Posted: March 31st, 2023

Comparing Nursing Specialties

Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition – 2015Links to an external site.. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524
Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizationsLinks to an external site.. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519.
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organizationLinks to an external site.. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.
Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing JournalLinks to an external site., 27(1), 2-4.
Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)Links to an external site.. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing
Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template Download Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template(Word document)
Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of Practice or Competencies:

Nursing Informatics
Ebook: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practiceLinks to an external site. (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

“The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing Informatics” (pp. 18–39)
Nursing Education
Website: Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Eeducators
National League for Nursing. (2022). Nurse educator core competencyLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.nln.org/education/nursing-education-competencies/core-competencies-for-academic-nurse-educators

Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study.

Nurse Executive
Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competenciesLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Public Health Nursing
Website: Public Health Nursing Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competenciesLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.cphno.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/QCC-C-PHN-COMPETENCIES-Approved_2018.05.04_Final-002.pdf

American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practiceLinks to an external site. (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.
APRN
Website: APRN Consensus Model
APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & educationLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Care NP Competencies
Website: AGAC and ACPC NP Competencies
Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competenciesLinks to an external site.. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
Website: Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner core competenciesLinks to an external site.. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Programs
Website: Nurse Practitioner Programs
National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. (2016). Criteria for evaluation of Nurse Practitioner programsLinks to an external site. (5th ed.). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf

Population-Focused NP Competencies
Website: Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies
Population-Focused Competencies Task Force. (2013). Population-focused Nurse Practitioner competencies.Links to an external site. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Competencies/Compil

To Prepare:

Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty in the resources for this week.
Review the MSN specializations offered at Walden by viewing the week resource, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Examine professional organizations related to the specialization you have chosen and identify at least one to focus on for this Assignment.
Reflect on the thoughts you shared in the Discussion forum regarding your choice of a specialty, any challenges you have encountered in making this choice, and any feedback you have received from colleagues in the Discussion.

The Assignment:

Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.

With the resources specific to the MSN specialization and the, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), shared in this week, write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table, comparing at least two nursing specialties that include your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
Write a 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this Week’s Discussion forum.
Identify the professional organization related to your chosen specialization for this Assignment, and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.

Comparing Nursing Specialties

When it comes to pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specialization, it’s crucial to make an informed decision based on one’s interests, strengths, and career goals. This article aims to provide a detailed comparison of two nursing specialties: Nursing Informatics and Nurse Executive, while also explaining the reasons for selecting Nursing Informatics as the chosen MSN specialization.

Nursing Informatics vs. Nurse Executive: A Comparative Overview

Nursing Informatics: Nursing Informatics is a rapidly evolving field that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to optimize healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and enhance communication among healthcare professionals. It focuses on utilizing technology to manage patient data, enhance clinical decision-making, and streamline workflow processes. Professionals in this field bridge the gap between healthcare and technology, making them crucial in a technologically advancing healthcare landscape.

Nurse Executive: Nurse Executives are responsible for leading and managing healthcare organizations, overseeing nursing staff, and implementing strategic plans to enhance patient care quality and operational efficiency. They play a pivotal role in shaping organizational policies, managing budgets, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Nurse Executives are crucial in maintaining a balance between administrative and clinical aspects of healthcare settings.

Justification for Choosing Nursing Informatics

The decision to pursue Nursing Informatics as an MSN specialization is grounded in the belief that technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. As discussed in the Week’s Discussion forum, Nursing Informatics aligns with personal interests in technology and healthcare. Colleague feedback highlighted the growing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between clinical practice and information technology. This specialization not only offers an opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects but also contributes to improved patient care through effective data management and informed decision-making.

Becoming an Active Member of a Professional Organization

For those choosing Nursing Informatics as their specialization, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) offers an excellent platform to become an active member. Joining AMIA provides access to a vast network of professionals, conferences, webinars, and resources that foster learning and collaboration. As a member, one can participate in discussions, contribute to research, and stay updated with the latest trends in medical informatics. By engaging with AMIA, individuals can contribute to the advancement of nursing informatics and shape the future of healthcare technology.

In conclusion, selecting an MSN specialization is a pivotal step towards shaping a successful nursing career. While Nursing Informatics and Nurse Executive both offer distinct opportunities, the alignment of personal interests and the transformative potential of technology led to the choice of Nursing Informatics. Becoming an active member of professional organizations, such as AMIA, further enhances the prospects for professional growth and contribution to the chosen field.

References:

Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition – 2015. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competencies. Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing