Running Head: EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS

Educational and Professional Development in Nursing

Mary-Margaret Whitten

Old Dominion University

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EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS

Educational and Professional Development in Nursing

I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. I was intrigued by anatomy, physiology and

helping people from a young age. Before I was born, my father had a water skiing accident that

resulted in a complete break of his seventh cervical vertebrae. He was not supposed to survive

the night and was a pronounced a quadriplegic for life. Through good luck, hard work and sheer

determination he fully recovered after a nine month stay at Chippenham Medical Center (CMC),

ironically, on the exact floor I would begin my nursing career.

Growing up hearing the stories of the time he spent in the hospital and all the

professionals who helped him recover inspired me. I knew I wanted to help people the way he

was helped. My goal was to go to college, become a nurse to help people like my dad. This paper

examines how I came to be a nurse for five years and how I continue to develop both

professionally and in my quest for education.

Examination of my Nursing Journey

Despite my drive to become a nurse, I endured a period of unrest in my early adult years

that set me back a bit before beginning to pursue the career I always wanted. I graduated from

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing and graduated in May 2011, as a diploma nurse, and

began working at CMC in Richmond as a staff nurse on a surgical/telemetry unit.

After several job changes, I began a perioperative internship in January 2014 and have

been working in the operating room (OR) as a surgical nurse ever since. I am finally doing

something I love and making a difference in people’s lives. Patients come to me sick and broken

and I get to help put them back together again and this makes me extremely happy. As with any

specialty in nursing there is so much to learn while working in the OR.

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EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS
My OR internship was based on the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses

(AORN) standards and best practices. Upon completion of the program, I joined my local AORN

chapter to keep me abreast of changes in my field. Once a month we meet to discuss

recommended practices, technology changes and advancements. In addition to practical

information these meetings also allow opportunities to learn from seasoned nurses helping to

develop my professional skills and my professional identity. Throughout this time, I have been

encouraged to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Educational and Professional Goals

There are many things I hope to learn and improve on during my time at Old Dominion

University (ODU). My first goal is to become more familiar with these technologies so that I can

succeed in my education at ODU. Before this class I did not know how to use adobe connect, or

the Personal Learning Environment (PLE). Keeping up with new and changing technologies is

especially important in the nursing profession, so I know that mastering these technologies will

only strengthen my ability to move forward and continue learning in my lifetime.

My second educational goal is to improve my presentation skills. I would like to seem

more relaxed and confident when presenting my thoughts and ideas. I am involved with some

committees at work which require me to speak publicly on pre-selected topics, and I would love

to really master the art of presentation and public speaking. I think it will be incredibly helpful

to be able to compare some of my first presentations given at ODU to later presentations and see

how I have grown and areas where I need to continue working on.

Professionally, I want to become a certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) and

to move up on my hospital’s clinical ladder known as the Professional Nurse Advancement

Program (PNAP). To become an RNFA, I will need to take classes and pass the RNFA test to
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EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS
become certified in the state of Virginia. One requirement to practice as a certified RNFA is

possession of a BSN so this is part of my five-year plan.

For my PNAP, a portfolio of my work is due in August. I plan to advance to Clinical

Level II this year. Requirements to advance are based on a points system which outlines the

different areas you are involved in your profession inside the hospital and in the community. The

final requirement for advancement is a presentation of my portfolio in front of the PNAP board

members.

Self Assessment

I possess many qualities that I know can both help and hinder my ability to reach the

goals I have set for myself. My strengths include being able to adapt quickly to change, being a

self-starter, and being highly organized. My biggest weakness is procrastination. My ability to

change and adapt quickly will definitely be an asset to me during my time at ODU and

professionally. The world around us is changing rapidly and being flexible ensures that I can

change with it at school or work. My organization skills allow me to be sure I complete all

assignments at school and work. Being a self-starter is especially helpful in an online course

because you do not have face time with classmates or instructors to help get you going.

Alternately, procrastination does not bode well in an online course but I am working on

overcoming it by staying organized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I love my job and I am happy to be back in school working to attain goals

to help me in the future. I know that a BSN will open doors for advancement in my career and I

have a solid plan to do so. Looking back my journey to attaining a BSN has been long in the

making and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me.
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EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS
Honor Pledge

"I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form
of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a
member if the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of
the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings if summoned."

Mary-Margaret Whitten