Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1

Professional Development Plan

William G. Russell
Ferris State University





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Abstract
The following is a plan I have derived to continue my nursing practice. This plan contains my
plans and ideas for how I will plot my development for the next 5 and 10 years. The following
may be a bit usual since my entire nursing career will only be about 10 years in its entirety. The
standards I use in this plan are based upon the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards. I
will use these standards to gage my progress in my nursing career pathway

















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Standards of Professional Performance
Standard 7: Ethics
The first thing I think about the word ethics is the question of whose ethics, mine, my
patients, my patients doctor? Fortunately, the ANA has development a set of ethical standards
for nurses and others to be used as a guide to use when a situation requires ethics to be
considered. Although ethics are considered a distinct and separate standard of performance, it is
a concept that is an inherent component of all the standards of professional practice and
performance, as well as across all nursing roles and settings (ANA 2010, p. 113).
Early in my nursing education several things were strongly drilled in to brain. One of those
things was the topic of ethics. The message I got was that what was most important was to leave
my opinions of right and wrong at home. My job as a nurse is to advocate for every patient I care
for regardless of how I feel about decisions he or she might make. This is sometimes very
difficult. While attending nursing school, I worked in a detox center for those with addictions to
alcohol and other drugs a patient in my care was very sick. He was in his early 20s and was
beginning to suffer from liver dysfunctions. I had had several conversations with this patient
about what alcoholism is and the path his alcoholism was taking him. One of the things I tried to
instill in him was that those who seek treatment must be regarded as sick people trying to get
well, not bad people trying to get good. I think he was starting to get this concept. The
patients father arrived on the unit to Get his son and teach him a thing or two The father
wanted his son discharged because he thought that home was the best place to deal with this.
The nurses and doctor talked with the father about the disease concept of addiction and how
treatment at the hospital could really help his son and him. The father made it clear that his view
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was that his son needs consequences, not treatment. The fathers views are not in line with
current standards of addiction practice. The only thing any of could do was to release the patient
and tell him he was welcome to call the unit or return when it seemed appropriate. Ethically it
was difficult to watch the difference in beliefs and values of the fathers compared to the staffs.
The son was released to the care of his father. I still wonder about that patient/.
Standard 8 Education
It seems nursing becomes more technical every day. In my work as on operating room nurse I
use at least 4-5 machines that are now considered standard of care. Some of these machines had
not been invented as little as a year ago. Education is the key to learn how to use such machines
and to use the information or service they provide. Since starting my nursing career 1 year ago
my practice has already changes and grown. Most types of nursing offer certification in specified
field. The Association of periOperatative Registered Nurses offers a certification course. After I
complete one more year in the operating room I will be able to sit for this exam. I plan to do just
that next year. I think certification will illustrate my commitment to my profession, the patients I
serve and my own development and sense of fulfillment. These are the same reasons I am
pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The distinction of being a Professional
nurses very important to me. Personal and professional self-assessment is necessary to identify
formal and informal learning opportunities, within and beyond the practice environment. that
provide the knowledge and competitiveness necessary for the provision of current, high quality
nursing and health care (ANA 2012 .p,125) It seems with so many references to what prudent
nurses would do, continuing my nursing education is right in line with my beliefs about the
attributes of a professional nurse would do. My employer also has educational standards.
Bachelors prepared nurses are to be hired over associate prepared nurses (ADN). If an associate
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degreed nurse is the best candidate for a certain job, he or she must agree to earn a bachelor of
science in nursing within seven years of employment. I was hired as an AND prior to this ruling
being implemented. I feel I owe it to my profession to reach at least to the bachelor level and to
become certified in my area.
Standard 9: Evidence-Based Practice and Research
A significant part of what I do as an operating room nurse is record keeping. I also participate
in multiple counts of instruments, sponges and various other things that could be inadvertently
left inside a patient. I also document times of when certain devices area attached to devices.
Instrument and sponge counts are a direct result of evidence-based practice. History taught
operating room nurses that memory alone does not keep patients free of harm Evidence has
proven, and still prove over and over, that mistakes can happen. Stories appear in the media all
too frequently about instrument and/or sponges left in patients. Only very careful accounting of
items can prevent this. Evidence of mistakes in accounting are painful to patients, but also to
those involved in the care of the patient who may have had a sponge left inside him or her. As
the standard states The registered nurse integrates evidence and research finding is to practice
(ANA 2012 p 133) I cant think of any better illustration of following evidence based practice
and following essential nursing practice. I rather like this activity as well. The counting
procedure gives me a concrete way of knowing Im doing the best I can do for my patients
safety. No patient needs an advocate more than a patient who has no way to communicate for
him or herself.
Research is a different matter. The above is a relatively easy way to determine cause and
effect. Sponge count of 10 in the beginning of a case, and sponge count of 10 at the end of a case
is not too difficult to research. Formal research is much more involved and can include many
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disciplines. The classes Ive taken thus far at Ferris State University, (FSU) have been steps
along the way of becoming ready to start doing research. The statistics class I took taught me not
only how to read statistics, but how diligent the researcher must be in gathering and interpreting
statistics. I have a much keener eye when looking at statistics now.
Standard 10: Quality of Practice
. Quality. The degree to which health services for patients, families, groups, communities,
or populations increase the likelihood of deserted outcomes and are consistent with current
professional knowledge ANA (2012, p. 145) This statement sums up how I feel about quality.
Ive always tried to do my best and to deliver what expected of me and strive to provide whats
beyond expectations... Even if I dont deliver to the standard to which I wish, I know that Im
always trying.., I dont give up easily. In my professional endeavors through the years Ive
always done quite well. The BSN program in which Im enrolled has not been easy for me.
However, I still strive for the best quality I can deliver. Now, for the first time in my professional
life, the quality I strive for could have an impact on someones life. This is a much greater
responsibility than delivering sales results which was the focus of my last career. Each day in the
operating room Im challenged to deliver top quality care for my patients. Im faced with time
constraints, unruly surgeons and anesthesia providers, etc., and still must keep my mind and
actions on my patients. The desired outcome is for my patient is to be cared for safely and to be
free from harm. I take my responsibility VERY seriously. Ive been known to demand attention
and quite when performing procedures (sponge counts, etc.) that re very important to patient
safety and may seem too routine for attention to be paid. This attitude did not make me too
many friends in the beginning of my career in the operating room but now most nursing and
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medical staff has come to expect it of me and appreciate my efforts surrounding OUR patients
safety.
Standard 11: Communication
A great part, and responsibility, of my role as a circulating nurse in the operating room is
communication Operating room nurses only spend about 5 minutes with their patients and
family members. At the institution in which I am employed the operating room meets his/her
patient in a holding area minutes prior to surgery. This is the only time we have to form a
relationship with them. This is the only chance we have to impress upon the patient that we will
be with them throughout their surgical experience and will advocate for them while they are
under anesthesia the thought of total loos of control during anesthesia is next to unbearable to
some. It is up the operating room to make the experience as pleasant as possible. These 5
minutes is also the only time operating room nurses have to bond with the families and others
who are with the patient prior to surgery. Husbands, wives, partners, children, best friends since
kindergarten are all needing the nurses reassurance of care and safety of the patient as well. One
of my most rewarding experiences as a nurse was when a received a copy of a letter written to
the hospital by one of my patients which explained that she had never been more nervous in her
life prior to her surgery and that after speaking with me in the holding room she knew should
would be alright. I dont remember this patient, her procedure, her diagnosis and anything else.
Im still so happy that whatever I must have said to her made such a difference. This is the type
of experience that reminds me why I wanted to become a nurse. After my patients are
anesthetized, my communication is now with the surgeon, anesthesia provider and the other
operating room staff. All communication must be clear. There is no room during surgery for
miscommunication. Communication must also be efficient. Efficiency means using simple,
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clear words that are timed at a pace suitable to participants. Chitty (2011) Many times a
member of the surgical team can feel extreme stress and shout orders for others to follow. The
entire crew is wearing face covering masks so much of visual communication is lost. Surgeons
and others at the surgical field may also speak with their faces directed to the surgical site. It is
extremely important for the operating room nurse to ask for clear direction and to repeat each
order or request to make sure the communication is correct and complete. This communication is
vital to patient safety and to desired outcomes. During a surgery, stressed or not, it is the
responsibility of the circulating nurse to bring all the members of an operating room together and
act as a cohesive team. I try to do this with every surgery I am a part of. Many of the surgeons
with whom I frequently work have come to expect that of me.
Standard 12: Leadership
As mentioned throughout this paper, the circulating nurse is expected to be the leader of the
activities in the operating room. At the institution where I am employed, it is the nurses
responsibility to perform what is known as the Surgical Safety Checklist. This is a final safety
check prior to the scalpel being made available for the surgeon, or his or her designee, to make
the first incision. This is a prime example of the nurse as the leader of the team. This brings
Evidence-Based Practice, research, communication and leadership in to play. According to this
procedure the nurse, and only the nurse, will state Time In, which means surgery can
commence. Some egos of some of the other members of the surgical team might bristle at this
notion but evidence tells us this the best and safest way to protect our patients.
Standard 13: Collaboration
So many people are involved in a successful surgery. Many of the team members never wee
the inside of an operating room. The staff of the Sterile Processing Department plays a very
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important role providing what is necessary for an operation. The staff responsible for
coordinating all of the necessary equipment for a surgery, schedulers, contracted staff members,
the list goes on and on. Another responsibility of the circulating nurse is to bring all the
participants together for a successful collaborative surgery. I think the best way to do this is to
treat all members of the team with respect and to never let how much a person is paid or his or
her level of education enter any communications with him or her. NO surgery can be performed
by any one individual. It takes a collaborative effort of many, many people.
Standard 14: Professional Practice Evaluation
My roles and responsibilities are governed by the Association of periOperative Nurses
Association. Im able to look at the standards relatively easily to see how well I am adhering to
the standards outlined for operating room nurses. I am very failure with this resource and refer to
it frequently to make sure my practice is where it should be. I also find great comfort in finding a
practice question using this resource. It is clear that if my practice follows the practice outlined
by this organization, I am acting as a prudent, professional nurse.
Standard 15: Resource Utilization
The operating room is a very, very, expensive place. One surgery can use thousands of
dollars of one time use items. The entire surgical team must be very careful with such items.
Many of these items are only to be unpackaged at the last moment when it tis determined that it
is absolutely necessary. Some devices may cost more than $5,000 each. If the staff does not pay
very careful attention to resource utilization, a surgery could cost thousands more that it needs to.
Standard 16: Environmental Health.
Im proud to say that my place of employment is nationally ranked in its efforts for
environmental safety. The recycling efforts by my health care institution are second to few... The
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environment for our patents is also second to few. Every item used in a surgical procedure is
check by standard protocol several times to ensure its sterility. The operating room must follow
very strict environmental guidelines.
Goals
Five Year Goals
Since Ive basically just started my nursing career, I just want to practice nursing for the next
five years. I want to become more proficient at my job. Included in the five year plan is
completion of am BSN degree and to become certified in operating room nursing. . I have a lot to
learn, I believe so much of nursing is experience and instinct. I do not have much experience and
still see situations which are new to me frequently.
Ten Year Goals
Since nursing is my third career, I think in 10 years I would like to be retired or work very
part time. Ive held my positions and worked in several fields in my life. Im very pleased that
my nursing education and experience will never leave me and will always be able to use my
knowledge of the human body for the rest of my life.
Evaluation
with wanted to become a patient advocate in a greater way. In knew I needed to earn a BSN. I
knew it wouldnt be easy but I knew I need to do it. I was so proud of myself for earning
Associates in nursing degree at my age and especially after surviving such a huge change in my
life. Little did I know that I was just starting on the bottom rung of the ladder the nursing. The
world of nursing is huge and I dont want to be stopped at the bottom rung.
My strengths and weaknesses
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Its always difficult to discuss ones strengths. I suppose I should start with determination. I
possess determination. In my sales career I needed to continue trying to make a sale. I needed to
be determined to make an impact on my customers. It wasnt always easy but I kept trying. In
nursing school, and now in my BSN, Im determined to finish. I may not score all A grades
during this part of my education, but Ill make it! I think I also would count my willingness to
ask for help as strength.
Concerning my weaknesses, I can be VERY hard on myself and sometimes have issues with
confidence in my work. I also have a great weakness in on-line education. Taking on-line classes
requires skills Im just now acquiring. Its been difficult to navigate through all the components
of this class. This is more difficult than merely reading a book and filling out a scantron. So what
I count as strength, asking for help, has been born out of necessity. The website of the Ferris
State University (FSU) has been very helpful.
Courses
After careful perusal of the RN to BSN planner (FSU) before enrolling in the BSN program, I
determined along with Katie Laier, (FSU) on the RN- BSN Plan that the only classes Id be
required to take were the nursing ones. Since I hold a bachelors degree in another field of study,
all of the required general education class requirements have been fulfilled. This has been
documented on the RN-BSN plan. (FSU)
Timeline
After taking six credit hours in the spring semester of 2013 and starting a new full time job,
Ive decided to slow down the pace of my education. Ill only be taking one class at a time for
the duration of my BSN program. I feel Im unable to do my best work in my studies or my
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work if I over-extend myself. As I mentioned above, I do have determination. I will complete
this semester and will start my new job with the best of my ability.
Barriers
Fortunately, I have few barriers in my plan to becoming a BSN. Im very fortunate to be
employed at Spectrum Health where Im able to participate in a $3,000 per year tuition
reimbursement program. (Spectrum Health) I also have a good relationship with one of the
librarians at the Butterworth Campus of Spectrum Health. (Spectrum Health) She (Sandy) has
been very helpful thus far. Spectrum Health is requiring that all nurses new to Spectrum Health
earn a BSN degree within seven years of employment. Nurses hired before 2013 are not required
to earn a BSN but are strongly encouraged to do so. Most opportunities beyond staff nurse
require a BSN degree. BSN is certainly the way of the future in nursing. Increasing numbers of
registered nurses receive baccalaureate and masters degrees, even in their initial preparation for
nursing was an associate degree or diploma. Chitty (2011). I have no children to feed or ailing
parents to look after. I have internet service in my home and own my own computer and printer.
The only real barriers I have are lack of the American Psychological Association APA (2010)
style and lack of computer skills including Microsoft Word editing skills. Im already working
on plans to overcome my barriers. I started by asking for assistance in clarification of my
assignments from my instructor. Her, (Dana Lehmann) initial instructions were to seek assistance
from her anytime and she offered email and telephone numbers. NURS 230 Syllabus (2013)
(FSU) Ive had many email conversations and phone calls with her and have been able to finish
assignments and seem to be doing very well. Ive also visited the writing lab on the Big Rapids
Campus at FSU. (FSU) I have now established a relationship with the staff and will be able to
work with them for the rest of my education. Even though Im an on-line student, Im able to
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utilize the lab in person when I so choose. The staff in the Lab and my instructor were very
interested in the assisting me. The lab asked for a copy of my final APA template to use as an
example for other students who might use the lab for APA assistance. I believe with my
determination and my ability to ask for help, my BSN degree will go smoothly and Ill graduate
in December of 2016.

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References
American Psychological Association [APA]. (2010). Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association (6
th
ed.). Washington, D.C.
Chitty, K.K. & Black, B.P. Professional nursing, Concepts & challenges. 2011 (6
th
ed.)
Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders.
Ferris State University, http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/admission/orientation/online/mydegree.html
Spectrum-Health. Org. /tuition reimbursement.