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APN Professional Development Plan

Dana Weisbrot

Chamberlain College of Nursing

NR510-Leadership and Role of the APN

June 2019

APRNs in Florida

In every industry, as a graduate or person takes or focuses on a new career, they must have a plan in place to ensure that they effectively meet their goals and career needs that they have set during the transition of careers. As an advanced nurse practitioner (APN), professionalism is of critical importance regardless of the transitions and stages in the new career. Denisco & Barker (2015) posit that “any APN is expected to be a novice when they start their practice or career. As a result, it is important that they have a plan in place to gain knowledge and skills which are part of the job requirement in their new careers.” Every advanced Practice nurse must work towards developing a personal development plan (PDP). A PDP integrates a written evaluation of the rules and regulations as well as the requirements that are required to obtain licensure and practice in the APNs designated facility or geographical region. A “PDP is expected to include a personal action plan that reflects the end results of individual assessments. These assessments must outline the strengths, weaknesses, goals, and objectives” (Khokhar, 2017). For the APN to develop a PDP, they must be aware of their state laws and the educational, regulatory and licensure requirements for their full qualification to practices.

Scope of Practice

It is notable that the title or licensure of the APN requires a master’s degree to be obtained. In the state of Florida and for other states, a candidate is accepted into these programs if they first have a valid RN license and BSN nursing degree. It is also notable that certain classes are a requirement prior to the application of the program. In the same context the GPA or the grade point average is required to be at an all-time high for the program. Some of these programs require a certain level or duration of experience especially in situations when admissions are based on a competitive basis. In the same context, the person must also complete the clinical hours to take the certification exam. On passing this exam the student becomes an APNC or the Advanced Nurse Practitioner Certified (Florida Board of Nursing, 2017).

Every state is guided by their specific guidelines, regulations, and laws to govern the process. “The APN has diverse roles and responsibilities compared to the RN. An APN has the ability to conduct diagnoses, offer treatment options, manage patients especially those with acute diagnoses among other roles. The APN is also given the power to prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests. However, this role must be done in presence or supervision of a physician. In some jurisdictions, the APN is allowed to practice as a primary care provider. Florida, however, is a restricted practice state. This means that every APN present in the jurisdiction must bear a written code of behavior and a process or protocol that is agreed upon between the APN and the physician. It is also notable that the specific roles within the scope must be stipulated or written in this protocol and agreed upon by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners”. In Florida, “the scope of practice guidelines and policy presents what is expected regarding such supervision of the APN. In Florida prescription of drugs or scheduling of controlled substance by the APN must be done under the orders and directions of the physician.” (Khokhar, 2017).

Personal Assessment

Personal assessments provide an opportunity for an individual to self-assess their skills and weaknesses for growth. This is crucial for the creation of a professional development plan. This is especially critical in the event an APN is looking or searching for a job opportunity because it helps them narrow down. A thorough and honest personal assessment presents the individual's weaknesses as well as strengths. These areas are critical in determining where the individual fits within the industry. The level of personality knowledge and the skills that the individual possess are critical assistance for job placement. Hicks et al., (2014) points out that when an individual understands their value to organizations, the negotiations towards a job placement are more positive and realistic. As highlighted earlier graduate APNs start as novice practitioners. This means that they must undergo a period of orientation in the organization if they are hired. This orientation period gives them an opportunity to learn the daily operations, electronics specifically the electronic health records and other processes among them the obstacles to overcome within the facility. After completing an assessment the right fit for the job is defined or determined. My personal assessment reveals that I am best fitted for critical care, leadership or managed care. This is identified using the Benner’s model. This model further reveals that my specific areas of “interests include disease states and progression, pathology of infections and treatment. Considering the APN program I find it interesting to focus on the management of care. This involves collaborating with patients and assisting them. This option lingers on the determination of the best options for patients as it pertains to their outcomes, goal setting for the patient among other roles.” This is because all patients within any facility possess a specific plan that is etched on their medical needs, financial and socioeconomic state, and support among other factors. Developing these individual plans to ensure better outcomes is critical for me. In any scenario where all these factors relating to the patient are addressed, then it is reasonable to infer that the same patient will be better positioned for better outcomes and caring for themselves better. As a clinical manager, I have understood the importance of focusing on the patient. This is not just for the acute medical issues but by being sure that the patient will successfully manage themselves once they leave the clinic. The use of a self-assessment has allowed me to gain some important insight into what I believe is critical to caring for patients. This is because it is important that through my practice some difference in the patient's care and outcomes is noticed. Most importantly it is critical for an APN to be honest in the completion of a self-assessment. This is because identifying individual strengths, weaknesses, as well as the career goals and objectives, impact the ability of the individual to find and fit within a specific skill level, knowledge pool and most importantly a job description.

Achieving the required level of confidence as a graduate APN is difficult. It is notable that novice professionals fear to step into the profession. This is guided by their fear of failure and understanding of the job requirements or simply fear of the unknown. This is a critical factor when taking on a new career path. Taking on Job responsibilities as n ANP is an overwhelming and stressful event. Taking on these goals and objectives is equally important to ensure that the stress level is minimized while moving through the desired direction.

The primary focus for me is on managed care. In a new career, I will take some time for the first one and a half months to learn the daily operations in the facility such as the medical recording system, gain knowledge through watching the other providers in their daily routines. This is a critical orientation option if my career is to be successful. The following month will be etched on taking new patient assignments and having more time allotted to individual patients considering that I would still be an amateur APN. Such a period is challenging considering that the management skills especially time management skills are shaped in this period. By the fourth month, I would have gained sufficient experience to have the confidence to take a sizeable number of patients. IN my path I would start building patient profiles and populations for follow-ups for continuity care.

. Networking and Marketing Strategies

Networking and marketing strategies are a basic requirement for any graduate to help them acquire or obtain a job in their area of interest or specification. It is imperative that they make themselves known and what they can do within their profession (Khokhar, 2017). When APN networks they are better positioned to acquire and exchange information with regard to the services within the industry. It is important that an understanding of what to pursue is established for marketing and networking to begin. Networking is critical and advantageous considering that it allows for the candidate to become part of a larger contact of people.

Marketing entails bringing information to a group of people otherwise known as the target group to ensure that they understand the situation or subject at hand. This method is imperative in nursing to assist the person in getting a point across as to why their skills in this context will be critical for the organization. It is also imperative to note that nurses form an alternative approach for the medical organization. Marketing has become an imperative approach for allowing professionals and health facilities alike to understand the benefit of APNs. The APNs are advancing practice gradually hence becoming the future of health services.

It is also notable that nursing marketing is etched on membership to professional organizations. These organizations amplify the marketability of the individual. This is when an organization sees how a given nurse is excited to learn a new role through this networking quest they see a potential asset to their firm. Professional organization membership also shows that a nurse is in support of the future of nursing and healthcare.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Dana Weisbrot, RN, BSN

• Education

• • Degree | Date Earned | School

Bachelors of Science in Nursing – 2018 WGU, Salt Lake City, UTAH

Associates of Science in Nursing – 2014 Broward College, Coconut Creek, FLORIDA

Surgical Technician – Hospital Ramos Mejia - Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Certifications

BLS-ACLS

Fundamentals of Pharmacology Seminar - 2012 University of Pennsylvania, Univ. Park, PA

• Experience

RN – Cardiovascular/Renal Transplant Unit – Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 2018-Present

• Preceptor to new nurses

Cardiorenal Syndrome, CHF, cardiac exacerbation management. Immunosupression therapy management.

RN – Med/Surge/Telemetry - Northwest Medical Center, Margate, FL 2015-2018

• Skilled in coordinating, planning, documenting and providing patient care keeping the policies of the healthcare facility. HIPPA compliance – implementation of HCAHPS regulations. • Chest pain/CHF related complications/Cardiac monitoring/drips/Anticoagulation therapy/Cardiac cath lab recovery and education. • Drug-Alcohol intoxication/ therapy/Baker Act • GU/Foley insertion-Irrigation/Kidney failure related complications-Dialysis patient interventions • GI/abdominal pain/nausea/vomiting/blood transfusions/ s/p abdominal surgery/wound care • Aging patients/Fall prevention/Post op hip replacement/ORIF • IV insertion/IV infusions management • Families

RN– All Broward Home Health, Davie, FL May 2015-present

 Provided comprehensive nursing care to include assessment, IV insertions, IV medications, blood draws, wound care, trach care, wound vacs, pressure ulcer care, straight cath, foley care and patient and caregiver education on disease process and medications.  Successfully educated newly diagnosed patients on disease process, what to expect, troubleshoot possible obstacles, and when to call the doctor or 911.

RN – Activa Home Health, Boynton Beach, FL Feb 2015-Dec 2015

 Provided comprehensive nursing care to include assessment, IV insertions, IV medications, blood draws, wound care, trach care, wound vacs, pressure ulcer care, straight cath, foley care and patient and caregiver education on disease process and medications.  Successfully educated newly diagnosed patients on disease process, what to expect, troubleshoot possible obstacles, and when to call the doctor or 911.

• • additional data

Volunteer – The Starting Place, Sunrise, FL 2012-2013

Bilingual: English, Spanish

Microsoft Office Proficient

Kinnser

EPIC

MEDITECH

Conclusion

I believe that in the process of transitioning to a new ANP having completed a professional development plan is critical. It is imperative that an APN understands their roles as well as the scope of work depending on the state laws within their jurisdiction. It is also important to note that attaining a Master’s degree is a critical educational achievement for ANPs. With all these at hand seeking and finding gainful employment is not an easy task hence the need for a professional development plan. With this plan and skills, it is critical to understand marketing basics and how to market oneself into the job market. This involves networking in seminars and conferences as well as membership in professional programs and organizations.

References

DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2015). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession (3rd ed.). Chapter 30, p. 779. https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284099133/cfi/6/84!/4/292@0:53.1

Florida Board of Nursing (2017). Advanced registered nurse practitioner. http://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/advanced-registered-nurse-practitioner/

Hicks, P. J., Schumacher, D., Guralnick, S., Carraccio, C., & Burke, A. E. (2014). The domain of competence: Personal and professional development. Academic Pediatrics, 14: 80-97. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&sid=085c2727-cfaf-4aa5-896c-768e9a912cb4%40sessionmgr4010

Khokhar, A. (2017). Social networking for healthcare professionals. Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 69(1), 63-66.

APN PROFESSIONAL PLAN

Running Head: APN PROFESSIONAL PLAN