Knowledge Domain of Professional Identity in Nursing.

The knowledge domain of professional identity in nursing is the analysis and application of information derived from experiences, critical reflection, and scientific discovery from nursing and other disciplines. Knowledge guides role clarity, decision-making, and advocacy. Key concepts described in this column include mindset, innovation, clinical judgment, and reflection. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(7):328-330].

Values and Ethics Domain for Professional Identity in Nursing.

A crucial domain of professional identity in nursing is the area of values and ethics. Comprising a set of core values and principles, values and ethics are used to guide nurse conduct. Professional development specialists can use the nursing code of ethics and organizational structure and examples to teach nurses the values and ethics domain of professional identity in nursing. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(6):279-281.].

Using the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model to Promote Nurse Education and Competency: An Exemplar.

Nurses in all settings need the clinical judgment ability to care for clients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances. An educational activity was developed using the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model to provide nursing professional development specialists with a tool to support the competency of nurses caring for these clients. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(2):59-61].

Nurse as Leader, A Pillar of Professional Identity.

The nurse as leader is a critical pillar of nursing professional identity to support ongoing development of nurses in a safe, effective, and healthy work environment. Defined as "inspiring self and others to transform a shared vision into reality" (University of Kansas School of Nursing, 2023), the Nurse as Leader Pillar is developed throughout a nurse's career. Starting with nursing school, students must learn nursing leadership skills and develop and integrate leadership characteristics into their practice. Professional development specialists must embed these characteristics into nursing education, as all nurses are leaders. Current nurses in practice must set the stage and model leadership in their environment as new nurses are introduced into the profession. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(11):497-500.].

Teaching Professional Comportment.

Professional comportment is critical to the development of professional nurses. An essential component of professional identity, professional comportment should be integrated into lifelong learning. Defined as a nurse's professional behavior, it is "demonstrated through words, actions, and presence" (University of Kansas Medical Center). Students must learn professional comportment, and practicing nurses will need to become knowledgeable to meet the needs of the new generation of nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(5):204-207.].

Taking a Breath: A Systematic Approach to the Development of an Altered Airway eLearning Module by Unit Council Nurses.

After a needs assessment for care of patients with altered airways was performed, gaps in educational materials were identified and hospital learning management system educational resources were created/updated. Frontline nurses and clinical and administrative leaders developed four modules to enhance the care of patients with altered airways. This article describes how professional development specialists could teach nurses how to develop clinical educational modules for specialized populations. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(4):153-156.].

American Academy of Nursing consensus recommendations to advance system level change for nurse well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required close examination of workforce-related stressors that over decades have contributed to widespread burnout, negative health outcomes, including mental health outcomes, and the loss of the well-educated professionals who are the future of the nursing profession. In the United States and globally, evidence points to factors known to diminish well-being, including inequities, issues of minority status, persistent discrimination, and demanding work environments. The American Academy of Nursing (AAN), dedicated to organizational excellence, nursing leadership and evidence-based policy, develops statements reflecting its mission and those of its nursing affiliates and corporate member, The American Nurses Association. Within nursing, despite the efforts of its members toward advancement, professional fulfillment is often constrained by the systems in which nurses practice and workplace factors over which they have little control. Action by key organizations to initiate changes at systems levels in workplace safety, to increase professional mobility, and propel policies that increase access to health care resources could improve nurse well-being. This paper proposes recommendations from the AAN Expert Panels on Building Health Care System Excellence, Psychiatric Mental Health and Substance Use, and Global Health Expert Panels for the American Academy of Nursing to leverage related policy in the arenas of government and professional/healthcare organizations. Transforming health care work environments and advancing nurse well-being and equity can be accomplished through key, innovative policy changes. These will be achieved through collaboration among associations, organizations, nonprofit groups, and with the public and the media.

Teaching Evolving Information and Guidelines Using Technology.

Evidence-based practice can provide a guideline for teaching evolving information and guidelines related to communicable diseases. Teaching nurses with technology and the social constructivism framework allows for the transmission of knowledge and identification of knowledge limitations. The current health care challenges related to infectious diseases have provided opportunities for expanding how nurses are educated about evolving guidelines. This article provides an example of teaching nurses using the chain of infection. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(2):58-60.].

Using a Strategy Process Framework to Support the Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Initiative to Improve Clinical Judgment of Newly Hired Nurses.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is foundational to nursing practice, but initiatives can be challenging to implement and sustain. A strategic process framework can successfully guide EBP initiatives. This column describes how nursing professional development specialists can teach nurses how to use a strategy process framework to guide an EBP initiative. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(11):483-485.].

Teaching Nurses How to Create a Personal and Professional Development Plan.

Teaching nurses how to create a personal and professional development plan is important to help them structure measurable, obtainable personal and career goals. Meaningful goals and metrics for career growth are critical to nurses' professional development. As nurses learn about creating a personal and professional development plan, they can personalize their nursing journey. This column describes how professional development specialists can teach nurses to create a personal and professional development plan. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(10):438-441.].

Developing a Statewide Research Compendium: Key Points and Steps for Success.

Engaging clinical nurses in nursing research requires value for the nurses and a structured process. One way to involve nurses in research is through development of a research compendium. A professional development specialist can lead the creation of a research compendium. Identifying key stakeholders, developing a technologic infrastructure, piloting the compendium, gaining feedback, and identifying outcomes that will be evaluated are key. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(3):106-108.].

Adapting Civility Education in an Academic-Practice Partnership.

BACKGROUND: Incivility results in nurse burnout, decreased job performance, and decreased patient safety. Leaders of an academic-practice partnership developed educational activities promoting organizational civility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to describe an educational activity about civility that was transitioned to a virtual platform and participants' comfort engaging in and responding to incivility. METHOD: Face-to-face education was converted to a synchronous online event, supporting 75 nurses, nursing students, and other health care professionals in attendance. Activities consisted of cognitive rehearsal techniques, breakout rooms, simulation videos, group debriefs, and panel discussions delivered via Zoom and Mentimeter software. RESULTS: Workplace Civility Index results were significantly different from pretest to post-test. Seventy-two percent of participants were not comfortable gossiping about others, but only 30% were comfortable responding to incivility. CONCLUSION: Promoting civility awareness through a virtual education platform using cognitive rehearsal techniques and reflection can provide support for current and future nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(12):575-580.].

Preparing and Leading Nurses to Complete an Organizational Assessment.

The ability to perform an organizational assessment is a valuable skill for nurses to have as we continue to equip nurses to lead in organizations. Organizational assessments are used to assess an organization before any change. This column discusses how to prepare and lead nurses to perform an organizational assessment. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(12):550-553.].

Using Participatory Design to Mitigate Hospital Patient Falls.

Participatory design can involve, empower, and facilitate those stake-holders (health care providers, nurses, professional development experts, patients, and patients' families) who can positively impact patient falls through the design process. Participatory design can help participants identify effective solutions to prevent patient falls and solve other health care problems. This article guides professional development specialists on how to use participatory design to solve health care problems with a focus on fall reduction. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(8):359-361.].

Leadership Experiences in a Healthy Work Environment.

To continue nursing leadership development experiences in a virtual world requires planning and perseverance. Given the current landscape of health care, a view toward healthy work environment experiences is critical to maintain participant engagement while meeting educational objectives. This article outlines the steps and key points important in developing healthy work environment nursing leadership experiences. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(7):309-311.].

Professional Development of Primary Care RNs.

Primary care (PC) nurses have challenges and barriers to professional development. This article describes how a Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Leader Student Consulting Team identified PC nurses' challenges to engaging in professional development opportunities in a clinic at Eskenazi Health. The authors spotlighted and made suggestions for modifications of the professional development opportunities for PC nurses in the health care organization. Key points include how the team assessed for challenges, identified stakeholders for the process, and identified and tailored professional development opportunities for the PC nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(4):165-167.].

Professional Development of Interprofessional Evidence-Based Practice Education.

Health care professionals must be adept at conducting and using evidence-based practice (EBP). No best method to teach EBP to health care providers exists. This article outlines the steps and key points found to be important when developing and teaching EBP to interprofessional executive health care teams. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(5):214-216.].

Innovative Opportunities for Civility: Professional Development in a Time of COVID-19.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing professional development has spurred innovative teaching efforts by educators. The application of new technology provided innovative support for participant engagement and allowed for evaluation of civility education learning outcomes. A technology expert provided necessary support in a live virtual environment. A planned dress rehearsal prior to the live event ensured the functionality of the virtual platform. The versatility of the new technology allowed breakout rooms and interactive software applications. Nursing professional development practitioners can use these tips to reimagine other face-to-face educational activities into a virtual platform. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(1):11-12.].

Educating a Diverse Nursing Staff: One Hospital's Tips for Success.

Identifying process breaks that increase risks to patient safety in hospitals results in the need for educational interventions. These interventions must be effective to meet the needs of a diverse nursing staff. Finding ways to best reach nursing staff and overcome challenges requires creative solutions to keep a large, diverse nursing staff up-to-date on current and best practices. Strategies include blended learning, electronic distribution, and educational flyers to provide a variety of formats to meet the educational needs within the organization. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(11):498-500.].

Reducing Nursing Specimen Collection Errors.

Specimen labeling errors in health care are costly. Using multiple educational interventions reduced specimen labeling errors and cost. Strategies included collaborative development of educational posters, compelling specimen mislabeling error stories, posting labeling results monthly, and providing real-time charge nurse notification of mislabeled/unlabeled specimens. Nurse educators can easily teach staff to implement these strategies. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(10):450-452.].