Networking Opportunities

, ,

My name is Joseph Mwangi; I am originally from Kenya. I immigrated to the United States one year after graduating high school and studying Computer Information Technology in my first university year. Coming to this country allowed me to achieve my childhood dream of working in healthcare. Though my initial interest was to become a doctor, the expenses of new life in a new country were huge to bear, and I settled to become a nurse. I started my nursing career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), climbed the ladder to licensed practitioner nurse (LPN), then to registered nurse (RN). Finally, I am now pursuing a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) at Walden University.

ORDER HERE A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

As a nurse, I have enjoyed working in different nursing areas, from long-term care to medical-surgical units to emergency departments and now in the behavior healthcare unit. As an emergency room nurse, I meet a variety kind of patients with different presentations and diagnoses. As a result, I located one area of healthcare that I feel is underserved, mental healthcare. Knowing that I wanted to go back to school and achieve my nurse practitioner, I started looking at different universities that fit my busy work and family schedule. Walden University was the best fit. Networking Opportunities

Walden’s university vision resonates with my overall career goal to achieve societal change through the knowledge acquired and applied to critical societal challenges. According to Walden University (2021) vision is for its graduates to use their degree knowledge into societal encounters to achieve more significant global goods by making changes and impacts in the community. Walden has a mission to incorporate a diverse group of career-driven individuals to become change agents in their community. Additionally, Walden University promotes positive social change by developing knowledgeable, ethically driven critical thinking scholar-practitioners to serve the communities (Walden University, 2021). As a result, choosing Walden University to continue with my professional and academic goals was a simple decision to make. Its vision, mission, goals, and society initiatives rhyme with my overall professional goal objectives of serving the underserved communities.

The Walden MSN program outcome relates to my professional and academic goals by creating positive societal change by utilizing the knowledge acquired at Walden University in my local community. Upon completing PMHNP, my goal is to impact my local community members through acquired knowledge, especially the uninsured, homeless, and underserved amongst us suffering from mental health conditions and drug addictions. Throughout my nursing career, I have encountered tones of individuals who suffer from a mental health condition and have become an afterthought in society. I aim to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to bring change to the underserved by opening a clinic that is merely affordable and accessible to the most oppressed community members. With the knowledge and skills acquired at Walden University, I will apply evidence-based research care to the patients I serve (Walden University, 2021). Furthermore, I will deliver economical and efficient care and enrich my professional skills through continuous education to update myself with the most current and ever-changing technology. Networking Opportunities

As a master program student at Walden University, I have a good support system from the family and friends who are current students at Walden University; and some have graduated from Walden University as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and PMHNP. I am confident they will provide any needed academic and professional advice for me to succeed in this program. Additionally, I have professional colleagues who support me with my career goal. The hospital I work provides some financial support to employees to further their education, which will provide some financial relief.

Reference

Walden University. (2021). Program: Master of science in nursing (MSN). Walden University – Acalog ACMS™. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=172&poid=67151&returnto=62482

Walden University. (2021). Vision, mission, and goals. Walden University – Acalog ACMS™. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=179&navoid=65155

Walden University. (2021). Walden University. Walden University – Acalog ACMS™. https://catalog.waldenu.edu/index.php?catoid=172

response 1

I commend you for your hard work and dedication to the pursuit of helping others. Although it can seem as settling sometimes, I believe being at the bedside with our patients gives us nurses something special that a physician will never learn. Now through programs like Walden’s, not only can we attain higher education to practice similarly as physicians, but we can do it from the comforts of home while maintaining family, work, and friends. Walden’s mission of “providing a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change” (Walden, 2020b) is the perfect statement of what you are achieving. Networking Opportunities

Your aim to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to bring change to the underserved mental health population by opening a clinic is inspiring and commendable. According to Walden, “The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prepares students to focus their practice on the identified health needs of society, become leaders in their field through scholarship, influence the quality of patient care, manage technology and information, gain autonomy in their careers, and develop a lifelong commitment to learning” (Walden, 2020a). You identified the needs of a specific population through first-hand experience and are making the decision to influence their quality of care by committing to obtaining higher-level education.

Mental health is complex and I have learned through my years of nursing that more people face mental health challenges than not. It remains taboo to discuss and there is a stigma that remains, so many people aren’t seeking diagnoses or treatment. This is even more of an issue in low-income areas, because they have added stressors, but are unable to receive the help they need.

References

Walden University. (2020a). Program: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Learning Outcomes. Walden University catalog. Retrieved March 1, 2021 from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=178&poid=70112&returnto=64000

Walden University. (2020b). Vision, Mission, and Goals. Walden University catalog. Retrieved March 1, 2021, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=178&navoid=63595 Networking Opportunities

NURS_6003_Module01_Week01_Discussion_Rubric

	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Main Posting	45 (45%) – 50 (50%) Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.	40 (40%) – 44 (44%) Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.	35 (35%) – 39 (39%) Responds to some of the discussion question(s). One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors.	0 (0%) – 34 (34%) Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately. Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness	10 (10%) – 10 (10%) Posts main post by day 3.	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%) Does not post by day 3.
First Response	17 (17%) – 18 (18%) Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.	15 (15%) – 16 (16%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.	13 (13%) – 14 (14%) Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.	0 (0%) – 12 (12%) Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited.
Second Response	16 (16%) – 17 (17%) Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.	14 (14%) – 15 (15%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Networking Opportunities Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.	12 (12%) – 13 (13%) Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.	0 (0%) – 11 (11%) Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited.
Participation	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%)	0 (0%) – 0 (0%) Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.

Total Points: 100

ORDER HERE A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Discussion: Networking Opportunities

In this module, you begin laying the foundation for your academic and professional success. Your efforts begin with a vision that includes your own definition of success. Your vision may vary from those of your colleagues, but this does not mean you have to take these first steps alone.

Walden University and the College of Nursing also have a vision and mission, which include helping you to make your own vision a reality. Members of your new academic community, such as faculty, support teams, and fellow students, can also be helpful. Current practitioners and other member of the professional community can also help you to clarify your vision.

This Module’s Discussion asks you to consider how the Walden mission and vision as well as the College of Nursing’s mission and vision apply to your professional and academic goals. You will also begin to identify individuals and teams who can help you along the way as you begin designing the “blueprint”—your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan—that will guide you toward your own vision for academic and professional success.

To Prepare:

Review the Walden and College of Nursing mission and vision statements, Walden’s goals and University Outcomes, and the MSN Program Learning Outcomes presented in this Module’s Learning Resources.
Reflect on your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
Consider how the information in these resources fit with your own goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.
Also consider academic and professional individuals and teams with whom you may collaborate in support of your efforts as a student at the university and as a professional within your organization and career. Networking Opportunities

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a brief introduction of yourself to your colleagues. Include an explanation as to how Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Also include an explanation for how the Walden MSN Program Outcomes and perspectives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by suggesting additional individuals and/or teams with whom you wish to collaborate or by offering additional networking strategies.

Week 1 discussion – Response

Hi xx, you brought up a good aspect of working with the less fortunate people in the community. Its amazing how many of us think that once we graduate will be working inside hospitals or clinics,treating patients in a contained environments and being on-call; however its true not all of us health care professionals suffer the stress of rushing through multiple patient every hour in the settings. Infact, one largely overlooked career path for Nurse practioners is in public health nursing. By following these path will be able to address health needs of these communities you highlighted in your post through wellness clinics, home visits, and developing relationships that can help to stop serious health problems before they start, exacting positive changes in the lives of patients and communities.

Its worthy to note another exciting reason one should explore this setting is the sheer range of possible work environments which makes this an attractive career to nurses of all types who want to work closely with their patients and dislike the idea of being stuck exclusively in a hospital. Also it gives a lot of opportunities to work in many different environments. Some work for agencies and programs that are specifically designed to provide services for undeserved and low-income communities. Personally it will be ideal since I don’t like spending all of time in the office or in specific clinic. At my work place I see nurse practitioners working with Pact team that works with patients (out patients) once we discharge them to the community. Behavioral health programs in the communities set up have plenty of opportunities. I had an opportunity to interact with some of the nurse practioners working in those programs, all I heard from them is lots of excitement and flexibility. Also to note, these programs really gets you to interact with these people first hand hence get to know their needs. Networking Opportunities

Another aspect that I consider it be ideal is the fact that in terms of clinical assessments, will be dealing with healthy people sometimes aiming to encourage good habits and disease prevention as well as those who are managing chronic illness. By doing this will help these people by forming an important line of defense for the chronically ill, teaching them how to manage their illness and care for themselves before their situation becomes dire and by utilizing evidence based research based which is important to a scholar practitioner (Walden, 2021). I think I will be comfortable working with these people and will be one way of giving back to the community.Thanks Joseph for sharing your story I look forward working with these unfortunate people in the society once I graduate.

References

Walden University. (2021). Vision, mission, and goals. Retrieved from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content=179&navoid=65155

response 3

I really enjoyed learning about your background and truly believe that you were meant to become a nurse first and foremost. I think the stigma behind the MD makes many feel inadequate as a nurse, but being able to be at the bedside, enables you to gain a personal relationship with and become their advocate for their care.

I, too, am looking into becoming a PMHNP, and hope to be able to care for many who suffer from mental health conditions. When looking at a program that best fits my schedule and vision, I found Walden University’s PMHNP program. The flexibility that I needed as a single working mother, was offered within this program.

Walden University “believes that education and social change are fundamental to the provision and maintenance of democratic ideals and principles” (Walden University, 2020). They hope in this, their students can be agents of social change through their curriculum-based knowledge. I urge you to look at the many different services they provide to ensure your success throughout this program. One, in particular, is the writing center. They offer paper reviews, webinars, and live chat to help achieve the best academic success. Networking Opportunities

REFERENCES

Walden University. (2020b). Vision, Mission, and Goals. Walden University catalog. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=178&navoid=63595

Walden University. (2020). Social Change Report. https://www.waldenu.edu/-/media/walden/files/about-walden/walden-university-2017-social-change-report-final-v-2.pdf?_ga=2.88419867.168456351.1614695518-1610465579.1612880748 Networking Opportunities