Running Head: RN TO BSN REFLECTION 1

RN to BSN Reflection

Delaware Technical and Community College

NUR 460- Nursing Capstone

Reneé Smallwood

Fall 2018
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RN to BSN Reflection

As my journey from a registered nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)

degree comes to an end, I can personally say I have learned a lot and feel I became a more

confident and strong nurse since the beginning of the program. Choosing to become a nurse takes

a strong, dedicated, and caring person as being a nurse is not easy. Some days are fun and

rewarding, other days can be stressful, and many days carry the weight of the unknown. These

are all the best parts of nursing and is one of the reasons why I chose to pursue this career.

Program Graduate Competencies Introduction

Nursing is an evolving career that encounters many changes daily, and it is up to the

nurse to make sure to stay up to date and apply quality care at the right time and all the time.

Continuing my education to obtain my baccalaureate has been beneficial in many ways and

achieving the nine program graduate competencies (PGC’s) demonstrated below during my RN

to BSN program has already shown to be rewarding as I continue to practice as a nurse.

PGC I: Integrating general education knowledge, skills, and aptitudes to advance nursing

education and growth in professional practice helped build a foundation in my nursing

practice.

“The primary goals of nursing education remain the same: nurses must be prepared to meet

diverse patients’ needs; function as leaders; and advance science that benefits patients and the

capacity of health professionals to deliver safe, quality patient care. At the same time, nursing

education needs to be transformed in several ways to prepare nursing graduates to work

collaboratively and effectively with other health professionals in a complex and evolving health

care system in a variety of settings” (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee, 2011, para 2).
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Nursing is a field that requires building blocks to be a well-rounding nurse. Previous education

and skills allowed me to take what I have already learned and applied it to my nursing practice.

Courses like world history and ethical issues in healthcare opened my mind and helped

me to become more culturally sensitive. Though I had prior knowledge in history and ethical

health care issues these courses built on what I knew and showed the importance of caring for

diverse populations or groups. During my population and community health clinical I understood

the importance of nursing education and learning as our patient's life depends on it, and it allows

the ones we care for to trust in us. Lifelong learning is the foundation for overall wellness. The

life learning nurse is determined and prepared to gain more knowledge that can be used for

personal advancement, and their skills can be utilized in the care and treatment of their patients.

Skilled and well-rounded nurses are needed in the nursing field. Lifelong learner’s patients have

better outcomes and nurses can apply what they learned in their care. The lifelong learner nurse

stays up to date in evidenced-based practice allowing for excellence in nursing practice. General

education and past skills in addition to baccalaureate nursing became a solid foundation for my

current and future nursing practice. “As the national healthcare system is restructured and

innovations in patient care accelerate, professional development and continuing education for

nurses is becoming increasingly important for clinicians interested in staying on the cutting edge

of the nursing field” (AMN, Healthcare, INC., 2013).

PGC II: Demonstrate leadership skills to promote patient safety and the delivery of high-

quality healthcare.

Nurses are vital to the implementation and standard of high-quality care. “Nurse

performance is vital to quality patient care outcomes, and nursing leadership behaviors have been

linked to nursing performance” (Germain & Cummings, 2010). Throughout the RN to BSN I
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have learned nurses are caretakers by nature. We emphasize and care for patients in a way that

provides a sense of security and concern. In my current nursing career, I have had the privilege

to work for and witness great advocacy as a fellow nurse, and during my capstone clinical I

shadowed a charge nurse who proved it takes skills and characteristics to be a nurse leader. As

the charge nurse for that specific day, responsibilities included making sure staffing is adequate

on the floor, overseeing and delegating tasks to homebound school, the therapy department,

outbound school personnel, kitchen staff, the receptionists, and outside vendors. Though most of

the staff reside and work in the same building, patient care took place in different settings of the

facility.

I also have learned through my nursing leadership course and other BSN course that

nurse leaders are essential in my career as leaders promote balance. There are many nurses in the

world today yet not all nurse has leadership skills and concepts. A great nursing leader

communicates effectively, is honest, aware, receptive, and always willing to learn for personal

growth in their nursing profession. These are a few skills I noticed during clinical by my

preceptor. The charge nurse was responsible for handling any issues that may arouse whether it

was on the clinical side of the building or outside of the facility. As a leader, the charge nurse

also stepped in and helped others when needed. Overseeing and holding everyone accountable

for care in the different settings, making sure patient care was consistent, which safely led to

better nursing practice and outcomes. According to American Nurse Today (2012), to be a

leader, you must be committed to your purpose and passion and have the type of commitment

that turns into perseverance.

PGC III: Apply skills of inquiry, analysis, and information literacy to support evidence-

based professional nursing practice.

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The importance of nursing research before obtaining my BSN was mentioned more often

than none. Nursing research showed me that in this ever-changing field it is essential to stay up

to date with most evidence-based practice and this can be obtained through continual nursing

research. The increasing demand for healthcare services has meant that nurses are to take on a

more active and independent role targeted to patients, providing necessary treatment and

deciding relevant clinical practice. This translates into the need for nurses to be able to translate

research and evidence into their practice more efficiently and effectively (Mokhtar et al., 2012).

As a pediatric nurse who works with medically fragile children who are trach and

ventilator dependent, I decided to do a research project in NUR 340 (nursing research) which

discussed ventilator pneumonia in the pediatric population. Nursing research taught me how to

identify a problem, gather evidence or facts, recommendations/prevention, and a solution based

on evidence-based practice.

PGC IV: Integrate information management technology to improve patient outcomes.

Informatics plays a vital role in education and nursing work because it allows nurses to

use appropriate technology when needed. Social and professional networking enables the

providers to reach many people at one time. NUR 410 (Nursing Informatics) taught me

informatics like computer software helps with the collection of statistical information like

medication distribution, how surgeries are performed, and even track healing. I learned

communication, and the ease and quickness of retrieving information at clinics hospitals, and

other healthcare facilities are also some of the benefits of nursing and informatics. In return, this

improves patient care. “An electronic medication administration record documentation system is

associated with overall nurse satisfaction and perceptions of improvement in workload,

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teamwork, ease of documentation, drug information accuracy, and patient safety…” (Moreland,

Gallagher, Bena, Morrison, & Albert, 2012, p.1).

Being the baccalaureate practicing nurse, I am knowledgeable and understand why most

of the healthcare facilities have adopted electronic medical records to help with positive patient

outcomes and comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

Nursing informatics taught me an appropriate healthcare system that is user-friendly might offer

quick and timely care to the patient and keeps everyone safe. The nursing and healthcare field

continues to grow daily. To accommodate this growth electronic records will assist in

productivity and speed up work. As many hospitals and medical facilities get away from paper

charting and upgrade to an electronic record, providers can spend more time with a patient

without worrying about paper charting that is often time-consuming and has been known to

cause errors. In nursing, the documentation is essential in daily practice as a patient’s needs and

condition are easily communicated. Information systems can also help with quality of care and

patient outcome.

PGC V: Advocate for patients and the nursing profession with regard to healthcare policy

at the local, state, national, and global levels.

According to Tang, Eisenberg, & Meyer (2004), the government's responsibility to

protect and advance the interests of society includes the delivery of high-quality health care. In

turn, the government must preserve the interests of its citizens by supplementing the market

where there are gaps and regulating the market where there is inefficiency or unfairness. Nursing

policy (NUR 420) instilled in me that I do not only practice as a nurse, but my voice can bring

change and have a positive impact on not only my patients but different groups, cultures, and

people around the world. I identified a vulnerable population, their need, and how political
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intervention can play a significant role in the treatment and care of these individuals. I researched

mental illness in today’s children and concluded there is not a policy in place that will assist

these children to adapt and function appropriately in an everyday environment. It is up to nurses

who interact the most with their patients to bring to light these issues. Nursing policy taught me

being an active advocate in politics as it pertains to health care can save a life or many lives. The

government is in place for the people, and a silent voice is an unheard voice. The government

rather federal, state, or local has its own entirely autonomous sphere of action, and all three

levels interact in shaping policy, in financing and delivering health care, and in running programs

(Altman & Morgan, 1983). To be a nurse is to be an advocate, a leader and speak out on issues

that affect current health care issues today.

PGC VI: Direct patient-centered care through advocacy, interprofessional communication,

collaboration, and delegation.

Being an advocate is essential in a world where illnesses and diseases may not allow

people to express their needs and desires. Throughout my BSN journey, I have learned

communication is key to yielding best patient outcomes and teamwork makes the dream work.

“Evidence suggests that interprofessional teams achieve better outcomes and that team-based

care should become the normative clinical practice” (ELSEVIER, 2013). As a transport nurse, I

am the link between my job and the hospital. The children I care for a variety of complex needs

and the only way their needs can be met and treated is through a team which usually consist of

specialty doctors that work together with the goals of the child in mind. All my nursing courses

have taught me that a dedicated team and a goal of making the patients wants a priority can yield

healthy and positive outcome. Not only is it a commitment, but collaboration is also more than

just working together and working well with others outside the traditional care circle
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(ELSEVIER, 2013). In all, I have learned effective communication builds teamwork, helps in

diverse settings and helps problem solve. Keeping everyone involved will maintain quality care

and avoids possible issues. Nurses see the patients the most and play a significant role in

communication.

PGC VII: Integrate health promotion and disease prevention practices to positively impact

the delivery of healthcare to diverse populations.

Global health is important is it allows equal access to diverse and vulnerable populations.

The BSN program and my global health course (NUR 310) taught me that knowledge is key.

Community, patient, and family education are essential are decreasing infectious and non-

communicable diseases. I have learned if you do not know about something, you do not worry

about it. In turn, this is affecting the one billion people who lack access to health care systems

and the 7.5 million children under the age of five who have died from malnutrition and mostly

preventable diseases, each year (Shah, 2014). The RN to BSN program has broadened my

knowledge of different cultures, health disparities, community health, and at-risk groups. With

the shortage of nurses in the community, I have learned I should use each opportunity with my

patients, family and/or caregiver as a teaching moment because they may not always able to get

this information.

My clinical experience was involved around children who are considered one of the most

at-risk populations and I had the opportunity to educate and promote healthy habits like

handwashing and childhood immunizations. My population and community health course and

global health have also taught me that to promote health and decrease the spread of diseases it is

essential to becoming familiar with different cultures and how they learn to have the best

outcome.
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I ultimately have learned it is up to us as health care professionals to be the link to local, state,

and global health because healthiness affects people every day and in every part of the world. “It

addresses broad issues that can affect the health and well-being of individuals, families,

communities, populations, and societies—both now, and for generations to come. Public health

programs keep people alive and have led to increased life expectancies, worldwide reductions in

infant and child mortality, and eradication or reduction of many communicable diseases”

(University of Pittsburg, n.d., para 5). As nurses, we should promote health daily as many people

depend on us as healthcare providers to make sure they are safe as I have been taught since the

start of my nursing journey and am now applying top my practice.

PGC VIII: Practice professional nursing within an ethical framework.

When I started the RN to BSN program, I developed a personal nursing philosophy that

reflected on my morals and beliefs as an individual and as a nursing professional. Since the

completion of the RN to BSN transitions (NUR 300) last year and now the completion of the

program, I have learned that I should hold myself to a personal standard of care that I should

follow while maintaining quality and safety goals. The RN to BSN program has taught me I

should develop a trusting rapport with my patients and as a nurse, patients depend on me for my

honesty and ethical standards. These ethical standards include continuing education, professional

development, promoting health, preventing diseased and alleviating suffering (Louisiana State

University, 2017) Having the best interest of the patient in mind always is important to me in my

nursing practice. As a nurse, I plan to provide the best care without discrimination and regardless

of the circumstance. I believe in holding myself accountable to allow for personal reflection and

growth, all learned from my BSN journey.

PGC IX: Demonstrate lifelong learning that empowers personal and professional growth.
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Though I have been in the health field for fourteen years beginning my career as a

certified nursing assistant (CNA). From a CNA to now an RN with soon to be BSN I have

learned life-learning benefits not only me but also the people I care for daily. This program has

taught me nursing is a career where the opportunity to learn new things each day is endless, and

nursing is not only a job but a lifelong career that is continually evolving for the better. “It is a

beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together”- unknown. Education in healthcare is

needed to match the transformations occurring in the United States, and there is a need for

“equally profound changes in the education of nurses both before and after they receive their

licenses” (EBSCO Health, 2017). Nursing is changing rapidly, and I have learned throughout the

program lifelong learning should be expected and essential as it empowers personal and

professional growth.

Conclusion

My RN to BSN has been very rewarding. I have met the program graduate competencies

through clinical, research, and classwork. I find myself being more of a leader as I have learned

to help others and fulfill principles, missions, goals, visions, and plans. I have a passion for

nursing and would like to remain confident yet humble. I want to remain dedicated to myself and

my patient and continue to grow. My nursing philosophy is an everyday guide that reminds me

of my values, beliefs, and personal expectations as I practice as a registered nurse. Though the

road of nursing can be faced with many challenges, I plan on taking on the journey to make a

difference in the lives of the patients are care for daily while continuing to apply the PGC’s

learned through the BSN program.

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References

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American Nurse Today. (2012, August). Nine principles of successful nursing leadership.

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AMN Healthcare, Inc. (2013). Advanced Education Critical to Nursing Success. Retrieved from

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success/

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Transforming Education. Retrieved from:

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