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I love the quote, "The focus of nursing is living caring and growing in caring" (Boykin, A., & Schoenhofer, S. O., 2015, as cited in Butts, J. B. & Rich, K. L. 2022). This theory challenges the reductionist biomedical healthcare models and instead urges nurses to engage with patients as human beings. During our discussion in class, Dr. Gulden emphasized setting goals with patients at the beginning, which reminds me of my practice and the values I set with my patients. Learning more about this theory validated my values and reminded me that nursing is not just about tasks--it's about being fully present with those we care for.

Butts, J. B. & Rich, K. L. (2022). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Learninghttps://sampling.vitalsource.com/referral?term=978128425456

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This week, I stuck with the idea that humility is a strength, not a weakness. Michalec et al. (2024) emphasized how humility in healthcare helps us stay open to learning and connect better with our patients and team. It made me reflect on how I want to grow in my role—not just by gaining knowledge but by staying grounded and willing to learn. Halverson et al. (2022) also talked about how our professional identity keeps evolving, and I love that idea. We’re becoming better versions of ourselves, one experience at a time.

Halverson, A. J., Marlow, E., & Simon, M. J. (2022). Professional identity formation in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(1), 14–16. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000845

Michalec, B., Lamb, G. S., & Visco, D. L. (2024). Humility within healthcare delivery. Journal of Professional Nursing, 50, 102376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.102376

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Advocacy Is a Responsibility, Not a Bonus

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Advocacy Is a Responsibility, Not a Bonus

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This week made me reflect on how advocacy isn’t optional—it’s something we’re called to do as nurses. Nikpour et al. (2022) pointed out that we are responsible for speaking up for equity and inclusivity, and that hit home for me. I’ve always felt passionate about DEI, but I hadn’t fully connected it to my future role as an advanced practice nurse. Flaubert et al. (2021) also emphasized that authentic leadership means being inclusive and courageous. This week reminded me that creating fundamental change starts with showing up—and speaking up.f ds

Flaubert, J. L., Williams, D. R., Betancourt, J. R., & Sanchez, K. M. (2021). The future of nursing 2020–2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982

Nikpour, J., Dickman, N. E., & Kuehnert, P. (2022). Nurse advocacy for health equity: A blueprint for action. Nursing Outlook, 70(2), 239–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.10.006

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Advocacy Is a Responsibility, Not a Bonus

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Professionalism is More Than Just Showing Up

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Professionalism is More Than Just Showing Up

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This week’s class made me realize that professionalism in nursing goes way beyond being on time or following a dress code. It’s really about how we carry ourselves, how we handle feedback, and how we build trust with patients and colleagues. I liked how the panelists talked about professionalism evolving as we take on more responsibility in advanced practice. The American Nurse article also emphasized that professional identity is something we intentionally build over time, shaped by experiences, self-reflection, and continuous learning. That mindset helps me see professionalism as an ongoing journey, not a checklist.

Thomas, T., & Kellgren, M. (2021). Fostering professional identity in nursing. American Nurse Journal. Retrieved from https://www.myamericannurse.com/fostering-professional-identity-in-nursing/

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In today's class, the focus is on professionalism within the nursing program, emphasizing the importance of having cameras on during virtual sessions for engagement. Dr. Golden will monitor the chat for questions while addressing audio-visual delays. The course requires students to prepare for post-class reflections and key takeaways using Padlet.Panelists Introduction:Margot Mellanson Arnold: Nurse administrator with over 20 years in nursing leadership, interested in ambulatory nursing, leadership development, and data analytics.Dr. Sandy Paddock: Professor at Winona State University with extensive teaching experience and a focus on health promotion and self-care. She is a board-certified nurse practitioner.Benjamin Hickox: Experienced registered nurse with a focus on clinical ethics, working in various nursing roles and academia.Main Discussion Topics:Professionalism in Classroom Settings:Importance of attending classes on time and participating actively in discussions.Keep cameras o

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This week’s ethical dilemma activity opened my eyes to how complicated decision-making can get in healthcare. Sometimes, what’s legally allowed doesn’t always feel ethically correct. In our role-play, hearing both sides of the argument helped me see how easy it is to get stuck in the “gray areas.” What helped was using an ethical theory to guide the adjudicator’s decision—it gave us a framework to look beyond personal opinions. This was a great reminder that I must balance legal obligations with ethical reasoning in real-life situations as an advanced practice nurse.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Publishing.

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This week’s ethical dilemma activity opened my eyes to how complicated decision-making can get in healthcare. Sometimes, what’s legally allowed doesn’t always feel ethically correct. In our role-play, hearing both sides of the argument helped me see how easy it is to get stuck in the “gray areas.” What helped was using an ethical theory to guide the adjudicator’s decision—it gave us a framework to look beyond personal opinions. This was a great reminder that I must balance legal obligations with ethical reasoning in real-life situations as an advanced practice nurse.    American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Publishing.

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This week, Provision 2 from the ANA Code of Ethics stuck with me. It reminds us that our first responsibility is always to the patient, no matter how complicated a situation. I thought about how, as an advanced practice nurse, I’ll face challenging moments where family or even team members might have strong opinions—but ultimately, the patient’s voice matters most. This provision is a good reminder to stay grounded in what’s best for the patient, even when navigating complex decisions.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Publishing.

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This week helped me realize how valuable ethical frameworks are when facing tough decisions. Without a structured way to evaluate situations, letting emotions or outside pressure take over is easy. Applying a theory like principlism during our role play gave us a clear path to work through the dilemma and stay focused on the patient’s best interest. As an advanced practice nurse, I know I’ll face situations where the “right” choice isn’t obvious. These tools in my back pocket will help me stay grounded and make confident, patient-centered decisions.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Publishing.

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This week made me realize how much my digital presence reflects my professional identity. The audit opened my eyes to how healthcare organizations and nurse leaders must balance being informative, inclusive, and experienced online. It’s not just about what you post—it’s also about who feels seen and included in that space. As a future advanced practice nurse, I’ll need to be intentional with my digital footprint, ensuring my communication stays true to nursing values like integrity, advocacy, and equity while being accessible to everyone I hope to reach.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Publishing.

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This activity helped me recognize how fear and workplace pressure can complicate ethical decision-making. In Case Study #1, We questioned whether we were acting in the patient’s best interest or out of fear of being wrong. Provision 5 reminded us that protecting my integrity includes trusting clinical judgment (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). My peers reminded me that moral challenges may take many different forms, such as addressing rudeness on a team or preserving autonomy during a mental health crisis. Their comments made it clear to me that upholding our personal limits and promoting a safe workplace are equally important aspects of ethics.

Reference:

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.

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This activity helped me recognize how fear and workplace pressure can complicate ethical decision-making. In Case Study #1, We questioned whether we were acting in the patient’s best interest or out of fear of being wrong. Provision 5 reminded us that protecting my integrity includes trusting clinical judgment (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). My peers reminded me that moral challenges may take many different forms, such as addressing rudeness on a team or preserving autonomy during a mental health crisis. Their comments made it clear to me that upholding our personal limits and promoting a safe workplace are equally important aspects of ethics.  Reference:  American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.

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Our final week made me realize how vital professional organizations can be for my growth as a nurse. They offer much more than I initially thought—networking, mentorship, education, and advocacy opportunities. I connected with how DiCioccio talked about finding renewed purpose in her career through involvement in AWHONN. As I advance in my career, joining the right organizations can help me build relationships, stay current with best practices, and even open doors I didn’t know existed. It’s a great reminder that staying connected to the larger nursing community can fuel long-term professional growth.

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Professional nursing organizations: Key to career growth and patient care. Retrieved from https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/professional-nursing-organizations-key-to-career-growth-and-patient-care/