CNA346: Nursing Career Plan, SWOT Analysis & Development Strategies

This nursing assignment outlines a personal professional development plan aimed at facilitating the transition to a registered nurse (RN) role. It includes a self-assessment and SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The plan details strategies for staying accountable, focusing on goals, reflective journaling, and self-rewards. It addresses the importance of continuous professional development, lifelong learning, and resilience. The assignment identifies key strategies for career development, such as enrolling in CPD courses, improving computer literacy, managing stress, and effective time management. It also includes a personal philosophy of nursing practice focused on providing comfort and holistic healthcare. The appendices include the SWOT analysis and a detailed learning plan with specific objectives, timelines, and reflections.

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Personal Professional Development Plan
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note
Word Count- 1045 (including in-text citations)

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Nurses work in a technical and fast-paced environment and are required to take quick and
effective decisions regarding patient health and are also responsible for effectively
communicating with healthcare personnel (Kilpatrick et al. 2013). The objective of this
assignment is related to development of a plan of action and associated career goals that will
assist my transition to the role of a registered nurse (RN). My primary goal focuses improving
my skills for being a successful RN. A self-assessment learning plan and reflection tool (SWOT
analysis) are attached in the appendix.
Self-reflection and analysis- During the early years of my nursing practice, the fact that I
lack nursing expertise is quite evident from my performance. Although, I have developed a
sound understanding of relevant clinical skills, my failure to implement them in a real-time
setting may create problems in future. The transition to the role of an RN is most often stressful,
challenging and exciting (Thomas, Bertram and Allen 2012). Thus, I intend to develop my
knowledge and decision making skills for gaining a productive experience.
I am well acquainted with the fact that while, the job of a nurse can be challenging, holding
true to some of the basic tenets makes it easier to forge a successful practice. Therefore, a
professional development plan is needed to document the competencies and drawbacks and will
illustrate the concepts related to nursing expertise (Tashiro et al. 2013). A regular monitoring of
my will help me to clarify and focus my short and long-term career goals, and make necessary
amendments. Some of the key factors that will contribute to the development of a professional
development plan are as follows:
 Staying accountable- Accountability forms the heart of nursing practice and helps in
building credibility (Battié and Steelman 2014). I intend to share my goals and career

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
plans with my family members and confidants that will help me discuss my progress in
relevant areas. Maintaining accountability will also make them encourage me in my work
and prevent procrastination.
 Focusing on goals- I intend to set alarms and trackers that will help me monitor whether I
have been able to accomplish the intended goals. It will also help in meeting my
objectives within the stipulated deadline.
 Maintaining a personal reflective journal- It will not only function as a log of my
practice, but will help in capturing my feelings. It will also provide an opportunity to
explore nursing theories, standards of practice and evidence-based research in the
hospital setting (Schuessler, Wilder and Byrd 2012).
 Self-rewards- This will act as a major form of motivation (Khalaila 2015). Celebrating
success with regards to accomplishment of the intended goals will boost or enhance my
performance and facilitate achievement of the intended goals.
Learning plan and SWOT analysis- Completion of the SWOT analysis helped in the
identification of the nursing areas where I lacked relevant expertise. It helped me realize that I
lack demonstration of essential decision making skills during critical nursing situations. I intend
to seek help from my support networks such as, my family members and colleagues to overcome
my shortcomings.
The fact that continued professional development is vital to a successful nursing practice was
not known before I started the nursing graduation program. I was unaware of the fact that I need
to undertake reflective practice and learning sessions every year for maintaining competency.
The dynamic process of lifelong learning encompasses both professional and personal life
(Rosen et al. 2012). I realized that it helps in appreciating new ideas and perspectives that

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question the skills, knowledge, environment and interactions. This learning procedure usually
begins during the first year of the nursing program and underpins best practice throughout the
professional life (Mareno and Hart 2014).
Self-reflection of the SWOT analysis also act as a review or monitoring experience that can
be analysed, described, evaluated and changed for improving future practice (Sincy 2016). Such
reflections are also capable of preventing death or harm among the patients due to the acquired
knowledge, by increasing critical thinking and analysis skills.
3 strategies that will support professional career development and resilience- The strategies
are mentioned below:
 My role as an RN will require me to work on front line of patient care. Therefore, it is
essential to ensure that I am able to deliver quality treatment to my patients. Getting
enrolled in workshops and seminars for short educational programs, conducted by
professional organisations and industry experts will be ideal. I intend to get admitted to
certain CPD courses that will provide exciting opportunities in the field of nursing and
midwifery practice. I also intend to upgrade my computer literacy and become proactive
in technology for effective practice. Long shift hours increase risk of sleep disturbances, reduced job satisfaction, chronic
fatigue, cardiovascular and psychological disorders (Stimpfel, Sloane and Aiken 2012).
Communication with my colleagues, family and friends will act as the best way of
reducing stress. I also intend to keep my workplace organised and seek help from a
mentor to prevent burnout and enhance my career development path.

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 Nursing practice encompasses a stream of responsibilities that are demanding and often
stressful (Rush et al. 2013). Learning effective time management skills can help me to
get through my shifts and live a happy life. I will plan a schedule in advance that will
help in visualising the time taken up by daily tasks. Prioritising the daily activities,
minimising distractions and asking help from co-workers will also contribute to a
successful shift.
Philosophy of nursing practice- My personal attitude and perspective on nursing practice
focuses on providing comfort and holistic healthcare services to my clients, improving their
overall satisfaction. I have selected this career based on my desire to help people who are in
distress. Undertaking this graduate program will help me achieve better health for my patients by
utilizing several aspects of physiology, science and psychology. Accumulating plethora of
nursing related information will help me become a successful RN.
To conclude, I can state that the personal and professional development plan helped me
understand the measures that I need to undertake to improve my clinical expertise. I intend to
make full use of the opportunities that come my way to achieve my goal of being a successful
nurse in near future.

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References
Battié, R. and Steelman, V.M., 2014. Accountability in nursing practice: why it is important for
patient safety. AORN journal, 100(5), pp.537-541.
Khalaila, R., 2015. The relationship between academic self-concept, intrinsic motivation, test
anxiety, and academic achievement among nursing students: Mediating and moderating
effects. Nurse Education Today, 35(3), pp.432-438.
Kilpatrick, K., Lavoie‐Tremblay, M., Lamothe, L., Ritchie, J.A. and Doran, D., 2013.
Conceptual framework of acute care nurse practitioner role enactment, boundary work, and
perceptions of team effectiveness. Journal of advanced nursing, 69(1), pp.205-217.
Mareno, N. and Hart, P.L., 2014. Cultural competency among nurses with undergraduate and
graduate degrees: Implications for nursing education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 35(2),
pp.83-88.
Rosen, M.A., Hunt, E.A., Pronovost, P.J., Federowicz, M.A. and Weaver, S.J., 2012. In situ
simulation in continuing education for the health care professions: a systematic review. Journal
of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 32(4), pp.243-254.
Rush, K.L., Adamack, M., Gordon, J., Lilly, M. and Janke, R., 2013. Best practices of formal
new graduate nurse transition programs: an integrative review. International journal of nursing
studies, 50(3), pp.345-356.
Schuessler, J.B., Wilder, B. and Byrd, L.W., 2012. Reflective journaling and development of
cultural humility in students. Nursing education perspectives, 33(2), pp.96-99.

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Sincy, P., 2016. SWOT Analysis in Nursing. International Journal of Nursing Care, 4(1), pp.34-
37.
Stimpfel, A.W., Sloane, D.M. and Aiken, L.H., 2012. The longer the shifts for hospital nurses,
the higher the levels of burnout and patient dissatisfaction. Health Affairs, 31(11), pp.2501-2509.
Tashiro, J., Shimpuku, Y., Naruse, K. and Matsutani, M., 2013. Concept analysis of reflection in
nursing professional development. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 10(2), pp.170-179.
Thomas, C.M., Bertram, E. and Allen, R.L., 2012. The transition from student to new registered
nurse in professional practice. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 28(5), pp.243-
249.

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Appendix 1- SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
What are my strengths?
Friendly and outgoing nature, trustworthiness,
good interpersonal skills, and active listening
skills.
In what am I better for others?
I am often able to engage in an effective
conversation and reassure with patients who
are agitated or demonstrate violent behaviour.
What can others perceive as my strength?
My capability of showing respect towards all
clients and their family members, regardless of
their culture or ethnic background helps me to
establish good therapeutic relationship.
What are my weaknesses?
Lack of confidence, lethargic attitude, and
limited computer literacy and technological
skills keeps me at a disadvantage when
compared to my colleagues.
What can others do better than me?
Other healthcare professionals are better able
to utilise their decision making skills while
administering specific interventions upon
patients. They are also able to better use the
electronic health records of the clients.
What might others consider as my weakness?
My lethargic attitude and lack of self-
confidence may be perceived as a form of
disinterest towards my profession.
Opportunities Threats
What can I do to improve my drawbacks?
I need to seek help from my support network in
the hospital setting as well as home for
improving my confidence and computer
What creates a negative impact?
Shortage of staff and long working hours
create stress
What are the concerning internal and external

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literacy.
I also need to focus on continuous learning for
keeping myself updated with the interventions
and management strategies related to nursing
practice.
factors?
I am concerned about the fact that with time, I
might fail to strike a balance between my
personal and professional life.
Longer shift hours might create negative
impacts on my family life.
How does my perceived weakness influence
the threats?
My failure to demonstrate self-confidence can
pose major problems when critical situations
arise, as it might put me in a dilemma while
taking appropriate decisions.

9NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Appendix 2- Learning plan
Learning goals Objectives Timeline Reflection
Undertaking a
postgraduate course in
Nursing
Being a successful
registered nurse with
excellent clinical
expertise
I wish to commence
the course within the
next two years
It will improve my
understanding of the
underlying
pathophysiology and
treatments of all kinds
of acute and chronic
health disorders and
will help in improving
patient outcome
Increase my clinical
knowledge
Enrolling at short
educational programs
and CPD courses
This will continue
throughout my career
It will ensure my
commitment to
lifelong learning and
will help in enhancing
my expertise
Increase my self-
confidence
Taking help from
support network
Making complete use
of the opportunities
that are available
This will begin 3
months after
commencement of the
job and will again be
a life-long process
It will reduce stress,
anxiety and feelings
of inhibition. It will
enhance application of
a patient-centred care
approach.