Preparing Your Reflection

The BSN Essentials (AACN, 2008) outline a number of healthcare policy and advocacy competencies for the BSN-prepared nurse. Reflect on the NUR3826 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:

1. “Demonstrate the professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.

2. Assume accountability for personal and professional behaviors.

3. Promote the image of nursing by modeling the values and articulating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the nursing profession.

4. Demonstrate professionalism, including attention to appearance, demeanor, respect for self and others, and attention to professional boundaries with patients and families as well as among caregivers.

5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the history of and contemporary issues in nursing and their impact on current nursing practice.

6. Reflect on one’s own beliefs and values as they relate to professional practice.

7. Identify personal, professional, and environmental risks that impact personal and professional choices, and behaviors.

8. Communicate to the healthcare team one’s personal bias on difficult healthcare decisions that impact one’s ability to provide care.

9. Recognize the impact of attitudes, values, and expectations on the care of the very young, frail older adults, and other vulnerable populations.

10. Protect patient privacy and confidentiality of patient records and other privileged communications.

11. Access interprofessional and intra-professional resources to resolve ethical and other practice dilemmas.

12. Act to prevent unsafe, illegal, or unethical care practices.

13. Articulate the value of pursuing practice excellence, lifelong learning, and professional engagement to foster professional growth and development.

14. Recognize the relationship between personal health, self-renewal, and the ability to deliver sustained quality care.” (p. 28).