RUNNING HEAD: PROGRAM GRADUATE COMPETENCIES REFLECTION

DELAWARE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Program Graduate
Competencies Reflection
Alyssa Shoemaker

4/26/2019
Program Graduate Competencies

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program involves preparing the nurse with a broad

knowledge base for practice with expanded roles which include advocacy, leadership, and

scholarship. The program focuses on evidence-based nursing practice through a holistic

approach that enables graduates to be designers, coordinators, leaders, and managers of

collaborative care. Higher education promotes personal and professional advancement while

supporting life-long learning. The Program Graduate Competencies are set of goals and points

of focus that are covered throughout the program. The Program Graduate Competencies include

integration of general education, leadership skills, applying skills, integrating information

management technology, advocate for patients, promote direct patient centered care, integrate

health promotion and disease prevention, practice professional ethics, and demonstrate lifelong

learning.

Integration of General Education

The first of the Program Graduate Competencies (PGC) is to integrate general education

knowledge, skills, and aptitudes to advance nursing education and growth in professional

practice. The introductory course of NURS 300 RN to BSN Transition built on prior education

and provided foundational knowledge on the role of the baccalaureate prepared nurse. We made

a professional portfolio which shows our work and performance throughout the program.

Leadership

The second PGC is to demonstrate leadership skills to promote patient safety and the

delivery of high quality healthcare. In the course NUR 400 Nursing Leadership, I was prepared

to integrate leadership theories and principles into my nursing practice. The emphasis was

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Program Graduate Competencies

placed on developing the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities of a nurse leader. I learned

about different leadership styles and assessed which leadership style I would be in the leadership

setting. I learned about the differences between a manager and a leader. I learned different

leadership skills which will help me in the future to provide the delivery of the highest quality

healthcare.

Skills

The third PGC is to apply skills of inquiry, analysis, and information literacy to support

evidence-based professional nursing practice. NUR 340 was Nursing Research which introduced

me to foundational concepts of nursing research and information literacy to promote my

development as a consumer of research. Emphasis was placed on the critical evaluation and

communication of nursing research from relevant sources and its potential application to my

clinical practice. I wrote many papers in APA format. The research papers explored different

research methods and theories. I also took Statistics which provided me with knowledge of a

different style of math. It was very different from previous math classes that I have taken. I am

glad I took it because it made me familiar with the research I was finding and how they came up

with the information they provided.

Integrate Information Management Technology

The fourth PGC is to integrate information management technology to improve patient

outcomes. NUR 410 which is Nursing Informatics provided me with an introduction to

informatics and focused on the application to the nursing profession. Emphasis was placed on

the integration of nursing practice and information sciences. I analyzed the impact of

informatics on the nursing practice and healthcare system.

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Program Graduate Competencies

Advocate

The fifth PGC is to advocate for patients and the nursing profession with regard to

healthcare policy at the local, state, national, and global levels. The course NUR 310 prepared

me to look at global health and healthcare issues. I research malnutrition and how it affects

people in other parts of the world. I became aware of understanding a nurse’s role in advocating

for health promotion in other countries. I researched healthcare practices from a multi-cultural

and systems perspective.

Direct Patient Centered Care

The sixth PGC is to utilize direct patient-centered care through advocacy,

interprofessional communication, collaboration, and delegation. In NUR 420, Nursing Policy, I

was prepared to examine the foundations of healthcare policy that impact the nursing practice.

Emphasis was placed on the role of the nurse as an advocate in the legislative and regulatory

processes. I enjoyed this class a lot. I researched different policies mostly revolving around

hospice and palliative care. NUR 330 which was Population and Community Health, prepared

me to collaborate with healthcare professionals and community members to plan, implement, and

evaluate interventions for population health. Emphasis was placed on facilitating access to

community resources to advocate for health promotion and disease management. I spent my

practicum at the Delaware Hospice Center. I wanted to do something that would be a challenge

for me since I would be in the role of the student, and I was very uncomfortable around dying

patients and their families. Little did I know, I would absolutely love the field and change my

career to being a case manager with Delaware Hospice.

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Program Graduate Competencies

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

The seventh PGC is to integrate health promotion and disease prevention practices to

positively impact the delivery of healthcare to diverse populations. In the course NUR 320

Health Assessment, I conducted comprehensive health assessments using a variety of data

collection strategies. I then interpreted the assessment data for health promotion and disease

prevention. I analyzed my friend Abby’s health record and medical history. I performed a

comprehensive assessment on her using data collection methods. I then created a video of my

assessments. I discussed with other students through the discussion board about their

assessments and possible ways to improve and provided feedback.

Professional Ethics

The eighth PGC is to practice professional nursing within an ethical framework. Ethical

Issues in Health Care provided me with a knowledge base of ethics of nursing. This was a very

interesting class and I enjoyed it very much. I wasn’t too familiar with a lot of the information

we discussed, so it really expanded my knowledge in the field.

Lifelong Learning

The ninth PGC is to demonstrate lifelong learning that empowers personal and

professional growth. My last class, NURS 460, Nursing Capstone, I was prepared to integrate

my knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities acquired in the RN to BSN program into my

nursing practice. I was able to demonstrate and achieve these program competencies through

spending hours at my practicum site and following a nursing supervisor so observe her job

responsibilities and duties. At the end of this course, I will have successfully completed my

professional portfolio.

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Program Graduate Competencies

Conclusion

Delaware Technical and Community College has definitely given me a bigger knowledge

range and has allowed me to gain confidence in my nursing practice. I feel very well prepared to

go in the community and perform my skills or advocate for patient’s rights. Throughout the

program, the goals have included integration of general education, leadership skills, applying

skills, integrating information management technology, advocate for patients, promote direct

patient centered care, integrate health promotion and disease prevention, practice professional

ethics, and demonstrate lifelong learning. Each one of these goals has been met over the courses

I have taken over the past few years. I am very thankful for my professors and advisors as well

as the students I have worked with throughout the program.