Nursing Professional Development Plan

This assignment delves into the professional development goals of a nursing student. It begins with a SWOT analysis highlighting strengths like self-motivation and passion, alongside weaknesses such as limited leadership experience and analytical skills. The document then outlines the student's philosophy of care, emphasizing evidence-based practice and patient well-being. Finally, it presents three strategic approaches for development: reflective practice, research engagement, and volunteer opportunities.

Running Head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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1.
SWOT analysis
Strength Weakness
 Self motivated and highly organised
 Passionate about nursing
 Excellent verbal and written
communication skills
 Ability to work in team
 Risk identification capability
 Scoring well in graduation
 Less confident in holding managerial
positions
 Uncertain about the leadership abilities
 Skills to evidence based practice
 Lack of filed experience and
knowledge gap
 Lack of analytical skills
Opportunities Threats
 Pursue higher degrees in nursing
 Increase personal accomplishments
such as publish journals, articles
 Diversity in work progress
 Job security
 Ability to serve remote and community
with high demand for nurses
 Professional competition from other
nurses
 Stress due to long shift hours
 Poor emotional intelligence can affect
job
 Lack of support at workplace

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Reflective analysis and identification of learning needs
Based on the SWOT analysis I have identified the personal learning needs that will foster
professional development. The career development areas are-
 Develop leadership skills
 Develop analytical and evidence based practice skills
The effective way to develop in the nursing profession is by practicing leadership skills.
This professional involves working high pressure situation. Leadership skills ensure working and
nurturing the team work. It includes helping other nurses to function as team units, as nurse
manager or nurse leader (Roche et al. 2014). According to Lee (2016), effective nurse leaders
can create an environment that drives enthusiasm and passion in other nurses. These skills will
help work with proper organisation. Leadership qualities are essential for being skilled in
problem solving and dealing with it methodically. These leadership skills will help in positive
growth as one gains confidence to analyse their work and make productive changes. I often
worry about leading others. Leadership is the important aspect of nursing. Even during team
projects in high school and college I could not manage other team members in improving the
presentation skills. It holds threat for my career as nurses have to work in interdisciplinary team.
As per the NMC code for registered nurses, care delivered should be based on the best
possible evidence. Evidence best practice or EBP requires skills to analyse the research papers
and critically appraise and identify its relevance to practice. In addition analysis is also vital skill
to reflect on the personal practice. I have strong theoretical knowledge but lack application skills.
EBP skills increase patent outcomes by improving treatment and increasing safety (Melnyk et al.
2014).

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2.
Nursing philosophy
Based on personal practice experience, I believe in proving nursing care that can instil
hope and confidence in the patients. My ideas in the philosophy align with the intersystem model
that emphasise on assisting the patient towards wellness (Fawcett 2016). I also believe in
delivering care holistically. Care must be given compassionately and with dignity. I believe in
evidence based practice and work in alignment with the standards, code of ethics, nursing
theories and knowledge.
3.
Three strategies to fulfil professional development
Based on the reflection and self evacuation I have identified three strategies to improve
my nursing career
Professional development needs Strategies
 Develop leadership skills  Volunteer for a committee and
uptake CPD activities
 Develop analytical and evidence
based practice skills
 Engage in reflective practice
 Engage in research work

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Volunteer for a committee and CPD activities- According to Sellon et al. (2017),
volunteering is the best way to develop and demonstrate the leadership skills. I would visit local
committee to recognise and render help on common health related issue. Serving the community
will develop my leadership potential. It will also help me in long run to play an active role in
workplace by contributing positive change. Engagement in CPD activities for the designated
hours will ensure development of leadership competencies. It is also the mandatory component
of the nurse’s license practice (Waddell et al. 2015).
Engagement in reflective practice- I would engage in reflective practice to analyse my
skills in clinical setting and improve care delivery. Reflective practice helps in analysing the
areas of improvement to better address the health and well being issues of the patients
(Howatson-Jones 2016). Reflective approach will help analyse the efficacy of the care plan.
Analytical skills are needed in health assessment process.
Engage in research- I will engage in intense researching skills to assess the evidence
related to various nursing care strategies. I would proactively accomplish my research project in
higher education. I would search literature to come up with new ideas related to specific
problems such as addressing in patient falls. I would present these ideas in interactive seminars
or during poster presentations. I would attend conferences to learn EBP. According to Yost et al.
(2015) engaging in peer reviewed research, lays a strong basis for enhancing knowledge in
health care. It is the strong foundation for strong practice.

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References
Fawcett, J., 2016. Applying Conceptual Models of Nursing: Quality Improvement, Research, and
Practice. Springer Publishing Company.
Howatson-Jones, L., 2016. Reflective practice in nursing. Learning Matters.
Lee, M. R. (2016). A study on the variables associated with leadership life skills in nursing
students. Journal of Digital Convergence, 14(1), 65-73.
Melnyk, B.M., Gallagher‐Ford, L., Long, L.E. and Fineout‐Overholt, E., 2014. The
establishment of evidence‐based practice competencies for practicing registered nurses and
advanced practice nurses in real‐world clinical settings: proficiencies to improve healthcare
quality, reliability, patient outcomes, and costs. Worldviews on Evidence
‐Based Nursing, 11(1),
pp.5-15.
Roche, M.R., Duffield, C.M., Dimitrelis, S. and Frew, B., 2015. Leadership skills for nursing
unit managers to decrease intention to leave.
Sellon, A.M., Chapin, R.K. and Leedahl, S.N., 2017. Engaging Nursing Home Residents in
Formal Volunteer Activities: a Focus on Strengths. Ageing International, 42(1), pp.93-114.
Waddell, J., Spalding, K., Canizares, G., Navarro, J., Connell, M., Jancar, S., Stinson, J. and
Victor, C., 2015. Integrating a career planning and development program into the baccalaureate
nursing curriculum: Part I. Impact on students’ career resilience. International journal of nursing
education scholarship, 12(1), pp.163-173.

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Yost, J., Ganann, R., Thompson, D., Aloweni, F., Newman, K., Hazzan, A., McKibbon, A.,
Dobbins, M. and Ciliska, D., 2015. The effectiveness of knowledge translation interventions for
promoting evidence-informed decision-making among nurses in tertiary care: a systematic
review and meta-analysis. Implementation Science, 10(1), p.98.