WGU E225: Emerging Professional Practice |Latest Update
with Complete Solution
Tatiana Gutierrez
Leavitt School of Health, Western Governors University
E225: Emerging Professional Practice
Barbara Dantzler
March 31, 2025
A1: SHORT-TERM, INTERMEDIATE, AND LONG-TERM GOALS
• ONE YEAR (SHORT-TERM) GOALS
My short-term goal is to complete my RN-to BSN degree program from Western Governors University
(EGU) by April 2025. Currently, I am the RN Manager of the Electrophysiology Lab at Mercy General
Hospital and have been in this position for the past 3 years. Prior to my current position, I was an
assistant manager for 4 years. At this time, I am not looking to pursue employment in another role,
department, or other hospital.
• THREE-YEAR (INTERMIDIATE) GOALS
My intermediate goal is to apply for the dual MSN/MBA program possibly in August of 2026. Currently, I
have a few life events that I am dealing with that need to be resolved and come to an end before I start
pursing my next nursing degree. Completing my BSN has been quite challenging for me this year with
everything that has occurred in my life at this time, so I need to get everything in order before taking on
this challenging goal I have set for myself. The university that I am looking at that offers the dual
program is Purdue University (https://onlinedegrees.purdue.edu). The program would take about 2.5
years to complete with no interruptions to the terms. I plan on continuing to work as the RN Manager
of the EP Lab that I manage now during this time also.
• FIVE-YEAR (LONG-TERM) GOALS
My long-term goal once completing my MSN/MBA degree is to transition into a director and then senior
director position for the cardiovascular services line at my current hospital. Both positions require that
the applicant is masters prepared and have been in a leadership role for 3 years. Later on I may also
consider pursing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) depending on what direction my leadership roles
, take me.
A2: CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
I currently hold certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
(ACLS). To maintain my BLS certification, I must complete a 4 hour renewal training course each year,
which is provided by my employer. To maintain my ACLS certification, I must complete a pre-test in
order to continue onto the 8 hour renewal training course for ACLS, which is also provided by my
employer. The ACLS certification renewal is required every two years. Both courses require in-person
attendance and passing of both a written and demonstration exam in order to obtain both certifications.
The State of California Board of Registered Nursing requires RNs to renew their nursing licenses every
two years. In order to do this, I am required to complete 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to stay
current with updates and changes to the evolving healthcare system. These CEUs help me provide the
highest quality of care by implementing the education learned from these evidence-based practices.
A3: FUTURE CERTIFICATES OR CERTIFICATIONS
My current employer does not require any additional certificates or certifications other than those listed
in A2. However, a certification that I would like to pursue once I am done with my BSN is the Registered
Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES), specific to electrophysiology, which I am the RN Manager for
at my current hospital. In order to qualify for this exam you have to have a minimum of two years of
experience in diagnostic and interventional cardiac electrophysiology, a current employment verification
letter, and a recommendation letter from a physician that you work with (https://cci-online.org). In
addition to this, I will still need to maintain my BLS certification each year and my ACLS certification
every two years along with my RN license.
A4: EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
I am enrolled in WGU’s RN-BSN program. Typically the program takes about 1.5 years to complete,
however, I have had to take two term breaks and one extension. I will now be graduating in April of
2025, so overall it has taken about two years for me to complete. This program includes a Post-
Baccalaureate certificate in nursing featuring graduate level courses. Although I will not be ready to
apply for the MSN/MBA program right after completing my BSN, my goal is to start the program by
August 2026. The program takes about 2.5 years to complete and consists of a total of 28 courses, 88
credits, 15/20 hours of course work per week (purdueglobal.edu). As for pursuing a DNP, I’m undecided.
A5: WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMEMTS
The organization that I am employed with, Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, CA does not require
any additional work experience in order for me to pursue a director or senior director position. I have
already met the length of leadership experience required having been an assistant manager for 4 years
and a manager for the past 3 years. The only qualifications that I need to obtain now is my BSN and
MSN/MBS degrees.
A6: HOW YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL ALLOW YOU TO BE A CHANGE AGENT
My professional nursing development plan will provide me with the tools, knowledge, and skills
necessary to become a change agent within my practice as a nurse manager. By focusing on leadership
training, I will strengthen essential skills such as decision-making, team management, and conflict
resolution. These skills will allow me to guide my team through changes, ensuring that improvements
are made smoothly and effectively. My development plan will include a focus on incorporating evidence-
with Complete Solution
Tatiana Gutierrez
Leavitt School of Health, Western Governors University
E225: Emerging Professional Practice
Barbara Dantzler
March 31, 2025
A1: SHORT-TERM, INTERMEDIATE, AND LONG-TERM GOALS
• ONE YEAR (SHORT-TERM) GOALS
My short-term goal is to complete my RN-to BSN degree program from Western Governors University
(EGU) by April 2025. Currently, I am the RN Manager of the Electrophysiology Lab at Mercy General
Hospital and have been in this position for the past 3 years. Prior to my current position, I was an
assistant manager for 4 years. At this time, I am not looking to pursue employment in another role,
department, or other hospital.
• THREE-YEAR (INTERMIDIATE) GOALS
My intermediate goal is to apply for the dual MSN/MBA program possibly in August of 2026. Currently, I
have a few life events that I am dealing with that need to be resolved and come to an end before I start
pursing my next nursing degree. Completing my BSN has been quite challenging for me this year with
everything that has occurred in my life at this time, so I need to get everything in order before taking on
this challenging goal I have set for myself. The university that I am looking at that offers the dual
program is Purdue University (https://onlinedegrees.purdue.edu). The program would take about 2.5
years to complete with no interruptions to the terms. I plan on continuing to work as the RN Manager
of the EP Lab that I manage now during this time also.
• FIVE-YEAR (LONG-TERM) GOALS
My long-term goal once completing my MSN/MBA degree is to transition into a director and then senior
director position for the cardiovascular services line at my current hospital. Both positions require that
the applicant is masters prepared and have been in a leadership role for 3 years. Later on I may also
consider pursing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) depending on what direction my leadership roles
, take me.
A2: CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
I currently hold certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
(ACLS). To maintain my BLS certification, I must complete a 4 hour renewal training course each year,
which is provided by my employer. To maintain my ACLS certification, I must complete a pre-test in
order to continue onto the 8 hour renewal training course for ACLS, which is also provided by my
employer. The ACLS certification renewal is required every two years. Both courses require in-person
attendance and passing of both a written and demonstration exam in order to obtain both certifications.
The State of California Board of Registered Nursing requires RNs to renew their nursing licenses every
two years. In order to do this, I am required to complete 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to stay
current with updates and changes to the evolving healthcare system. These CEUs help me provide the
highest quality of care by implementing the education learned from these evidence-based practices.
A3: FUTURE CERTIFICATES OR CERTIFICATIONS
My current employer does not require any additional certificates or certifications other than those listed
in A2. However, a certification that I would like to pursue once I am done with my BSN is the Registered
Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES), specific to electrophysiology, which I am the RN Manager for
at my current hospital. In order to qualify for this exam you have to have a minimum of two years of
experience in diagnostic and interventional cardiac electrophysiology, a current employment verification
letter, and a recommendation letter from a physician that you work with (https://cci-online.org). In
addition to this, I will still need to maintain my BLS certification each year and my ACLS certification
every two years along with my RN license.
A4: EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
I am enrolled in WGU’s RN-BSN program. Typically the program takes about 1.5 years to complete,
however, I have had to take two term breaks and one extension. I will now be graduating in April of
2025, so overall it has taken about two years for me to complete. This program includes a Post-
Baccalaureate certificate in nursing featuring graduate level courses. Although I will not be ready to
apply for the MSN/MBA program right after completing my BSN, my goal is to start the program by
August 2026. The program takes about 2.5 years to complete and consists of a total of 28 courses, 88
credits, 15/20 hours of course work per week (purdueglobal.edu). As for pursuing a DNP, I’m undecided.
A5: WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMEMTS
The organization that I am employed with, Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, CA does not require
any additional work experience in order for me to pursue a director or senior director position. I have
already met the length of leadership experience required having been an assistant manager for 4 years
and a manager for the past 3 years. The only qualifications that I need to obtain now is my BSN and
MSN/MBS degrees.
A6: HOW YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL ALLOW YOU TO BE A CHANGE AGENT
My professional nursing development plan will provide me with the tools, knowledge, and skills
necessary to become a change agent within my practice as a nurse manager. By focusing on leadership
training, I will strengthen essential skills such as decision-making, team management, and conflict
resolution. These skills will allow me to guide my team through changes, ensuring that improvements
are made smoothly and effectively. My development plan will include a focus on incorporating evidence-
