1Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Professional Development Plan

Christian L. Merz

Ferris State University

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2

Abstract

In the following document, I will explore the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Standards

of Practice and how it relates to my professional nursing practice. I will address my personal

strengths and weaknesses. I will develop both a five year goal and ten year goal that I expect to

achieve from now till then.

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Professional Development Plan

Nursing is a dynamic profession with technology rapidly advancing and expanding in

medicine. I have chosen to continue to advance my education as it advances my skills,

knowledge, and provides me with a solid understanding of nursing theory. Today nurses are held

more accountable for their actions and the education principles for nurses are intensifying. In the

following pages, I will review my practice and performance standards, evaluate my strengths and

weaknesses. I will also set achievable goals I except to accomplish over the next five and ten

years in my practice.

The ANA Standards of Professional Performance

Ethics

“The code of Ethics for Nurses was developed as a guide for carrying out nursing

responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of

the profession”, (ANA, 2010). The term ethics refers to the foundation of what is right and

wrong behavior. In my professional practice of nursing, I am committed to provide safe and

compassionate care through the nine requirements of the Code of Ethics for Nursing. “The

Ethical code provides professional standards and a framework for decision making” (Chitty and

Black, 2011, p. 68). From the foundation I have built, my personal ethics grow from my personal

values. As ethical problems arise my feelings and beliefs I have play an important role in finding

resolution and influence quality of care I provide to the patient. I use critical thinking skills to

find appropriate answers to ethical dilemmas. Making nursing decisions related to the patients

care is not always black and white. Autonomy refers to a patient’s right to determine a plan of

care or course of action. In my nursing practice I try to involve my patients with developing their

care plan and develop short term goals with the patient. A short term goal would include

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obtaining proper latches during breastfeeding with multiple holds. I care for my patients with

respect, compassion, and value. A nursing weakness would include prejudging the patients and

provide care on assumptions of the disease process or personal status. I feel all patients should be

treated with respect for their dignity and uniqueness regardless of their social or financial status

and personal attributes. I am committed and strive to advocate for the patients safety and their

rights. When I delegate care to others, I am responsible for my patient and making sure they will

receive the best care. The care I provide to my patient is only a fragment to the larger picture that

is built by all members of the health care team.

Education

“ANA serves as a resource for information about types of education programs for those

entering nursing as well as for nurses looking to expand their knowledge through formal

education”, (ANA, 2013). I work at Memorial Medical center of West Michigan, Ludington in

the Obstetrics department which is a specialty care area. Nursing is a dynamic profession,

forever evolving and changing. Continuing education programs help nurses remain current in

nursing competencies and knowledge. I maintain my nursing licenses along with certifications

that apply to this area that includes neonatal resuscitation (NRP), basic life support (BLS), fetal

monitoring, and stables. Within my department I am trained in all areas that include: antepartum

care, postpartum care, nursery, and labor and delivery. I also attend scheduled staff meetings and

departmental drills that include shoulder dystocia or code red cesarean sections. As a nurse it is

important for me to maintain the integrity of the care I provide and continue to maintain the

highest standard of care I am capable of providing. Because I strive to improve, I have chosen to

return to school for my Bachelors Degree of Nursing (BSN). It has taken me almost four years

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to return but I am proud of this decision. Returning to school has been a big adjustment for me

and my family.

Evidence-based Practice and Research

“The registered nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice”, (ANA,

2010). Without new knowledge, nurses cannot improve their techniques. The practice of

professional nursing and knowledge has developed over time through nursing theories and

research. Some nursing interventions I use in my practice include transferring patient safety to

changing intravenous sites every three days. These are nursing interventions that have been

molded and sculpted through evidence based practice. There are numerous reports that provide

statistical data. One of my weaknesses is analysis and interpreting data that provides evidence

base reports. There are different types of research. One important concept is to determine if the

research was bias. I currently am enrolled in statistical course which identifies different methods

in interpreting studies and there results. Applying the skills I have learned from the statistical

course and understanding the evidence base research allows me to change my strategies for

successful implementations of interventions to improve patient care. There are changes in

technology every day and we as nurses should seek out new ways to improve our care to our

patients.

Quality of Practice

“The registered nurse contributes to quality nursing practice”, (ANA, 2010). As a nurse I

am responsible for evaluating the care I provide to my patients. What my patients define as

quality care may not be the same as what I define as quality. Quality of care may differ from

patient to patient. Measuring quality can be linked to outcomes. Was the outcome or end result

desirable? When providing care it is important to be timely, competent, and cost effective for the

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patient. I feel it is my duty to be accountable for evaluating my own practice and improving the

quality of patient care I provide. I routinely complete physical assessments at least every four

hours on my patients. I also make rounds hourly to check to ensure safety is maintained for my

patients. To improve efficiency in nursing care a nurse delegates patient care appropriately. I feel

delegation is one of my weaknesses because I like to retain accountability to ensure the task was

performed properly.

Communication

“The registered nurse communicates effectively in a variety of formats in all areas of

practice”, (ANA, 2010). Communication is part of our everyday life and it is a lifelong learning

process for nurses. As a nurse, I communicate with patients, families, and colleagues during

joyful times that include a birth of a newborn or a stressful time that includes an unexpected

death. I am the voice for my patient. I am assertive to ask all the right questions and provide

information so my patients can understand it. Communication between a patient and a nurse I

feel is an intimate moment. It is a connection that makes all the difference in the quality of care.

There are different forms of communication that include verbal, non-verbal, and symbolic. We

use all the different forms of communication to improve our relationships with our patients. I am

aware that there are cultural differences in communication and I adapt to meet the patients needs.

My primary language is English and not being bilingual is a weakness. In my department it is not

uncommon to have patients who only speak Spanish. Communication with patients who are not

proficient in English is challenging. The break down in my communication skills with my

patients is a barrier and hurts the quality of care I provide.

Leadership

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“The registered nurse demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and the

profession”, (ANA,2010). Leaders bring out the best in their followers. Leaders are responsible,

competent, and capable. I feel I am a great leader. When I worked on the Medical/Surgical Floor

I would fill the charge nursing position from time to time. I shared this role with other registered

nurse and delegate work assignments and gave direction throughout the day. As a charge nurse I

felt it was always important to stay positive and professional regardless of the situation. I had to

display excellent communication skills and actively listen to staff, patients, and family members.

While I was in charge, I was invested in my coworkers and always willing to assist them as

needed. Nurses get stressed and overwhelmed when they are overworked and under constant

pressure. As a charge nurse I made myself available for morning med pass or assisted when I

could help alleviate some of the stress on the floor.

One of my weaknesses includes delegating tasks to nurses who have more experience

then myself. I found some seasoned nurses where resistant to change in staffing and changes

within the facility. I had to take a different approach and found it was important to give them

credit for their experience. I also made it known I had things I could learn from them. I

approached these staff members in a humble way and they were more willing to listen to me.

Collaboration and Resource Utilization

“Collaboration is a complex process that builds on communication. It implies working

jointly with other professionals all of whom are respected for their unique knowledge and

abilities, to improve a patient’s health status or to solve an organizational problem” (Chitty and

Black, 2011, p. 215). One nurse cannot address and safely respond to all the concern areas for

patients. Each member of the health care team focuses on different aspects or concerns of the

patient. For an example a patient is newly diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The doctor

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would be concerned with diagnosing, treating, and prescribing medications. As the nurse I would

focus on her response to the disease, developing goals with the patient and provide education on

interventions of fluid overload. As displayed in the example both the doctor and nurse are

working to help the patient to achieve optimal health status. Using the multidisciplinary team is

critical to ensure the patient’s needs are being addressed. “The registered nurse collaborates with

the healthcare consumer, family and others in the conduct of nursing practice”, (ANA, 2010). I

utilize resources that include hospital care coordinators as well as outside resources that include

Protective Services, Department of Human Resources, WIC, and adoption agency services.

Collaboration is a mutually beneficial for two or more healthcare members that address

well defined set goals. My weakness in this area is including all partners that can contribute

resources to an event or situation and define accountability. When working as a team,

responsibility can blur lines of accountability when communication is corrupted and assignments

are unclear. I like to know that I am meeting patient’s expectations and meeting standard of care.

Profession Practice Evaluation  

“The registered nurse evaluates her or his own nursing practice in relation to professional

practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules and regulations”, (ANA,2010). I feel to

improve the care I provide to my patients it is important to reflect and analyze my own practice,

belief, and morals. Reflection is a great tool that I utilize to identify problems with my nursing

care. I value my relationship with my patients and feel it is important to strive to provide state of

the art care. Excellent nursing practice is a mirror image of sound ethical values. I understand

making decisions to patient care requires careful reasoning and critical thinking skills to

determine the patient best outcomes based on the conditions and priority of the problem.

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One of my weaknesses in this area is I sometimes take criticism to personal. I strive for

perfection and tend to go above and beyond on occasions. I feel this is a positive personality trait

in some situation. I take pride as a nurse and value my relationships with my patients.

Understanding my weaknesses will allow me to take criticism and turn it into a learning

experience.

Environmental Health

“The registered nurse practices in an environmentally safe and healthy manner”, (ANA,

2010). “The environment is everything around us – the air we breathe, the water we drink and

use, and the food we consume.  It is also the chemicals, radiation, microbes, and the physical

forces with which we come into contact” (CDC, 2005). All healthcare workers face hazards on

the job that include blood and body fluid exposure, needlestick injuries, musculoskeletal injuries

from lifting patients, exposure to radiation, and acquiring latex allergies from increased exposure

in a hospital setting. In my nursing practice I am conscious that I must remain in good health in

order to take care of my family and my patients. I use lifting devices and proper body mechanics

when transferring patients. I am religious about washing my hands to protect myself and my

patients. Today it is not uncommon for nurses to work twelve hour shifts. I work a night shift

that is 7:00 PM till 7:30 AM. I understand that long hours can affect my job performance and

cause an increase burnout rate. One of my weaknesses is stretching myself to thin and working

extra shifts or even double shifts. Education is the key when it comes to protecting me and

understanding safe practices for my patients. I participate in my facilities required trainings that

relates to safety.

Goals

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The following goals I have set include a wild card called life. Life is a journey and I am

ambitious about achieving my set goals. My goals I have set are like plotting directions on a road

map to a destination. There may be detours and bumps along the way but knowing my path will

keep me focused on obtaining my goals. The attached (appendix A) identifies the goals I have set

to achieve.

Five-year Professional Goal

A Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a degree that prepares a nurse for

management roles and provides them with better bedside nursing skills, armed with more

science, communication, and professional skills. In the next five years I will have my Bachelor

of Science in Nursing degree. I have begun my five year goal approximately a year ago with

returning to school. My current employer Memorial Medical Center is merging with Spectrum

Health Partners. With the advancement of my degree I have hopes for the opportunity for

advancement and improve my current nursing skills.

Ten-year Professional Goal

Ten years out, I plan to be enrolled in a Master’s Degree program. The Ferris State

University offers this program online or on campus. The online program will allow me to attend

to my job, and family. Within ten years I may be Director of the Little River Band of Ottawa

Indians Tribal Health Clinic. I currently am not working for this facility but I feel it is important

to build my clinical skills as a nurse in a hospital settings first. Setting this ten year goal helps

me stay motivated to turn my vision of my professional career into reality.

Evaluation of Goals

Despite all odds people find ways to archive goals and dreams. If I am faced with a road

block, I look at it in terms of what I can do, not what I cannot. I will never ignore my limitations

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and weaknesses. Obstacles are not brick walls. I have decided to work hard through, over and

under my obstacles during this program. I have a supportive family who has encouraged me to

continue my education. I feel I am determined to go above and beyond to be successful. In order

for my plans to be effective, I will keep them in sight at all times. I anticipate completing this

program in a two year span and graduating in the spring of 2015. This will require me to take six

credits per semester for seven semesters. I feel if I maintain this pace I am not stretching myself

too thin and I will be able to succeed. As I work towards my BSN, I will continue to reassess my

goals and tweak them if necessary.

Conclusion

As I complete this paper, I have reflected and identified my strengths and more

importantly my weakness that I can improve. I have also evaluated myself in relation to

professional nursing standards’ of care. I have developed a plan for my future with a five year

goal and a goal in ten years. The nursing profession continues to evolve and I have adapted well

to these changes. I am vested in providing exceptional care to my patients and I am proud that I

am a nurse. I know there is work to be done to improve my weakness and I am committed to

improve these areas.

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Reference:

American Nurses Association (2013). Code of ethics. Retrieved August 1, 2013, from

http://www.nursingworld.org/codeofethics

American Nurses Association (2013). Education. Retrieved August 1, 2013, from

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/

NursingEducation

American Nurses Association, & Ferris State University (2010). Standards of professional

nursing practice. Retrieved from

http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/Standards-of-Professional-

Nursing-Practice.htm

CDC, Department of Health and Human Sciences. (2005).Environmental health and nursing.

DeKalb County Board of Health. DeKalb County Board of Health. Your public health

resource.Retrieved August 2, 2013, from http://www.dekalbhealth.net/public-health-

nurse/environmental-health-and-nursing/

Chitty, K. K., & Black, B. P. (2011). Professional nursing: concepts & challenges (6th ed.).

Maryland Heights, Mo: Saunders/Elsevier.

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Appendix

Five Year Goals Expected Completion CompleatedObtain BSN Spring 2015Climb the Professional Ladder Obtain Nursing Supervisor Position

Spring 2015

Ten Year Goals Expected Completion CompletedEnter Masters Program Summer 2016Director of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Health Clinic

Summer 2017

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Writing Checklist

CHECK

DATE, TIME, & INITIAL

PROOFREAD FOR: APA ISSUES

CM

EM

1. Page Numbers: Did you number your pages using the automatic functions of your Word program? [p. 230 and example on p. 40)]

CM

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2. Running head: Does the Running head: have a small “h”? Is it on every page? Is it less than 50 spaces total? Is the title of the Running head in all caps? Is it 1/2” from the top of your title page? (Should be a few words from the title of your paper). [p. 229 and example on p. 40]

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3. Abstract: Make sure your abstract begins on a new page. Is there a label of Abstract and it is centered at the top of the page? Is it a single paragraph? Is the paragraph flush with the margin without an indentation? Is your abstract a summary of your entire paper? Remember it is not an introduction to your paper. Someone should be able to read the abstract and know what to find in your paper. [p. 25 and example on p. 41]

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4. Introduction: Did you repeat the title of your paper on your first page of content? Do not use ‘Introduction’ as a heading following the title. The first paragraph clearly implies the introduction and no heading is needed. [p. 27 and example on p. 42]

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5. Margins: Did you leave 1” on all sides? [p. 229]

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6. Double-spacing: Did you double-space throughout? No triple or extra spaces between sections or paragraphs except in special circumstances. This includes the reference page. [p. 229 and example on p. 40-59]

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7. Line Length and Alignment: Did you use the flush-left style, and leave the right margin uneven, or ragged? [p. 229]

CM 8. Paragraphs and Indentation: Did you indent the first line of every paragraph? See P. 229 for exceptions.

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EM

CM

EM

9. Spacing After Punctuation Marks: Did you space once at the end of separate parts of a reference and initials in a person’s name? Do not space after periods in CM abbreviations. Space twice after punctuation marks at the end of a sentence. [p. 87-88]

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10. Typeface: Did you use Times Roman 12-point font? [p. 228]

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11. Abbreviation: Did you explain each abbreviation the first time you used it? [p. 106-111]

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12. Plagiarism: Cite all sources! If you say something that is not your original idea, it must be cited. You may be citing many times…this is what you are supposed to be doing! [p. 170]

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13. Direct Quote: A direct quote is exact words taken from another. An example with citation would look like this:

“The variables that impact the etiology and the human response to various disease states will be explored” (Bell-Scriber, 2007, p. 1).

Please note where the quotation marks are placed, where the final period is placed, no first name of author, and inclusion of page number, etc. Do all direct quotes look like this? [p. 170-172]

CM, EM 14. Quotes Over 40 Words: Did you make block quotes out of any direct quotes that are 40 words or longer? [p. 170-172]

CM, EM 15. Paraphrase: A paraphrase citation would look like this:

Patients respond to illnesses in various ways depending on a number of factors that will be explored (Bell-Scriber, 2007).

It may also look like this: Bell-Scriber (2007) found that……

[p. 171 and multiple examples in text on p. 40-59]

For multiple references within the same paragraph see page 174.

CM, EM 16. Headings: Did you check your headings for proper levels? [p. 62-63].

CM, EM 17. General Guidelines for References:

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A. Did you start the References on a new page? [p. 37]

B. Did you cut and paste references on your reference page? If so, check to make sure they are in correct APA format. Often they are not and must be adapted. Make sure all fonts are the same.

C. Is your reference list double spaced with hanging indents? [p. 37]

PROOFREAD FOR GRAMMAR, SPELLING, PUNCTUATION, & STRUCTURE

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18. Did you follow the assignment rubric? Did you make headings that address each major section? (Required to point out where you addressed each section.)

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19. Watch for run-on or long, cumbersome sentences. Read it out loud without pausing unless punctuation is present. If you become breathless or it doesn’t make sense, you need to rephrase or break the sentence into 2 or more smaller sentences. Did you do this?

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20. Wordiness: check for the words “that”, and “the”. If not necessary, did you omit?

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21. Conversational tone: Don’t write as if you are talking to someone in a casual way. For example, “Well so I couldn’t believe nurses did such things!” or “I was in total shock over that.” Did you stay in a formal/professional tone?

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22. Avoid contractions. i.e. don’t, can’t, won’t, etc. Did you spell these out?

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23. Did you check to make sure there are no hyphens and broken words in the right margin?

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24. Do not use “etc.” or "i.e." in formal writing unless in parenthesis. Did you check for improper use of etc. & i.e.?

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25. Stay in subject agreement. When referring to 1 nurse, don’t refer to the nurse as “they” or “them”. Also, in referring to a human, don’t refer to the person as “that”, but rather “who”. For example: The nurse that gave the injection….” Should be “The nurse who gave the injection…” Did you check for subject agreement?

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CM

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26. Don’t refer to “us”, “we”, “our”, within the paper…this is not about you and me. Be clear in identifying. For example don’t say “Our profession uses empirical data to support ….” . Instead say “The nursing profession uses empirical data…..

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27. Did you check your sentences to make sure you did not end them with a preposition? For example, “I witnessed activities that I was not happy with.” Instead, “I witnessed activities with which I was not happy.”

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28. Did you run a Spellcheck? Did you proofread in addition to running the Spellcheck?

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29. Did you have other people read your paper? Did they find any areas confusing?

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30. Did you include a summary or conclusion heading and section to wrap up your paper?

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31. Does your paper have sentence fragments? Do you have complete sentences?

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32. Did you check apostrophes for correct possessive use. Don’t use apostrophes unless it is showing possession and then be sure it is in the correct location. The exception is with the word it. It’s = it is. Its is possessive.

Signing below indicates you have proofread your paper for the errors in the checklist:

Christian Merz__________DATE: 7/31/13_________

A peer needs to proofread your paper checking for errors in the listed areas and sign below:

Emerson Dame z DATE: 8/4/13 3

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