WGU C493 Task 2 Portfolio -PASS NO REVISIONS (2022)

WGU C493 Task 2 Portfolio -PASS NO REVISIONS (2022)/ C493 TASK 2 2 C493 Task 2 A: Professional mission statement and summary A1: Creating a professional mission statement To be a competent nurse who fully engages with his patients, partners with them, and advocates for them to enhance their care outcomes and improve their physical, social, and mental wellness. I endeavor to continue with my nursing education to enhance my practice and to create open communication channels and robust relationships with my patients; to empower them to make healthy choices. My time and energy are focused on continuing my education and creating a healthy, safe, and supportive environment for mental health nurses to promote the provision of quality care to the mentally ill. A1a: How the mission will guide my nursing career My personal mission statement will be vital for my personal development and will act as a guide throughout my nursing career. It will help me to remain focused on my goals and aspirations and thus, enable me to make decisions that will promote my development as a nurse. My personal mission statement will also help me to periodically evaluate myself against my earlier-set standards, and resultantly, keep going even during tough times. A2: Professional summary A2a: How artifacts represent me as a learner and a healthcare professional There are multiple artifacts and completed work in my portfolio that represents me as a learner and a healthcare professional. They demonstrate the skills, knowledge, passion, and hard work that characterize me as not only a learner but also a professional nurse. My Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research (C361) work demonstrates my abilities to identify health problems, collect and evaluate data, and develop corrective actions to solve them. As a learner, C493 TASK 2 3 the work shows my ability to carry out evidence-based research and develop effective solutions based on credible evidence. Besides, the work also presents me as a healthcare professional who uses evidence-based research to improve the healthcare environment and patient outcomes. Another artifact, Professional Roles and Values (C304), demonstrates that I can apply nursing theories in my nursing practice. I use nursing theories and models as a guide during my practice and help me to come up with sound healthcare decisions. Besides, my Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership (C489) work demonstrates my ability as a learner and healthcare professional to apply theoretical knowledge into practice, and shows that I can effectively apply my leadership qualities to foster quality and safe patient care. A2b: How artifacts represent my professional strengths Some of my strengths include my excellent research, problem-solving, interpersonal, communication, and empathy skills and attributes. My C361 work demonstrates my excellent research skills and my role as a scientist. It shows my ability to use empirical data to solve healthcare problems. When completing the artifact, I identified and evaluated multiple journal articles relevant to my topic to not only enhance my understanding of the problem but also to develop an effective solution. This shows my ability to use research skills to solve healthcare problems. Since research and problem-solving skills are significant in nursing practice and education, this is one of my most significant professional strengths. Besides, C304 and C489 artifact shows that I can use my knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out my roles efficiently. I can use skills such as communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills in my practice. These are vital attributes for professional nurses. A2c: Challenges I encountered during the program C493 TASK 2 4 Some of the challenges that I encountered during the program include challenges maintaining the balance between work, home, and school. Besides, I was anxious when taking proctored tests. I was also afraid that I may not complete the tests in time. This affected my performance. During my first proctored test, I became anxious and uneasy when the proctor told me that I was the only student he would focus on during the time of the test and that he would even see the questions I would be reading. At some point, I thought that the proctor would think that I am stupid because of reading the same question over and over again. Anxiety affected my performance during the exam. Since the program is competency-based, I aimed at completing my program within the shortest time possible. However, I also had to work and spend some time with my family every day. Therefore, I had to spend late night hours in my study room. This was very tiring and had a toll on my productivity at the workplace. A2ci: How I overcame the challenges I overcame the challenges related to maintaining a balance between work, home, and school by extending the time to complete my program. I also developed a schedule that I strictly follow to ensure that I do not spend increased time studying at the expense of other vital activities. This has helped me to maintain a work, life, and home balance and ensured that I maintain a high-performance level both in my workplace and at school. To handle my anxiety and fears in proctored tests, I have to be well prepared. Thus, before taking tests, I thoroughly study all cohorts and do sample tests. This helps to ease my anxiety and to improve my performance. A2d: How my coursework helped me to meet the nine nursing program outcomes Effective communication C493 TASK 2 5 My coursework has helped me to improve my ability to develop working interpersonal relationships by communicating effectively in oral, written, and electronic modes. My C304 class taught me that effective communication is vital for nurses and allowed me to learn vital aspects that improved my leadership in nursing. Besides, while developing my proposal in Leadership and Professional Image (C493) Task 1, I interacted with nurses and the management at my organization. This helped me to improve my ability to articulate my ideas and explain concepts. Furthermore, I completed many papers that helped me to improve my written communication skills. Clinical reasoning Nurses should use clinical reasoning to not only provide quality and safe care but also based on ethical principles and best available evidence (Nursing Programs Conceptual Model – WGU, 2013). My C361 class helped me to meet this outcome. The class improved my ability to use evidence-based research and use clinical reasoning to develop interventions aimed at enhancing the safety and quality of patient care. Professional accountability This outcome provides that it is the responsibility of the nurse to provide safe, quality, and efficient care that aligns with the set professional, legal, and ethical standards (Nursing Programs Conceptual Model – WGU, 2013). My C489 class provided healthcare scenarios that helped me to evaluate care provision while considering the nursing code of ethics, care protocols, and nationwide safety provisions set by national healthcare and nursing agencies. Besides, my C304 class helped me to understand state licensure rules. This knowledge helps me to assume the responsibility of providing safe and quality care within the set professional, legal, and ethical standards. C493 TASK 2 6 Synthesis of knowledge This outcome requires nurses to integrate empirical, clinical, and theoretical nursing knowledge to comprehend the human experience while acting as an advocate for their patients (Nursing Programs Conceptual Model – WGU, 2013). I met this program outcome when completing the proposal in C493 Task 1. This activity allowed me to use empirical data from recent studies, organizational statistics, and views from my colleagues to understand and explain the issue of staff safety in my organization. My C361 class also improved my ability to collect and synthesize research to improve healthcare outcomes. Compassion for patients Nurses should provide patient-focused and compassionate care to all their patients regardless of their cultures, backgrounds, age, and other aspects. During my C304 class, I explored Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. I realized that compassionate care facilitates healing and prevents illness and injury. Besides, the class helped me to realize that nurses should focus on meeting the needs and expectations of their patients. This knowledge helps me to treat all patients with compassion, fairness and equality despite their backgrounds, and provide care that meets their needs. Becoming a leader and educator This outcome requires nurses to apply their education and leadership skills to involve others in creating an environment that supports healing and continued self-improvement (Nursing Programs Conceptual Model – WGU, 2013). I met this outcome when completing C493 Task 1. The activity enabled me to engage workers and management at my organization to reduce the instances of patient attacks by mentally ill patients. This helped me to develop a proposal that fosters the creation of an environment that supports the provision of better care to C493 TASK 2 7 patients. Moreover, in my C361 class, I engaged stakeholders to enhance hand hygiene, and thus, reduce healthcare-associated infections. Thus, I lead and educate healthcare professionals to create an environment that improves their practice and promotes healing. Inter-professional collaboration This outcome requires nurses to work together with other healthcare professionals to improve the safety and quality of healthcare (Nursing Programs Conceptual Model – WGU, 2013). This outcome was met in C361 and C493. These classes entailed identifying a healthcare problem that affected safety and quality in healthcare, developing corrective action, and engaging stakeholders in implementing them. For instance, in C493, I worked together with nurses and the management at my organization to propose the implementation of educational programs for nurses to enhance their safety. Knowledge of genomics and genetics This outcome requires nurses to integrate genomic and genetics while providing care to their patients. I met this outcome in C475. During this class, I learned about genomics and genetics and earned a certificate from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). I gained vital knowledge that I will use to provide improved care to my patients. Utilization of information technology This outcome requires nurses to use IT and healthcare technologies to facilitate effective communication, reduce erroneous activities, and make sound decisions to support the development of patient care technology and improve nursing outcomes (Nursing Programs Conceptual Model – WGU, 2013). During the C361 class, I explored ethics and research. I learned about patient privacy and confidentiality and explored technological tools that I can use C493 TASK 2 8 to promote these aspects and mitigate errors. Such tools include electronic health records (EHRs). A2e: Roles of a scientist, detective, and manager of the healing environment Scientist During the program, I made out healthcare problems, identified research questions, and carried out an analysis to enhance my understanding of the problem scientifically. Besides, I developed viable corrective actions and reported my findings for implementation in C361, C228, and C493. This demonstrates how I fulfilled my role as a scientist. Detective During the program, I have used science and clinical imagination to identify and control activities that would have otherwise resulted in adverse healthcare outcomes. For instance, when developing the proposal in C493 Task 1, my role as a detective enabled me to make out that safety was a concern among nurses. Therefore, I explored empirical literature and used interviewing and observation techniques to understand the problem to develop a sound intervention plan. This shows how I fulfilled my role as a detective. Manager of the healing environment Throughout the program, I fulfilled my role as the manager of the healing environment by promoting the provision of safe and quality of care within the scope set by the inter- professional community. I have learned about how bodies such as the state nursing board and the American Nursing Association, as well as their policies and regulations, influence healthcare. Besides, I have learned how aspects such as healthcare financing affect nursing practice. I applied this knowledge throughout the program. For instance, I ensured that I considered the nursing code of ethics when proposing treatment procedures. C493 TASK 2 9 A2f: How I have grown professionally This program has significantly fostered my professional growth as a nurse. The program has equipped me with vital research skills that will help me to appropriately carry out studies in the future to improve my practice and advance the nursing profession. This will help me to improve patient outcomes. Moreover, the program has enabled me to develop vital leadership skills that will help to provide safe and quality care to patients. The program has also enabled me to apply clinical and theoretical nursing knowledge to real-life situations. Besides, the program has helped me to acquire vital skills and knowledge that will foster my continued professional growth. B. Quality and safety B1: Reflection of the development of my definition of quality and safety Before taking the Professional Roles and Values class, I defined quality and safety as the measures that a healthcare organization takes to ensure that patients are protected from harm and that they receive care that matches their needs and expectations. I did not consider the vital role played by state and national agencies. This definition changed after taking the class as it broadened my knowledge concerning the regulations and standards that guide the nursing practice to promote safe and quality care. I realized the responsibility of nurses in enhancing safe and quality patient care by following the standards set by regulatory bodies. Thus, I now view quality and safety from a holistic and holism perspective that entails not only organizational measures but also the rules and regulations set by state nursing boards and national nursing bodies such as the ANA to promote the provision of quality care to patients and the safety of patients and nursing staff. It also entails the creation of an environment that supports healing and recovery. C493 TASK 2 10 B1a: How the program helped me in developing my professional definition Part B1 indicates that the Professional Roles and Values class enhanced my understanding of quality and safety. The class improved my knowledge of nursing ethics and theory. Besides, the class helped me to understand the roles that regulatory agencies such as the American Nurses Association and the Food and Drugs Administration play in enhancing the safety and quality of patient care. Moreover, I learned that it entails the accountability of nurses to provide safe and quality care and the safety of nurses and other healthcare professionals. Thus, the class broadened my understanding of quality and safety, and resultantly, developed my professional definition of the aspect. B1b: Artifacts that support my definition My C304 artifacts support my definition. They demonstrate the significance of regulatory agencies in promoting safe and quality care. My C361 artifacts also support my definition. B1bi: How the artifacts support my definition In my C304 class, I explored Jean Watson’s theory of human caring when completing the class exercises. The theory shows that compassionate care promotes healing and prevents illness and injury. This demonstrates the holistic approach to care that nurses should take to promote safety and quality in nursing. The artifacts also show that they should follow the regulations set by regulatory bodies such as state nursing boards, the ANA, and the FDA. Besides, my C361 artifacts demonstrate that for nurses to provide quality and safe care, they should perform various roles appropriately. Such include the role of a scientist, detective, and manager of the healing environment. B2: Importance of IHI certificate for my future role as a professional nurse C493 TASK 2 11 The Institution for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) certificate course helped me to not only understand the significance of concepts such as leadership, population health, improvement capability, and quality-cost-value of care but also to apply them in nursing practice to provide patient-centered safe and quality care. For instance, my knowledge in improvement capability will help me to advance safety and quality tools, policies and protocols in the workplace while my leadership skills will help me to advocate for my patients, effectively communicate with them, and take care of them with compassion. Such knowledge will help me to provide quality and safe care that meets the expectations and needs of my patients in the future. C. Evidence-based practice C1: Reflection on my definition of evidence-based practice Initially, I viewed evidence-based practice (EBP) as just the use of empirical literature and credible information to develop solutions to healthcare problems. However, I have expanded my comprehension of this aspect. Currently, I define EBP as an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems based on not only credible evidence but also on patient values and preferences, and the ability of healthcare professionals to make the most appropriate decisions. C1a: How the program assisted me in developing my definition The program provides multiple exercises that required me to evaluate empirical data to solve a healthcare problem while considering nursing ethics and regulations, and the expectations of patients. The exercises allowed me to critique various information sources to find credible information to support nursing interventions. This helped me to realize that EBP does not only entail the use of reliable evidence to understand and solve healthcare problems but also the consideration of patient values and preferences. C1b: Artifacts that support my definition C493 TASK 2 12 C361 artifacts support my definition. The artifacts demonstrate the significance of assessing research articles to determine the most suitable ones for use in EBP. The artifacts also helped me to develop crucial knowledge on how to apply such information in nursing practice. My C493 artifacts also support my definition. C493 Task 1 demonstrated the significance of using reliable organizational data and empirical data to solve healthcare problems. C1bi: How the artifacts support my definition C361 artifacts show that in addition to using credible evidence to develop and implement healthcare solutions, EBP requires nurses to consider the views of stakeholders such as patients and other healthcare professionals. Such views include patient values and preferences. C493 Task 1 shows that EBP entails providing care with the best interests of patients. C2: Reflection on my understanding of EBP C2a: Evaluating primary research I evaluate primary research by assessing if it entails original, first-hand accounts of events. Such information is provided by primary sources such as interviews, manuscripts, speeches, video recordings, among others (Hamilton, 2010). I apply such information to my research if it is objective, and if the concepts are relevant to my topic.  Relevancy and believability of data I evaluate the relevancy and believability of current primary research by exploring its objectivity. It should not be biased. Besides, it should be supported by credible research from reliable sources. Its data should also not be obsolete. Biased information, or information not supported by credible sources, and obsolete data may not be suitable for application in nursing research and practice.  Differences between quality improvement and research C493 TASK 2 13 I evaluate the difference between quality improvement and research by the process involved in developing solutions. On the one hand, quality improvement describes a common practice in healthcare to quickly implement corrective action when a healthcare problem is identified to maintain the quality of care (LoBiondo-Wood et al., 2018). It is based on experience and evaluation. Conversely, research entails the development of a hypothesis, the collection of data, hypothesis testing, and making solutions.  Difference between primary and secondary research I evaluate primary and secondary research by assessing the type of information collected to complete the study. While primary research entails the generation of data, secondary research uses primary research sources (LoBiondo-Wood et al., 2018; Hamilton, 2010). C2b: How my experience in the program helped me to achieve excellence in EBP My experience in the program helped me to become proficient in EBP. This is vital in academic research and my nursing practice. Some artifacts provided exercises that required me to identify healthcare problems and carry out evidence-based research to come up with suitable interventions. This has helped me to achieve excellence in EBP. D. Applied Leadership D1: Reflection on my definition of applied leadership Before enrolling in the program, I viewed applied leadership as the ability of nurses to apply their leadership skills to advance their nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. Although the program has enabled me to view applied from a broader perspective, I still have not changed my definition of applied leadership as it encompasses the additional knowledge that I have obtained. D1a: How the program assisted me in developing my professional definition C493 TASK 2 14 The program has demonstrated the significance of leadership in implementing change aimed at improving patient outcomes. For instance, through various classes, the program has shown that nurses should use their advocacy skills to ensure that organizations create environments that support the achievement of patient needs. Besides, the program shows the need for nurses to use their leadership skills in collecting information from stakeholders and engaging them to make sound decisions. D1b: Artifacts that support my definition Artifacts that support my definition include C489. The artifacts demonstrate how nurses should use leadership principles to foster optimal healthcare outcomes characterized by quality and safe care. C304 artifacts also support my definition of applied leadership by demonstrating the significance of applied leadership in nursing practice. D1bi: How the artifacts support my definition C489 artifacts required students to use their knowledge about nursing leadership to solve ethical issues and identify resources that organizations can use to improve care outcomes. Besides, the artifacts demonstrate how nurses can use tools such as the RCA and FMEA to actively take part in promoting quality care, improving patient outcomes, and influencing quality improvement activities. Besides, C304 artifacts show that nurses should play their roles as scientists, detectives, and managers of the healthcare environment to create a healthcare work environment that promotes healthcare outcomes. D2: Summary of my learning leadership experience task D2a: Importance of professional collaboration Collaboration is vital in healthcare. During my Leadership Learning Experience, I realized that collaboration creates an environment that allows stakeholders to pool together their C493 TASK 2 15 skills and abilities to accomplish healthcare goals. During my Leadership Learning Experience task, collaboration, characterized by effective communication with patients and other healthcare stakeholders, fostered the completion of the project. It helped us to share ideas and develop effective approaches to handling the task. E. Community and population health E1: Reflection of my definition of community and population health My definition of community and population health did not change during the program. I view community and population health as the assessment and improvement of the health status of a community. It entails the evaluation of the health needs of a community and the implementation of preventive and curative approaches to meet them. E1a: How the program assisted me in developing my professional definition The program allowed me to examine the health of the people of California and identify obesity as a major health issue. Besides, the program required me to demonstrate the use of social media campaigns to promote health within the area. This improved my understanding of community and population health. However, while my scope of understanding about the subject expanded, my definition did not change. E1b: Artifacts that support my definition Artifacts that support my definition of community and population health include C228 and C229 artifacts. Both classes involved assessing healthcare problems in communities and developing interventions in solving them. E1bi: How the artifacts support the definition C228 artifacts require students to carry out a simulation of Sentinel City to make out the healthcare problems that the residents face and come up with corrective actions. Besides, C229 C493 TASK 2 16 tasks require students to engage in community assessment in real-life actively and use social media tools to promote health. These activities enhanced my understanding of community and population health. E2: Summary E2a: What I learned during community health nursing task During my community health nursing task, I learned that although there are high rates of obesity in California, many people do not pay attention to factors that have led to an increase in this problem. Such factors include a sedentary lifestyle and eating junk foods. E2b: What I learned that led to my community diagnosis A report published by Medscape on September 16, 2019, triggered my interest in exploring this topic, and eventually led to my community diagnosis. The report reveals that more than 35% of adults in nine American states are obese (Busko, 2019). I was interested in knowing the rate of obesity in my state. This was an eye-opener to this public health problem in my community. E2c: How my initial focus and diagnosis changed after working with my population My initial focus and diagnosis were on adults because I thought that young people are more active, and thus, the rate of obesity is very low among them. However, after working with my people, I realized that the rate of obesity among young people is also high and is increasing continually. Thus, my focus and diagnosis changed to include children. E3: Importance of the AMNH certificate for my future role as a professional nurse The AMNH certificate course helped me to understand various methods that scientists use to treat diseases. I learned the effects of an individual’s genetics on his or her health. Thus, this course will help me to treat patients in a better way in the future. For instance, this C493 TASK 2 17 knowledge will enable me to consider genetics during future patient assessments, and therefore, use and consider the information when evaluating treatment approaches for patients. C493 TASK 2 18 References Busko, M. (2019). Historic high as obesity exceeds 35% in nine US states. Retrieved from Hamilton, J. (2010). Primary and secondary sources. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing Company LoBiondo-Wood, G., Haber, J., & Titler, M. G. (2018). Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Quality Improvement - E-Book. St. Louis Missouri: Mosby Publishers. Nursing Programs Conceptual Model - WGU. (2013). Nursing Programs Conceptual Model. Retrieved from Conceptual-Model/ta-p/19