Summary NR 500 Week 8 Reflection on Learning.

NR 500 Week 8 Reflection on Learning Week 8. Reflecting on this course, consider and answer the following questions: How do you envision using the AACN essentials and information learned in this co urse to identify, guide, and evaluate your practicum project? How do you envision using the concepts learned in this course in your future nursing practice? Dr. Ryan and class, I have learned so much these last eight weeks in this class. I really never imagined learning so much. I feel like I have a better understanding about a lot of things, including research, roles and scopes of practice for the Master’s-prepared nurse, proper communication, how to succeed in an online learning environment, and how to search databases for scholarly articles. It has been a pleasant surprise to walk away feeling like I have more knowledge and not just have “made it through.” I envision using, at least in part, all of the AACN Essentials, both in the practicum project and in my future nursing practice. The AACN Essentials, in my opinion, are the very foundation of what a Master’s-prepared nurse should be and they are just that: essential. It is what makes, in my case, an FNP successful, safe, and effective as an Advanced Practice Nurse. In my future practice, there is not a doubt in my mind that I will be able to apply all of these concepts of the Essentials, in some form or another. I feel more empowered and like I will have a solid foundation to practice. These Essentials will be able to assist me in giving the right care to my future patients within my scope of practice, even though the FNP scope depends greatly on each state, as well as the education received within a certain patient population (Kleinpell, Hudspeth, Scordo, & Magdic, 2012). I am looking forward to what lies ahead in my education and my future practice, whatever specific area that might be. Thank you! Krysta Resource Kleinpell, R.M., Hudspeth, R., Scordo, K.A., & Magdic, K. (2012). Defining NP scope of practice and associated regulations: Focus on acute care. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 24(1), 11-18. Doi: 10.1111/j..2011.00683.x Stacy, You said it so well: once you really figure out what the Essentials are talking about, you realize that for a lot of them, we do it already; and for the ones that we aren't doing, we are at least familiar with the concept and know others that are doing them and know that we will be, too, at some point in the future. When you realize this, they do not seem so daunting or intimidating and you feel like you can realistically apply them to practice. I also agree with you that all nine must be used together in our future because if not, there will be a gap in knowledge, not just for ourselves, but also for our patients and the nurses that we will be mentoring, or are possibly already mentoring. Thinking about this for my future is so exciting to me! I cannot wait to get more involved in the field of nursing, not just bedside care. I plan to start sooner rather than later. Good luck to you and to the rest of the class in all of your endeavors! I am sure I will be with you in some of our future classes. And thank you to Dr. Ryan! You have been incredibly helpful and extremely kind! It makes such a difference in what you glean from a class if an instructor seems like they really care, and you definitely do. Thank you for that! Show Less