Nursing Domains Being a True Professional

Journal Reflection: Domains

Nursing requires a balance of academic knowledge, clinical expertise, and a commitment to continuous personal and professional growth (Mlambo et al., 2021). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has established The Essentials, which outlines ten domains of competencies that every baccalaureate-prepared nurse should achieve (AACN, 2021) These domains support growth and positive direction in nursing education. They help to make nurses better care providers. In this journal reflection, I look at how just one of these domains has influenced my development.

Topic: Domain 4 - Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline

One of the AACN Essentials that has impacted my development is Domain 4: Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline. This domain is based on the importance of using scholarly evidence to inform nursing practice (AACN, 2021). Thanks to this course, I now have a better understanding of how to conduct research. I appreciate more the value of being able to critically appraise evidence. This domain has helped me to see the value, too, of basing care on evidence-based practice (EBP), as well.

Before this course, my understanding of research was definitely more limited: I saw it as something that you only did in class to satisfy a requirement. I did not see it as something that really had connection to the real world. However, thanks to this domain I realized that research actually is needed to advance the nursing profession. One needs to have the ability to identify credible sources, evaluate research findings, and integrate them into practice in order to make sure patient care is actually being supported by the best possible evidence. For example, I have learned to assess the validity and reliability of research studies, which lets me make informed decisions about new interventions in the clinical setting.

AACN Domain: Domain 9 - Professionalism

I have made progress in understanding research, but Domain 9: Professionalism remains an area for further growth. This domain refers to the values, behaviors, and attitudes that reflect the profession's core ethical principles, including accountability, integrity, and respect for human dignity. Professionalism also involves a commitment to lifelong learning, which is something I will want for staying current with the latest research in healthcare (Hays et al., 2020).

One aspect of professionalism that I need to develop more is the ability to communicate research findings to colleagues and patients. I plan to be mindful of opportunities for professional development outside of the nursing program, like workshops and conferences that focus on communication skills. I also want to be part of mentorship relationships with experienced nurses who can give guidance on ethical dilemmas and staying professional in all situations.

I want to improve my professionalism because I believe it will help me be better about advocating for evidence-based practices, and working better with interdisciplinary teams (Murray et al., 2022). Ultimately, I feel that growth in this domain will build me as a role model for others in the nursing profession, too.

Course Concept: Research Appraisal and Its Unexpected Impact

One course concept that was surprisingly impactful was research appraisal. Initially, I did not anticipate how important this skill would be to my daily nursing practice. Research appraisal lets me critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of research studies to determine their applicability to clinical practice. I can do it quickly now that I know how. It is a very rewarding skill to have.

Through this course, I learned how to systematically appraise research articles, by looking at factors like study design, sample size, parameters of the study, and potential biases. This skill has definitely changed the way I approach clinical decision-making. For example, I now have the tools to evaluate the supporting evidence critically if I am thinking about recommending a new intervention. This skill lets me know that I am not just following trends or relying on outdated practices but that I am using my critical thinking to go with interventions that are supported by high-quality research.

Research appraisal has also supported me in seeing the importance of ethics and equity in research. I have become more aware of the ethical considerations that must be taken into account when conducting and applying research, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and the potential for harm. Understanding these principles has given me my appreciation for the overall research process and makes me want to be more committed to ethical standards in my practice.

Conclusion

As I look back on my time in this course, I see that the AACN Essentials have helped me prepare for becoming a better BSN-prepared nurse. Domain 4: Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline has empowered me to use evidence-based practices in my clinical work, so that my care is informed by the latest research. At the same time, Domain 9: Professionalism shows me where I still want to grow and become more ethical in practice.