respond to this discussion:Respondtwoon two different days

to at least  of your colleagues , by suggesting additional individuals and/or teams with whom to collaborate or by offering additional networking strategies.

Be sure to offer support from at least 2 current, credible sources in each required response to classmates’ main post and cite per APA.

Hello. My name is Stephanie Parse and I have been a registered nurse since 2006. I started my career at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ on a surgical/orthopaedics unit. Besides working at a teaching hospital, I have also worked in an orthopaedic office focusing on total joint replacements over the past twelve years.

Being out of school for fifteen years, it was intimating at first to even consider going back to school, especially online. Yet, I knew I wanted to further my education. There was always a love of education that I had inside and a determination for more. I wanted to apply any new knowledge from evidence-based scenarios and be able to share this with my colleagues and patients. This would allow me “to develop from a novice nurse to an expert nurse.” The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: The Journey Begins (2018).

I chose Walden University after great recommendations from my nurse manager who completed both her BSN and MSN with Walden. According to Schmidt (n.d.), “professional networking can help nurses achieve the fundamental knowledge required to take the next step.” Walden University intrigued me to want to pursue my MSN with its high standards and expectations. This has been my work ethic throughout my life and career. It has great support and multiple resources to help reach your goals. Having the ability to “grow as a professional through a vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences” with a diverse community was definitely a positive reinforcement that I was choosing the right path, Walden University. (n,d.). In addition, the flexibility was important while working two jobs and having a family.

As a result of Covid-19 pandemic, the need for additional nurses quickly became a reality as the patient census continued to rise. The hospital responded by hiring agency and travel nurses to assist with the shortage. I can recall one agency nurse in particular who I had oriented on her first day later approached me and asked about if I had ever thought about going into nursing education. Her question definitely struck a cord inside me and ignited that flame that was waiting to be lit. From hearing it from someone that I just had met made me realize I really enjoyed teaching. The more I thought about it, the more I felt that the time is now to start pursing this dream. In addition, I recently signed up to be a clinical instructor for a DEU, otherwise known as a dedicated education unit with a local university. It was from this experience that also gave me the drive to start. I feel that the nursing students and newly hired nurses are somewhat at a disadvantage with their clinical experience due to limitations of Covid-19. I try to keep this in mind when precepting so that I am able to “serve as an invaluable resource for knowledge that can be instrumental in advancing the nurse’s career.” Schmidt, K. (n.d.).

Overall, I am ready to build the relationships developed from Walden University to assist in my furthering my education.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a

 

Masters in Nursing: The Journey Begins [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

 

Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/

Walden University. (n,d.) Retrieved from October June 5, 2020, from https://www.waldenu.edu/about/colleges-schools/college-of-nursing