- Identification of Career Field
Nursing is one of the most important careers in the job market. Nurses play a key role in making sure that people without the ability of taking care of themselves are able to get professional service (Feldman, 2005). Nursing is not a career that is geared towards making money in terms of wages but is a career that serves society in a special way. Service to society was one of the key things that led me to joining this career. As a new member in the nursing workforce, I understand that perfection in the field needs an open mind and the desire to learn new skills. All this process cannot be effective without the ability to communicate well and the ability to work as a team (Harris & Russell, 2010). In addition, acquisition of more education in the field is one of the important ways in which one can be in a person to both increase their knowledge in this career area. In addition, education increases the ability of an employee to ascend to higher positions of leadership in the career field (Oermann & Heinrich, 2008). In the light of this I understand that it is important for me to set objectives and career goals that will increase my success in the field of nursing.
- Introduction to Individualized Professional Plan
- Increase level of education in the field of Nursing
First of all, it is important to understand that this plan is formulated in a way that I feel is simple, relaxed, and attainable. Nursing needs continue to evolve each day (Kelly, 2008). There is need for the acquisition of knowledge in the field through education. In line with this fact, I have set out a plan on how I am going to increase my level of education in the field of nursing while making sure that I maintain my working environment and employment. Therefore, my first objective is to set out a long range education attainment plan. I have already begun this education process. I graduated from the University with an ADN. With this education I was able to secure a job as a hospice nurse in January 2012.
- Job Specialization
With only an ADN in the field, I understand that it is difficult to progress or attain higher positions in nursing institutions and working environment. In addition, specialization in one sub-field increases professionalism and also allows one to do what they are interested in. Considering this dynamic in the field of nursing, I am interested in being a pediatric nurse. For this reason I have decided to go back to school so that I can have more education in the area. I have begun my BSN. In intend to graduate in the program in June 2013. I understand that this is not the end of the education process. Therefore, I am planning to increase this education by obtaining MSN, which is going to take two additional years. My quest for this high level of education is because I would love to serve society in a capacity that I am interested in and most important capacities that I can make people have remarkable last moments.
- Empowering Minorities in the field of Nursing
I understand that society especially in America has the supposition that minorities do not have equal opportunities such as other ethnicities. There is a need for minorities in the field of nursing to be empowered as they pursue a nursing career. As a member of a minority group, I am a member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. I intend to maintain my commitment to this organization because I believe that it can be of great help to me and other people who might need some help in pursuing their careers. In this way, more members of the minority groups can be in a position of acquire more education and get empowered to occupy higher level positions in the field of nursing.
- Strengths of Action Plan
First of all, I have the willingness to attain the goals that I have set up in place. I understand that meeting the objectives that I have set will be instrumental in making sure that I secure a better future not only for myself but also for my family (Sullivan & Decker, 2005). This action plan puts me in a better position of earning higher wages that I am getting today. Higher wages would mean that I can be in a position to make more savings for my life in later days when I will not have the ability to work hard (Marquis, 2008). The action that I take today will determine the quality of my future. In addition to my willingness to fulfill the action plan the good thing is that I have already begun part of the action plan that I have started. For example, I have already begun my BSN. This means that I just have to maintain my commitment to achieving more education so that I can in the long-run be in a position to attain a MSN in the field. Because I already have a job that provides me with finances, the ability to acquire more education is possible. I can be able to balance between academics and my job. In addition to the attainment to receive higher education in the field, I love the type of career that I am pursuing. Because of this passion that I have for the field, I believe that I will be able to meet all the objectives that I have laid out in the fulfillment of this action plan.
- Weaknesses of the Action Plan
First of all, taking time to get education in the career field of nursing might affect the amount of money that I generate in the long run. There is a tradeoff that I have made if I am going to receive education. The time that I spend acquiring more education can be used in the generation of more money in the short term which can be used in generating for short-term gains. In addition, the ability of easily ascending to higher levels in the field is not necessarily assured. This means that there is a risk that I might make an investment that might not necessarily give back in the future. However, if I have to succeed I have to be ready to take to take risks. The other weakness in this action plan is that despite the formulation of an impressive plan, things might arise that might force me to readjust this action plan. Therefore, discipline in following this action plan is vital if it is going to be a success.
References
Feldman, H. R. (2005). Educating nurses for leadership. New York: Springer Publishers. Company
Harris, J. L., & Russell, L. (2010).Initiating and sustaining the clinical nurse leader role: a practical guide. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Kelly, P. (2008). Nursing leadership & management (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2009).Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: theory and application (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Oermann, M. H., & Heinrich, K. T. (2008).Clinical nursing education. New York: Springer.
Sullivan, E. J., & Decker, P. J. (2005).Effective leadership and management in nursing (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
