The American Association of College of Nursing’s Nine Essentials

The American Association of College of Nursing’s Nine Essentials
Student Name
Program Name or Degree Name (e.g., Master of Science in Nursing), Walden University
COURSE XXX: Title of Course
Instructor Name
Month XX, 202X
The American Association of College of Nursing’s Nine Essentials
The AACN essentials outline the necessary curriculum content and the expected competencies of graduates in Nursing Practice Programs (AACN, 2021). The purpose of the essentials to enhance the quality of nurses graduating from higher institutes of education and the shift to competency-based approaches in the nursing practice. The essentials are a summary of the core areas of knowledge required of all health care professionals (AANC, 2008, p. 3). In the current paper, I will provide a brief discussion of each of the nine essentials and describe ways in which I have achieved them as key learning outcomes in my academic career so far.
Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
Generalist nurses are providers of direct and indirect primary care; a role in which they act as patient advocates and educators. The nurses provide evidence-based care through a holistic and caring framework in and across all environments. Thus, Baccalaureate generalist nurses are designers, coordinators, and managers of care (AANC, 2008, p. 9). These nurses should undergo liberal education that fosters knowledge across different domains of knowledge including science, culture, and society. I accomplished essential 1 through the completion of units and course in physical, life, mathematical, and social sciences and an understanding of fine and performing arts and humanities. As a liberally educated nurse, I can work in any environment and in different cultures regardless of religious, cultural, political, gender, racial, age, and gender differences.
Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety
The purpose of the essential is to transform nurses into organizational and systems leaders. Provision of quality healthcare relies on effective leadership and quality improvements. Within any organization, including health care providers, leadership is necessary in establishing strategies, direction, and goals that define the experience of clients and employees. In nursing, the basic leadership includes an understanding of the complex health systems and the impact of policy, politics, and power on the systems (Sfantou, et al., 2017). These dynamics have a direct impact on the quality of care and levels of safety in care environments. I accomplished this essential by covering leadership styles and characteristics, strategies in negotiation, coordinating, and collaboration, change theories, and community organizing models. I was also involved in practical sessions that involved leading community-based programs trough coordination and collaboration with various stakeholders. Interaction with stakeholders helps me understand the importance of negotiations and how negotiation outcomes may impact a program.
Scholarship for Evidence Based Practice
The modern professional nursing practice is characterized by the ability and willingness of nurses to translate current evidence into practice (AANC, 2008, p. 15). The essential emphasizes on the importance of evidence-based nursing. Evidence-based practice model is grounded in the systematic process for evaluation and application of scientific evidence in nursing decisions (Li, Cao, & Zhu, 2019). Some of the key outcomes of essential 2 include an understanding of the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research and participation in the process of retrieval, appraisal, interpretation and analysis of evidence. In my educational career, I understood the importance of evidence after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Lack of information and evidence on the virus contributed to the global impact of the pandemic ranging from public health data, laboratory experiments, field study outcomes, and observation. The collection, storage, and utilization of such information is key in providing solutions to health care problems.
Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology
The impact of technology is felt in all sectors of life including the nursing practice. There are two core ways in which technology impacts nursing. The first relates to essential 3 in which technological tools are used in the collection, storage, analysis, presentation, and communication of evidence and data (AANC, 2008, p. 17). Secondly, technological tools are increasingly applicable in key care areas of care ranging from diagnosis, treatment, procedures, monitoring, and evaluation of care (Krick, Huter, Domhoff, & Schmidt, June). In my nursing educational career, I have interacted with information systems from the point of collection of patient data and information and input in organizational databases and systems. A key learning area was after the onset of the pandemic in which I helped to collect and analyze data on infections and their impact on delivery of services to patients without the virus.
Health Care Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments
In relation to essential 2 where leadership and quality improvement competencies are necessary, nurses in all positions have a significant role in formulation and implementation of policies and regulations and are responsible for the financial health of health care organizations or systems. Healthcare policies, regulations, and finances have an impact on the on the nursing practice and healthcare system outcomes. Nurses should therefore seek to play a role in these areas to further their skills while contributing to the wellbeing of the society (AANC, 2008). I understand the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, the impact of social, economic, cultural, legal, and political factors on health outcomes, and the implications of care policies. I was involved in formulation of a county policy that enforced social distancing regulations in my city. I learn...