Using The Practicum Experience For Professional Growth ✓ Solved

Using The Practicum Experience For Professional Growthi Am Personally

Using The Practicum Experience for Professional Growth “I am personally convinced that one person can be a change catalyst, a ‘transformer’ in any situation, any organization. Such an individual is yeast that can leaven an entire loaf. It requires vision, initiative, patience, respect, persistence, courage, and faith to be a transforming leader” (Covey, 2009, p. 287). Your practicum experiences in NURS 8400 and NURS 8410 have provided opportunities to gain knowledge, perspective, and skills that bolster your specialty area practice.

They have laid a foundation for reflecting on your own strengths and challenges as a nurse leader in a dynamic workplace. In this course, you continue to engage in your practicum experience, with specific attention to systems-related issues that contribute to challenges at the aggregate level, the change process, and leadership. This Discussion serves as a springboard for the practicum assignment you are to develop this week. Be sure to view and consider the instructions for this week’s practicum assignment in preparation for the Discussion. To prepare: Reflect on your practicum experiences in NURS 8400 and NURS 8410.

Drawing on your knowledge of systems thinking, what problems have you noticed in your practicum setting that may be related to systems issues? How would you outline a viable approach to planning and implementing change to address a systems-related change? What are the essential steps and focal points from beginning to end? What is the role of leadership when it comes to change efforts? Think about the information presented in the Learning Resources, and consider insights you have gained that may be useful as you explore the process of intentional change.

Conduct additional research using current literature to further your analysis. Assess the professional growth (including leadership development) you have attained through your practicum experiences during previous courses in the DNP program. Begin to develop your plan for the practicum, including three learning objectives. By tomorrow Tuesday 2/26 6 pm write a minimum of 550 words essay in APA format with at least 3 references (see list or required readings below). Include the level one headers as numbered below: Post a cohesive response that addresses the following: 1) Describe key aspects of your suggested approach to planning for and implementing change.

What are two or three essential steps or strategies that deserve particular attention as you strive to successfully translate evidence into practice? Provide your rationale. 2) Assess the influence of your practicum experiences on your professional growth. Identify areas for improvement to focus on during this course. Given what you have learned in previous courses and through your professional experiences, what questions or concerns do you have regarding how to identify and assess systems-related issues, as well as how to plan for and implement change?

3) Summarize your planned practicum experiences and how you expect these experiences to advance your professional skills. Support your choices with documented evidence from the AACN Essentials, professional standards, and specialty guidelines (see attached file on “The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice” ESSENTIAL IV). Required Readings White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terharr, M. F. (2016). Translation of evidence into nursing and health care practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer. · Review Chapter 3, “Change Theory and Models: Framework for Translation” As you review this chapter (assigned in a previous course), consider the foundational information about change. Also, pay attention to the frameworks and processes described, as they will be valuable as you proceed through this course. What insights arise regarding how you might be able to guide the implementation of change? American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Retrieved from (see attached file) Use the information in this report to guide the formulation of goals for your practicum experience. Bleich, M. R. (2011). IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: milestones and challenges in expanding nursing science. Research in Nursing & Health, 34(3), . doi:10.1002/nur.20433 (see attached file) Pritham, U. P. (2016). Assessing DNP impact using program evaluations to capture healthcare system change. The Nurse Practitioner, (4), 44. Kotter, J. P. (2007). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 85(1), 96-103. Retrieved from In this foundational reading, Dr. John Kotter discusses errors commonly made as organizations undergo change, and he recommends steps leaders can take to help avoid them (see attached file). Moriber, N. A., Wallace-Kazer, M., Shea, J., Grossman, S., Wheeler, K., & Conelius, J. (2014). Transforming Doctoral Education Through the Clinical Electronic Portfolio. Nurse Educator, 39(5), . doi:10.1097/NNE. Murphy, M. P., Staffileno, B. A., & Carlson, E. (2015). Original Article: Collaboration Among DNP- and PhD-Prepared Nurses: Opportunity to Drive Positive Change. Journal of Professional Nursing,. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2015.03.001 Sherrod, B., & Goda, T. (2016). DNP-Prepared leaders guide healthcare system change. Nursing Management, (9). 13. Optional Resources Osters, S., & Tiu, F. S. (n.d.). Writing measurable learning outcomes. Retrieved from (see attached file)

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The integration of systems thinking within nursing practice forms a cornerstone for effective healthcare reform and organizational improvement. This essay explores strategic approaches to planning and implementing change, reflecting on practicum experiences that underscore professional growth. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based strategies, leadership roles, and the application of change theories aligned with AACN guidelines to foster sustainable healthcare improvements.

Key Aspects of Planning for and Implementing Change

Effective planning for systems-based change requires a structured, strategic approach. Two critical strategies include conducting a comprehensive needs assessment followed by stakeholder engagement. The needs assessment, grounded in thorough data collection, helps identify specific system issues, such as workflow inefficiencies, communication gaps, or resource limitations (White, Dudley-Brown, & Terharr, 2016). Engaging key stakeholders—nurses, physicians, administrators, and patients—ensures diverse perspectives and fosters shared ownership of change initiatives. This participatory approach enhances buy-in and facilitates smoother implementation (Kotter, 2007).

Another vital step involves selecting appropriate change models, such as Kotter’s 8-step process or Lewin’s Change Theory, to guide actions systematically (White et al., 2016). These models help delineate stages—developing a sense of urgency, creating a guiding coalition, communicating vision, empowering staff, and anchoring changes within culture. Paying particular attention to leadership throughout the process is essential; effective leaders motivate, communicate, and sustain change efforts, aligning with AACN’s emphasis on transformational leadership in nursing (AACN, 2006).

Influence of Practicum Experiences on Professional Growth

Practicum experiences have been pivotal in enhancing my leadership competencies and systems awareness. Engaging in multidisciplinary teams sharpened my communication skills, increased my understanding of workflow dynamics, and fostered a systems-oriented mindset. These experiences aligned with AACN Essential IV, emphasizing scholarship and inquiry in advanced nursing practice. However, I recognize the need to improve my skills in data analysis and applying evidence to practice change. Addressing these gaps will empower me to develop stronger, evidence-based interventions and evaluate their effectiveness more systematically.

Remaining questions include how to accurately assess complex systems' issues amidst organizational pressures and how to sustain change over time. Recent literature advocates for ongoing data collection and feedback loops to monitor progress, emphasizing that leadership must be adaptable and resilient during change initiatives (Bleich, 2011; Sherrod & Goda, 2016). Developing these skills is crucial for effective systems change management in my future practice.

Planned Practicum Experiences and Expected Outcomes

The upcoming practicum includes leading a quality improvement project aimed at reducing hospital readmission rates for chronic disease patients. This experience will allow me to apply change theories, such as Kotter’s model, in real-world settings. I plan to focus on three learning objectives: firstly, mastering systems assessment and process analysis; secondly, designing evidence-based, sustainable interventions; and thirdly, strengthening leadership skills in team facilitation and stakeholder engagement.

These experiences are aligned with AACN Student Competencies and the DNP Essentials, particularly Essential IV, which emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership (AACN, 2006). My goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how to lead complex change initiatives, measure outcomes effectively, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. This practical application will enhance my capacity for strategic change management and reinforce my role as a transformational leader capable of advancing healthcare systems.

References

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/DOctoral-Essentials.pdf
• Bleich, M. R. (2011). IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: milestones and challenges in expanding nursing science. Research in Nursing & Health, 34(3), 169–171.
• Kotter, J. P. (2007). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 85(1), 96–103.
• White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terharr, M. F. (2016). Translation of evidence into nursing and health care practice (2nd ed.). Springer.
• Sherrod, B., & Goda, T. (2016). DNP-Prepared leaders guide healthcare system change. Nursing Management, 47(9), 13–15.
• Pritham, U. P. (2016). Assessing DNP impact using program evaluations to capture healthcare system change. The Nurse Practitioner, 41(4), 44–50.
• Moriber, N. A., Wallace-Kazer, M., Shea, J., Grossman, S., Wheeler, K., & Conelius, J. (2014). Transforming Doctoral Education Through the Clinical Electronic Portfolio. Nurse Educator, 39(5), 221–224.
• Osters, S., & Tiu, F. S. (n.d.). Writing measurable learning outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.example.com
• Additional credible sources as per course requirement.