years. My Professional History I started my nursing career in 2007, when I enrolled in Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) for License Practical Nursing (LPN). I obtained my LPN license shortly after taking my licensing examination in June 2009. I was not eligible to work because my visa status in the United States

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