Name
Western Governors University
E225 Emerging Professional Practice
Prof. Name
Date
What are your short-term (one-year) goals?
My primary short-term objective is to successfully complete the RN to BSN program within one academic year. I have demonstrated strong academic discipline by completing ten courses within the first six months of enrollment, placing me ahead of schedule. With only three courses remaining, I anticipate graduating by the end of May 2023—approximately four months earlier than my original target of September 2023. This accelerated progress reflects both my commitment to professional growth and my ability to manage academic rigor effectively.
In addition to academic advancement, my practicum experience alongside a Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner significantly reinforced my long-standing aspiration to become a Nurse Practitioner. This exposure strengthened my clinical insight and clarified my long-term career direction. Completing the BSN represents a foundational milestone that prepares me for graduate-level education and advanced practice roles.
What are your intermediate (three-year) goals?
Within the next three years, my goal is to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Nurse Practitioner concentration. Concurrently, I plan to obtain certification through the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE). I currently meet the required clinical practice hours to sit for the certification examination. Achieving this credential will allow me to formally expand my scope of practice as a diabetes educator.
In my current position as a Triage Nurse and Diabetes Educator in an Internal Medicine outpatient clinic, my ability to bill independently for diabetes education services is limited due to the absence of board certification. I have proactively engaged in discussions with clinic leadership regarding post-certification billing privileges. Successful certification will enhance clinic revenue, support organizational goals, and result in increased compensation and professional autonomy for me. Additionally, it will enable me to function as an independent contractor across diverse healthcare settings.
What are your long-term (five-year) goals?
By the five-year mark, I envision myself as an established CBDCE-certified nurse operating both within my primary workplace and independently as a contracted provider. I also intend to pursue a doctoral degree to further expand my leadership capacity, academic credibility, and long-term earning potential. Doctoral preparation will allow me to contribute meaningfully to evidence-based practice, healthcare education, and policy development.
From a personal perspective, I plan to purchase my ideal home, including amenities that support wellness and work-life balance. In addition, I aspire to invest in commercial real estate by opening an event hall—an entrepreneurial goal I have cultivated for more than two decades. Achieving these milestones will enable me to prioritize self-care, travel, and quality time with my daughter and grandson. Ultimately, my long-term vision centers on retiring in good health, financial security, and personal fulfillment.
| Time Frame | Goals | Current Status / Planned Actions | Expected Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Year | Complete RN to BSN program | Ahead of schedule; graduation anticipated May 2023 | BSN completion and readiness for graduate study |
| Three Years | Obtain MSN and CBDCE certification | Eligible for certification exam; leadership discussions ongoing | Increased autonomy, higher income, billing privileges |
| Five Years | Doctoral education, independent practice, home and business ownership | Financial and academic planning underway | Career advancement, financial independence, personal fulfillment |
What are the requirements to maintain your current certifications?
I currently hold certifications as a Delegating Nurse and Case Manager. These credentials do not require ongoing continuing education units (CEUs) or periodic renewal. However, maintaining active CPR certification is mandatory, with renewal required every two years to ensure competency in life-saving interventions and adherence to clinical safety standards.
What are the requirements to obtain and maintain your desired future certifications?
To maintain CBDCE certification, I will be required to complete a minimum of 1,000 documented practice hours in diabetes care within each five-year certification cycle. Additionally, 75 continuing education hours focused on diabetes management must be completed during the same period. These requirements ensure continued clinical competence, professional growth, and alignment with evolving evidence-based standards in diabetes education.
What educational qualifications are needed to achieve your desired career goals?
Achieving my professional goals requires completion of an MSN degree, which is a prerequisite for advanced practice roles and specialty certification. Graduate education, combined with clinical practice hours and continuing education, will qualify me to sit for the CBDCE examination and practice at an advanced, independent level.
What work experience is required to reach your professional goals?
In addition to formal education, my professional development depends on collaboration with organizational leadership, including the Director of Operations and Head Physician. These partnerships are essential for implementing certified diabetes education services within the clinical setting. Preliminary discussions with leadership have indicated strong institutional support, facilitating future service expansion and billing integration.
How will your professional development plan empower you to be a change agent in your practice?
Advancing my education and certifications will position me as a leader in diabetes care delivery and practice transformation. As a CBDCE-certified nurse, I will have the authority to independently manage patient education, evaluate outcomes, and provide billable services. This expanded role will improve patient access to specialized diabetes education, enhance clinical efficiency, and contribute to improved health outcomes while supporting organizational sustainability.
What is the significance of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) certificate?
The AMNH certificate provides an in-depth understanding of genetics and genomics, with emphasis on ethical, legal, and social implications in healthcare. This knowledge enhances my ability to address health disparities, advocate for informed decision-making, and incorporate genetic risk factors into patient education and care planning.
What is the significance of the ELNEC certificate?
The ELNEC certification strengthens my competence in delivering compassionate, patient-centered palliative and end-of-life care. It emphasizes respect for patient autonomy, symptom management, and family support, enabling me to provide holistic care during advanced illness and terminal stages.
What is the significance of the IHI Quality and Safety certificate?
The IHI Quality and Safety certificate reinforces principles of harm reduction, system-based care, and continuous quality improvement. It equips me with strategies to promote patient safety, equity, and accountability while supporting organizational excellence.
| Certificate | Application in Practice | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|
| AMNH | Integrating genetic concepts into patient education | Teaching patients about hereditary diabetes risks |
| ELNEC | Providing palliative education and chronic disease support | Counseling patients on symptom management and lifestyle changes |
| IHI Quality and Safety | Promoting safe, equitable care and patient empowerment | Teaching safe insulin administration and complication recognition |
How do these certificates support your professional development plan?
Each certificate strengthens a critical dimension of my professional growth. The AMNH certificate enhances my genetic literacy, directly informing diabetes education. ELNEC prepares me to provide compassionate care to patients with chronic or terminal conditions. The IHI certificate aligns with my commitment to safety, quality improvement, and leadership. Collectively, these credentials support my role as a diabetes educator and future advanced practice nurse.
Why was the IHI Quality and Safety certificate chosen?
The IHI Quality and Safety certificate was selected due to its direct relevance to daily nursing practice. Patient safety and quality improvement are foundational responsibilities in healthcare delivery. This certification formalizes my commitment to these principles and provides practical tools to implement evidence-based safety initiatives effectively.
American Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. (2023). Certification requirements and maintenance.
American Museum of Natural History. (2023). Genetics and genomics in healthcare. AMNH Publications.
American Nurses Association. (2021). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). ANA.
End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium. (2023). ELNEC core curriculum training manual.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2022). Quality improvement essentials toolkit. IHI.
