1) The document discusses using practicum experiences to foster professional growth and leadership development in nursing. It prompts reflection on systems issues and change planning from previous practicum courses. 2) Students are asked to outline their approach to planning and implementing systems-related change, considering essential steps and the role of leadership. They are also asked to assess their professional growth and objectives for their current practicum experience. 3) The discussion is intended as preparation for a practicum assignment involving reflection on practicum experiences, planning for systems change, and goals for further professional development through additional practicum work.

1. Using the Practicum Experience for Professional Growth
“I am personally convinced that one person can be a change
catalyst, a ‘transformer’ in any situation, any organization. Such
an individual is yeast that can leaven an entire loaf. It requires
vision, initiative, patience, respect, persistence, courage, and
faith to be a transforming leader” (Covey, 2009, p. 287).
Your practicum experiences in NURS 8400 and NURS 8410
have provided opportunities to gain knowledge, perspective, and
skills that bolster your specialty area practice. They have laid a
foundation for reflecting on your own strengths and challenges
as a nurse leader in a dynamic workplace.
In this course, you continue to engage in your practicum
experience, with specific attention to systems-related issues that
contribute to challenges at the aggregate level, the change
process, and leadership. This Discussion serves as a springboard
for the practicum assignment you are to develop this week. Be
sure to view and consider the instructions for this week’s
practicum assignment in preparation for the Discussion.
To prepare:
Reflect on your practicum experiences in NURS 8400 and
NURS 8410. Drawing on your knowledge of systems
thinking, what problems have you noticed in your practicum
setting that may be related to systems issues?
How would you outline a viable approach to planning and
implementing change to address a systems-related change?

2. What are the essential steps and focal points from beginning
to end? What is the role of leadership when it comes to
change efforts? Think about the information presented in the
Learning Resources, and consider insights you have gained
that may be useful as you explore the process of intentional
change. Conduct additional research using current literature
to further your analysis.
Assess the professional growth (including leadership
development) you have attained through your practicum
experiences during previous courses in the DNP program.
Begin to develop your plan for the practicum, including
three learning objectives.
By tomorrow Tuesday 2/26 6 pm write a minimum of 550 words
essay in APA format with at least 3 references (see list or
required readings below). Include the level one headers as
numbered below:
Post
a cohesive response that addresses the following:
1) Describe key aspects of your suggested approach to planning
for and implementing change. What are two or three essential
steps or strategies that deserve particular attention as you strive
to successfully translate evidence into practice? Provide your
rationale.
2) Assess the influence of your practicum experiences on your
professional growth. Identify areas for improvement to focus on
during this course. Given what you have learned in previous

3. courses and through your professional experiences, what
questions or concerns do you have regarding how to identify
and assess systems-related issues, as well as how to plan for and
implement change?
3) Summarize your planned practicum experiences and how you
expect these experiences to advance your professional skills.
Support your choices with documented evidence from the
AACN Essentials, professional standards, and specialty
guidelines (see attached file on “The essentials of doctoral
education for advanced nursing practice” ESSENTIAL IV).
Required Readings
White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terharr, M. F. (2016).
Translation of evidence into nursing and health care practice
(2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.
· Review Chapter 3, “Change Theory and Models: Framework
for Translation”
As you review this chapter (assigned in a previous course),
consider the foundational information about change. Also, pay
attention to the frameworks and processes described, as they
will be valuable as you proceed through this course. What
insights arise regarding how you might be able to guide the
implementation of change?
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006).

4. The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing
practice. Retrieved from
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/DNPEssentials.
pdf (see attached file)
Use the information in this report to guide the formulation of
goals for your practicum experience.
Bleich, M. R. (2011).
IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change,
Advancing Health: milestones and challenges in expanding
nursing science. Research in Nursing & Health, 34(3), 169-170.
doi:10.1002/nur.20433 (see attached file)
IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing
Health: milestones and challenges in expanding nursing science.
Research in Nursing & Health by Bleich, M. R., in Research in
Nursing & Health, Vol. 34/Issue 3. Copyright 2011 by John
Wiley & Sons - Journals. Reprinted by permission of John
Wiley & Sons - Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Pritham, U. P. (2016).
Assessing DNP impact using program evaluations to capture
healthcare system change. The Nurse Practitioner, (4), 44.
Kotter, J. P. (2007).
Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard
Business Review, 85(1), 96-103. Retrieved from
https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/pl/76758028/76758030/42e82
c2469b7f33387aa79dc5736bb1f

5. In this foundational reading, Dr. John Kotter discusses errors
commonly made as organizations undergo change, and he
recommends steps leaders can take to help avoid them (see
attached file).
Moriber, N. A., Wallace-Kazer, M., Shea, J., Grossman, S.,
Wheeler, K., & Conelius, J. (2014).
Transforming Doctoral Education Through the Clinical
Electronic Portfolio. Nurse Educator, 39(5), 221-226.
doi:10.1097/NNE.0000000000000053
Murphy, M. P., Staffileno, B. A., & Carlson, E. (2015).
Original Article: Collaboration Among DNP- and PhD-Prepared
Nurses: Opportunity to Drive Positive Change. Journal of
Professional Nursing,31388-394. doi:
10.1016/j.profnurs.2015.03.001
Sherrod, B., & Goda, T. (2016).
DNP-Prepared leaders guide healthcare system change. Nursing
Management, (9). 13.
Optional Resources
Osters, S., & Tiu, F. S. (n.d.).
Writing measurable learning outcomes. Retrieved from

6. http://www.gavilan.edu/research/spd/Writing-Measurable-
Learning-Outcomes.pdf (see attached file).