NURS FPX 6080 Assessment 6 Professional Identity and Capstone Planning

Student name

NURS-FPX6080

Capella University

Professor Name

Submission Date

Professional Identity and Capstone Planning

This assessment is a reflective discussion of my personal development as a master’s degree nursing student with regard to how my specialization and practicum experiences have influenced my identity and future aspirations. It also reflects on the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in practice and why they are important for patient-centered care, professional role models, and the culture of an organization.

Finally, it examines my evolving interests in a master’s in nursing (MSN) capstone projects and opportunities to address important issues in practice with evidence-based, equitable, and patient-centered interventions to improve nursing care and professional development.

As a master ’s-level nursing student, reflect on how your specialization and practicum courses have influenced your professional identity. What are your goals for future career development?

My practicum and specialization courses have been significant in shaping my identity as an evidence-based, patient-centered nurse leader. These have also provided opportunities to further develop my ability to integrate theory into practice, critically appraise complex situations, and engage in collaborative practice with members of the interprofessional team to enhance patient outcomes. My focus on improving the quality of care, ethical care, and health equity has also improved. In the future, my professional objectives are to move into leadership and teaching positions, make contributions toward improved policy and practice, and seek ongoing professional development in order to further expertise in advanced practice nursing and patient safety.

How can nurses integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as core components of their professional identity?

Nurses can integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their professional practice through cultural humility, respectful practice across culture, race, age, and ability, and advocacy for those in vulnerable situations. This involves listening and reflecting on biases and continually learning about cultural competence. Equity may be advanced by addressing social determinants of health.

They have to promote equitable resource allocation and engage in policy development to reduce inequality (Flaubert, 2021). Inclusion is promoted by establishing cultures in which patients and colleagues sense value and worth. These concepts promote confidence, improve patient outcomes, and uphold ethical, patient-centered care.

Think about a patient-centered care experience in which you applied diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. 

In an experience of patient-centered care, I provided care to a non-English-speaking patient with low health literacy. To ensure equity, I used an interpreter service and also provided education materials in the patient’s language. I encouraged questions, clarified medical terms, and discussed treatment options in layman’s terms to make sure the patient understood all options.

With an awareness of cultural practices and the inclusion of family support people, I improved inclusion and trust. This approach allowed the patient to be an active participant in my conversation with them, choose the plan of care most aligned with their values and beliefs, and feel confident to manage their health when returning home.

How can you inspire colleagues to uphold racial and social justice efforts and serve as professional role models in addressing implicit bias at work?

I can encourage staff to uphold racial and social justice by engaging in equitable and respectful encounters, holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable, and being explicit about implicit bias when we experience it. Reflective practice and diverse discussion promote self-awareness and cultural humility (Stubbe, 2020). I can also share evidence-based resources, improve ongoing DEI education, and promote policies that address inequities. By always portraying fairness, compassion, and advocacy for every patient, I am a role model to inspire others to incorporate justice and diversity into practice. We can work towards a more diverse and equitable space.

What topics interest you for your MSN capstone project? Reflect on the opportunities you encountered during your specialization courses. 

I am particularly interested in finding out about quality improvement initiatives to reduce hospital-acquired infections, in particular, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in critical care, for my MSN capstone project. I have also learned the importance of bundles and education for staff and monitoring via electronic health record (EHR) procedures, which I am interested in for patient safety and infection prevention initiatives.

I also see opportunities to improve health disparities through the use of strategies for improving equity when designing prevention strategies. This project will allow me to integrate leadership, clinical skills, and systems analysis to improve practice outcomes, promote staff accountability, and promote positive practice change.