Professional Progress Summary

NURS 431- Transition to Professional Nursing Practice

Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to address the students attainment of all eight behaviors and/or
competencies that are specific outcomes of the program including: critical thinking, nursing
practice, communication, teaching, research, leadership, professionalism, and culture.

Student Approach to Assignment

This paper summarizes the progression that I have made from my junior to senior year. Specific
examples provide insight into exactly how I grew in the eight core curriculum objectives. I am
able to highlight my personal progress as I move towards becoming a registered nurse. This
paper is an excellent reflection of my experiences in nursing school.

Reason for Inclusion of the Assignment in the Portfolio

This assignment is included in the portfolio because it showcases my progress in the eight core
curriculum behaviors of: critical thinking, nursing practice, communication, teaching, research,
leadership, professionalism, and culture. It is a required component in my portfolio that
highlights how I fulfilled a number of the end program outcomes.

Critical Thinking
Uses nursing and other appropriate theories and models to guide professional practice.
Example: See page 2 paragraph 2 (Junior year)
Uses decision-making skills in making clinical or professional judgments.
Example: See page 3 paragraph 1 (Senior year)

Nursing Practice
Demonstrates an awareness of complementary modalities and their usefulness in
promoting health.
Example: See page 3 paragraph 2 (Junior year)
Applies appropriate knowledge of major health problems to guide nursing practice.
Example: See page 4 paragraph 1 (Senior year)

Communication
Uses therapeutic communication within the nurse-patient relationship.
Example: See page 4 paragraph 2 (Junior year)
Expresses oneself and communicates effectively with diverse groups and disciplines using
a variety of media in a variety of contexts.
Example: See page 5 paragraph 1 (Senior year)
 Teaching
Uses information technologies and other appropriate methods to communicate health
promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention across the lifespan.
Example: See page 5 paragraph 1 (Junior year)
Provides relevant and sensitive health education information and counseling to patients,
and families, in a variety of situations and settings.
Example: See page 6 paragraph 1 (Senior year)

Research
Applies research-based knowledge from the arts, humanities and sciences to complement
nursing practice
Example: See page 6 paragraph 2 (Junior year)
Evaluates research that focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of nursing interventions
Example: See page 7 paragraph 1 (Senior year)

Leadership
Articulates the values of the profession and the role of the nurse as member of the
interdisciplinary health care team
Example: See page 7 paragraph 2 (Junior year)
Initiates community partnership to establish health promotion goals and implements
strategies to meet those goals
Example: See page 8 paragraph 1 (Senior year)

Professionalism
Advocates for professional standards of practice using organizational and political
processes.
Example: See page 8 paragraph 2 (Junior year)
Demonstrates accountability for ones own professional practice.
Example: See page 8 paragraph 3 (Senior year)

Culture
Articulates an understanding of how human behavior is affected by culture, race,
religion, gender, lifestyle, and age.
Example: See page 9 paragraph 1 (Junior year)
Demonstrates sensitivity to personal and cultural definitions of health, and how these
beliefs influence an individuals reactions to the illness experience and end of life.
Example: See page 9 paragraph 2 (Senior year)