NURS 6003 Assignment: Academic Success & Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
Assignment: Academic Success & Professional Development Plan Part 6: Finalizing the Plan
At some point in every construction project, efforts turn from design and the focus moves to actual construction. With the vision in place and the tools secured, the blueprint can be finalized and approved. Then it is time to put on hardhats and begin work.
Throughout the course you have developed aspects of your Academic and Professional Development Plan. You have put a great deal of thought into your vision and goals, your academic and professional
NURS 6003 Part 4 Finalizing the Plan Essaynetwork of support, research strategies and other tools you will need, the integrity of your work, and the value of consulting the work of others. With your portfolio in place, it is now time to finalize your blueprint for success.
Much as builders remain cognizant of the building standards as they plan and begin construction, nurses must remain mindful of the formal standards of practice that govern their specialty. A good understanding of these standards can help ensure that your success plan includes any steps necessary to excel within your chosen specialty.
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by developing the final component: a review of your specialty standards of practice. You will also submit your final version of the document, including Parts 1–5.
To Prepare:
- Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty.
- Download the Nursing Specialty Comparison Matrix.
- Examine professional organizations related to the specialization you have chosen and identify at least one to focus on for this assignment.
- Reflect on the thoughts you shared in the Discussion forum regarding your choice of a specialty, any challenges you have encountered in making this choice, and any feedback you have received from colleagues in the Discussion.
The Assignment:
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
- Write a paragraph that provides a detailed comparison at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
- Write a clear and accurate 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Provide sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
- Clearly identify and accurately describe in detail the professional organization related to the specialization you have chosen to focus on for this assignment and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.
Note: Your final version of the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan should include all components as presented the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan template. Make all corrections to each part based on faculty feedback and submit a final and edited copy of the template (Part 1-Part 6) in correct APA format.
By Day 7
Submit Parts 1-6 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
Remember to include an introduction paragraph which contains a clear and comprehensive purpose statement which delineates all required criteria, and end the assignment Part with a conclusion paragraph.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 6 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK6Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 6 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 6 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 6 Assignment
Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this week, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze difficulties in determining nursing specializations (D)
Compare nursing specialties (A)
Justify selection of MSN specialization (A)
Analyze nursing specialization professional organization engagement strategies (A)
Create Academic Success and Professional Development Plans(A)
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the
power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing
Administration, 49(11), 517-519.
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization.
Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.
Quinn-Szcesuil, J. (2016). Why you should join a nursing association. Retrieved from
Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the
context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal,
27(1), 2-4.
Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved October 12, 2018,
from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing
Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)
Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of
Practice or Competencies:
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice
(2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.
Nursing Informatics
E-book: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice
“The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing
Informatics” (pp. 18–3
Nursing Education
Website: Competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator
National League for Nursing. (2019). Nurse educator core competency. Retrieved from
http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-
education/nurse-educator-core-competency
Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies
or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of
competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be
examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study.
Nurse Executive
Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competencies.
Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies
Public Health Nursing
Website: Public Health Nurse Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competencies.
Retrieved from http://www.quadcouncilphn.org/documents-3/2018-qcc-competencies/
American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practice
(2nd ed.) Silver Spring, MD: Author.
Public Health Nursing
E-book: Public Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
Optional Resources
Walden University. (n.d.). Subject Research: Nursing. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subject/nursing
Nurse Educator Core Competencies
- A+
NLN Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators
Competencies of Academic Nurse Educators
Defined and described in 2005, the competences demonstrated by the academic nurse educator have stood the test of time. These competencies related to academic nurse educators functioning in the full scope of the role. Educational environments may direct specific task statements over others, but the competencies remain the same.
- Facilitate Learning
- Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
- Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
- Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes
- Function as a Change Agent and Leader
- Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Nurse Educator Role
- Engage in Scholarship
- Function within the Educational Environment
Competencies of Academic Clinical Nurse Educators
In 2018, competencies related to the role of the academic nurse educator were developed. These competencies are described for the academic nurse educator that is responsible for facilitating learning primarily in the clinical setting, reports to an academic program of nursing education, and has input into the assessments of nursing learner clinical performance.
- Function within the Education and Health Care Environments
- Function in the Clinical Educator Role
- Operationalize the Curriculum
- Abide by Legal Requirements, Ethical Guidelines, Agency Policies, and Guiding Framework
- Facilitate Learning in the Health Care Environment
- Demonstrate Effective Interpersonal Communication and Collaborative Inter-professional Relationships
- Apply Clinical Expertise in the Health Care Environment
- Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
- Implement Effective Clinical and Assessment Evaluation Strategies
Competencies of Novice Academic Nurse Educators
In 2020, the competencies related to the roles and functions of a novice academic nurse educator were identified. Novice, as defined by literature, is a nurse educator with less than two years of experience in the role. Although the competencies are the same as the educator in the full scope of the role, the task statements related to the competencies are leveled down to general expectations to novice educator functions, which are not the same as the nurse educator with experience who functions within the full scope of the role.
- Facilitate Learning
- Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
- Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
- Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes
- Function as a Change Agent and Leader
- Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Role of Nurse Educator
- Engage in Scholarship
- Function within the Educational Environment
Certification for Nurse Educators
Rubric Detail
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
Name: NURS_6002_Week_6_Assignment_Rubric
Grid View
List View
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan:
· Compare at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
· Write a 2-3 paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
· Identify the professional organization related to the specialization you have chosen to focus on for this Assignment and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.
77 (77%) – 85 (85%)
A detailed comparison is provided that accurately and fully describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.
A clear and accurately justified statement describes in detail the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
The response clearly identifies and accurately describes in detail the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response clearly and accurately describes in detail how to become an active member of this organization.
68 (68%) – 76 (76%)
A partial comparison is provided that partially describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.
A partially justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with some evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
The response partially describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response partially describes how to become an active member of this organization.
59 (59%) – 67 (67%)
A vague or inaccurate ciomparison is provided that describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.
A vague or inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization.
0 (0%) – 58 (58%)
A vague and inaccurate comparison is provided that describes the selected and second-preferred specialization, or is missing.
A vague and inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague and inaccurate evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum, or is missing.
The response vaguely and inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely and inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.
A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.
No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting –
The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6002_Week_6_Assignment_Rubric