NRS 440 Reflection Paper Assignment

NRS 440 Reflection Paper Assignment

Nursing is a dynamic field that prepares students to play an instrumental role in improving public health and transforming societies. The knowledge one gained through education is essential in providing primary care and enabling communities to live healthy lives. As a field that keeps evolving as living and illnesses dynamics change, nurses should acquire the highest education level possible. Doing so will help them deal with current health and social matters expertly, and as the professional guidelines dictate. This paper reflects my current job market options, future professional certifications and advanced degrees, and the impact and personal view regarding continuing education.

Options in the Job Market

In most cases, a nurse’s specialization area acts as the opening towards an exciting career that helps a nurse address patient needs at health facilities and be actively engaged in solving community problems. The same specialization can be a limiting factor if it forces the nurse to concentrate on specific health problems without diversifying.  A nurse’s education level is the primary determinant as far as options in the job market are concerned.

Based on my education level, I can excel in several areas specific to my course or requiring me to apply my general nursing knowledge to improve people’s health. One of the options I have is primary care. In primary care, a nurse uses knowledge acquired through education to diagnose patient problems and advise them on the measures necessary to live healthy lives. The second option is serving as a health/nurse educator. This option entails doing more of an informative role or health expert in learning institutions and communities to identify public health problems and teach communities about risks and living healthy. I can also participate in family and mental health practice based on my skills and commitment to learn and serve. Regarding this, I have a broadened mindset of what I can do, and I believe that I will acquire more knowledge to be a dynamic health care worker who can excel in general and special health matters and administrative roles.

Assessment Description

The IOM published report, “Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” makes recommendations for lifelong learning and achieving higher levels of education.

In 1,000-1,250 words, examine the importance of nursing education and discuss your overall educational goals.

Include the following:

Discuss your options in the job market based on your educational level.
Review the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations for achieving higher levels of education. Describe what professional certification and advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, etc.) you want to pursue and explain your reasons for wanting to attain the education. Discuss your timeline for accomplishing these goals.
Discuss how increasing your level of education would affect how your competitiveness in the current job market and your role in the future of nursing.
Discuss the relationship of continuing nursing education to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics.
Discuss whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory. Provide support for your response.

You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Reflection Paper – Rubric

Criteria Description

Job Options Based on Educational Level

5. Excellent

12.5 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are thoroughly discussed. All options listed are realistic for educational level. The response demonstrates an awareness of job options based on educational level.

4. Good

11.13 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are discussed. Generally, options listed are realistic for educational level. The response demonstrates an awareness of job options based on educational level.

3. Satisfactory

9.88 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are summarized. Most options listed are realistic for educational level. The response demonstrates a general awareness of job options based on educational level.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.38 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are incomplete. Options listed are not realistic for educational level.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Options in the job market based on educational level are omitted.

Criteria Description

Goals for Professional Education

5. Excellent

18.75 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are thoroughly described. Clear and compelling reasons for wanting to attain the education are discussed.

4. Good

16.69 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are described overall.

3. Satisfactory

14.81 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are summarized. Reasons for wanting to attain the education are unclear.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

14.06 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are incomplete.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are omitted.

Criteria Description

Increase in Level of Education and Effect on Competitiveness in Job Market and in Role in the Future of Nursing

5. Excellent

18.75 points

A well-developed discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented. The claims are substantiated and realistic for the current job market.

4. Good

16.69 points

Discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented. There are inaccuracies. Some support or rationale is needed.

3. Satisfactory

14.81 points

Goals and timeline for professional certification and advanced degrees are summarized. Reasons for wanting to attain the education are unclear.Overall, a general discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented. Some claims are not accurate or require further support or rationale.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

14.06 points

Summary of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is presented but is incomplete.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Discussion of how increasing level of education would affect competitiveness in current job market and personal role in the future of nursing is omitted.

Criteria Description

Relationship of Continuing Nursing Education to Competency, Attitudes, Knowledge, and ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics

5. Excellent

25 points

A well-supported discussion clearly establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. The discussion demonstrates insight into the importance of education to the nursing profession.

4. Good

22.25 points

A discussion generally establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. Some minor evidence or rationale is needed.

3. Satisfactory

19.75 points

A summary partially establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. More evidence or rationale is needed.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

18.75 points

An incomplete discussion establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is presented. A relationship has not been established.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

A discussion establishing the relationship of continuing education in nursing to competency, attitudes, knowledge, and the ANA Scope and Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics is omitted.

Criteria Description

Criteria 5Mandatory Continuing Education Nursing

5. Excellent

25 points

A well-developed discussion of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. Compelling rationale and evidence-based support for the argument is provided.

4. Good

22.25 points

A discussion of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. Overall, rationale and evidence-based support for the argument is provided.

3. Satisfactory

19.75 points

A summary of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. The summary lacks some rationale or evidence-based support for the argument.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

18.75 points

An incomplete summary of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is presented. The rationale and support for argument fail to support its claims.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

A discussion of whether continuing nursing education should be mandatory is omitted.

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

5. Excellent

6.25 points

Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

4. Good

5.56 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.

3. Satisfactory

4.94 points

Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

4.69 points

Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.

Criteria Description

Argument Logic and Construction

5. Excellent

6.25 points

Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

4. Good

5.56 points

Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.

3. Satisfactory

4.94 points

Argument is orderly but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

4.69 points

Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

5. Excellent

6.25 points

Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

4. Good

5.56 points

Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.

3. Satisfactory

4.94 points

Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

4.69 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5. Excellent

2.5 points

All format elements are correct.

4. Good

2.23 points

Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.

3. Satisfactory

1.98 points

Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

1.88 points

Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)

5. Excellent

3.75 points

Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.

4. Good

3.34 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.

3. Satisfactory

2.96 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

2.81 points

Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Sources are not documented.

Total 125 points