This reflective journal examines how two of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials domains have shaped a BSN nursing student's development. The paper focuses on Domain 4: Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline, highlighting growth in research appraisal and evidence-based practice, and Domain 9: Professionalism, identifying it as an area for continued growth. The student also reflects on the unexpected impact of learning to critically appraise research, noting its influence on clinical decision-making, ethical awareness, and the application of high-quality evidence to patient care.
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, helping to make nurses better care providers. In this journal reflection, I examine how two of these domains have influenced my development.
One of the AACN Essentials that has most impacted my development is Domain 4: Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline. This domain is grounded in the importance of using scholarly evidence to inform nursing practice (AACN, 2021). Through this course, I have developed a deeper understanding of how to conduct research, and I appreciate more fully the value of critically appraising evidence. This domain has also helped me recognize the importance of basing care on evidence-based practice (EBP).
Before this course, my understanding of research was more limited: I viewed it as something done only in class to satisfy a requirement, with little connection to the real world. However, this domain helped me realize that research is essential to advancing the nursing profession. One must be able to identify credible sources, evaluate research findings, and integrate them into practice to ensure that patient care is supported by the best available evidence. For example, I have learned to assess the validity and reliability of research studies, which allows me to make informed decisions about new interventions in the clinical setting.
While I have made progress in understanding research, Domain 9: Professionalism remains an area for further growth. This domain encompasses 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 essential for staying current with the latest research in healthcare (Hays et al., 2020).
One aspect of professionalism I need to develop further is the ability to communicate research findings effectively to colleagues and patients. I plan to seek out professional development opportunities outside of the nursing program, such as workshops and conferences that focus on communication skills. I also hope to participate in mentorship relationships with experienced nurses who can offer guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas and maintaining professionalism in all situations.
I want to strengthen my professionalism because I believe it will make me a better advocate for evidence-based practices and improve my ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (Murray et al., 2022). Ultimately, growth in this domain will help me become a role model for others in the nursing profession.
One course concept that proved surprisingly impactful was research appraisal. Initially, I did not anticipate how important this skill would be to my daily nursing practice. Research appraisal enables me to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of research studies to determine their applicability to clinical practice — and now that I have developed this skill, I find it both efficient and rewarding.
Through this course, I learned how to systematically appraise research articles by examining factors such as study design, sample size, study parameters, and potential biases. This skill has changed the way I approach clinical decision-making. For example, when considering a new intervention, I now have the tools to critically evaluate the supporting evidence. Rather than simply following trends or relying on outdated practices, I can use my critical thinking to pursue interventions supported by high-quality research.
"How research appraisal changed clinical decision-making"
Hays, R. B., Ramani, S., & Hassell, A. (2020). Healthcare systems and the sciences of health professional education. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 25, 1149–1162.
Mlambo, M., Silén, C., & McGrath, C. (2021). Lifelong learning and nurses' continuing professional development, a metasynthesis of the literature. BMC Nursing, 20, 1–13.
Murray, T. A., Simmons, K. J., Boyd, E., Holmes, S., Bobo, T. L., & Turner, J. (2022). Evidence-based strategies to advance BSN student diversity. Journal of Professional Nursing, 39, 122–130.
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