[ANSWERED 2023] Each week contribute 150-200 words 1250-2,000 words total) to reflect and journal the professional practice, skills, and responses used in approaching or achieving the course

Learners must maintain a reflective journal integrating self-reflection and inquiry demonstrated in the current Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) course.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• Download the \”Reflective Journal Template,\” located in the DNP PI Workspace, for submission.
• A minimum of three peer-reviewed references published within the last 5 years is required.
• Doctoral learners are required to use the current APA style for their essay writing assignments. The current APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric before beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
• You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Course Materials if you need assistance.

Directions: 

Each week contribute 150-200 words 1250-2,000 words total) to reflect and journal the professional practice, skills, and responses used in approaching or achieving the course objectives in the course syllabus and the AACN Essentials Doctoral Education of Advanced Practice (2006). Describe examples of your accomplishments or challenges experienced while taking the course.

Align at least three of the AACN DNP Essentials to these experiences as provided in the \”Reflective Journal Template.\” Discuss additional resources discovered and new abilities that have influenced more optimal learning outcomes in the course. Lastly, describe and conclude how the competencies were approached or accomplished in this course.

In addition to personal reflections about the course, the journal must reflect on at least three of the following AACN DNP Essentials:

• Essential I: Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
• Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
• Essential IV: Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
• Essential V: Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
• Essential VI: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
• Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation\’s Health
• Essential VIII: Advanced Nursing Practice

Submit your reflective journal to both the course faculty using the course assignment dropbox and upload it into the Typhon Tracking System under the corresponding course section at the end of the course. Learners must submit this deliverable in Typhon and the LMS. Failure to submit in both locations can result in an Incomplete for the course.

Expert Answer and Explanation

Reflection

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) published the essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice last in 2006 (AACN, 2011). The essentials address the core foundational competencies in all ANP roles. However, the focus and depth of the essentials depend on the nursing role a student has partaken in. For instance, a student-focused on nursing leadership would improve their knowledge in systems and organizational leadership. DNP graduates should always reflect and document the essentials they have achieved in the course of their learning. The purpose of this assignment is to describe the essentials and reflect on how the course has helped achieve them.

Achievements and Challenges

I have achieved a lot since I started the course. One of the skills I have achieved in designing and evaluating quality improvement practices that can improve the target population’s health. Newman (2017) notes that the overall quality improvement in healthcare settings can improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery systems, thus enhancing patient outcomes. In my prospectus, I focused on improving the health of patients with diabetes and are obese.

A study by Ahmed et al. (2017) showed that the readmission rate is high among patients with diabetes and are obese. Hence, my program aimed to help the patients improve their body weight and reduce readmission rates and other comorbidities related to obesity. I also improved my leadership skills during the course. The skills helped me design and advocate for various policies that impact the health of patients. I improved my communication skills which can help me further advocate for care policies.

Thelen (2020) reports that communication is essential when it comes to policy advocacy. The author argues that nursing leaders should have proper communication skills to effectively communicate their policies to stakeholders.

Another accomplishment is using nursing theories in improving patient care. I have learned various nursing theories that have improved my theoretical knowledge in nursing care. I learned that environment is a vital aspect of nursing care, and thus nurses should always ensure that healthcare settings contribute to the betterment of the patient health. Lastly, I have also accomplished much when it comes to the development and evaluation of research methodologies.

I developed a research methodology for my DNP prospectus draft, which has improved my research methods knowledge. However, I also experienced challenges during the course. The main was analyzing data using SPSS. As a DNP graduate, I am supposed to know to analyze data using technological instruments. However, I found it so challenging to analyze data using SPSS. Another challenge was finding the right sources for my literature review.

Resources Discovered and New Abilities

I discovered various resources that I can use to improve patient care. One of the resources was the American Nursing Association. The ANA always publishes various resources that can be useful to nurses in the research and ANP sectors. The CDC is another vital resource I discovered in the course. It publishes resources about various diseases and innervations and can be vital for ANPs.

AACN Essentials for DNP

Essential 1: Scientific Underpinnings for Practice

According to AACN (2011), the DNP program should apply terminal academic activities to prepare students for nursing practice. After the program, a nurse should know the laws and principles governing the well-being, life process, and optimal functioning of a human being when sick or well. The nurse should also know the nursing processes or actions used to positively affect changes in their health status after completing the program. I achieved this essential by learning various nursing theories that I would use to explain the functioning of human beings in either a healthy or sick state.

One of the theories I have learned in the course is Environmental Theory by Florence Nightingale. According to Ribeiro et al. (2020), the theory argues that nurses can understand how to apply patient environment to help improve patient recovery. Another theory is the transpersonal theory by Jean Watson. The theory notes that nurses should use problem-solving skills to make decisions and urge nurses to always express their feelings.

Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking

Sfantou et al. (2017) argue that leadership is an important aspect of ANP. The authors note that effective nursing leadership can lead to effective, quality, and safe care. The AACN also recognizes the importance of leadership in nursing. The organization notes that nursing leadership is required to improve health and patient outcomes. The organization also notes that DNP graduates must-know principles of nursing management, including practical and conceptual strategies for improving productivity while providing quality care.

I have improved my leadership skills in this course. Some of the leadership theories I have learned improved my leadership skills include transactional leadership, servant leadership, and democratic leadership. Different leadership theories are needed for different nursing aspects of leadership. For instance, a leader who wants to change a nursing organization should utilize a transactional leadership model (Amestoy et al., 2017). Democratic leadership can be used when making decisions regarding a policy where every stakeholder will vote for it, and the majority’s decision will be followed.

Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice

This essential is focused on research and scholarship. The essential focuses on improving DNP graduates’ knowledge in appraising evidence-based literature using analytical methods to identify and implement evidence-based practices. The DNP also prepares graduates to develop and implement processes used in evaluating practice patterns, outcomes of practice, and the healthcare environment.

After completing the program, a DNP graduate should evaluate quality improvement methodologies, apply research findings in care provision, and use research methods and information technology properly. I achieved this essential by attending various scholarly activities and designing the DNP prospectus and the ten strategic points.

These activities allowed me to learn research methodologies and tools I can use to evaluate various nursing practices. I can currently collect data and analysis to identify important findings that can be applied to improve the quality and safety of nursing care.

Conclusion

I accomplished all the competencies for this DNP program. For instance, I translated nursing science and other disciplines into practice through the DNP prospectus draft. In this activity, I collected data, analyzed it, and used it to recommend an intervention to help the patient with diabetes and are obese.

I demonstrated clinical judgment by assessing my clinical site and identifying the care problems among obese patients with diabetes. I provided patient-centered care by ensuring readmission rates were reduced among patients with diabetes. Overall, I learned that the essentials of nursing are vital for a DNP student, and thus we must all strive to achieve all the essentials.

References

Ahmed, A., AlBuraikan, D., ALMuqbil, B., AlJohi, W., Alanazi, W., & AlRasheed, B. (2017). Readmissions and emergency department visits after bariatric surgery at Saudi Arabian hospital: the rates, reasons, and risk factors. Obesity Facts, 10(5), 432-443. https://doi.org/10.1159/000456667

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The essentials of master’s education in nursing. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/MastersEssentials11.pdf

Amestoy, S. C., Trindade, L. D. L., Silva, G. T. R. D., Santos, B. P. D., Reis, V. R. D. S. S., & Ferreira, V. B. (2017). Leadership in nursing: from teaching to practice in a hospital environment. Escola Anna Nery, 21. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2016-0276

Newman, S. (2017). Language-games and quality improvement in healthcare in England. Open Medicine Journal, 4(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874220301704010073

Ribeiro, O. M. P. L., Martins, M. M. F. P. D. S., Trindade, L. D. L., Fassarella, C. S., Silva, J. M. A. V. D., & Faria, A. D. C. A. (2020). 200 years of Florence Nightingale: contributions to the professional practice of nurses in hospitals. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 73. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0179

Sfantou, D. F., Laliotis, A., Patelarou, A. E., Sifaki-Pistolla, D., Matalliotakis, M., & Patelarou, E. (2017). Importance of leadership style towards quality of care measures in healthcare settings: a systematic review. In Healthcare (Vol. 5, No. 4, p. 73). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare5040073

Thelen, P. D. (2020). Internal communicators’ understanding of the definition and importance of employee advocacy. Public Relations Review, 46(4), 101946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2020.101946

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FAQs

What is the purpose of the AACN essentials?

The purpose of the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) Essentials is to establish a comprehensive framework and set of guidelines that shape the education and practice of nursing professionals in the United States. These essentials serve several crucial purposes:

1. Standardization of Nursing Education: One of the primary purposes of the AACN Essentials is to standardize nursing education across the country. By providing a common set of core competencies and standards, they ensure that nursing graduates from various institutions are equipped with the same foundational knowledge and skills.
2. Quality Assurance: The AACN Essentials are designed to maintain and enhance the quality of nursing education. They set high standards for curriculum development, faculty qualifications, and educational resources, ensuring that nursing programs provide rigorous and effective education.
3. Alignment with Healthcare Needs: The AACN Essentials adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. They reflect the changing needs of patients, healthcare systems, and communities, ensuring that nursing graduates are prepared to address current and future healthcare challenges.
4. Promotion of Evidence-Based Practice: A significant purpose of the essentials is to promote evidence-based practice in nursing. They emphasize the importance of research, critical thinking, and the application of the latest scientific evidence to improve patient care outcomes.
5. Preparation for Leadership Roles: The AACN Essentials prepare nursing graduates to assume leadership roles within the healthcare system. They emphasize skills such as communication, collaboration, and healthcare policy understanding, which are essential for effective leadership in nursing practice.
6. Advocacy for Nursing and Healthcare: Another purpose is to empower nurses to be advocates for patients, healthcare policies, and the nursing profession itself. By instilling a sense of professionalism and ethical responsibility, the essentials encourage nurses to actively engage in shaping healthcare policy and improving patient care.
7. Enhancement of Interprofessional Collaboration: Interprofessional collaboration is essential in healthcare. The AACN Essentials stress the importance of effective communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals, fostering teamwork and improved patient health outcomes.
8. Prevention and Population Health: The essentials acknowledge the role of nurses in preventive care and population health. They prepare nurses to address public health issues and contribute to the well-being of communities through health promotion and disease prevention.

In summary, the purpose of the AACN Essentials is to provide a comprehensive and adaptable framework that guides nursing education and practice. They ensure that nursing graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the ever-changing healthcare industry, deliver high-quality care, and contribute positively to patient outcomes and the broader healthcare system.

How do the AACN essentials apply to nursing practice?

The AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) Essentials play a pivotal role in shaping nursing practice by providing a comprehensive framework that guides nurses in delivering high-quality care. Let’s delve into how these essentials directly apply to nursing practice:

1. Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice (Essential I): This essential emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education beyond nursing-specific courses. It applies to nursing practice by fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills. Nurses who possess these skills can better assess and address complex patient needs.
2. Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety (Essential II): Leadership is essential in nursing practice, whether you’re a charge nurse, nurse manager, or even a bedside nurse. Understanding healthcare systems and their impact on patient safety is crucial. Nurses who embrace this essential are better equipped to lead and contribute to improving the quality of care within their organizations.
3. Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice (Essential III): Evidence-based practice is the cornerstone of quality healthcare. By applying research findings and best practices to their daily work, nurses can make informed decisions that lead to better patient outcomes. This essential encourages nurses to engage with the latest research and incorporate evidence into their practice.
4. Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology (Essential IV): In today’s healthcare landscape, technology plays a significant role in patient care. Nurses need to be adept at using electronic health records, monitoring devices, and other technologies to provide safe and efficient care. This essential ensures that nurses can effectively navigate and utilize these tools in their practice.
5. Healthcare Policy and Advocacy (Essential V): Nursing practice is not limited to bedside care; it extends to advocating for patients and influencing healthcare policies. Nurses who understand healthcare policy can be powerful advocates for their patients, communities, and the profession as a whole.
6. Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes (Essential VI): Collaboration is at the heart of healthcare delivery. Nurses must work closely with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, therapists, and social workers, to provide holistic care. This essential emphasizes effective communication and teamwork, which are essential for achieving positive patient outcomes.
7. Clinical Prevention and Population Health (Essential VII): Nursing practice goes beyond individual patient care. Nurses also play a vital role in preventing diseases and promoting health within communities. This essential equips nurses to address public health issues and engage in population-based interventions.
8. Professionalism and Professional Values (Essential VIII): Maintaining professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct is non-negotiable in nursing practice. Patients trust nurses to provide safe and compassionate care. This essential instills values such as integrity, ethics, and accountability, which are essential for building and maintaining trust with patients and their families.

In summary, the AACN Essentials are not just theoretical guidelines; they are a practical roadmap for nursing practice. Nurses who embrace these essentials are better prepared to deliver high-quality care, lead healthcare teams, advocate for patients, and contribute to positive patient outcomes. These standards elevate the nursing profession and ensure that nurses continue to be indispensable members of the healthcare team.

Understanding the AACN Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare and nursing education, it is crucial to stay abreast of the latest developments and standards. As an aspiring or seasoned nurse, you may have come across the term “AACN Essentials.” These essentials represent a set of core competencies that shape the education and practice of nursing professionals across the United States. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into what the AACN Essentials are, their significance, and how they impact nursing education and practice.

What Are the AACN Essentials?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the authoritative body that oversees the quality and standards of nursing education in the United States. To ensure that nursing graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality patient care, the AACN has formulated a set of guidelines known as the AACN Essentials.

AACN Essential I: Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

The first essential emphasizes the importance of a broad-based education that encompasses subjects beyond the traditional nursing curriculum. It encourages nurses to develop critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills.

AACN Essential II: Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety

This essential underscores the significance of leadership in nursing practice. It prepares nurses to take on leadership roles and effectively manage healthcare systems to ensure patient safety and quality care delivery.

AACN Essential III: Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice

In today’s data-driven world, evidence-based practice is at the forefront of healthcare. This essential equips nurses with the skills to evaluate and apply current research to enhance patient care outcomes.

AACN Essential IV: Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology

With the rapid advancement of healthcare technology, nurses must be adept at using various tools and systems to provide the best care possible. This essential focuses on fostering technological competence in nursing practice.

AACN Essential V: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

Understanding healthcare policy is crucial for nurses to advocate for patients and effect change in the healthcare system. This essential empowers nurses to engage in policy discussions and advocate for better patient outcomes.

AACN Essential VI: Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes

Collaboration is key in healthcare. This essential emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals to enhance patient health outcomes.

AACN Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health

Nurses play a vital role in preventing diseases and promoting population health. This essential prepares nurses to address public health issues and promote wellness within communities.

AACN Essential VIII: Professionalism and Professional Values

Maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards is essential in nursing practice. This essential focuses on instilling values of integrity, ethics, and accountability in nursing professionals.

The Significance of the AACN Essentials

Now that we’ve explored each AACN essential, it’s important to understand why these guidelines are so significant in the field of nursing.

Elevating the Quality of Education

The AACN Essentials serve as a benchmark for nursing education programs across the country. By adhering to these guidelines, educational institutions ensure that their nursing graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

Enhancing Patient Care

Ultimately, the AACN Essentials aim to improve patient care. Nurses who possess the competencies outlined in these essentials are better equipped to provide safe, evidence-based, and compassionate care to individuals and communities.

Meeting Industry Demands

As healthcare evolves, so do the demands placed on nurses. The AACN Essentials adapt to these changes, ensuring that nursing graduates are prepared to address current and future challenges in healthcare.

How the AACN Essentials Impact Nursing Education

To truly understand the significance of the AACN Essentials, it’s essential to grasp how they influence nursing education.

Curriculum Development

Educational institutions use the AACN Essentials as a blueprint for designing their nursing programs. This ensures that students receive a comprehensive education that aligns with industry standards.

Accreditation

Nursing programs seek accreditation from accrediting bodies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Compliance with the AACN Essentials is often a prerequisite for accreditation.

Continuous Improvement

The AACN Essentials promote a culture of continuous improvement in nursing education. Institutions regularly assess their programs to ensure they align with these standards, leading to enhanced educational experiences for students.

Conclusion

In the world of nursing, the AACN Essentials are more than just guidelines—they are the backbone of nursing education and practice. By adhering to these essentials, nurses are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality, evidence-based care that meets the ever-evolving demands of the healthcare industry.

Why were the AACN essentials developed?

The AACN Essentials were developed to establish a set of core competencies and educational outcomes for graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States. These essentials serve several important purposes:

1. Standardization: The AACN Essentials provide a standardized framework for nursing education, ensuring that graduates across different nursing programs possess a common set of competencies and knowledge.
2. Quality Improvement: They are designed to enhance the quality of nursing education by setting clear expectations for what nursing graduates should know and be able to do upon completion of their programs.
3. Alignment with Practice: The essentials aim to align nursing education with the evolving needs of healthcare practice. By emphasizing evidence-based practice, leadership, and other critical skills, they help ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of contemporary healthcare settings.
4. Patient Care: The development of the AACN Essentials is driven by a commitment to improving patient care and safety. Graduates who meet these standards are expected to provide high-quality care and contribute to positive patient outcomes.
5. Professionalism: They emphasize the importance of professionalism, ethics, and values in nursing practice, fostering a sense of responsibility, advocacy, and dedication to the nursing profession.

What are the AACN essentials of baccalaureate education?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has defined the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. These essentials outline the core competencies and educational outcomes expected from graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the AACN had eight essentials. Please note that these essentials may be subject to updates or revisions over time. Here are the eight essentials as of that time:

1. Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice: This essential emphasizes a strong foundation in liberal arts and sciences, providing students with a well-rounded education to enhance critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
2. Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety: Graduates should possess the knowledge and skills required for leadership roles in healthcare systems, ensuring quality care and patient safety.
3. Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice: This essential focuses on the development of research and evidence-based practice skills, enabling graduates to integrate the latest evidence into their nursing care.
4. Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology: Graduates should be proficient in using technology to manage and provide patient care efficiently and safely.
5. Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments: Understanding the healthcare system’s policies, finances, and regulatory environments is crucial for graduates to advocate for patients and navigate complex healthcare systems.
6. Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes: This essential emphasizes effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals to enhance patient care and outcomes.
7. Clinical Prevention and Population Health: Graduates should be well-versed in health promotion, disease prevention, and caring for diverse populations across the lifespan.
8. Professionalism and Professional Values: This essential instills ethical and professional values, fostering a commitment to lifelong learning, advocacy, and continuous improvement in nursing practice.

What are the 4 basic care concepts?

The four basic care concepts in healthcare are:

1. Patient-Centered Care: This concept revolves around tailoring healthcare services to meet the unique needs and preferences of each patient. It involves active communication, empathy, and involving patients in decision-making about their care.
2. Safety: Safety is paramount in healthcare. It encompasses measures to prevent harm to patients, including infection control, medication safety, and maintaining a safe environment within healthcare facilities.
3. Effectiveness: Effective care ensures that healthcare interventions and treatments are evidence-based and result in positive outcomes. It involves using the best available scientific knowledge to guide healthcare decisions.
4. Efficiency: Efficiency in healthcare aims to minimize waste, both in terms of time and resources, while still delivering high-quality care. This concept involves streamlining processes, reducing wait times, and optimizing resource allocation to improve the overall healthcare experience.