Program of Study and the Professional Development Plan - Essay Example

Education and Professional Background My name is Juan and I will start my program of study and Professional Development plan by providing some background information about myself. Ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to participate in enabling the sick regain their health. However, my journey toward a professional started when I joined the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez to pursue Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Minor in Physics. I knew I wanted to become a surgical nurse and that is why I choose to do some units in physics since I knew I needed to learn how different surgical equipment work.

While pursuing my Bachelor’s degree I was working at Medical Center of Mayaguez, in Puerto Rico. I supported registered nursing staff with direct patient care. This increased my passion in nursing and I knew I had made the right choice. After graduating, I worked as a registered nurse for the United States Army from 1998 to 2003. As an army nurse, I was involved in caring for medical-surgical patients. Working within the army was challenging but interesting and helped me sharpen my skills. I am currently a CV-ICU Nurse at Emory University Hospital since 2003.

This position has helped me master skills in areas such as patient care of the immediate post-operatory CABG, cardiac valve replacement, or repair, dissecting aortic aneurysm repair, esophagogastrectomies, pneumonectomies, and other variety of surgical procedures. I have also participated in managing access/monitoring central lines (pulmonary artery catheters, arterial lines, etc.), lumbar drainage device, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT).

In addition to the above achievements, I hold certifications such as Emory Lifesaver Award awarded in 2011 and Army Nurse Recognition Ribbon, which I was awarded in 1999. As demonstrate above, I have worked in diverse settings. This has enabled me to be flexible in addition to exposing me to different situation in my field. My expertise areas in nursing include post-operatory CABG, pneumonectomies, lumbar drainage, and monitoring patients after heart relater operation. Being exposed to different challenges has helped me understand different concepts regarding nursing and increased my desire to advance my studies in nursing.

I have realized that a bachelor’s degree is not enough for me achieve my goals. Professional Goals The field of medicine and health sciences is dynamic. It is thus crucial for professional in this field to be armed with up to date skills. Being a profession in this field, I have realized the importance of being equipped with relevant skills. My personal goal is to be the best that I possibly can. Professionally, I want to obtain a master’s degree in Nursing and become a Family Nurse Practitioner.

This is because I want to interact and care for patients across different ages. Additionally, I want to expose myself to different working environment such as community as well as hospital environment. I want to be able to diagnose and treat patients independently. Just like the University vision and mission proposes, my aim of pursuing the Masters is to get equipped with appropriate skills to enable me change the society positively. With my current degree status, I lack the relevant