The University of Mary is located in Bismarck, ND. It was founded in 1959 and has a strong commitment to education in the Catholic Benedictine tradition. The University of Mary mission states: The University of Mary exists to serve the religious, academic, and cultural needs of the people in this region and beyond.
The University of Mary BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner degree is an accredited program that has been around for 30 years. It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. This program is known for its excellence in clinical preparation. The length of the program is 2.7 years and is an online program with week-long institutes spread out through the program. To complete the program it is required to have completed 86 semester credits. Please click the link labeled "required courses with course descriptions" to see a compiled list of required courses. It is also required to have 1,000 clinical hours and 280 leadership hours by program completion.
​
Clinical Experiences
I have been fortunate to follow some wonderful nurse practitioners and physician assistants that have helped me grow professionally during my clinical experiences at the University of Mary. I have been fortunate to gain experience in orthopedics, hospital medicine, internal medicine, and rural health. During my clinical rotations I have been able to care for individuals ages newborn to 102 years of age. Because of my experiences I feel that I am confident in obtaining thorough HPI's, completing a complete physical exam, create a list of differential diagnoses, and come up with a management/treatment plan for each patient. I strengthened my delegation and communication skills as well. Please see proof of my clinical experiences below with my clinical case log from Typhon. I also had the opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills after following a nurse leader. This nurse leader showed me the art of delegation, time management, and dedication to ensuring her employees had job satisfaction. I have attached my leadership hours log for your viewing.
Program Outcomes
1. Demonstrates competence in health promotion, disease prevention, & illness management of individuals, families, and communities.
The clinical reasoning presentation found below assisted with my growth for program outcome 1. This presentation required myself and my group member to consider the HPI when creating a differential diagnosis for a complaint. Obtaining a thorough HPI cued us in for which diagnostic tests to order. This is important in either the screening or detection of a disease. After this assignment my confidence in illness management when a patient presents with a problem increased. I feel confident in interpreting an HPI and identifying diagnostic tests that should be done to help the patient.
3. Applies Benedictine values to foster a collaborative nurse practitioner-patient relationship that fosters respect, protection, and enhancement of spiritual integrity, human dignity, as well as cultural diversity to improve patient and population health outcomes.
The ethical issue paper brings to attention the ethical issues surrounding the clinical trial done on the Standing Rock Reservation in 1991. Through this assignment I was able to reflect on the values that guide ethical nursing practice. This assignment provided an opportunity for growth in understanding the Benedictine values and how they play a role within the nurse practitioner-patient relationship. This assignment allowed me to grow an awareness of how easily trust can be damaged when ethical principles are not upheld. The assignment emphasized the importance of maintaining honest communication as well as informed consent. It also brought to my attention the need for providers to advocate for communities and ensure proper care is being done to protect individuals undergoing research. I am now more prepared to recognize and honor cultural diversity to improve patient outcomes.
5. Influences, negotiates, and manages change among an inter-professional team for purposes of advancing healthcare quality among patients, populations, and systems.
The advocacy letter below demonstrates active engagement in influencing health policy to promote change in mental health care. Through providing evidence and creating an argument, I advocated for expanding mental health services across North Dakota. This was a practical assignment as it provided experience in leading change through policy advocacy. This assignment also reflects inter-professional collaboration by recognizing the need to collaborate with healthcare providers, legislators, and community organization to address problems. Writing this assignment allowed me to be a voice for patients and providers. This assignment provides growth in managing change and advocating for quality improvement through policy engagement, communication, and leadership.
2. Utilizes servant leadership principles and expanded knowledge in health policy, advocacy, and healthcare quality to promote positive change in the delivery of care along the healthcare continuum.
The presentation below discussed the regulatory differences between the USDA and European Union regarding Red Dye 40. As a group we examined legal frameworks, approval regulations, and public health concerns surrounding the consumption of food dye. I deepened my understanding of how evidence-based advocacy and legal knowledge are essential to effect change. The differences between the USDA and EU regulations showed me the need for a more structured oversight and increased need for proactive public health approaches in the US. This assignment allowed me to grow as a servant leader as it encouraged me to advocate for vulnerable populations like children. It reinforce the importance of using my voice as a provider to influence policy and encourage change.
4. Acts as a leader in knowledge translation and application of evidence based practice from nursing and related fields through critical evaluation, synthesis, and integration of health information data and research findings.
The personal leadership development plan below represents a comprehensive look into my personal leadership strengths, areas for growth, and strategies for professional development. I critically evaluated my leadership competencies during this assignments and created a plan using evidence-based strategies. Integrating feedback from peers and supervisors allowed me to reflect on how my leadership behaviors are perceived in a clinical setting. This assignment demonstrates my growth in knowledge translation by applying frameworks and leadership models such as servant and transformational leadership to my personal practice. Through this assignment I learned how continuous self-reflection drives professional growth. I was encouraged to become a more intentional leader and to strive to improve my critical thinking and collaboration with others.
6. Practices reflectively as an advanced practice nurse who is aware of and responsive to environmental contexts that shape healthcare decision-making.
Reflective practice is critical in enhancing clinical decision-making and delivering high-quality care. The assignment attached below is an example of this as it requires the evaluation and management of patients presenting with diarrhea. This assignment required a review and synthesis of illness scrips for various diarrheal illnesses. I was able to critically appraise the differences in pathophysiology, risk stratification, diagnostics, and management strategies that guide appropriate care. This centers on how environmental contexts and individual characteristics inform evidence-based clinical reasoning. Through this analysis, I have strengthened my ability to integrate pathophysiological knowledge, clinical guidelines, and environmental awareness into patient-centered care.
American Association of College of Nurse's Doctorate Essentials
I. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
The assignment below about Lomi Lomi massage aligns with Essential I as it emphasizes the integration of nursing science, behavioral science, and cultural knowledge into advanced clinical practice. This assignment has enhanced my ability to synthesize traditional healing practices with evidence-based frameworks. Studying the physiological effects of therapeutic touch allowed me grow in my ability to analyze and apply interdisciplinary scientific knowledge to nursing practice.
III. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
The below nursing research analysis project emphasized the importance of using analytical methods and clinical scholarship to critically appraise and apply research into practice. I was able to learn how to interpret data accurately and assess the validity and reliability of research studies. This allowed me to grow in my ability to integrate evidence into my decision-making which will impact patient outcomes.
V. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
The compendium of leadership topics found below aligns with Essential V as it explores organizational climate, culture, communication, and emotional intelligence. By analyzing how transformational leadership and emotional intelligence impact the work environment, I was able to demonstrate how nurse leaders can create climates conducive to high-quality care and staff retention. This assignment allowed for growth in Essential V as I assessed organizational dynamics and implemented leadership strategies to influence change.
VII. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation's Health
The purpose of Essential VII is emphasize the importance of the need for advanced practice nurses to incorporate health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health to improve outcomes, specifically within diverse communities. The social disparities presentation below supports growth in this essential as it examines how social determinants like race, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and access to care can impact perinatal outcomes. I demonstrated the ability to assess population-level data as well as identify gaps in healthcare equity. This assignment highlighted the need for clinical prevention strategies to be tailored to account for the diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds of patients. This assignment provides evidence of my growth by showcasing my ability to apply population specific issues to real-world cases.
II. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
The literature review below supported my growth in Essential II by allowing me to apply systems thinking to a common pediatric condition. Through analysis and research, I identified gaps in care and proposed evidence-based quality improvement strategies like standardized screening and education for families and providers. This assignment strengthened my ability to communicate effectively with patients when they present with this concern. It also provided clear evidence of my ability to lead initiatives that improve care outcomes.
IV. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
The assignment below aligns with Essential IV as it shows an understanding of legal frameworks that support collaborative, emergency response efforts across disciplines. This assignment required me to analyze state law and interpret how it applies to the practice of nursing. This assignment shows growth in Essential IV by encouraging my critical thinking about the responsibilities and obligations of providing care in real-world scenarios. By understanding the Good Samaritan law in ND I now understand my expectations as well as understand the responsibilities in promoting health and safety. This assignment serves as evidence of growth by demonstrating my ability to synthesize legal knowledge and apply it to real-world scenarios.
VI. Inter-professional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
The assignment below provides direct insight through interview into the unique challenges and solutions associated with rural healthcare delivery. By interviewing a PA-C in a rural setting, I was able to observe how providers must work collaboratively, often facing several challenges like distance and limited resources, to ensure optimal patient care. Using Telehealth, inter professional networks, and creative problem solving skills shows competence in Essential VI. I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of communication, resources sharing, and professional boundaries through this interview. The reflection completed shows my growth in this essential as I explain my appreciation for the collaborative roles required in rural healthcare settings.
VIII. Advanced Nursing Practice
The assignment below meets Essential VIII as it applies motivational interviewing (MI) to address medication noncompliance. Through this simulation patient interaction I was able to practice individualized, evidence-based strategies to promote medication adherence by using open-ended questions, reflective listening, and identifying barriers to compliance. I was able to demonstrate my ability to assess the patient's readiness and guide them towards healthier behavior changes using MI techniques. This activity showed my growth in active listening skills. I gained a deeper understanding of how clinical prevention strategies can empower patients to take control of their health which improves population health outcomes.
Self-Assessment
Reflecting on my journey through the FNP program, I have been able to recognize substantial personal and professional growth. I have had significant growth in clinical, leadership, and scholarly competencies as discussed above. I have developed strong skills in applying scientific knowledge to patient care. I am confident in my abilities to use research in practice, as demonstrated in my DNP project found under the highlights tab. I have gained experience in leadership and quality improvement. I also recognize there are areas for growth. I am able to utilize health technology in clinical settings and plan to expand my knowledge in informatics through continued education. My understanding of health policy and advocacy has grown and I am to deepen this competence by engaging more directly with policy-making processes. I value the importance of team based care and inter professional collaboration. My approach to clinical prevention and population health reflects my commitment to holistic and culturally sensitive care that is backed by the Benedictine values. As an APRN, I am able to make reflective and ethical decisions as evidenced above. Overall, I have achieved a high level of competence in all FNP program outcomes as demonstrated above. To continue my growth, I plan to become involved in leadership, policy engagement, and informatics while remaining committed to lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.