This assignment is very exciting for me. I was just offered a job on the Oncology unit at LDS Hospital. This job offer has given me more of a focus for my career. This has helped me immensely in creating a personal career development plan.
Goal: To become a Nurse Practitioner.
Current Education: Associate of Science in Nursing received April, 2011.
Required Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current Skills/Experience: Currently licensed as a RN and was just offered a position on the Oncology floor at LDS Hospital.
Required Skills/Experience: I would like to get 3-5 years of experience on an oncology floor in order to become a proficient RN.
Step 1: Complete Bachelor Nursing Program and graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Target Completion Date: April 26, 2012.
Step 2: Complete Intermountain New Grad Residency Program
Target Completion Date: June 30, 2012.
Step 3: Join Oncology Nursing Society
Target Completion Date: December 31, 2012.
Step 4: Work a total of 1872 hours at LDS Hospital on Oncology floor
Target Completion Date: March 26, 2013.
Step 5: Apply to University of Utah's Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program and take the GRE.
Target Completion Date: Fall, 2013
Step 6: Enroll in University of Utah's Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
Target Completion Date: Fall, 2014
Step 7: Successfully complete first three semesters of Nurse Practitioner Program
Target Completion Date: Fall, 2015
Step 8: Successfully complete second three semesters of Nurse Practitioner Program
Target Completion Date: Fall, 2016
Step 9: Successfully finish Doctorate Scholarly Project and last two semesters of Nurse Practitioner Program.
Target Completion Date: Spring, 2017
Step 10: Begin work as a Nurse Practitioner
Target Completion Date: Summer, 2017
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
February 28, 2012 Class
This class was interesting. We talked a lot about budgeting and managing a budget. We were actually able to look at an example of a hospital's actual budget. We were then split up in groups to discuss the budget and look for ways to cut spending to meet the monthly budget. This was very interesting, because it was a look into how management has to problem solve to meet budgets. This activity readied me for my budget interview that I will be conducting shortly. Who knew budgets could be so complex and take so much management?
February 14, 2012 Class
Our class on February 14 was interesting. It started with an announcement that our syllabus and course structure was completely changing. A little bit after that announcement our teacher left without any explanation. This little "set up" was supposed to give us an example of how not to manage change. Change needs to be explained and dealt with in a professional manner. Despite the unconventional teaching method, I did think it did bring home a point. Many of the students were upset about the change. While preparing for the class, I had read "Who moved my cheese?" A lot of the time our cheese is moved, or change happens that we cannot control. We can control how we react to it. Change will happen. As managers and leaders, I hope to manage change in a professional manner and control how I react to change.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
February 7, 2012 Class
For this class, we discussed the different qualities in men and women that make them leaders. We started the class with the questions "Who makes a better leader, men or women?" I don't think men or women make a "better" leader. Both bring different qualities and perspectives to their leadership.
Another point we discussed were the different powers we have. I recently read an article that discussed the different powers, that nurses have. We have expert power. Expert power comes from the experience and knowledge that nurses have. We also have power because nurses are known to be trusted. Another power we have is to persuade. With our knowledge base and trusted status we have the power to persuade some to believe what we believe. All powers are beneficial in different ways. It is important as a leader to understand the different powers we have and use them in the appropriate manner.
Another point we discussed were the different powers we have. I recently read an article that discussed the different powers, that nurses have. We have expert power. Expert power comes from the experience and knowledge that nurses have. We also have power because nurses are known to be trusted. Another power we have is to persuade. With our knowledge base and trusted status we have the power to persuade some to believe what we believe. All powers are beneficial in different ways. It is important as a leader to understand the different powers we have and use them in the appropriate manner.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
January 31, 2012 Class
We discussed strategic planning in class today. Strategic planning is long range planning (3, 5, 20 years). Strategic or long range planning has changed over time. In the past, strategic planning meant that administration leaves the hospital and goes to a remote location. The plan would talk about where they would be in five years, 20 years, etc… The plan would then never be looked at again. Now long range strategic planning is for 12 – 18 months. The planning includes collaboration, deciding in advance “what to do, who is to do it, how it is to be done and when it is to be done.” After reading the articles assigned to us and attending class, I’ve realized that one of the most important parts to strategic planning is collaboration. The game we played in class reinforced this. Nobody wins, if we don’t collaborate. Each department is essential in strategic planning.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
January 24, 2012 Class
Today we discussed ethics in healthcare. I really liked the definition presented for what ethics means. " The systematic study of what a person¶s conduct and actions out to be with regard to him/herself, other human beings, and the environment; it is the
justification of what is right or good and the study of what a person's life and relationships ought to be, not necessarily what they are." Ethics is a very complex topic. In class we were able to discuss many different scenarios that demonstrate unique ethical dilemmas nurses face. In My Sister's Keeper a very ethical dilemma was explored. Is it right to have a child for the purpose of saving another? It is interesting because in most ethical situations I can usually relate to all sides of the debate. I think that's what makes it such a complex idea. Ethics committees are often called upon to sort through and try to come to a conclusion. I hope that in my practice I will be able to stay true to my values in the face of all of the different ethical situations I will face.
justification of what is right or good and the study of what a person's life and relationships ought to be, not necessarily what they are." Ethics is a very complex topic. In class we were able to discuss many different scenarios that demonstrate unique ethical dilemmas nurses face. In My Sister's Keeper a very ethical dilemma was explored. Is it right to have a child for the purpose of saving another? It is interesting because in most ethical situations I can usually relate to all sides of the debate. I think that's what makes it such a complex idea. Ethics committees are often called upon to sort through and try to come to a conclusion. I hope that in my practice I will be able to stay true to my values in the face of all of the different ethical situations I will face.
12 Characteristics of Leaders
1. Leadership requires personal mastery - Nurses demonstrate leadership when they show competence and mastery at the tasks they perform. Nurses are deemed competent by means of a license to practice nursing (NLN 2010).
2. Leadership is about values - Nurses demonstrate values through when they are caring for patients. A "good" nurse demonstrates the core values of caring, integrity, and excellence in their care (NLN 2010).
3. Leadership is about service - Nurses are always serving. The definition of nurses according to the webster dictionary states that a nurse is one who cares for or advises another human. The very basis of nursing is serving the patient.
4. Leadership is about people and relationships - The nurse cares for the patient on an individual level. Their needs to be a relationship built on trust in order for the nurse to provide the best care possible.
5. Leadership is contextual - Nurses are dependent on research, colleagues, patients, etc... to excel as leaders and care for the patient.
6. Leadership is about the management of meaning - Nurses spend a significant amount of time with the patient. The nurse needs to be able to continually assess the patient and manage symptom and every assessment that is happening.
7. Leadership is about balance - At the beginning of every shift, the nurse has sometimes an overwhelmingly long list of things that need to be done. The nurse needs to be able to prioritize and balance that list and effectively deliver quality care. The nurse also needs to be able to balance work and personal life. Without balance, the nurse will burn out easily.
8. Leadership is about continuous learning and improvement - Healthcare is a constantly changing field. New research and technology are constantly being developed. To be a good leader and nurse, nurses need to be lifelong learners. They need to be well read and constantly learning about the healthcare industry.
9. Leadership is about effective decision making - Nurses are constantly making decisions. Assessments, treatments, and all around care for the patient require decisions to made constantly. The nurse needs to be able to make those decisions effectively.
10. Leadership is a political process - There are enough nurses in America that if joined together could potentially sway an election. Nurses know firsthand the challenges that healthcare faces. Nurses need to speak up and become involved in the political arena to promote change.
11. Leadership is about modeling - One interpretation of modeling is that to model means to teach. Nurses are always teaching patients. Another interpretation of modeling is to imitate or reflect an example. Nurses need to used evidence based nursing practice which essentially is modeling.
12. Leadership is about integrity - Nurses face many ethical dilemmas in day to day nursing. Nurses need to have integrity in order to face those ethical dilemmas and react appropriately.
2. Leadership is about values - Nurses demonstrate values through when they are caring for patients. A "good" nurse demonstrates the core values of caring, integrity, and excellence in their care (NLN 2010).
3. Leadership is about service - Nurses are always serving. The definition of nurses according to the webster dictionary states that a nurse is one who cares for or advises another human. The very basis of nursing is serving the patient.
4. Leadership is about people and relationships - The nurse cares for the patient on an individual level. Their needs to be a relationship built on trust in order for the nurse to provide the best care possible.
5. Leadership is contextual - Nurses are dependent on research, colleagues, patients, etc... to excel as leaders and care for the patient.
6. Leadership is about the management of meaning - Nurses spend a significant amount of time with the patient. The nurse needs to be able to continually assess the patient and manage symptom and every assessment that is happening.
7. Leadership is about balance - At the beginning of every shift, the nurse has sometimes an overwhelmingly long list of things that need to be done. The nurse needs to be able to prioritize and balance that list and effectively deliver quality care. The nurse also needs to be able to balance work and personal life. Without balance, the nurse will burn out easily.
8. Leadership is about continuous learning and improvement - Healthcare is a constantly changing field. New research and technology are constantly being developed. To be a good leader and nurse, nurses need to be lifelong learners. They need to be well read and constantly learning about the healthcare industry.
9. Leadership is about effective decision making - Nurses are constantly making decisions. Assessments, treatments, and all around care for the patient require decisions to made constantly. The nurse needs to be able to make those decisions effectively.
10. Leadership is a political process - There are enough nurses in America that if joined together could potentially sway an election. Nurses know firsthand the challenges that healthcare faces. Nurses need to speak up and become involved in the political arena to promote change.
11. Leadership is about modeling - One interpretation of modeling is that to model means to teach. Nurses are always teaching patients. Another interpretation of modeling is to imitate or reflect an example. Nurses need to used evidence based nursing practice which essentially is modeling.
12. Leadership is about integrity - Nurses face many ethical dilemmas in day to day nursing. Nurses need to have integrity in order to face those ethical dilemmas and react appropriately.
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