Academic and Professional Success Plan Template

This document is to be used for NURS 6003 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing to complete Assessments 1-4. Just as importantly, the document serves to organize your thoughts about planning for your academic and professional success.

For specific instructions, see the weekly assessment details in the course or ask your instructor for further guidance: Academic and Professional Success Plan Template.

Module 1 | Part 1: Developing an Academic and Professional Network

I have identified and secured the participation of the following academics (Stanley Aban PMHNP and Kendal Thompson), as well as professional individuals and/or teams (Prairie Care and the IOAN), to form the foundation of my network. This network will help me clarify my vision for success and guide me now and in the future.

Directions: Complete the information below for each member of your network. If you have more than four members in your network, please repeat the steps below and include the details of your additional network members in the ‘ADDITIONAL NETWORK MEMBERS’ section.

NETWORK MEMBER 1

Name: Prairie Care Network

Title: Hospital

Organization: Prairie Care Hospital

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program or Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: I chose Prairie Care as one of my support teams because it will be vital in supporting me as a registered nurse in my journey to becoming a nurse practitioner (NP). Prairie Care is an organization that specializes in providing mental care to all; it offers hands-on experience, significant opportunities for professional advancement, and mentorship. These factors can greatly benefit me in advancing my education and career.

To begin with, Prairie Care focuses on evidence-based mental health practices that provide an amazing learning environment. Registered nurses can gain ample experience working on complex patient cases, which helps build their clinical competencies for an NP role. For instance, working with interdisciplinary teams of psychiatrists and nurse practitioners fosters collaboration. The American Nurses Association [ANA], 2021, highlights the importance of therapists and social workers in collaboration.

Moreover, Prairie Care offers mentorship programs where experienced NPs and psychiatrists guide RNs through their educational journeys. Mentorship plays a significant role in providing a vivid insight into the NP’s role, enhancing leadership skills, and assisting RNs in exploring both academic and professional challenges (Goolsby & DuBois, 2017).

Prairie Care supports educational advancement by offering tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, or professional development grants. These benefits reduce financial barriers and allow RNs to have wonderful work and school balance. By structuring such a supportive environment, Prairie Care empowers its nurses to excel academically and professionally, ultimately contributing to the quality of care delivered within the organization.

References

American Nurses Association (ANA). (2021). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). Silver Spring, MD: ANA.

Goolsby, M. J., & DuBois, J. C. (2017). The study focused on the benefits, strategies, and considerations of professional mentorship for nurse practitioners. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(1), 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12407

NETWORK MEMBER 2

Name: International Organization of African Nurses

Title: IOAN

Organization: Nursing union

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program or Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: I chose the International Organization of African Nurses (IOAN) because, as a registered nurse (RN) who aspires to advance in my professional life and become a nurse practitioner (NP), membership in IOAN provides me with exceptional support. IOAN assists me in mending the gap between RN and NP roles through advocacy, education, and resources.

To begin by providing workshops, certifications, and continuing education courses that emphasize advanced clinical skills and leadership development, IOAN helps support my journey. These changes guarantee that I am ready for the demands of advanced practice and remain current with patient care best practices (International Organization of Nurses [IOAN], 2023).

In addition, mentoring is another important service that IOAN offers. They provide a forum for networking, education, and mentorship by bringing together aspiring NPs and experienced practitioners. This is significant because having a mentor to guide you through the clinical and academic challenges is a major benefit of becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2021).

Moreover, IOAN advocates for policies such as funding advanced practice programs and tuition assistance to eliminate obstacles to advanced nursing education. I am more than grateful, as I already started receiving the 25% discount on my tuition this semester, thanks to the IOAN.

By prioritizing advocacy, education, and mentorship, IOAN genuinely assists RNs in achieving their objectives and flourishing as NPs. I feel so blessed to be part of this prestigious organization and the excellent support I receive.

Citations

Association of American Nurses (ANA). (2021). Nursing: Practice guidelines and scope (4th ed.). ANA, Silver Spring, MD.

Organization of International Nurses (IOAN). 2023. promoting excellence in nursing worldwide. This information was retrieved from https://www.ioan.org on November 29, 2024.

NETWORK MEMBER 3

Name: Kendal Thomson

Title: M.Ed | Enrollment Specialist | College of Nursing

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program or Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: There’s a well-known saying: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” I can confidently say that my enrollment specialist has been instrumental in helping me plan my journey to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She has provided invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in this career path. From breaking down the costs involved and explaining the required practicum hours to sharing information about nurse practitioner wages in Minnesota and across different states, she has given me a clear and realistic understanding of the road ahead.

Her support hasn’t stopped there. She has consistently checked in to ensure I was fully prepared for the start of school, going as far as providing an orientation link and encouraging me to attend at least one session. Her encouragement and thorough guidance have been a significant push factor in my academic journey so far. I know that her efforts will continue to serve as a driving force throughout my career advancement, keeping me focused and motivated every step of the way.

NETWORK MEMBER 4

Name: Stanley Aban, MSN, BSN

Title: PMHNP

Organization: Meya Staffing CEO

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program or Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) and as a practicing nurse:

Notes:

To start, Stanley played a pivotal role in my journey to the United States by entering me into the American Diversity Visa Lottery, which I was fortunate to win. This opportunity served as my gateway to a new life and countless possibilities. He encouraged me to pursue a career in the sciences, emphasizing its practical applications. Recognizing my love for helping people, he suggested that nursing, a field in which he excels, would be a perfect fit for me.

At the time, I explored various career paths and ultimately chose nursing. As life progressed, I got married and had a child, and Stanley remained a constant source of encouragement. Each time we connected, he would urge me to continue advancing my career.

He introduced me to Walden University and even shared his student ID with me to help me access a tuition discount. His support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my journey, both academically and professionally.

Before beginning my academic journey at Walden, my mentor, Stanley, provided invaluable guidance by taking the time to explain how Walden University operates and what to expect. He assured me of his support in critical aspects, such as securing a preceptor, which is essential for success in the Nurse Practitioner program. Recognizing the demands of balancing academics with parenting, Stanley emphasized the importance of staying organized, planning ahead, and maintaining efficiency. He consistently encourages me to stay proactive and reminds me that I can always reach out to him for assistance if I encounter challenges along the way.

Stanley’s entrepreneurial achievements are a source of tremendous inspiration. As a successful nursepreneur and owner of a staffing agency, he exemplifies the potential for growth and leadership within the nursing profession. His experience and insight have motivated me to dream bigger, including my aspiration to open a clinic in the future.

I am confident that Stanley will continue to be an invaluable resource and guide as I pursue this goal. Overall, Stanley’s unwavering support and mentorship are instrumental in my academic and professional advancement, and his encouragement drives my transition toward becoming a nurse practitioner.

Module 2 | Part 2: Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics

Part 1: Writing Sample: The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity

Academic integrity is fundamental to producing credible and ethical academic work. The relationship between academic integrity and writing stems from the necessity of presenting original ideas while respecting the intellectual property of others. Writing with integrity involves properly citing sources, avoiding plagiarism, and ensuring that all submitted work adheres to scholarly standards.

Notably, academic integrity fosters trust and accountability, which are crucial for maintaining the credibility of academic institutions and the value of academic achievements (Paperpal, 2024). In the MSN program, upholding these standards ensures that nurse-scholars contribute valid knowledge to the nursing discipline.

In the same way, professional practice and scholarly ethics have parvenu faculties of professions of truthfulness, responsibility, and decency. Like in any scholarly research, ethical research and writing are adopted through producing quality health care and reporting the same to patients or other caregivers. Haddad and Geiger (2023) state that it is possible and necessary to exercise ethical principles as they create a foundation of quality patient care and public trust in the nursing practice. This maintains a linkage between academic and professional environment; hence, there is a need to uphold or practice ethical behavior equally.

Software, including Grammarly and Turnitin, and paraphrasing are considerable assets of academic integrity. Grammarly improves writing by analyzing the work for grammatical mistakes and providing better versions, making the work more professional. Turnitin identifies instances of plagiarism to facilitate original work and also proper use of sources to support the work done (Zinkevich & Ledeneva, 2021). It takes ethical writing into consideration while facilitating idea synthesis, whereby originality is created.

Together, these tools cultivate skills that are important for academic and career achievement. Furthermore, using such tools would keep the nurse-scholars on the right ethical stand for their academic and professional practice, as well as bolster confidence among their peers. These tools also advocate for ethical diligence and help scholars to confidently come up with various ideas and make meaningful contributions to their area of specialization.

Part 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

Maintaining academic integrity as a student in the MSN program requires deliberate strategies. First, I will utilize reliable tools like Grammarly and Turnitin to refine my work and ensure originality. Additionally, I will adhere to APA guidelines for proper citation and referencing, as outlined in the APA Publication Manual (Streefkerk, 2019).

Consistent use of these resources will minimize the risk of unintentional plagiarism and strengthen the credibility of my academic submissions. I will also engage in continuous learning about ethical academic practices through workshops and resources provided by Walden University’s Writing Center.

To ensure that I uphold a professional code of conduct and standards such as the ANA Code of Ethics, I intend at all times to pursue continuing education in nursing professional practice. This aspect of networking will also be important in support of the latter aspect, which calls for strengthening professional networks in support of ethical decision-making. Meeting with mentors and peers will create threats and options for discussing with examples by others (Mlambo et al., 2021).

Furthermore, I will emphasize transparency and accountability in patient care by thoroughly documenting clinical decisions and maintaining open communication with patients and colleagues. To achieve the highest standard of professionalism, assessing my interventions against the evidence-based practice guidelines will help me establish whether I am taking a professional and ethical approach to my work. In my endeavors to promote my professional integrity, I will ensure I undergo ethical training and consult with other professionals to learn about my areas of weakness. This self-reflection will assist me in achieving high levels of professionalism in every sector of my career.

In conclusion, the use of policies and practices and the proposed academic writing tools like Grammarly, Turnitin, APA, professional and academic mentors, and other professional tools will allow me to practice integrity in the course of my academic and career activities. They will assist me in the achievement of my goals in the MSN program while equally improving my input to the nursing profession.

References

Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2023). Nursing ethical considerations. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/

Mlambo, M., Silén, C., & McGrath, C. (2021). Lifelong learning and nurses’ continuing professional development, a meta-synthesis of the literature. BMC Nursing, 20(62), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00579-2

Paperpal. (2024, September 5). What is academic integrity, and why is it important? Paperpal Blog. https://paperpal.com/blog/researcher/what-is-academic-integrity-and-why-is-it-important

Streefkerk, R. (2019, October 11). APA manual 7th edition: The 17 most notable changes. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-seventh-edition-changes/

Zinkevich, N. A., & Ledeneva, T. V. (2021). Using Grammarly to enhance students’ academic writing skills. Professional Discourse & Communication, 3(4), 51–63. https://doi.org/10.24833/2687-0126-2021-3-4-51-63

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Part 2 of template

PART 2: STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Nurse-scholars have a significant obligation to their community as well. Their work must have academic and professional integrity. Their efforts are designed to add to the body of knowledge, advance the profession, and ultimately help in the care of patients. Work that lacks integrity is subject to erode quickly or worse.

Fortunately, there are strategies and tools that can help ensure integrity in academic and professional work. This Assignment asks you to consider these tools and how you might apply them to your own work.

In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by appending the original document you began in the previous assignment.

To Prepare:

• Reflect on the strategies presented in the Resources for this Module in support of academic style, integrity, and scholarly ethics.
• Reflect on the connection between academic and professional integrity.

The Assignment:
Part 2, Section 1: Writing Sample: The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity
Using the Academic and Professional Success Development Template you began in Module 1, write a 2- to 3-paragraph analysis that includes the following:

• Explanation for the relationship between academic integrity and writing
• Explanation for the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics
• Cite at least two resources that support your arguments, being sure to use proper APA formatting.
• Use Grammarly and Turnitin to improve the product.
• Explain how Grammarly, Turnitin, and paraphrasing contributes to academic integrity.
  

  Academic and Professional Success Plan Template

Part 2, Section 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

• Expand on your thoughts from Section 1 by identifying and describing strategies you intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of your:
  • academic work as a student of the MSN program and
  • professional work as a nurse throughout your career. Include a review of resources and approaches you propose to use as a student and a professional.

Note: Add your work for this Assignment to the original document you began in the Module 1 Assignment, which was built from the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.

BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 3

• Submit both Section 1 and Section 2 of Part 2.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.

• To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as MD2Assgn_LastName_Firstinitial
• Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
• Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.