NURS 6003
My Academic and Professional Network
Walden University
NURS 6003: Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing
My Academic and Professional Network
The purpose of this paper is to identify two academic and two professional individuals or
teams to collaborate with to be successful in the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program,
as well as a practicing nurse upon completion of the program. Networking with academics and
professionals "opens doors and creates relationships that support new opportunities, personal
development, collaborative research, policy activism, evidence-based practice, and more"
(Goolsby & Knestrick, 2017). There are really exceptional colleagues I have had the honor to
know throughout my career. Several times, having moved around the country has afforded and
blessed me with finding these incredible mentors and role-models.
Academic Network Member: Caitlin Brandt, RN, BSN
Caitlin Brandt became a member of my unit at the facility I work in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, about a year ago. Through many conversations, both about the advantages of
becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) and the program Caitlin is enrolled in, I began to feel more
confident about pursuing my own Masters. Not often over the years, have I come across such a
talented, dedicated, and driven nurse as new to nursing as Caitlin. Caitlin is currently enrolled at
Walden University in the MSN-Psychiatric-Metal Health Nurse Practitioner program. Having a
peer, colleague, and friend enrolled in the same University will no doubt be invaluable. Before
starting the class, we were able to review the classroom blackboard, course home, progress
tracker, my grades, and APA format required for the start of my program. If I have difficulty
understanding assignment requirements, Caitlin will be able to offer another perspective. I look
My Academic and Professional Network
Walden University
NURS 6003: Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing
My Academic and Professional Network
The purpose of this paper is to identify two academic and two professional individuals or
teams to collaborate with to be successful in the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program,
as well as a practicing nurse upon completion of the program. Networking with academics and
professionals "opens doors and creates relationships that support new opportunities, personal
development, collaborative research, policy activism, evidence-based practice, and more"
(Goolsby & Knestrick, 2017). There are really exceptional colleagues I have had the honor to
know throughout my career. Several times, having moved around the country has afforded and
blessed me with finding these incredible mentors and role-models.
Academic Network Member: Caitlin Brandt, RN, BSN
Caitlin Brandt became a member of my unit at the facility I work in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, about a year ago. Through many conversations, both about the advantages of
becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) and the program Caitlin is enrolled in, I began to feel more
confident about pursuing my own Masters. Not often over the years, have I come across such a
talented, dedicated, and driven nurse as new to nursing as Caitlin. Caitlin is currently enrolled at
Walden University in the MSN-Psychiatric-Metal Health Nurse Practitioner program. Having a
peer, colleague, and friend enrolled in the same University will no doubt be invaluable. Before
starting the class, we were able to review the classroom blackboard, course home, progress
tracker, my grades, and APA format required for the start of my program. If I have difficulty
understanding assignment requirements, Caitlin will be able to offer another perspective. I look
