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Running head: BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1

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BSN Student Learning Outcome 1:
Determine Professional Development & Practice Goals
Megan J. Stucki
Dixie State University

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1


Abstract
The express intent of this paper is to explore professional development and how it is acquired in
the academic, informal and professional arenas. Personal experiences regarding professional
development which the author has experienced during her nursing career up until writing this
assignment will be addressed. Professional goals will then be explored in an effort to determine
their validity. This in turn, will help the author define each goal, institute steps required to
achieve goals, and achieve a higher degree of excellence in nursing practice.

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1

BSN Student Learning Outcome 1:


Determine Professional Development & Practice Goals
Exploration of the concept of professional development requires delving into the past,
present, as well as looking toward the future. It may be observed in many instances; for example
professional training required by your employer, informal training undertaken of your own
volition, or through outside organizations. Professional development is a concept requiring
fluidity or the ability to adapt, as is made apparent by the numerous advances in medicine and
technology used in the healthcare fields.
Professional development is wholly dependent on ones willingness to work--to better
self and to thrive in a chosen profession. Excellence is found through professional development
and professional goals, which are met. To facilitate professional development and realized
objectives the goals must be: specific, measurable, action-related, results-focused and timebound (Doran, Miller, & Cunningham, 1981). The desire to improve or advance in a profession
ensures excellence when dedication and hard work abound.
Professional Development Defined
Vital to this discussion is a clear understanding of what defines professional
development. BusinessDictionary.com (2016) describes professional development in the
following manner:
Process of improving and increasing capabilities of staff through access to
education and training opportunities in the workplace, through outside
organization, or through watching others perform the job. Professional
development helps build and maintain morale of staff members, and is

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1

thought to attract higher quality staff to an organization. Also called staff


development.
The Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD.org, 2016) defines
professional development as specialty practice of nursing that enhances outcomes of healthcare
and is based on research and defined by standards. They also state that these components are
vital to patient outcomes, as well as organizational results. The process of research, practice,
knowledge and skill are all developed within the confines of the academic world first, usually,
but are not strictly limited to it. Internships, volunteer opportunities, informal training, and the
like, all provide a great chance to develop desirable professional attributes.
Personal Experience with Professional development
My experience with professional development began in my home as a young child where
my parents taught me the value of hard work and to have an industrious nature. This industrious
nature or the ability to see a task that needs to be completed and do so without being compelled
to has served me well both personally and professionally.
The next encounter I had with professional development was in the academic world,
especially on the collegiate level. Throughout my academic career each subsequent class built
upon prerequisite knowledge; i.e., anatomical and physiological information and then nursing
basics, to provide practice knowledge, skills and confidence.
Concepts have been explored and put into practice in the professional world. As I did so I
gained more experience and my development has increased exponentially. With more experience
and greater knowledge my self-confidence skyrocketed. When I compare the abilities,
knowledge and skills I possess today to that of my first day of work as a registered nurse I realize
how much professional development I have undergone. I asked many questions then, and still do,

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1

but now I am often asked questions of new nurses, or new RNs to the field and find that I have
valuable insights and knowledge to impart.
Professional Goals
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important
as what you become by achieving your goals
-Zig Ziglar
Professional goals facilitate excellent nursing practice, and with that, excellent patient
outcomes. Specific requirements are needed to set and achieve goals. The goal is specific,
measurable, action-oriented, results-focused, and time-bound (SMART goals)(Doran, Miller, &
Cunningham, 1981). Specificity ensures that my goal(s) are clearly defined and written down.
My goal must be measurable in order to provide tangible evidence of accomplishment. They may
be broken down into smaller or short-term measurable goals to help achieve a larger goal. A goal
must challenge you personally, but also be achievable. This entails possession, or attainment of
knowledge or skill-set related to the goal. A define goal must be results-focused or be able to
measure outcomes rather than activities. Finally, a well-defined goal must be time-bound to
create a sense of urgency which is practical. Without these steps a goal is a dream that remains
just thata dream.
Goal Example
Specific: By December 31, 2023, become a Family Nurse Practitioner in order to provide
cost-effective and excellent patient-centered care by obtaining DNP from an accredited
university.
Measurable: Short-term steps to achieve goal: 1) obtain a BSN from Dixie State College; 2)
obtain relevant experience as a nurse; 3) work to improve my resume by obtaining advanced

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1

training, as well as perform additional volunteer work; 4) complete and submit an application to
my desired online DNP program; if unsuccessful work to improve resume further OR apply to
alternate program; 5) gain admission; 6) work each semester/quarter using time-management
skills to achieve high grades and gain as much knowledge as possible to provide best care; 7)
graduate and obtain NP license; and finally, 8) obtain position as Family Nurse Practitioner.
Achievable: Through advanced education, increased knowledge/skills training, experience,
careful planning and leadership opportunities this goal is achievable. Results-focused: By
completing each short-term, measurable step and measuring the results I will gain greater
confidence in my ability to reach the ultimate goal of becoming a NP. Time-bound: December
31, 2023 provides a specific length of time in which to accomplish said goal. Each of these steps
can and should be broken down into smaller, SMART steps.
Other professional goals include the desire to provide the best patient care possible,
practice holistic nursing, gain leadership experience, gain greater confidence in nursing abilities,
open a wellness clinic which focuses on lifestyle choices and their effects, be a vital/ useful
member of every team I work with, focus on patient teaching related to lifestyle choices which
may be modified for better health and wellness, mentor new graduate RNs to facilitate their
success and satisfaction in the profession, and gain a wide variety of nursing experience, to name
a few.
Conclusion and Future Nursing Practice
Professional development requires a career-long commitment. Without such a
commitment the nurse, or any other professional, remains stagnant and doesnt excel at their
chosen profession. Dickerson (2014) lists several standards of professional development and

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1

performance, namely: quality of practice, education, evaluation of practice, collegiality,


collaboration, advocacy, research, and leadership.
With these qualities or standards as our springboard we can set well-defined SMART
goals. As we do so professional development is a natural result. One of those natural
consequences is seeking to facilitate the same improvement and success in others. Dickerson
(2014) also stated that each nurse is accountable for their own professional development as well
as promoting professional development in others. This statement speaks volumes to the
importance of nurses perceived job satisfaction, the resulting attrition rate and of promoting the
profession of nursing in general.
Lastly, professional development and professional goals are not only a benefit to the
nurse pursuing them, but essential in order to provide the best possible patient outcomes as well
(Dickerson, 2014). As a direct result of professional development and professional goals nurses
pursue advanced degrees/ training, gain more experience and knowledge and then evidencebased practices become second-nature.

BSN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME 1


References
ANPD.org. (2016). About ANPD. Retrieved February 4, 2016 from
http://www.anpd.org/?page=about
BusinessDictionary.com. (2016). Retrieved February 3, 2016 from
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/professional-development.html
Dickerson, P. S. (2014). Grounding our practice in nursing professional development. The
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 45(7), 288-9.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20140625-11
Doran, G., Miller, A., & Cunningham, J. (1981). Theres a s.m.a.r.t. way to write management
goals and objectives. Management Review, 70(11). Retrieved February 3, 2016 from
http://www.smart-goals-guide.com/smart-goal.html

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