In the recent years, the nursing field has become one of the largest job growth all around the world. Nursing is a profession embedded in the principles of professionalism of care, dedication, and commitment. As a nursing student, I’ve learned to so many different diseases, prevention and treatments. I remember as a young child, I have witnessed my grandfather showing signs of heart problems due to high potassium level. I was there next to him while watching all the nurses and health care staffs taking care of him right when he first stepped into the Emergency Department and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) later on. As I watched all the nurses helping my grandfather during his critical condition, it motivated me to become a nurse. I want to be able to help people during their most vulnerable time of their lives. This paper will cover all specialty areas in nursing that I am interested in working in the future, as well as nursing journals and nursing organizations that will benefit me in the specialties that I have chosen.
One area that I’d like to specialized in is in the medical surgical unit. The reason that I am interested in specialized in this area because the unit has a wide variety of illness and diseases. As a nursing student, I believe that it is important to continue on practicing and maintaining the all the nursing skills that I’ve learned through out the years. Moreover, a medical surgical nurse will learn how to become a skilled multi-tasker, as well as learning about to prioritize tasks. Another area that I’d like to specialized in is to become a critical care nurse. During my advanced medical surgical clinical rotation, I’ve enjoyed taken care of patients in the intensive care unit by myself. The reason why I preferred to work in ICU because it is a challenge to my critical thinking skills and knowledge. I also love the fact that I will be focusing on just one or two patients in a shift. I find that it is very fascinating to work with all the advanced technoloiges. Usually, the patients are sedated and attached to the ventilator, various wires to monitor their vital signs. Working in an ICU setting is very fast paced because there are so many tasks you have to do for your patients. Little changes in your patient’s condition required constant monitoring and being able to know what interventions that comes with it. Another specialty that I am interested in is to become a nurse practitioner. I would love to become a nurse practitioner because I will be able to work closely with doctors, performing examinations, prescribing medications, and diagnosing various diseases and illnesses.
One of the nursing journals that would be beneficial for nursing students as well as nursing employees is the American Journal of Nursing (AJN). This nursing journal includes “peer reviewed and evidence based clinical and descriptions of best clinical practices” (AJN, 2018). This subscription will allow you to have opportunities to further your education your career in the healthcare practice. Moreover, their platform provides multiple resources, health care news, and commentaries that are not used only by nurses, but even patients as well. Furthermore, AJN is especially helpful for me because this journal also provides legal advice. I believe that as a health care, you will eventually run into legal issues, for instance; when a patient denied of treatments or when patient decided to leave the nursing facility even when their condition is still critical. Another nursing journal that would be beneficial for me is the Clinical Nurse Specialist journal. This journal is designed to “provide the need-to-know clinical information and the latest research” (2018). While working as a nurse, it is important and beneficial to keep up to date with all the skills and knowledge in this field. Especially the updates on drugs, management strategies, and quality assurance. Another journal that I will be interested to subscribe is the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP).
A professional nursing organization that I am interested in joining is the American Nurses Association (ANA). This organization “fosters nursing practice, promote safe and work environment, and advocating health care issues” (ANA, 2018). Moreover, ANA has empowered nurses for so many years and it is beneficial for all Registered Nurses (RN) in the delivery of care, as well as improving health care work environment. This organization is absolutely beneficial for me in all the specialty areas that I’ve chosen because it is a way to ensure that my patients are receiving all the essential health care services and ensuring that my patients are staying safe. Another nursing affiliation that I could join is the Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma). Sigma “focus on education, leadership, career development, and research” (SIGMA, 2018). This organization would be beneficial for me because it is a way for me to move my specialty forwards since it offers continue education. After I finished my BSN program, I will continue to pursue further education and ultimately become a nurse practitioner. Moreover, Sigma offers interactive learning activities with variety learning formats that are available for nursing students. International Council of Nurses (ICN) is another organization that I could join as an undergraduate nursing student. This international organization “influences nursing and health policy with nursing articles, practice innovation, and nursing education” (ICN, 2018). This organization will be beneficial for me because it is a way for me to keep up with the health care policies around the world. I might travel to a different part of the country to work as a nurse, therefore, it will be helpful to learn the health care policies globally.
There are numerous benefits for nurses to join a professional association. No matter what specialty areas that you are working in, joining an association is a way to create networking opportunities and a way to become an active leader in the nursing profession.