PROFESSIONAL DEVELEOPMENT PLAN
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Professional Development Plan
Kayla Wilt
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 510: Leadership and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
October 2018
PROFESSIONAL DEVELEOPMENT PLAN
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Professional Development Plan
In the ever-advancing medical field, an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is and will
continue to be a vital part of the advancements. But what is an APN? An APN is an individual
that is an Advanced Practice Nurse is a Registered Nurse with a master’s degree and specializes
in a specific role and patient population (APRNs in the U.S., n.d.).
These tracks include Nurse Practitioners (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), Certified
Nurse-Midwives (CNM), and Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CNA). Once the APN has earned a
degree in a specialized track, they must take a state exam to officially become state licensed to
practice. This is through the state Board of Nursing and this is to make sure that everyone is truly
qualified to provide care to patients. Each state has their own specific legislative guidelines
showing and specifying the APN’s scope of practice.
Many APN’s have legal authorization to
prescribe medications and some can practice independently without supervision from a
physician. The International Council of Nurses (2017) states the APN is a registered nurse that
has specialized qualifications or knowledge for a skillset with decision-making skills in the
critical sector and is also highly knowledgeable in the clinical ability which is required for
expanded practice. NPs need to think about the rules and regulations in the respective state that
will ultimately guide their overall practice. Doing one’s due diligence by researching and
analyzing the Nurse Practice Act and APN scope of practice guidelines in the state one wishes to
practice medicine in will be beneficial in the long run and potentially save the office from any
legal issues.
After an individual has selected one of the Advanced Practice Nursing tracks and
received a license for that specialty, a profession plan must then be developed. A professional
plan is an essential tool to aid the nurse in cataloguing their skillsets, achievements and
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competences in which they possess. The goal of the professional development plan is to focus on
the individual’s personal assessment, reflection of their strengths and weaknesses and their
objectives with the degree. The plan should also include networking and marketing strategies. In
the individual’s development plan, a curriculum vitae should be included. A curriculum vitae
includes an individual’s nursing skills, abilities and accomplishments.
Scope of Practice for State of Pennsylvania Advanced Practice Nurse
The Scope of Practice Policy of Pennsylvania (2018) states Nurse Practitioners can diagnose
medical conditions, develop and implement treatment plans, order and perform diagnostic tests,
and deliver other health care services, pursuant to a written collaborative agreement with a
licensed physician. As a Family Nurse Practitioner within the State of Pennsylvania, Nurse
