D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

Name

 Western Governors University

E225 Emerging Professional Practice

Prof. Name

Date

D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

Current Employment and Career Goals

I am currently employed as a registered nurse in a county jail, where I provide both medical and mental health care to the inmate population. My primary responsibilities are based in the booking area, where I conduct initial health assessments and initiate healthcare plans for newly admitted inmates. The facility also includes a medical education department focused on staff training and development.

Short-term Goal:
My immediate career objective is to join the medical education team. I aim to enhance and standardize training protocols for both new hires and existing staff, ensuring consistent and comprehensive onboarding.

Mid-term Goal:
Looking ahead, I intend to transition into a management role as the assistant director of nursing (ADON). This position will enable me to supervise nursing staff and proactively address healthcare gaps within the facility.

Long-term Goal:
Ultimately, I aspire to become the health services administrator, overseeing the entire healthcare operation and ensuring the delivery of high-quality care to an underserved inmate population.

Certifications and Licensure

Certification	Maintenance Requirements
Multi-State RN License	Complete required continuing education every two years as mandated by Florida state regulations
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification	Renew every two years by completing an American Heart Association-approved course demonstrating BLS skills

Currently, I hold a multi-state registered nurse license and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Both credentials require ongoing maintenance. The RN license demands biennial continuing education aligned with Florida state law, while the BLS certification requires renewal every two years through an approved course where practical skills are demonstrated.

Educational and Professional Development

Within my current facility, many management personnel do not possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For example, the current health services administrator is a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Although a BSN is not formally required for leadership positions here, I believe that obtaining this degree is crucial for acquiring the advanced skills and knowledge needed to elevate healthcare delivery standards.

I am actively pursuing my BSN at Western Governors University (WGU), with only a few courses remaining. The primary challenge I face is completing the required field experience hours. Fortunately, I have arranged to fulfill these hours at my current facility under the supervision of my preceptor, the assistant director of nursing and former education department member. This practical experience is invaluable for bridging academic theory with professional practice.

Gaining Diverse Work Experience

To become a competent educator and leader, I recognize the importance of gaining experience across various departments. Although I have worked primarily in booking for over five years, my exposure to the jail infirmaries is limited, and I have no experience in the acute care clinic. While cross-departmental experience is not mandatory for advancement, I consider it essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of the facility’s healthcare operations.

I plan to request additional training opportunities and volunteer for shifts in other departments to expand my clinical skills and operational insight.

Current Training Practices and Proposed Improvements

How is staff training currently conducted, and what improvements do you propose?

Currently, new staff training involves shadowing randomly assigned employees for three shifts without a designated trainer or standardized materials. This approach leads to inconsistent training, with trainees often receiving fragmented information and missing critical policy reviews.

If I join the education department, I plan to develop a structured training program featuring clear learning objectives and comprehensive materials. I would also advocate for creating dedicated trainer roles within each department to ensure consistent, accurate onboarding aligned with facility policies.

Impact of Additional Certifications and Courses

How have your additional certifications and courses influenced your professional practice?

The Advanced Molecular and Nursing Health (AMNH) certification enhanced my understanding of how genetics affect drug interactions. This knowledge underscores the importance of collecting detailed medical and family histories to tailor medication regimens. Given the high prevalence of substance abuse disorders among inmates, understanding genetic predispositions helps make safer medication choices, such as avoiding controlled substances in at-risk patients.

The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) certification promoted a holistic nursing approach, integrating emotional, spiritual, and mental health with physical care. This perspective is crucial in a diverse inmate population where cultural and religious beliefs significantly impact health decisions. For instance, respecting an inmate’s preference for meditation over medication fosters trust and patient autonomy.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) course, Introduction to Healthcare Improvement, introduced the Six Aims for Improvement framework—safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care (Provost, Lloyd, & Murray, 2020). In correctional healthcare, where patient autonomy is often restricted, applying this framework involves prioritizing inmates’ rights and ensuring informed consent.

Application of Learning to Facility Improvement

How do you plan to apply knowledge gained from your courses to improve your current workplace?

I intend to collaborate with the education department to develop materials emphasizing the role of genetics in pharmacokinetics and the importance of family history in inmate assessments. Formalizing these practices through policy changes would enhance medication safety and personalized care.

Furthermore, adopting holistic nursing principles can improve communication and interpersonal skills among staff. Fostering a patient-centered care culture will build teamwork and mutual respect, vital in the correctional environment.

Ultimately, I hope to leverage this knowledge to influence policy and elevate healthcare quality as I advance into leadership positions.

Reflection on Healthcare Improvement Challenges

What insights have you gained regarding challenges in healthcare systems?

The IHI course highlighted systemic challenges common worldwide, many applicable to correctional health. These include limited resources, inconsistent staff training, and difficulties in patient engagement. Learning strategies to overcome these issues has motivated me to implement tailored solutions at my facility, such as standardized training programs and enhanced patient education.

Proactively addressing these challenges is key to improving healthcare outcomes for incarcerated individuals.

D225 – Task 1: Emerging Trends in Professional Nursing Practice

References

Provost, L., Lloyd, R., & Murray, S. (2020). Introduction to Health Care Improvement. Institute for Healthcare Improvement. https://education.ihi.org/topclass/topclass.do?CnTxT597826735-contentSetup-tc_student_id=597826735-item=1348&view=1