Reflection Journal

As I near the end of my post-licensure nursing program, I find myself reflecting on this journey and how it has morphed my being into what it is today. What was thought to be unachievable—not APA-formatted papers, discussion forum facilitation, and evidence-based practice—became avenues for self-growth. This journal highlights learning experiences in regard to how they relate to program outcomes and personal and professional growth attained: Reflection Journal.

Program Outcomes and Reflections

Leadership Skills in Professional Nursing Practice

The program was important to me because it addressed the leadership competencies that would be required of me in driving positive change within organizations. The capstone assignment for NUR-415 Leadership and Management in Nursing was to provide a detailed plan for narcotic waste compliance. This class refined my skills in leading interprofessional teams, delegating responsibilities, and finding one’s way up in conflict resolution processes.

This allowed me to align the leadership strategies with the organizational goals based on the Heagney (2022) principles of project management. This has made me realize that in developing leaders, leading by example is important, as is open communication and the advocacy of evidence-based policies that improve patient safety.

Integrating Nursing Knowledge and Evidence-Based Practice

NUR-440 Evidence-Based Nursing really helped fine-tune my research and analysis skills. This course objective was exemplified in the research proposal assignment regarding the reduction of prescription drug misuse. For example, reading through systematic reviews and meta-analyses taught me how to take research findings and convert them into actionable interventions (Hodkinson et al., 2020). Such experiences have underscored the use of evidence in solving healthcare challenges while ensuring that care remains culturally competent.

Effective Communication and Collaboration

Another general theme in the whole program is interprofessional collaboration. The NUR-465 Population Health course had an analysis of global health trends to develop an intervention strategy to promote health in under-served populations. It really hit it home that in these teams, communication should be clear, listening should be active, and respect should be paramount, especially when working in diverse teams. Weekly discussion forums further enhanced the ability to succinctly articulate complex ideas in a collaborative learning environment.

Spiritual Values and Professional Ethics in Nursing Care

NUR-450 Nursing from a Christian Worldview played a critical role in the development of my ethical practice. The reflective assignment about ethical dilemmas emphasized that nursing care was to be delivered on the basis of mercy, respect, and integrity. For example, the use of Provision 3 of the ANA Code of Ethics in documenting narcotic waste enabled the protection of patient safety and accountability of healthcare teams (American Nurses Association, 2015). This experience thus challenges me to strengthen my spiritual values in providing patient-centered care.

Key Learning Experiences

Discussion Forums

Discussion forums allowed the engagement of critical thinking and peer learning. Health disparities, leadership styles, and evidence-based interventions are some of the subjects that challenged me to broaden my thinking. One of the discussions which really stood out for me was the social determinants of health in class NUR-335 Foundations for Professional Practice; it really outlined how socioeconomic elements impact health status and how the nurse should serve as an advocate for equity.

Capstone Project

The NUR-495 Capstone Project synthesized knowledge from the entire program. Creating a standardized narcotic waste process required incorporating leadership, research, communication, and ethical principles. The ability to implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions was challenged through weekly audits and compliance reviews. This project also identified the need for sustainability planning and stakeholder involvement to ensure long-term outcomes (Heagney, 2022).

Application to Future Practice

These are skills that no doubt will mold my nursing practice in future engagements. Similarly, leadership competencies henceforth allow me to mentor junior staff and create policy changes. Evidence-based practice remains the cornerstone of my commitment to ensuring that the care for patients is informed by the best available research. Emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and ethics further equips me to be able to navigate through complex healthcare environments that place a core on patient safety and dignity.

Conclusion

As I reflect on this journey, I value the challenges and opportunities that have prepared me for the next phase of my career. This program has strengthened not only my clinical and leadership skills but also deepened my appreciation for the holistic nature of nursing care. Through embracing lifelong learning, I will be able to make meaningful contributions to the nursing profession and communities in which I serve.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Nursesbooks.org.

Heagney, J. (2022). Fundamentals of project management (6th ed.). AMACOM.

Hodkinson, A., Tyler, N., Ashcroft, D. M., Keers, R. N., Khan, K., Phipps, D., … & Panagioti, M. (2020). Preventable medication harm across health care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 18(1), 313. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01774-9

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Getting Started

In just a few short weeks, each of you will complete the core courses of the post licensure nursing program.  Do you remember those early days of online learning when one discussion posting was overwhelming and the thought of an APA formatted paper was terrifying?  What a journey it has been! 

In this assignment, you will have a time of reflection.  Reflection allows you to clarify what you have learned and apply this knowledge to present and future circumstances.  In your journal writing, you will reflect upon your work over the past months, recognize what you have accomplished, and identify how you met the program outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the course material, you will be able to:

• Reflect upon achievement of program outcomes.

Resources

• Web File: Student Handbook: Post-Licensure Nursing Division
  

  Reflection Journal

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Review the Baccalaureate Program Outcomes located in your Student Handbook: Post-Licensure Nursing Division, which can be accessed in the RNBSN Student Resources.
3. Review and contemplate the assignments, activities, and discussion forums you completed during the program focusing on how these accomplishments met the program outcomes.
4. Create your Reflection Journal in a document that includes the following:
   1. Identify and clearly state each of the program outcomes. (Appropriate APA citation and reference required).
   2. Identify by name and description an assignment, activity, or discussion forum that allowed you to meet each of the outcomes. You are required to include exemplary, insightful reflection of what you learned in the activity. One learning activity is required for EACH outcome.
   3. Relate the learning experiences to the program outcomes by specifically describing how each assignment, activity, or discussion allowed you to meet the program outcome .
   4. Describe specifically how each assignment, activity, or discussion forum allowed you to meet the program outcome.
   5. First person writing is acceptable for this journal assignment.
5. Post your Reflection Journal to the 6.4 Assignment submission page by the end of the workshop.