NURS 6003 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties
Advancing my education has always been my goal for the longest time. I also knew that I would like to advance my education along the lines of being a mental health nurse. Mental health has always been dear to me, as I have seen close people around me, friends and family, battle with mental disorders. Many more people struggle with mental health, and while it has been vocalized and awareness created over the past several years, some people still have a difficult time coming forward to seek help for fear of stigma. As a nurse, I felt that this was a =n important area for me to advance my knowledge.
Issues with mental health have become quite rampant especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rates of people developing mental health disorders have increased significantly because of worry and anxiety caused by the pandemic. According to Czeisler et al. (2020) there was a considerable increase in the symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder in the United States during the period of April to June of 2020, as compared with the same period in 2019. Thinking about all the people struggling to cope with their mental health has encouraged me to want to pursue this specialty more.
is the American Psychiatry Nurses Association (APNA). The purpose of this organization is to advance the science and education of psychiatric-mental health nursing, and I feel like I would benefit by being a member. The organization also has very fair membership prices, with a student membership at $25 dollars annually, and affiliate and international membership at $135. I know that by being a member of the APNA, I will be able to advance my knowledge academically and professionally, have access to unlimited resources on matters mental health, and network and connect with others who share the same vision as mine.
Great post! I admire your passion to work with the mental health population. It truly takes a special person to endure the demands of that field. I also like your plan to become a student member of the American Psychiatry Nurses Association. “Professional nursing organizations provide a great starting point in obtaining and maintaining specialty certifications” and can open a door of unlimited resources for your specialty field (Echevarria, 2018, p. 37). Becoming a member of a professional nursing organization like the APNA can also assist with networking opportunities with other APRNs in your specialty to start building relationships, as well as provide you with new opportunities for conferences and academic journals in the mental health field (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, n.d.). “One essential element for professional development is committing the time necessary to strategically engage in lifelong learning,” so beginning to develop your plan as a future psychiatric APRN by joining the nursing association as a student in the master’s program would absolutely put you ahead of the game (Cherry et al., 2019, p. 517). Good luck on your future endeavors and I look forward to possibly reading your discussions in another course.
I have chosen to focus on the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program. A lot of thought has gone into this decision. At first, I wanted to focus on the family nurse practitioner (FNP) route. However, after speaking with my student success advisor, she informed me that it sounded like the AGPCNP route was a better fit for me. I also completed the questionnaire on the Walden University website that helps determine which MSN specialization is right for you. The quiz identified that the AGPCNP program or the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program was best for me. Because I primarily would like to work with the adult population, I can focus my studies through the AGPCNP focus on this population. The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to guide the health and well-being of patients 13 years and older (Walden University, 2022)
I have gone back and forth on deciding which focus is best for me. I always thought obtaining my FNP would open many more opportunities. However, I know I do not have the desire to work with the pediatric population. I also started my nursing career in labor and delivery and am familiar with this population. However, it looks like focusing my studies on the AGPCNP specialization will allow me to work in Women’s Health if I desire. The AGPCNP focus will help me promote a more equitable system serving individuals with compassion and dignity (Walden University, 2022). The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to manage disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and restore care in adolescents and adults (Walden University, 2022). I will be prepared to deliver quality primary care services and make an impact on the patients and community I serve (Walden University, 2022).
There are many professional nursing organizations I could join that are affiliated with the AGPCNP focus, including the National Gerontological Nurses Association, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American College of Nurse Practitioner, to name a few. According to Echevarria (2018), nurses should join professional organizations that best fit their goals. The Gerontologic Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) represents the interests of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) caring for older adults (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA opens opportunities for APRNs in education, leadership, research, advocacy, networking, and improvements in evidence-based practice (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA provides educational resources and up-to-date information about the care of older adults; it also offers opportunities for networking (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). There are many membership benefits, including a subscription to the official Journal of GAPNA, quarterly newsletters, and access to legislative news (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership also includes discounts on renewal fees, study materials, the American Nursing Credentialing Center Certification, conferences, and professional memberships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership fees are $100 annually, and members can join online (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students, registered nurses, APRNs, and retired nurses may become members. Students in advanced practice courses receive all the same benefits as APRNs; however, they do not have voting privileges (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students may also benefit from grants and scholarships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022).
References
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35-38.
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. (2022). Membership: Gerontological advanced practice nurses association (GAPNA). Membership | Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Retrieved October 24, 2022, from https://www.gapna.org/membership
Walden University. (2022). Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse practitioner (AGPCNP). Walden University. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Posting |
45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to some of the discussion question(s). One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors. |
0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately. Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
| Main Post: Timeliness |
10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
|
| First Response |
17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
| Second Response |
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
| Participation |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
|
| Total Points: 100 |
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