Domain 10: Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development

Domain 10: Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development

 Descriptor: Participation in activities and self-reflection that foster personal health, resilience, and well-being; contribute to lifelong learning; and support the acquisition of nursing expertise and the assertion of leadership. 

Contextual Statement: Competency in personal, professional, and leadership development encompasses three areas: 1) development of the nurse as an individual who is resilient, agile, and capable of adapting to ambiguity and change; 2) development of the nurse as a professional responsible for lifelong learning and ongoing self-reflection; and 3) development of the nurse as a leader proficient in asserting control, influence, and power in professional and personal contexts, which includes advocacy for patients and the nursing profession as leaders within the healthcare arena. Development of these dimensions requires a commitment to personal growth, sustained expansion of professional knowledge and expertise, and determined leadership practice in a variety of contexts. 

Graduates must develop attributes and skills critical to the viability of the profession and practice environments. The aim is to promote diversity and retention in the profession, self-awareness, avoidance of stress-induced emotional and mental exhaustion, and re-direction of energy from negative perceptions to positive influence through leadership opportunities. 

10.1 Demonstrate a commitment to personal health and well-being. 

10.1c Contribute to an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, and well-being. 

10.1d Evaluate the workplace environment to determine level of health and well-being. 

10.2 Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry that fosters flexibility and professional maturity. 

10.2g Demonstrate cognitive flexibility in managing change within complex environments. 

10.2h Mentor others in the development of their professional growth and accountability. 

10.2i Foster activities that support a culture of lifelong learning. 

10.2j Expand leadership skills through professional service. 

10.3 Develop capacity for leadership. 

10.3j Provide leadership to advance the nursing profession. 

10.3k Influence intentional change guided by leadership principles and theories. 

10.3l Evaluate the outcomes of intentional change. 

10.3m Evaluate strategies/methods for peer review 

10.3n Participate in the evaluation of other members of the care team. 

10.3o Demonstrate leadership skills in times of uncertainty and crisis. 

10.3p Advocate for the promotion of social justice and eradication of structural racism and systematic inequity in nursing and society. 

10.3q Advocate for the nursing profession in a manner that is consistent, positive, relevant, accurate, and distinctive. 

(American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021, pp. 53-54)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. AACNnursing.   https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Publications/Essentials-2021.pdf

Related Evidence

In the NURS 7105: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice and Research course, I conducted a concept analysis of burnout and presented the findings in a PowerPoint presentation. This assignment aimed to clarify the definition of burnout within the context of nursing practice. Using Walker and Avant’s (2019) method of concept analysis, I identified key attributes, antecedents, and consequences associated with the phenomenon. Antecedents included heavy workloads, long working hours, and poor leadership. At the same time, consequences encompassed physical and mental health symptoms such as frequent headaches and gastrointestinal issues, decreased job performance, and reduced staff retention (Dall’Ora et al., 2021). The analysis further revealed that burnout negatively impacts the quality of patient care and staff retention. Implications for research suggest the need for cost-effective, real-world interventions that organizations can implement to circumvent workplace conditions that lead to burnout. From an educational perspective, this analysis emphasized the importance of teaching healthcare professionals to identify burnout risk factors, recognize early symptoms, and apply practical strategies at both clinical and administrative levels.

As part of the NURS 7117: Leadership course, I participated in Nurses Day at the Capital and subsequently wrote a reflective paper discussing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences at this event. This was my first visit to the state capital, and the experience proved to be very educational. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the large number of attendees; however, during my follow-up research on involvement in the legislative process, I learned that amassing a large crowd of concerned citizens can be an effective tool for capturing the attention of legislative representatives (Fitch, 2010). While attending the event itself was a valuable learning experience, the reflective writing portion of the assignment improved my understanding of the legislative process by allowing me to examine the day's events and reflect on their significance. This process significantly enhanced my understanding of the important role nurses play in shaping health policy and influencing legislative change.

Reflection

 The concept analysis of burnout was particularly beneficial to me as a healthcare worker. Because I have experienced burnout multiple times throughout my nursing career, this assignment both enhanced my understanding of the phenomenon and helped me identify practical strategies that I can apply professionally and personally. This knowledge contributed to my achievement of Domain 10.1c, “Contribute to an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, and well-being" (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021, p. 53).

 The Nurses Day at the Capital assignment greatly enhanced my understanding of the influential roles that both professional organizations and individual citizens can play in shaping policy and legislative change. This experience inspired me to take a more active interest in healthcare policy and motivated me to achieve Domain 10.3q, “Advocate for the nursing profession in a manner that is consistent, positive, relevant, accurate, and distinctive" (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021, p.54) thorough maintaining membership in professional nursing organizations.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. AACNnursing.   https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Publications/Essentials-2021.pdf

Dall’Ora, C., Ball, J., Reinius, M., & Griffiths, P. (2021). Burnout in nursing: A theoretical review. Human Resources for Health, 19(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00576-6

Fitch, B. (2010). Citizen’s handbook to influencing elected officials: Citizen advocacy in state legislatures and congress. TheCapitol.Net, Inc.

Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (2019). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (6th ed.). Pearson.