In your reflective journal, thoughtfully record a personal career development plan.
I have been involved my my career development plan for quite a few years now. First I graduated from BYU with a degree in home and family living. next i graduated with my associates. Then part of my career plan I have continued on and will be finishing my BSN this April.
I do not know that I have many career goals. It it happens, getting a masters would be great. Is it my number one goal? No. I want to have a family. I want to be at home raising my kids. If nursing fits into that great, if it doesn't, I think I will have gone with my greater priority.
Even if I am not working as a nurse, I will always keep my license active.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
money and health care
How do you think economics (money) is affecting our health care system today?
My first thought is that money does affect our health system: In every way. First of all, it takes money to function. No health care is free and SOMEONE has to pay for it. So how much money is available will make a difference. If not enough people are putting in to the health care system, (ie paying for their health care benefits) then the system will start to fail because a few people will be having to cover the charges for everyone. Secondly, I think that people will always pay for health care. Maybe not everyone, because "everyone" does not pay right now, but health care is something enough people want that money will be going in to it.
Health care facilities will budget to try to maximize the amount of profit they can make. Facilities will always be looking for ways to cut back or save a dollar. Some people dislike that. But I think that doing that is business in general, not just in health care. Every business wants to maximize their profit and minimize their expenses. For example, at my facility, sometimes I wish they would provide another nurse on the floor, but because we are keeping within a certain budget, management does not allow for another nurse.
Down to every aspect of health care- money is important and I think runs the show.
My first thought is that money does affect our health system: In every way. First of all, it takes money to function. No health care is free and SOMEONE has to pay for it. So how much money is available will make a difference. If not enough people are putting in to the health care system, (ie paying for their health care benefits) then the system will start to fail because a few people will be having to cover the charges for everyone. Secondly, I think that people will always pay for health care. Maybe not everyone, because "everyone" does not pay right now, but health care is something enough people want that money will be going in to it.
Health care facilities will budget to try to maximize the amount of profit they can make. Facilities will always be looking for ways to cut back or save a dollar. Some people dislike that. But I think that doing that is business in general, not just in health care. Every business wants to maximize their profit and minimize their expenses. For example, at my facility, sometimes I wish they would provide another nurse on the floor, but because we are keeping within a certain budget, management does not allow for another nurse.
Down to every aspect of health care- money is important and I think runs the show.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Attitude Towards Change
I think my attitude towards change is similar to the general population. If it is a change for the better, I like it. If it is a change for the worse, I do not like it.
Change can be hard. I would generally say that I am a creature of habit and I like to do things a certain way. For example, I always wash my hands before I wash my face at night. ALWAYS. That is something I don't ever plan on changing. I like that habit. There are other things that I might be more willing to change though. I think that I do make changes though for a couple of reasons. One is that I am dis-satisfied with my situation or results so I decide on my own that there needs to be a change. The other way I make changes is if someone is either suggesting or imposing a change on me. For example, at my work there have been some changes made. If I had not been told that I had to make that change, I do not think I would have.
Change is inevitable. I think without even knowing it, we change. I am a very different person than when I started the nursing program almost 3 years ago. And some of those things were not conscious changes, they just happened over time. But when I look back, I can see how different I am now.
Change can be hard. I would generally say that I am a creature of habit and I like to do things a certain way. For example, I always wash my hands before I wash my face at night. ALWAYS. That is something I don't ever plan on changing. I like that habit. There are other things that I might be more willing to change though. I think that I do make changes though for a couple of reasons. One is that I am dis-satisfied with my situation or results so I decide on my own that there needs to be a change. The other way I make changes is if someone is either suggesting or imposing a change on me. For example, at my work there have been some changes made. If I had not been told that I had to make that change, I do not think I would have.
Change is inevitable. I think without even knowing it, we change. I am a very different person than when I started the nursing program almost 3 years ago. And some of those things were not conscious changes, they just happened over time. But when I look back, I can see how different I am now.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Types of Power
In the book it talks about different strategies for building a person power base. It is important to build a power base when in management positions because that is how your further your goals. Here are five ways to increase my power base at my work place.
1. Maintain Personal Energy: To be a good leader I need to take time for myself and make sure I am well rested. Taking time also means making personal relationships with others. This helps create resources for the future.
2. Present a Powerful Picture to Others: The saying fake it till you make it comes to mind. Dress and act the part. This gives the idea that your are assertive and in control.
3. Pay the Entry Fee: You have to work harder, stay longer, and do more than others. They do their share of the hard work or unpleasant work such and working on holidays and weekends without complaining. Hard work is the key.
4. Determine the Powerful in the Organization: Learn the names and faces of people you work with. Once you identify the powerful, look for similarities you have with them, not your differences.
5. Learn the Language and Symbols of the Organization: Every workplace has its own culture and way of doing things. It is your responsibility to become familiar with it.
This is just the beginning of the list! I think the most important of these is to be a hard worker. I am a firm believer that hard work always will pay off in the end.
1. Maintain Personal Energy: To be a good leader I need to take time for myself and make sure I am well rested. Taking time also means making personal relationships with others. This helps create resources for the future.
2. Present a Powerful Picture to Others: The saying fake it till you make it comes to mind. Dress and act the part. This gives the idea that your are assertive and in control.
3. Pay the Entry Fee: You have to work harder, stay longer, and do more than others. They do their share of the hard work or unpleasant work such and working on holidays and weekends without complaining. Hard work is the key.
4. Determine the Powerful in the Organization: Learn the names and faces of people you work with. Once you identify the powerful, look for similarities you have with them, not your differences.
5. Learn the Language and Symbols of the Organization: Every workplace has its own culture and way of doing things. It is your responsibility to become familiar with it.
This is just the beginning of the list! I think the most important of these is to be a hard worker. I am a firm believer that hard work always will pay off in the end.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ethical and Legal Responsibilities and the Role of the Nurse
Ethical and Legal Responsibilities and the Role of the Nurse
The nurse is responsible to uphold ethics. I took a class that was devoted completely to nursing and ethics because it is such an important topic. Nurses must up hold certain legal obligations. For example, if I witness abuse, I am legally and ethically obligated to report it. The hard thing about ethics is that sometimes it becomes a personal choice. Different people believe different ways on how they want to act. When I took my ethics class there were a lot of debates about what was "right" or "wrong." Ethical issues come up in health care because it deals with human lives.
Some nurses would argue that ethical and legal issues are one in the same. Others view them as separate issues. I see them at separate issues. There are certain things that I do because I am obligated to do them by law. If it was just up to my personal ethicial feelings, I may not do those things. For example, I feel really strongly about quality of life. If a patient codes and is not going to have what I think is a good quality of life, I would think not do resuscitate. But if they have not made an advanced directive about if they want to be resuscitated or not, I am legally obligated to resuscitate them.
The nurse is responsible to uphold ethics. I took a class that was devoted completely to nursing and ethics because it is such an important topic. Nurses must up hold certain legal obligations. For example, if I witness abuse, I am legally and ethically obligated to report it. The hard thing about ethics is that sometimes it becomes a personal choice. Different people believe different ways on how they want to act. When I took my ethics class there were a lot of debates about what was "right" or "wrong." Ethical issues come up in health care because it deals with human lives.
Some nurses would argue that ethical and legal issues are one in the same. Others view them as separate issues. I see them at separate issues. There are certain things that I do because I am obligated to do them by law. If it was just up to my personal ethicial feelings, I may not do those things. For example, I feel really strongly about quality of life. If a patient codes and is not going to have what I think is a good quality of life, I would think not do resuscitate. But if they have not made an advanced directive about if they want to be resuscitated or not, I am legally obligated to resuscitate them.
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