Week 2: Foundations of Doctoral Study at Walden
Thinking back to when you were considering pursuing a doctoral degree, what made you decide to pursue the DNP at Walden? How does Walden University’s vision, mission, and social change outcomes relate to why you want to pursue a DNP degree?
Walden University’s vision, mission, and social change outcomes will be an ever-present theme and framework throughout your program of study. In fact, the social change mission at the heart of Walden University is intricately aligned with and greatly supports the mission of nursing practice. It may come as no surprise that the work nurses perform daily reflects an alignment toward fostering positive social change.
As a future DNP-prepared nurse, you will likely contribute to the transformation of nursing practice through advocacy, implementing quality improvement, and enhancing the delivery of advanced nursing practice. Do these potential roles and functions of a DNP-prepared nurse represent your motivation for pursuing the DNP degree?
This week, you will complete an Assignment in which you will consider your academic and professional goals in relation to Walden University’s vision, mission, and social change outcomes. You also begin to propose plans for implementing social change into your program of study and professional practice.
Week 2: Foundations of Doctoral Study at Walden
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze academic and professional goals in relation to Walden University’s vision, mission, and social change outcomes
Analyze plans for incorporating social change into program of study and professional practice
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2020). Fact sheet: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/DNP-Factsheet.pdf
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/White-Papers/DNP-Implementation-TF-Report-8-15.pdf
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf
Read, C. Y., Pino Betancourt, D. M., & Morrison, C. (2016). Social change: A framework for inclusive leadership: Development in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 55(3), 164–167. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20160216-08
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden catalog. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/catalog/home
Review the “Introduction” to the Walden Catalog, noting in particular the “Vision, Mission, and Goals” section of the Walden University Catalog.
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
Walden University. (2021). DNP glossary [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Assignment: AACN Competencies and the Walden Mission, Vision, and Outcomes
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) set forth a set of standards, the DNP Essentials, that define the foundational competencies that should be acquired and focused throughout a DNP degree program’s curriculum. Additionally, the DNP Essentials represent those competencies and areas that will inform your areas of practice as a DNP-prepared nurse. Take special note that in addition to your personal and academic motivations for pursuing a DNP degree, you will be required to demonstrate and enact these essentials in your daily practice.
For this Assignment, review the AACN DNP Essentials document and reflect on the competencies presented. Reflect on your personal and academic goals and consider how those goals align with both Walden University’s mission and vision and with the AACN DNP Essentials.
To align my personal and academic goals with both Walden University’s mission and vision and the AACN DNP Essentials, I will embark on a reflective journey that integrates these foundational elements.
Walden University’s mission emphasizes the transformation of career professionals into scholar-practitioners who effect positive social change. This resonates deeply with my aspiration to advance my nursing practice to a level where I can lead initiatives that address complex healthcare challenges and contribute to the betterment of patient outcomes and healthcare systems. The emphasis on lifelong learning and interdisciplinary collaboration aligns seamlessly with my commitment to continuous professional growth and my belief in the power of collaborative efforts to drive innovation and improvement.
Similarly, Walden’s vision of a 21st-century learning community emphasizes the relevance and utility of knowledge, nontraditional educational pathways, and lifelong learning. These principles resonate with my vision of professional development as an ongoing journey characterized by adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. As a future DNP-prepared nurse, I aspire to leverage these principles to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in nursing and healthcare, ensuring that my practice remains dynamic and responsive to evolving patient needs and societal demands.
Turning to the AACN DNP Essentials, these standards outline the foundational competencies that are integral to the DNP degree and inform the areas of practice for DNP-prepared nurses. As I reflect on these competencies, I recognize their significance in shaping my academic and professional journey. The emphasis on advanced nursing practice, leadership, and advocacy resonates with my goal of assuming a leadership role within my healthcare organization, where I can influence policy, lead quality improvement initiatives, and advocate for the needs of patients and communities.
Furthermore, the focus on evidence-based practice, clinical scholarship, and information systems aligns with my commitment to basing my practice on the best available evidence and leveraging technology to enhance patient care delivery and healthcare outcomes. Additionally, the emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and population health underscores the importance of holistic, patient-centered care and collaborative approaches to addressing the health needs of diverse populations.
In summary, my personal and academic goals align closely with both Walden University’s mission and vision and the AACN DNP Essentials. By embracing these foundational elements, I am poised to embark on a transformative journey of professional growth and social impact as a DNP-prepared nurse, committed to advancing healthcare practice, improving patient outcomes, and effecting positive change in the communities I serve.
Week 2: Foundations of Doctoral Study at Walden
To prepare:
Review The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) in this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the competencies presented.
Review Walden University’s mission, vision, and university outcomes.
Reflect on your professional and academic goals. Consider how Walden’s mission and vision as well as the AACN’s perspective may fit with your goals. How might you incorporate a commitment to social change into your academic and professional plans?
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Explain how your academic and professional goals align with Walden’s vision, mission, social change message, and university outcomes and the AACN DNP Essentials. Be specific.
Explain how you plan to incorporate social change throughout your program of study and in professional practice. Be sure to include how social change may contribute to your practicum/field experience and your role in professional practice.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
**Title: Aligning Academic and Professional Goals with Social Change: A Reflection**
**Introduction:**
In this paper, I will explore how my academic and professional goals align with Walden University’s mission, vision, and social change message, as well as with the AACN DNP Essentials. Furthermore, I will discuss my plans to incorporate a commitment to social change throughout my program of study and professional practice, including its potential impact on my practicum/field experience and my role in professional practice.
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An Original Human-Crafted Assignment
**Alignment with Walden’s Mission, Vision, and Social Change Message:**
Walden University’s mission of empowering scholar-practitioners to effect positive social change resonates deeply with my professional aspirations. As a nurse, I am driven by a passion for advocacy, equity, and social justice. Walden’s vision of a 21st-century learning community, characterized by relevance, utility, and nontraditional educational pathways, aligns seamlessly with my commitment to lifelong learning, innovation, and adaptability in the dynamic field of healthcare.
Furthermore, Walden’s emphasis on social change underscores the importance of integrating ethical, cultural, and societal considerations into nursing practice. This aligns with my belief in the transformative power of nursing as a force for societal good. By championing initiatives that promote health equity, address disparities, and advocate for vulnerable populations, I aim to embody Walden’s mission of effecting positive change in both my academic pursuits and professional endeavors.
**Alignment with AACN DNP Essentials:**
The AACN DNP Essentials outline the foundational competencies necessary for advanced nursing practice at the doctoral level. These competencies encompass areas such as advanced nursing practice, leadership, evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and advocacy. As I reflect on these essentials, I recognize their significance in shaping my academic and professional journey.
My academic and professional goals align closely with the AACN DNP Essentials, particularly in the areas of leadership, evidence-based practice, and advocacy. As a future DNP-prepared nurse, I aspire to assume leadership roles within healthcare organizations, where I can influence policy, lead quality improvement initiatives, and advocate for the needs of patients and communities. Furthermore, I am committed to basing my practice on the best available evidence and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.
**Incorporating Social Change into Academic and Professional Plans:**
To incorporate a commitment to social change into my academic and professional plans, I will adopt a multifaceted approach:
**Academic Pursuits:** I will select courses and engage in research projects that address pressing societal issues and promote health equity. By integrating social determinants of health, cultural competence, and ethical considerations into my academic work, I can contribute to a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system.
**Professional Practice:** In my role as a nurse leader, I will advocate for policies and practices that prioritize the well-being of underserved populations and address healthcare disparities. By fostering partnerships with community organizations and advocating for resources and support for marginalized communities, I can make a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need.
**Practicum/Field Experience:** During my practicum/field experience, I will seek out opportunities to work with underserved populations and address unmet healthcare needs. By collaborating with community stakeholders and implementing evidence-based interventions, I can effect positive change at the grassroots level and gain valuable insights into the social determinants of health.
In summary, my academic and professional goals align closely with Walden’s vision, mission, and social change message, as well as with the AACN DNP Essentials. By incorporating a commitment to social change into my academic and professional plans, I aim to fulfill the promise of nursing as a force for positive transformation in the world.
By Day 7 of Week 2
Submit your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 2.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “M1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Module 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Module 1 Assignment You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer Find the document you saved as “M1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Module 1 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Module 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 2
To participate in this Assignment:
Module 1 Assignment
What’s Coming Up in Module 2?
Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
In the next module, you will analyze the roles and expectations associated with the DNP-prepared nurse. You will also examine the alignment between the AACN DNP Essentials and your practicum/field experience and Doctoral Project requirements.
Looking Ahead: Week 3 Assignment
In Week 3, you will select at least 3 AACN DNP Essentials that most align to the completion of a Doctoral Project. You will also explain how the AACN DNP Essentials you selected will relate to the completion of a practicum/field experience.
Although you will submit the Week 3 Assignment by Day 7 of Week 3, it is highly encouraged that you reflect on the AACN DNP Essentials you consulted this week and review the requirements to begin your preparation for completing the Week 3 Assignment this week.
Week 2: Foundations of Doctoral Study at Walden
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