Mission Statement This portfolio represents my career goals and aspirations for my future as a BSN Registered Nurse. Throughout my portfolio, you can see examples of my completed work during my education at Western Governors University in the BSN program. In this program, I was able to develop my skills as a nurse and advance my education. A1: Professional Mission Statement As a Registered Nurse, my professional mission statement is to" Always provide the utmost quality care for my patients. As part of honoring my mission statement, I will keep current with the latest research, place safety as a priority, continue my education, and never stop searching for opportunities to improve my skills and overall knowledge". honoring my mission statement, I will keep current with the latest research, place safety as a priority, continue my education, and never stop searching for opportunities to improve my skills and overall knowledge". My goal professionally after completing my BSN is to become an Aesthetic Nurse Injector. In addition, I aspire to one day own a successful medical spa. Moving forward in my career, I plan to find employment alongside a board-certified physician in one of the needed core competencies needed to gain the required experience before sitting for certification. Additionally, I plan on attending specialized hands-on training courses that will help position myself for better opportunities as an aesthetic nurse injector. I want to focus my time and energies on the field of cosmetics/ aesthetics. I then plan on obtaining my Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist credential through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board. A1A: Reflection of Professional Mission Statement Throughout my nursing career, I will strive towards achieving my mission statement, which will aid me in being a successful nurse. My mission statement will motivate me to work diligently toward my future success. Also, having a mission statement will assist me in staying focused on my future goals of becoming an Aesthetic Nurse Injector and eventually owning a medical spa. I will use this mission statement as a reminder to fulfill my responsibilities as a nurse. Professional Summary A2a: Portfolio Representation Of A Learner & Healthcare Professional lO M o A R cP S D | 7670600 Several artifacts and completed projects demonstrate how I integrate existing nursing skills with the new knowledge and expertise I learned during the BSN program to enhance my critical thinking and research skills. During this program, I gained an excellent understanding of using research applications to improve nursing processes, patient outcomes, and work environments. My work through the program demonstrates my commitment to learning and improving my skills as a healthcare professional. The course Professional Leadership and Communication made me reevaluate my nursing roles and the leadership style I used. While looking at different leadership styles, I learned how to better adapt to a team's needs while using my strengths to collaborate and improve patient outcomes. My Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research course allowed me to learn how to use statistics, research, and the Evidence-Based Practice approach to enhance patient care by becoming an improved healthcare professional. I learned the importance of leadership roles, patient safety, and about continuous improvement in Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership. As a healthcare provider, a nurse's role and values have become more meaningful since studying Professional Roles and Values. I was also able to advocate for others in my community in Community Health and Population course. These courses and the completed work in my portfolio represent me as a healthcare professional who continually learns and improves. A2b: Portfolio Professional Strengths In my portfolio, you will find my best work as a healthcare provider, as evidenced by the artifacts and completed work. Among them are: an eagerness to learn and gain knowledge, and ability to use my voice/opinion/strengths for positive outcomes as a healthcare provider, promoting effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to take feedback/criticism and use it positively. My completed work reflects my desire to learn and gain knowledge. My mission statement is also driven by the desire to gain understanding so that I will be able to provide the best care for my patients. I was surprised to find out that Professional Leadership and Communication and other courses (and my Leadership Learning Experience) offered valuable insights. Due to a fear of argumentation with others, I have never voiced my opinion or thoughts. These are all qualities that I learned are vital for the role of a nurse leader and were needed to collaborate with others to obtain the best outcomes for patients and their care. As a result of my coursework and the application of newfound skills, I have improved my effective communication skills and feel more confident in my interactions and collaborating with peers. In my C493 Task 1 Leadership and Professional Image Learning Experience, I identified that there had been an increase in readmissions with patients diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure due to lack of knowledge or improper education on self-management of care at home. I collaborated with my stakeholders to implement a solution that ultimately increased work satisfaction and better patient/family outcomes for my Congestive Heart Failure patients. Using Evidence-Based Practice throughout the program, I demonstrate my proven ability to apply evidence-based practices, conduct research, and resolve problems, as well as my ability to think critically. My professional strengths can also be seen from my C361 Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research: Task 1. During this course, I evaluated how a clinical practice issue affects both the patient and the organization. I identified the PICO components, developed an evidence-based question according to the problem and its respective PICO components. I then conducted an evidence appraisal through research using both researchbased and non-researched based articles. Finally, I used the Johns Hopkins Nursing EvidenceBased Practice (JHNEBP) model to identify the evidence level and identify the quality rating. Lastly, throughout my completed work and courses, I learned that taking feedback and using it positively was something I do well. The ability to use constructive feedback/criticism can genuinely make a difference in working with others as a healthcare professional and has helped me succeed in my program. The evaluator returning a paper for revision is one example of this. Because I was always open to improving and accepting constructive criticism, this enhanced my work and helped me grow professionally. A2c: Program Progression Challenges / A2ci: Overcome Challenges In the process of completing my program at WGU, I encountered many challenges under both academic and personal circumstances. The first few months of my program, I progressed very quickly. The prospect of earning a BSN filled me with excitement and determination. The month after graduating, I passed my Board exams as a newly graduated nurse. I had not personally been affected by the COVID pandemic yet, even though it had just begun. Upon enrolling in WGU's BSN program, I felt confident that I could complete the degree in one term. Then, five courses away from finishing my degree, I was forced to apply for a second semester. My family supported me in finding help, and I was slowly able to progress. Just when I started to get back on track, the unthinkable happened. COVID-19 has caused me to lose four close relatives who have lived in Virginia and Florida almost consecutively since January 20, 2021. My grandmother was the first, followed by my grandfather, then my aunt and uncle. Even though the past few months have been overwhelmingly difficult, and I have wanted to give up, I chose to persevere for myself and my family. Despite everything that has interfered with my ability to get my coursework done, my determination, grit, and family support have helped me overcome these challenges. My goals are never lost sight of, and I will never give up. Despite these challenges, I'm continuing to overcome them. While it is a daily struggle, I do not lose sight of my dreams and aspirations. Maintaining focus on my goals is necessary for me to succeed, so I continue to focus and persevere. Apart from my true grit, my family has been my most significant reason to continue and has supported me through my journey. A2d: WGU BSN Program Outcomes The WGU Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Program Graduate Will: 1. Communicate effectively in oral, written, interpersonal, and electronic modes. Professional communication was displayed and required of me throughout the completion of my program. One example is C820 Professional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare: Task 3 Reflection Paper. Here I effectively communicated through a four-part reflection paper. In addition, I had to apply the concept of working styles to leadership skills and identify/ apply appropriate communication strategies need to develop a supportive community of peers. Finally, I focused on what I have experienced about my working style, how I work with others, and the insights I have gained regarding conversations and interactions with friends, family, coworkers, and others. I also attended five group zoom meetings during the term. In addition, I completed individual and group activities that required me to communicate effectively orally and interpersonally in a group of my peers on camera. Through calls with my mentor and course instructors, I effectively communicated my goals, questions, and concerns.