The BSN Essentials (AACN, 2008) outline a number of healthcare policy and advocacy competencies for the BSN-prepared nurse

Requirements

1. The Course Reflection is worth 100 points (10%) and will be graded on quality of self-assessment, use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization based on the required components as summarized in the directions and grading criteria/rubric.
2. Follow the directions and grading criteria closely. Any questions about your essay may be posted under the Q & A forum under the Discussions tab.
3. The length of the reflection is to be within three to six pages excluding title page and reference pages.
4. APA format is required with both a title page and reference page. Use the required components of the review as Level 1 headers (upper and lower case, centered):

Note: Introduction – Write an introduction but do not use “Introduction” as a heading in accordance with the rules put forth in the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (2010, p. 63).

1. Course Reflection
2. Conclusion

Preparing Your Reflection

The BSN Essentials (AACN, 2008) outline a number of healthcare policy and advocacy competencies for the BSN-prepared nurse. Reflect on this course readings, discussion threads, and applications you have completed across this course and write a reflective essay regarding the extent to which you feel you are now prepared to: Only use three goals to reflect in your paper

1. “Demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies, information systems, and communication devices that support safe nursing practice.
2. Use telecommunication technologies to assist in effective communication in a variety of healthcare settings.
3. Apply safeguards and decision-making support tools embedded in patient care technologies and information systems to support a safe practice environment for both patients and healthcare workers.
4. Understand the use of CIS systems to document interventions related to achieving nurse sensitive outcomes.
5. Use standardized terminology in a care environment that reflects nursing’s unique contribution to patient outcomes.
6. Evaluate data from all relevant sources, including technology, to inform the delivery of care.
7. Recognize the role of information technology in improving patient care outcomes and creating a safe care environment.
8. Uphold ethical standards related to data security, regulatory requirements, confidentiality, and clients’ right to privacy.
9. Apply patient­care technologies as appropriate to address the needs of a diverse patient population.
10. Advocate for the use of new patient care technologies for safe, quality care.
11. Recognize that redesign of workflow and care processes should precede implementation of care technology to facilitate nursing practice.
12. Participate in evaluation of information systems in practice settings through policy and procedure development.
13. Conduct comprehensive and focused physical, behavioral, psychological, spiritual, socioeconomic, and environmental assessments of health and illness parameters in patients, using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches.
14. Recognize the relationship of genetics and genomics to health, prevention, screening, diagnostics, prognostics, selection of treatment, and monitoring of treatment effectiveness, using a constructed pedigree from collected family history information as well as standardized symbols and terminology.
15. Implement holistic, patient­ centered care that reflects an understanding of human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical management, and nursing management across the health­ illness continuum, across the lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.
16. Communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team, including the patient and the patient’s support network.
17. Deliver compassionate, patient­ centered, evidence-based care that respects patient and family preferences.
18. Implement patient and family care around resolution of end ­of ­life and palliative care issues, such as symptom management, support of rituals, and respect for patient and family preferences.
19. Provide appropriate patient teaching that reflects developmental stage, age, culture, spirituality, patient preferences, and health literacy considerations to foster patient engagement in their care.
20. Implement evidence-based nursing interventions as appropriate for managing the acute and chronic care of patients and promoting health across the lifespan.
21. Monitor client outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of psychobiological interventions.
22. Facilitate patient­ centered transitions of care, including discharge planning and ensuring the caregiver’s knowledge of care requirements to promote safe care.
23. Provide nursing care based on evidence that contributes to safe and high-quality patient outcomes within healthcare microsystems.
24. Create a safe care environment that results in high quality patient outcomes.
25. Revise the plan of care based on an ongoing evaluation of patient outcomes.
26. Demonstrate clinical judgment and accountability for patient outcomes when delegating to and supervising other members of the healthcare team.
27. Manage care to maximize health, independence, and quality of life for a group of individuals that approximates a beginning practitioner’s workload
28. Demonstrate the application of psychomotor skills for the efficient, safe, and compassionate delivery of patient care.
29. Develop a beginning understanding of complementary and alternative modalities and their role in health care.
30. Develop an awareness of patients as well as healthcare professionals’ spiritual beliefs and values and how those beliefs and values impact health care.
31. Manage the interaction of multiple functional problems affecting patients across the lifespan, including common geriatric syndromes.
32. Understand one’s role and participation in emergency preparedness and disaster response with an awareness of environmental factors and the risks they pose to self and patients
33. Engage in caring and healing techniques that promote a therapeutic nurse patient relationship.
34. Demonstrate tolerance for the ambiguity and unpredictability of the world and its effect on the healthcare system as related to nursing practice.” (pp. 18-19, 31-32).

Reference:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN]. (2008). The essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Washington, DC: Author.

Grading Rubric

Assignment Criteria

Meets Criteria

Partially Meets Criteria

Does Not Meet Criteria

(Introduction – see note under requirement #4 above)

(8 pts)

Short introduction of selected BSN sub-competencies (AACN, 2008) pertinent to scholarship for evidence-based practice. Rationale is well presented, and purpose fully developed.

7 – 8 points

Basic understanding and/or limited use of original explanation and/or inappropriate emphasis on an area.

5 – 6 points

Little or very general introduction of selected BSN sub-competencies (AACN, 2008). Little to no original explanation; inappropriate emphasis on an area.

0 – 4 points

You Decide Reflection

(80 pts)

Excellent self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities pertinent to healthcare policy and advocacy. Reflection on pertinent BSN sub-competencies (AACN, 2008) supported with examples.

70 – 80 points

Basic self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities pertinent to healthcare policy and advocacy. Reflection on pertinent BSN sub-competencies (AACN, 2008) not supported with examples.

59 – 69 points

Little or very general self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and integrative abilities pertinent to healthcare policy and advocacy. Little or no reflection on pertinent BSN sub-competencies (AACN, 2008) or reflection not supported with examples.

0 – 58 points

Conclusion

(4 pts)

Excellent understanding of pertinent BSN sub- competencies (AACN, 2008). Conclusions are well evidenced and fully developed.

3 – 4 points

Basic understanding and/or limited use of original explanation and/or inappropriate emphasis on an area.

2 points

Little understanding of pertinent BSN sub-competencies (AACN, 2008). Little to no original explanation; inappropriate emphasis on an area.

0 – 1 point

Clarity of writing

(6 pts)

Excellent use of standard English showing original thought with minimal reliance on the works of others. No spelling or grammar errors. Well organized with proper flow of meaning.

5 – 6 points

Some evidence of own expression and competent use of language. No more than three spelling or grammar errors. Well organized thoughts and concepts.

3 – 4 points

Language needs development or there is an over-reliance on the works of others. Four or more spelling and/or grammar errors. Poorly organized thoughts and concepts.

0 – 2 points

APA format

(2 pts)

APA format correct with no more than 1-2 minor errors.

2 points

3-5 errors in APA format and/or 1-2 citations are missing.

1 point

APA formatting contains multiple errors and/or several citations are missing.

0 points