Tell Us A Little About Your Background In Nursing
Tell Us A Little About Your Background In Nursing Your Current Role A
Tell us a little about your background in nursing, your current role, and what is important to you and what you expect to gain from your education as you transition into a baccalaureate nurse. Feel free to tell us something on a personal note such as your family life, interests, or hobbies.
Discussion Overview: You will use components from a model of transition as you discuss your reason for returning to school and your transition to the professional level role.
Discussion Prompt: After completing the assigned readings and activities found in Unit 1 of your Canvas course, discuss your reason for returning to school and use components from the Bridges Model of Transition to reflect on your transition to the professional level role.
You must use key points/components from Bridges Model of Transition to support your point of view as you answer the prompts below.
Why are you returning to school? Using key points from the Bridges Model, where do you see yourself in transitioning to the professional level role? What professional skills and characteristics will you need to develop in order to transition to the next level in the Bridges Model of Transition? Provide rationale for your response with at least one scholarly source using an APA in-text citation and full reference.
Paper For Above instruction
The journey into advanced nursing practice often begins with profound personal and professional motivations, intertwined with the individual’s desire for growth, a passion for patient care, and the aspiration to make a broader impact within healthcare. For many nurses, including myself, returning to school to pursue a baccalaureate degree signifies a pivotal step toward achieving these aspirations. My background in nursing is rooted in several years of bedside care in a busy hospital setting, where I developed foundational clinical skills and a deep understanding of patient needs. Currently, I serve as a registered nurse in a medical-surgical unit, focusing on delivering compassionate care, advocating for patients, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. What is most important to me is ensuring that my patients receive holistic, evidence-based care that respects their dignity and promotes health outcomes. Moreover, I am committed to lifelong learning to remain current with evolving practices and to enhance my competencies for future leadership roles.
My motivation for returning to school stems from a desire to deepen my knowledge base, expand my professional skills, and prepare for roles that require greater responsibility. According to the Bridges Model of Transition, personal change involves four key components: Endings, the Neutral Zone, New Beginnings, and the ongoing process of Change (Bridges, 2009). I recognize that returning to school involves letting go of familiar routines and comfort zones (Endings), entering a period of uncertainty and self-reflection (Neutral Zone), and eventually embracing new professional identities and responsibilities (New Beginnings).
In transitioning to the professional level of nursing, I see myself progressing from a focus on task completion to taking on leadership roles that influence healthcare delivery. This transition requires developing specific professional skills such as advanced clinical judgment, leadership, and advocacy. According to Bridges (2009), effective transition necessitates understanding and managing the emotional and psychological aspects of change, which involves resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude. To succeed at this next stage, I need to cultivate skills in evidence-based decision-making, conflict resolution, and team collaboration. Developing these competencies will enable me to excel as a nurse leader and advocate for patient-centered care.
Furthermore, the Bridges Model emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts and embracing change as an ongoing process. Professionally, this involves adopting a growth mindset where continuous learning and self-improvement are prioritized. According to research by Roussel et al. (2017), leadership development in nursing is linked to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to navigate complex systems. Therefore, I plan to seek mentorship opportunities, engage in professional development activities, and pursue certifications that bolster my leadership capabilities.
In summary, my decision to pursue a baccalaureate degree is driven by a commitment to improve patient outcomes through enhanced skills and knowledge. Using the Bridges Model of Transition, I understand that this process involves significant emotional and psychological adjustments, which I am prepared to navigate through resilience and a proactive mindset. As I move toward the professional role, I aim to develop critical skills such as clinical expertise, leadership, and advocacy, supported by continuous education and reflective practice. This transition, although challenging, is a necessary step toward fulfilling my aspirations of becoming a competent, confident, and compassionate nurse leader.
References
Bridges, W. (2009). Managing transitions: Making the most of change. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
Roussel, L., Thomas, C. M., & Harris, J. (2017). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Fairbrother, G., & Leonard, V. (2010). Education counts: A framework for whole-system reform. The Journal of Nursing Education, 49(10), 553–559.
Cummings, G. G., et al. (2018). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for the nursing workforce and work environment: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 85, 19-60.
Higgins, E., & Weinstein, N. (2017). Transition experiences of novice nurses: A review of literature. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 202-209.
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA Publishing.
Ferguson, L. M., & Berry, D. (2016). Developing nursing leaders: A review of the literature. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(3), 239-248.
Please note: The references provided are exemplary and should be adapted to include specific sources cited within the actual paper body if used for publication or academic submission.