Assignment research

Academic and Professional Success Plan Template

Prepared by:

Blessing C Okafor

Module 1 | Part 1: Developing an Academic and Professional Network

I have identified and secured the participation of the following academic (at least two) and professional (at least two) individuals and/or teams to form the basis of my network. This network will help me to clarify my vision for success and will help guide me now and in the future.

Directions: Complete the information below for each member of your network. For more than four entries repeat the items below with details of your additional network member(s) in the ‘ADDITIONAL NETWORK MEMBERS’ section.

NETWORK MEMBER 1

Name: Matthew Tierney

Title: MS, CNS, ANP, PMHNP, FAAN.

Organization: American psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Matthew Tierney is currently the president of APNA; I met Matthew during the APNA 34TH Annual conference in October 2021; I spoke with him about my goal of opening a psychiatric facility, and he encouraged me to go back to school and obtain my master in psychiatric, he also told me to email him if I need any help. He would be glad to help me. I selected him because we are in the same organization, and he has his masters in psychiatry. He is a great motivation to me, and he will greatly help me.

NETWORK MEMBER 2

Name: Stephanie croon

Title: MSN, RN, NPD-BC

Organization: American Psychiatric Nurses Association

Academic or Professional: Professional

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Stephanie is a member of the APNA and a senior nurse educator. I met Stephanie when I went to visit my cousin while I was in undergraduate nursing school, and since then, I have kept in contact with her. She introduced me to APNA in 2020; when I told her I was considering doing my master’s, she recommended Walden University. I chose her because she has been a great help in linking me to some helpful resources, and she said I could call her if I needed help with my studies

NETWORK MEMBER 3

Name: Cutchen, Brad

Title: Sr Enrollment Specialist

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: Cutchen Brad was the first person I spoke to before deciding on Walden University. He was all through with me until I got settled; he linked me to many resources and organizations that would be helpful to me on my journey to becoming a PMHNP. I chose him because he is always willing to help, and he always answers my questions or refers me to someone who can answer my questions.

NETWORK MEMBER 4

Name: Rodney Turner

Title: Academic Adviser

Organization: Walden University

Academic or Professional: Academic

Why I selected this individual and/or team and how they will support my success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse:

Notes: When I got admitted to Walden university, I was assigned to Rodney as my advisor. Although I haven’t spoken to her yet, she was my sister’s advisor when my sister was at Walden university, and my sister told me a lot about how she helped her throughout her journey in school. I chose her because I am confident I will get a lot of help from her while in school with academic-related questions

Module 2 | Part 2: Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity and Professional Ethics

I have analyzed the relationship between academic integrity and writing, as well as the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics. I have also identified strategies I intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of my academic work while a student of the MSN program, as well as my professional work as a nurse throughout my career. The results of these efforts are shared below.

Directions: In the space below craft your analysis/writing sample, including Part 1 (The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity) and Part 2 (Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work).

Part 1: Writing Sample: The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity

In the space below write a 2- 3-paragraph analysis that includes the following:

· Explanation for the relationship between academic integrity and writing

· Explanation for the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics

· Cite at least 2 resources that support your arguments, being sure to use proper APA formatting.

· Use Grammarly and SafeAssign to improve the product.

· Explain how Grammarly, Safe Assign, and paraphrasing contributes to academic integrity

Section 1: Academic Integrity in relation to Professional Integrity

There are close relations involving academic integrity and writing. The academic integrity refers to the commitment towards upholding the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all aspects of one’s academic work (Adhiambo, 2019). Academic integrity would include avoiding plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication. On the other hand, writing refers to the process of articulating an individuals’ ideas through a written form. Academic integrity is essential because it is the cornerstone of any educational enterprise as it allows scholars to trust in their colleagues’ work and build upon it. Secondly, academic integrity is essential for ensuring that students receive a fair and accurate assessment of their work. Cheating and plagiarism undermine the validity of grades and reviews and make it difficult for instructors to evaluate students fairly. Academic integrity protects the reputation of the individual and the institution (Adhiambo, 2019). There are several ways to maintain academic integrity in one’s writing: being honest about one’s sources, ideas, and data, following institutional guidelines, and avoiding plagiarism. 

The connection between scholarly ethics and professional conduct is complicated. Professionals or specialists are generally mandated to adhere to ethics rules of conduct which commonly regulate effective workforce. On the other hand, scholarly ethics are concerned with ethical issues while conducting research and writing papers. Maintenance of ethics forms among the significant aspects of the nurses (Dehghani, 2020). In general, professional practices are more concerned with the day-to-day conduct of professionals, while scholarly ethics are more concerned with ethical research issues. Professional codes of conduct typically set the standards nursing professionals must uphold daily. Scholarly ethics focus more on moral issues, including questions about the appropriate use of data, the correct way to cite sources, and the need to avoid plagiarism.

Grammarly, Safe Assign, and Paraphrasing contribute to academic integrity by helping users produce original, well-written work that is free of plagiarism. Grammarly is a software application that checks for grammar and spelling errors (Curtis& Tremayne, 2021). Grammarly can also be used to check for plagiarism in both written and electronic sources, making it an invaluable tool for preventing academic dishonesty. Safe Assigns a similar software application that checks for plagiarism in written and electronic sources and online sources, such as websites and journals. Paraphrasing is the process of rewriting a piece of text in your own words. Paraphrasing may be a form of cheating and can lead to severe consequences; therefore, it is essential to cite all sources used in a paper or project. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty can lead to serious ethical consequences.

PART 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work

Expand on your thoughts from Part 1 by:

Identifying and describing strategies you intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of your 1) academic work while a student of the MSN program, and 2) professional work as a nurse throughout your career. Include a review of resources and approaches you propose to use as a student and a professional.

A Master of Science Student in nursing can use different strategies to maintain the integrity and ethics of their academic work. Such strategies include adhering to the codes of conduct and ethical principles of the nursing as a career (Bah & Sey-Sawo, 2018) as well as being honest and transparent in all aspects of their academic work. Other strategies are refusing to engage in any form of academic dishonesty or cheating and ensuring that all sources used in academic work are properly cited. Safe Assign is one of the resources that, as a student, I would use to keep checking my academic work to avoidplagiarism that would bring integrity issues.

Additionally, there are many strategies that a nurse can use to maintain the integrity and ethics of their professional work. Some strategies include adhering to the ethics requirements set out by American Nurses Association (ANA) that provides nurses with a set of principles and values to guide their professional practice. Secondly, keeping up with the latest research and developments in the nursing field and remaining honest and transparent in professional dealings (Bah & Sey-Sawo, 2018). Abiding by the ANA provisions is one approach that facilitates professional practice as a nurse.  

References

Adhiambo, V. R. (2019). The Connection between Academic and Professional Integrity: A Review. 
East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 
1(1), 12-31.

Curtis, G. J., & Tremayne, K. (2021). Is plagiarism really on the rise? Results from four 5-yearly surveys. 
Studies in Higher Education, 
46(9), 1816-1826.

Dehghani, A. (2020). Factors affecting professional ethics development in students: A qualitative study. 
Nursing ethics, 
27(2), 461-469.

Module 3 | Part 3: Research Analysis

I have identified one topic of interest for further study. I have researched and identified one peer-reviewed research article focused on this topic and have analyzed this article. The results of these efforts are shared below.

Directions: Complete Step 1 by using the table and subsequent space below identify and analyze the research article you have selected. Complete Step 2 by summarizing in 2-3 paragraphs the results of your analysis using the space identified.

Step 1: Research Analysis

Complete the table below

Step 2: Summary of Analysis

Craft a summary (2-3 paragraph) below that includes the following:

·
Describe your approach to identifying and analyzing peer-reviewed research

·
Identify at least two strategies that you would use that you found to be effective in finding peer-reviewed research

·
Identify at least one resource you intend to use in the future to find peer-reviewed research

Module 6 | Part 4: Finalizing the Plan

I have considered various options for my nursing specialty, including a close look at my selected (or currently preferred) specialty and second-preferred specialty. I have also developed a justification of my selected (or preferred) specialty. Lastly, I have examined one professional organization related to my selected or preferred specialty and considered how I can become a member of this organization.

The results of my efforts are below.

Directions: Complete Step 1 by writing 2-3 paragraphs in the space below comparing the nursing specialty you have selected – or the one you prefer if your choice is still under consideration – to your second preference. Identify each specialty and describe the focus and the role that graduates are prepared for. Identify any other differentiators you feel are significant, especially those that helped or may help you reach a decision.

Complete Step 2 by writing a paragraph identifying and justifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Be sure to incorporate any feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.

Complete Step 3 by examining and identifying one professional organization related to your selected or preferred specialty. Explain how you can become a member of this organization.

Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties

Use the space below to write 2-3 paragraphs comparing the nursing specialty you have selected – or the one you prefer if your choice is still under consideration – to your second preference. Identify each specialty and describe the focus and the role that graduates are prepared for. Identify any other differentiators you feel are significant, especially those that helped or may help you reach a decision.

Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty

Use the space below to write a paragraph identifying and justifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Be sure to incorporate any feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.

Step 3: Professional Organizations

Use the space below to identify and examine one professional organization related to your selected or preferred specialty. Explain how you can become a member of this organization.

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