Professional Development

B Y P A IG E P ER R Y

Direct Patient Care Abilities

Personal Strengths: communicating with patients,

providing good bedside manner, working in a

multidisciplinary team
Opportunities for Improvement: time management
and organizational skills
Short term goals: complete training through the Air
Force and utilize resources
Long term goals: adapt to my career by observing,
learning, and taking advice from those with more
experience

Unit Leadership Abilities

Personal Strengths: collaborate effectively with

others and listen to constructive feedback

Opportunities for Improvement: gain confidence in
my skills and decision-making
Short term goals: become acquainted to the unit and
to be in charge of people
Long term goals: be confident within a leadership
role and be promoted to higher ranking within
military

Professional Development
Short term goals: join the American Nurses

Association; influence decisions that affect the

practice of nursing and the health of patients
Long term goals: transition into labor and delivery
and receive certification to become a midwife

Leadership Book (Brown, 2010)

The Gifts of Imperfection by Bren Brown
Complimented weaknesses: tips for letting go of

perfectionism, anxiety, self-doubt, and fear

Benefits of book in professional growth:
Applicable to nursing career
Accepting imperfections
Wholehearted living

Leadership Shadowing Experience

How the experience enhanced knowledge of

position:
Lactation nurse consultant
Visited clients with variety of concerns
Synthesized material from lactation
Applied education to L+D
Enhanced communication/teaching skills
Insightful to see continuum of care

Community Activity
How the experience enhanced knowledge:

Volunteered at Casa Maria

Exercised compassion and kindness to those in need
Interacted with community by providing food to the
hungry
Enhanced knowledge of resources available and
increased awareness of community needs

 Masters or doctorates degree

Midwife certification and
licensure

Transition labor and delivery

Midwife education program
Evolve leadership abilities
Promotion
Attention to detail
Role model

4.
3.
2.
1.

Join American Nurses Association

Influence patient care

4.

2.

Air Force Training

Utilize resources
Improve confidence

3.

Acquainted to unit
Step into leadership role
Increase patient load

Pass NCLEX
Utilize Kaplan resources

1.

Short term goals:

Long term goals:

Timeline

Educational Plan
Personal Aspirations: hiatus in formal education
Opportunities for Improvement: continuing education

courses to raise confidence, keep up on evidenced-based

practice, and enhance quality of patient care
Short term goals: pass the NCLEX and utilize Kaplan
Long term goals: pursue a midwife education program

References
Brown, B. (2010). The gifts of imperfection: Let go

of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace

who you are. Center City, MN: Hazelden.