Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire. Often decisions are not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice. To Prepare: Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization. By Day 3 Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member. Support main post with 3 of more current, credible sources and cite source within content of posting and on a reference list in proper APA. By Day 6 Be sure to offer support from at least 2 current, credible sources in each required response to classmates’ main post and cite per APA. Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days , by sharing your thoughts on their specialty, supporting their choice or offering suggestions if they have yet to choose. Submission and Grading Information Grading Criteria Learning Resources Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Required Readings Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition—2015. Retrieved from https://www.augusta.edu/nursing/cnr/documents/seminar-files/pp8.28.pdf  Quinn-Szcesuil, J. (2016). Why you should join a nursing association. Retrieved from https://dailynurse.com/join-nursing-association/  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2011). Implementing the ION future of nursing report—part II: The potential of interprofessional collaborative care to improve safety and quality. Charting Nursing’s Future , (17)1–8. Retrieved from https://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/issue_briefs/2011/rwjf71709  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2010, November 22). Interdisciplinary collaboration improves safety, quality of care, experts say. Retrieved from https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-news/2010/11/interdisciplinary-collaboration-improves-safety-quality-of-care-.html  Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing  Document: Academic Success and Professional.

1. Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties
You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational
posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a
street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to
inspire.
Often decisions are not so easily inspired. Perhaps you
discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN
program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for
success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet
another area where your network can help, as well as other
sources of information that can help you make an informed
choice.
To Prepare:
Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN
program, including your professional and academic goals as
they relate to your program/specialization.
By Day 3
Post
an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the
program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in
making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your
decision. Identify at least one professional organization
affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on
becoming a member.
Support main post with 3 of more current, credible sources and
cite source within content of posting and on a reference list in

2. proper APA.
By Day 6
Be sure to offer support from at least 2 current, credible sources
in each required response to classmates’ main post and cite per
APA.
Respond
to at least
two
of your colleagues
on two different days
, by sharing your thoughts on their specialty, supporting their
choice or offering suggestions if they have yet to choose.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
Learning Resources
Note:
To access this week’s required library resources, please click on
the link to the Course Readings List, found in the
Course Materials
section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing:
Scope and standards of practice, third edition—2015. Retrieved

3. from https://www.augusta.edu/nursing/cnr/documents/seminar-
files/pp8.28.pdf
Quinn-Szcesuil, J. (2016). Why you should join a nursing
association. Retrieved from https://dailynurse.com/join-nursing-
association/
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2011). Implementing the
ION future of nursing report—part II: The potential of
interprofessional collaborative care to improve safety and
quality.
Charting Nursing’s Future
, (17)1–8. Retrieved from
https://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/issue_briefs/201
1/rwjf71709
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2010, November 22).
Interdisciplinary collaboration improves safety, quality of care,
experts say. Retrieved from
https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-
news/2010/11/interdisciplinary-collaboration-improves-safety-
quality-of-care-.html
Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Retrieved October 12, 2018, from
https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing
Document:
Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template
(Word document)
Choose among the following to review your specialization’s
Scope and Standards of Practice or Competencies:
American Nurses Association. (2015).
Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.)

4. . Silver Spring, MD: Author.
Nursing Informatics
E-book: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice
“The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas
of Nursing Informatics” (pp. 18–3
Nursing Education
Website: Competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator
National League for Nursing. (2019). Nurse educator core
competency. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/professional-
development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-
education/nurse-educator-core-competency
Note:
The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not
encompass the competencies or scope and standards of practice
for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of
competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse
Education specialization will be examined in future
competencies throughout your specialization program of study.
Nurse Executive
Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL
Nurse Executive competencies. Retrieved from
https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

5. Public Health Nursing
Website: Public Health Nurse Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health
Nursing [C/PHN] competencies. Retrieved from
http://www.quadcouncilphn.org/documents-3/2018-qcc-
competencies/
American Nurses Association. (2013).
Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.)
Silver Spring, MD: Author.
Public Health Nursing
E-book: Public Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
Optional Resources
Walden University. (n.d.). Subject Research: Nursing. Retrieved
November 9, 2018, from
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subject/nursing
Rubric Detail
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6. Name:
NURS_6002_Week_6_Discussion_Rubric
Grid View
List View
ExcellentGoodFairPoorMain Posting
45 (45%) - 50 (50%)Answers all parts of the discussion
question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and
synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the
module and current credible sources.
Supported by at least three current, credible sources.
Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling
errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules
and style.40 (40%) - 44 (44%)Responds to the discussion
question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis
of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.
Supported by at least three credible sources.
Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or
spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing
rules and style.35 (35%) - 39 (39%)Responds to some of the
discussion question(s).
One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially
addressed.
Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and

7. synthesis.
Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course
readings for the module.
Post is cited with two credible sources.
Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two
spelling or grammatical errors.
Contains some APA formatting errors.0 (0%) - 34 (34%)Does
not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately.
Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.
Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings
for the module.
Contains only one or no credible sources.
Not written clearly or concisely.
Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness
10 (10%) - 10 (10%)Posts main post by day 3.0 (0%) - 0 (0%)0
(0%) - 0 (0%)0 (0%) - 0 (0%)Does not post by day 3.
First Response
17 (17%) - 18 (18%)Response exhibits synthesis, critical
thinking, and application to practice settings.
Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.

8. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by
at least two scholarly sources.
Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning
objectives.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.15
(15%) - 16 (16%)Response exhibits critical thinking and
application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by
two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.13
(13%) - 14 (14%)Response is on topic and may have some
depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective
professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if
posed.
Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few
or no credible sources are cited.0 (0%) - 12 (12%)Response may
not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional

9. communication.
Responses to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Second Response
16 (16%) - 17 (17%)Response exhibits synthesis, critical
thinking, and application to practice settings.
Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by
at least two scholarly sources.
Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning
objectives.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.14
(14%) - 15 (15%)Response exhibits critical thinking and
application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by
two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.12
(12%) - 13 (13%)Response is on topic and may have some
depth.

10. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective
professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if
posed.
Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few
or no credible sources are cited.0 (0%) - 11 (11%)Response may
not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional
communication.
Responses to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Participation
5 (5%) - 5 (5%)Meets requirements for participation by posting
on three different days.0 (0%) - 0 (0%)0 (0%) - 0 (0%)0 (0%) -
0 (0%)Does not meet requirements for participation by posting
on 3 different days.
Total Points: 100
Name:
NURS_6002_Week_6_Discussion_Rubric