D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

Student Name

Western Governors University

D225 Emerging Professional Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

Current Employment and Career Goals

I am currently employed at a county jail, where I am responsible for providing inmates with both medical and mental health care. My role primarily involves working in the booking area, where I assess inmates upon their arrival and initiate their healthcare plans. The facility also has a medical education department, which supports staff training and development. My immediate career objective is to become a member of this education team to improve the existing training protocols.

Looking beyond this, my mid-term goal is to advance from the education department into a management role, specifically as the assistant director of nursing (ADON). In this position, I would oversee nursing staff and work proactively to identify and correct healthcare shortcomings within the facility. Ultimately, my long-term ambition is to serve as the health services administrator. In this role, I would manage the entire healthcare operation and ensure the delivery of quality medical services to the underserved inmate population.

Certifications and Licensure

Currently, I hold a multi-state registered nurse license and a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Maintaining these credentials requires completing ongoing education every two years in accordance with Florida regulations. Additionally, I must renew my BLS certification biennially by completing an approved course where I demonstrate proficiency in life support techniques.

Educational and Professional Development

In my current facility, most management members do not possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); for example, the current health services administrator is a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Although a BSN is not mandatory for management roles here, I believe obtaining this degree will equip me with essential skills to elevate the standard of healthcare we provide.

I am actively pursuing my BSN through Western Governors University (WGU) and have just a few courses remaining. The main challenge is completing the required field experience hours. Fortunately, I have arranged to fulfill these hours at my current facility under the supervision of my preceptor, who is the assistant director of nursing and a former education department member. This practical experience will be invaluable for achieving my professional aspirations.

Gaining Diverse Work Experience

To become a proficient educator and leader, I recognize the necessity of gaining experience across different departments within my facility. Although I have worked primarily in booking for over five years, my exposure to the jail infirmaries has been limited, and I have no experience in the acute care clinic. While my facility does not mandate cross-departmental work for career advancement, I believe such experience is critical to effective leadership.

I plan to request additional training and seek available shifts in other departments to broaden my clinical knowledge and operational understanding.

Current Training Practices and Proposed Improvements

Currently, new staff training involves shadowing various random employees over three shifts, with no consistent trainer or standardized training materials. This method often results in trainees receiving inconsistent information or missing crucial policy reviews.

If I join the education department, I aim to design a structured training program with clear learning objectives and materials. Additionally, I would advocate for creating dedicated departmental trainer roles, ensuring new hires receive consistent and accurate orientation aligned with facility policies.

Impact of Additional Certifications and Courses

How have your additional certifications and courses influenced your professional practice?

The Advanced Molecular and Nursing Health (AMNH) certification enhanced my understanding of how genetics significantly impact drug interactions. This insight underscores the importance of collecting comprehensive medical and family histories to tailor medication plans effectively. In my correctional setting, many inmates have substance abuse disorders; understanding genetic predispositions can help guide safer medication choices, avoiding controlled substances for at-risk individuals.

The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) certification emphasized a holistic nursing approach that integrates emotional, spiritual, and mental health alongside physical care. Recognizing cultural influences on health beliefs is essential, especially in a diverse inmate population. For instance, respecting patients’ religious choices, such as a hypertensive inmate opting for meditation over medication, is a key part of patient-centered care.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) course “Introduction to Healthcare Improvement” introduced me to the Six Aims for Improvement: safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care (Provost et al., 2020). This framework is particularly relevant in correctional health, where patient autonomy is often compromised. I prioritize informing inmates of their rights, including the right to refuse treatment, while educating them about the benefits and risks involved.

Application of Learning to Facility Improvement

How do you plan to apply what you have learned from these courses to your current workplace?

I intend to collaborate with the education department to develop materials focused on genetics’ role in pharmacokinetics and integrate family history into routine assessments. Establishing this as a policy would be a significant improvement for inmate healthcare.

Emphasizing holistic nursing practices will improve my communication and interpersonal skills, which are essential for effective education and leadership. By fostering patient-centered care, I can lead by example and promote teamwork and collaboration among healthcare staff.

My goal is to leverage this knowledge to ascend to leadership roles where I can implement policy changes and elevate the overall standard of care.

Reflection on Healthcare Improvement Challenges

What insights have you gained regarding challenges in healthcare systems?

The IHI course highlighted common challenges faced by healthcare systems globally, including those relevant to correctional healthcare. Learning about strategies used to overcome these challenges has inspired me to consider how similar approaches could be adapted for my facility. Addressing issues such as resource limitations, staff training inconsistencies, and patient engagement will be critical to advancing healthcare quality in our correctional environment.

References

Provost, L., Lloyd, R., & Murray, S. (2020). Introduction to Health Care Improvement. https://education.ihi.org/topclass/topclass.do?CnTxT597826735-contentSetup-tc_student_id=597826735-item=1348&view=1