NURS 6003/NURS 6002: Transition to Graduate Study

Course Introduction

The extraordinary explosion of knowledge, expanding technologies, increasing diversity, and global health challenges produce a dynamic environment for nursing and amplify nursing’s critical contributions to health care. Master’s education prepares nurses for flexible leadership and critical action within complex, changing systems, including health, educational, and organizational systems.

This is the perfect time to be embarking on a graduate degree in nursing. With the rapidly changing environment of health care delivery, honing your critical thinking skills, developing research and analysis skills, and deepening your understanding of key leadership and organizational concepts will support your growth as a nurse leader. Following successful completion of Walden University’s MSN program, you should have the skills and experiences necessary to fulfill a variety of management and nursing practice roles and to further your professional goals.

This first course in the MSN program, Foundations of Graduate Study, introduces those fundamental skills that will help you be successful as a graduate student. You will explore what it means to become a scholar-practitioner and begin developing the requisite knowledge to assume that role. You will also be introduced to the values and expectations associated with graduate study at Walden University. You are encouraged to reflect deeply on how these qualities align with your academic and professional goals. In this course, you will begin to develop the skills needed to achieve the desired outcomes of your graduate program. You will also develop an academic and professional success plan to guide your efforts toward your own vision for success.

Welcome to Foundations of Graduate Study!

Course Description

In this course students are introduced to Walden University and online learning. Students explore strategies for the successful participation in an online curriculum. Students also will receive a foundation for academic and professional success as scholar-practitioners and social change agents. Course assignments introduce students to resources that support success, development of graduate-level writing skills and use of APA Style, academic integrity, and the creation of a professional development plan based on each student’s chosen specialization. Additionally, information and requirements for the MSN Practicum are introduced.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:

• Develop networks for academic and professional success.
• Identify strategies for academic and professional success.
• Apply strategies to promote academic integrity and professional ethics.
• Analyze peer-reviewed research related to issues in nursing practice.
• Identify concepts and requirements for the MSN Practicum
• Create academic success and professional development plans.
• Justify selection of MSN specializations using standards and scope of practice.

Course Summary:

NURS 6003 Networking Opportunities SAMPLE

My name is P… I have been a Registered Nurse for 4 ½ years. I have ventured into many different nursing fields, from PCU/Telemetry, to Nurse Manager, to travel nursing, and Mental Health.  Prior to becoming a RN, I was a Psychiatric Technician, and worked in a prison setting. I currently work as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse with the criminally insane. I have noticed that there is a lack of access to Mental Health Professionals. My academic goal is to become knowledgeable and pass all my classes to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I will then return to complete my doctorate in PMHNP. I may also return for my FNP.   My professional goal is to provide mental health services to the undeserved community in a clinic and/or telemedicine setting as well as one day owning my own practice.

After reading Walden’s vision, mission, goal statement, and social change initiatives, I feel a sense of pride that I have chosen a university that relates to my professional and academic goals, as well as becoming a scholar-practitioner.  The university is committed to creating a learning environment conducive to the 21st century technology. In this day and age, we have access to the internet through multiple channels, one in particular with our cell phones. Having access to internet and WIFI allows for the working professional to take the classroom wherever possible. Noting that my professional goal is to provide tele-psych to undeserved communities, it’s imperative that I learn how to communicate and navigate using technology.

Walden’s MSN Program Outcomes and perspectives align with my professional and academic goals and to becoming a scholar-practitioner by allowing me to utilize my knowledge to impact a field I’ve identified as needing change, the underserved communities.

Networking is important because it allows for the growth of knowledge to topics and perspectives as well as people that maybe one would not normally approach. It is a great way to learn things through people who have experienced and overcome the challenges associated with it. Networking may help me achieve my professional and academic goals by possibly finding a mentor who can help me navigate the unknown. Networking is great for people to help pay it forward.