Discussion: Networking Opportunities
By Day 3 of Week 1
Post a brief introduction of yourself to your colleagues. Include an explanation as to how Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner Discussion: Networking Opportunities. Also include an explanation for how the Walden MSN Program Outcomes and perspectives relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Finally, explain why networking is important and how it may help you achieve your professional and academic goals.
My Goals and University Vision and Mission
As a nurse for 15+ years with experience working in hospitals, public health, Pre-K-12th grade schools, and a university, I have found behavioral health to be one of the primary concerns for those I have cared for in each role. My professional goal is to work in behavioral health, specifically with either school-aged children or young adults. Once I decided to specialize in this field, I began a search for online Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) programs that met my state’s Board of Nursing criteria Discussion: Networking Opportunities.
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After several years of desiring to advance my degree, just this spring I learned Walden University was only one of two schools in my state to offer this degree online. I concur with Walden’s vision, “where knowledge is judged worthy to the degree that it can be applied by its graduates…” (Walden University, n.d., Vision, Mission, Goals, para. 1). At the end of this program, I desire and expect to be well prepared to advocate for the health and well-being of patients with more tools than I currently have.
The MSN Program learning outcomes state nurses will be able to, “demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care” (Walden University, n.d., Master of Science in Nursing, para. 3). This is imperative as the demand for virtual behavioral health specialists has significantly increased over the past five years. “Employers are looking for an experience that will make the transition seamless at best” (Schmidt, K., n.d., “What is Professional Nursing” section). The PMHNP program will advance my knowledge and skills with patient care coordination, aiding in the transition from nurse to advance practice nurse.
Another professional goal of mine is to help shape a positive view of behavioral health among school-aged students. “Research suggests that all social change efforts begin with the individual and build out from there, based on the individual’s knowledge, skills, and passions” (Walden 2020: A vision for social change, 2017, p. 14). TheCollege of Nursing program’s mission emphasizes being “champions of change who will improve health outcomes…” (Walden University, n.d., Nursing Mission and Vision, “Mission and Vision” section). I am eager to learn how to better do this, so school-aged students understand the benefits of treatment leading to improved patient outcomes.
Lastly, in reading the required articles I was reminded of the value of professional networking. As an advanced practice nurse, I will need consistent input and knowledge sharing from colleagues. “Every professional connection should be based on interactions that involve knowledge sharing and mutual professional development,” wrote Schmidt (n.d., para 5). Discussion: Networking Opportunities As a nurse, I’ve always valued knowledge sharing, but I am gaining an increased appreciation for networking to draw from the real-world expertise of more experienced colleagues about the practices and resources they have already found effective. I look forward to bringing this knowledge to the organization where I will practice.
References
Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved on May 28, 2022 from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/
Walden 2020: A vision for social change. (2017). Retrieved on May 28, 2022 from
https://www.waldenu.edu/-/media/walden/files/about-walden/walden-university-2017-social-change-report-final-v-2.pdf
Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing. Retrieved on May 28, 2022 from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/preview_program.php?
Walden University. (n.d.). Nursing Mission and Vision. Retrieved on May 28, 2022 from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-lg-box-3837398
Walden University. (n.d.). Vision, Mission, and Goals. Retrieved on May 28, 2022 from https://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=193&navoid=74971 Discussion: Networking Opportunities
Walden University. (2022). Walden University Catalog. Retrieved on May 28, 2022 from
https://catalog.waldenu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=193&poid=77329&returnto= 75376
Discussion: Networking Opportunities Sample response
I agree with you that behavioral health issues are present among every population across the globe. One could argue every single person knows someone with a mental health issue. I have worked at an inpatient psychiatric hospital for the last five years, and we receive patients from every walk of life, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen even more high-functioning patients decompensate due to stress. I have never worked with children before but working on the adolescent unit was always the most challenging for me. Though I do believe if children received the proper mental health care at a young age, it would prevent them from being institutionalized later in their life.
Within the last two years since the start of the pandemic, telehealth has increased tremendously across the healthcare industry. With mental health patients, the benefits of being able to receive care from the comfort of their own home increases the likelihood they will reach out for help. Discussion: Networking Opportunities While reading About Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (2022), it states psychiatric nurses “work in a variety of settings and provide comprehensive care to individuals, families, groups, and communities” (para. 1). For those with MDD, some days, they cannot get out of bed because their depression is so bad, let alone make an appt to see a psychiatrist, which might not have an opening for weeks or months. In our roles as scholars-practitioners, we will be able to reach a vast population via virtual behavioral health care.
I liked how you noted you appreciate learning from your colleagues and knowledge sharing. Have you joined the American Psychiatric Nurses Association? Discussion: Networking Opportunities I believe they could provide you with many resources to help expand your knowledge, specifically about psychiatric nursing! As Schmidt (n.d.) said, “a connection maybe able to offer direct help or put you in contact with someone who can directly help you, but you maybe able to return the favor at some point” (para. 4). I wish you all the best on your journey to becoming a scholar-practitioner!
References
About Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. (April 28, 2022). APNA. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.apna.org/about-psychiatric-nursing/.
Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/ Discussion: Networking Opportunities