¶ … successes in the MSN program The MSN program has been both a rewarding and challenging experience for me. My professional development has vastly improved over the course of the program. In particular my proficiency with Needs Assessment Tools, Lean Six Sigma, and SMART action plans, has improved. What I appreciate the most about these successes within the program is that each of these concepts can is applicable to both my professional and personal life as well. From a professional development perspective, being about to develop and implement SMART action plans will be critical to corporate success. In many instances, healthcare firms are looking to make an adequate profit relative to the resources invested in the project. With SMART goals, I will be better able to help direct a firm to the projects that help serve clients and the firm better. Through the MSN program, I have also become a more proficient writer and communicator. This skill is one that I value highly. Communication is vital within the healthcare profession. This is particular true as employees and patients will experience information asymmetry. More often than not, as a healthcare profession, I will have more knowledge than the patient regarding health matters. It is critical for me to communicate in a manner that is concise and lucid for the patient. Communication is much more important when the circumstances surrounding the communication are dire. A classic example is delivering negative news to a patient that is unexpected or surprising. Being able to deliver a negative message clearly while also being sympathetic to the needs of the individual is critical. A major success for me throughout the MSN program has been to develop this communication skill and the confidence needed to implement it. Through the use of class presentations, papers, and group projects, I have successfully honed my communication skills. I plan to immediately utilize these skills within the profession environment.

Technology is also becoming much more integrated within the healthcare system overall. Now more than ever, healthcare professions need to be aware of technology and its applications. This is particular true as electronic medical health records, health applications, and other forms of technology become more prominent. A major success has been my ability to quickly adopt, understand, and implement new technology.

2. Opportunities it has given to me

The MSN program has provided...

A major opportunity the program has given is the opportunity to network and communicate with a diverse array of individuals. Networking was very important to me as it helped me to better hone my communication skills. Networking also allowed me to identify specific aspects of the healthcare profession that I was particularly attracted to. Most importantly, networking exposed me to the varying cultures and backgrounds that are represented within the healthcare industry. Diversity is becoming much more important as legislation and the Affordable Care Act further increase the insured population. Being able to understand how other cultures perceive certain actions is therefore critical to success as a healthcare professional. Different people can look at the same information and react completely different based on established cultural norms and backgrounds. The ability to interact with these varying cultures first hand was an opportunity provided to me by the MSN program.
In addition, the ability to implement my practicum project at Nightingale Home Care was an amazing opportunity to grow professionally. The opportunity to illicit feedback from various healthcare professional who work directly in the field was a great opportunity. The practicum project provide me with an opportunity to provide textbook theory in a real world setting. It also allowed me to better understand what worked in the real world as oppose to examples in the textbook. I would not have been affordable this opportunity if not for the MSN program.

3. Student evaluated how their practicum project facilitated or hindered the development of the competency they selected:

My Onboarding Project will be a continuous and ongoing process of development. This project will be continuous, as it has to correspond to changes related to accrediting and governmental agencies. Nightingale Home Care as a healthcare institution must therefore follow the policies outlined by these agencies. Safety is the competency I selected for my onboard project. Safety is an ongoing process improvement. It cannot simply be halted for the sake of saving money or time. Patient safety is the utmost concern for health care professionals as it directly relates to administrative processes. To adhere to proper safety protocols and procedures, healthcare professionals must continually improve safety standards. As a result, my practicum project ultimately advanced the development of this competency.

4. Student proposed what they would change, keep the same, or develop in the program that would add to the practicum experience?

The practicum experience was very beneficial for me. I would keep many of the aspects…