PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT
Kristen Youtsey
April 2019
 Direct Patient Care Abilities
■ Strengths:
– Developing a trusting relationship between yourself and the
patient
– Being an active listener (for patients and families)
– Therapeutic communication
■ Opportunities for Improvement:
– Communication during times of distress
– Time management and organization
– Knowing medication mechanisms of action and side effects
during medication administration
■ Integrative Modality:
– Mindfulness with deep breathing
– Opening windows to let natural light into the room
 Direct Patient Care Abilities Continued
Short Term Goals
■ Learn medications thoroughly
to be able to better explain
them to patients
■ Learn to communicate better
with families and patients
during times of distress
■ Keep all certificates and
nursing education up to date
to be able to provide the best
care for my patients
Long Term Goals
■ Be able to communicate
effectively in any type of
situation with patients and
families
■ Develop and stick to a routine
for time management and
organization to deliver fast
and efficient patient care
■ Be able to determine the
highest nursing priorities for
patient of high acuity
 Unit Leadership Abilities
■ Strengths:
– Delegating tasks appropriately to other staff on the unit
– A positive and motivating mindset
– A passion for helping other people if they are in need of assistance
■ Opportunities for Improvement:
– Correctly handling confrontation
– Developing more confidence
– Using all resources available to me
■ Short Term Goals:
– Develop more confidence when interacting with other members of the
interdisciplinary team
– Determine which kind of leadership would be best for the units I am placed on
■ Long Term Goals:
– Obtain a leadership position within a unit that portrays the positive qualities of
a leader
 Professional Development
■ Short Term Goals:
– NCLEX (June-July 2019)
– Obtain a PALS Certification if I am placed on a pediatrics unit
– Network for different opportunities
– Work on a critical care unit
– Chemo Certification
■ Long Term Goals:
– Doctorate in Nursing Practice (Pediatrics of Family)
■ Possibly specialize in oncology
– Assist in the research of a new evidenced-based practice
recommendation
– Gain more experience on various units
 Leadership Book with Rationale
■ How has this book complimented my own strengths and areas for
improvement?
– How to deal with stressful situations
– Don’t focus on the negative
■ How is this beneficial to my professional growth?
– Applicable to any profession
– Important to remember in high stress environments
– Leads to happier life outside of work

“Am I making the best of this moment?”

(Carlson, 1998)
 Leadership Shadowing Experience:
The Role of the Charge Nurse
■ How did this experience enhance my knowledge of the charge nurse
position?
– Was able to observe the duties and expectations of a charge
nurse on a daily basis
– Able to observe the flow of meetings
■ Morning Huddle and Grand Rounds
– Role in critical situations
■ Code Blue and Rapid Response
– Assigning nurses to patients
■ Based on skill level, patient acuity, and familiarity of the unit
– General plan of care of each patient on the unit
– Each day is different
 Professional Activity:
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
■ How did ACLS enhance my knowledge?
– Learned the medications and doses that come along with life
support

– Able to apply to any unit I am placed on

– Important to realize the timing and importance of each step in life

support

– Able to apply certain parts in a non-hospital setting

– A preferred certification for critical care units

 Educational Plan
■ Personal Aspirations:
– Willing to learn new things
– Work on a critical care unit
– Achieve a Doctorate in Nursing Practice
■ Potential Opportunities:
– Travel Nursing
– Obtaining licenses for different states
■ Short Term Goals:
– Complete a New Grad Residency Program with clinical and classroom
education
– Be observant and eager to learn during first few years as a nurse
■ Long Term Goals:
– Doctorate of Nursing Practice
– Be involved in research for Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations
 Timeline of Goals

Start New Grad

Residency Work on a Leadership
Pass NCLEX (2-3 Critical Care Position (3-4 Obtain DNP (4-
Months) Program (4-5 5 years)
Unit (1-3 years) years)
months)
 References
Carlson, R. (1998).Don’t sweat the small stuff at work: Simple ways to minimize stress and
conflict while bringing out the best in yourself and others. New York, NY: Hyperion.