Advanced Nursing Reflection
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Course Wrap-Up and Reflection Discussion
As the course ends, I am compelled to reflect deeply on the wonderful experience of the past eight weeks. What we have covered, including healthcare policy, delivery systems, and theoretical foundations in nursing, has opened my eyes tremendously and helped me further comprehend as an advanced practice nurse (APN). This reflection not only helps reinforce the knowledge I have gained but also the appreciation of the transforming impact of this course on my professional life. In this reflection, I shall address the main topics covered, the significance of middle-range theories in clinical practice, and the importance of mentorship in my learning experience.
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Advanced Nursing Reflection
Reflection on Key Course Topics
Perhaps most influential in this course has been the in-depth analysis of healthcare policy and delivery systems. Understanding the organization of healthcare systems, such as federal and state government governance, mechanisms of funding, and policy enforcement, gave me a better sense of the overall context within which nursing care is provided. The intense examination of efforts at healthcare reform, such as the Affordable Care Act, demonstrated how policy prescribes direct access to care, quality standards, and health outcome equity. As an APN, it is important to facilitate change and improve patient care through informed practice and leadership.
This course also highlighted the development and future direction of the APN role. As the need for primary care providers expands, the nurse practitioner role becomes more critical. The scope of practice, leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and health promotion course materials cemented my commitment to lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.
Application of Middle Range Theories
Another profound takeaway from this course is how middle-range theories are implemented into nursing practice. Middle-range theories are between grand theories and evidence, and therefore, middle-range theories assist in developing models for patient care and clinical decision-making. For instance, McCance and McCormack’s (2025) Person-Centered Nursing Framework is a person-centered model where the focus is on the patient’s needs, values, and preferences. This theory will also assist me in being more responsive and less objectionable to the patients, enhancing their satisfaction.
Similarly, Esquivel et al. (2023) also proposed the middle-range theory on building well-being for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also describes ways of dealing with psychological and emotional processes, which increase the Royal’s quantity of nurses’ readiness for critical events. This model was useful to me as a practicing nurse as it provided an empirical understanding of how well-being and spirit de corps of colleagues can be enhanced under pressure. Recognizing and addressing emotional health is essential for providing care sustainably and compassionately for patients and healthcare teams.
Mentor Role and Influence
The most important priorities of this course have been mentoring and guidance. Mentorship has played a vital role in shaping my academic and professional life. According to Kramer (2024), effective mentorship creates a culture of resilience, caring, and professional identity formation. The faculty mentors provided timely feedback during the course, clarified complex issues, and supported reflective practice. I am highly grateful to them for their benevolent assistance in my fight against setbacks, enhancing analytical thinking skills, and achieving greater self-confidence.
The course’s peer mentoring aspect was similarly invaluable. After careful deliberation, discussing clinical case scenarios with colleagues enabled me to view them differently, enrich my knowledge base, and become a better learner. Such peer practice-type forums illustrated peers’ support in fostering improvement and resilience. Mentors were professional and ethical in practice, which are fundamental principles of APNs. Through their teaching, communication, and leadership approach, I have also gained the importance of building empathy, accountability, and continuous improvement in all aspects of care delivery. Their mentorship has helped me value the role of veteran nurses more in mentoring future generations of professionals.
Conclusion
Overall, this course has been eye-opening and contributed significantly to my professional development as an advanced practice nurse. The in-depth exploration of healthcare policy and delivery systems has equipped me with the knowledge necessary to foster systemic change, and the learning and application of middle-range theories have provided me with useful tools to guide clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. In addition, the mentorship I have experienced has encouraged my development, promoted resilience, and exemplified the values I wish to demonstrate in my practice. As I continue to develop my nursing practice, I am committed to applying the skills and knowledge gained from this course toward patient-focused care, evidence-based practice, and promoting the nursing profession. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from dedicated peers and mentors and anticipate bringing these lessons to future clinical and leadership roles.
References
Esquivel, E. C. L., Ramos, M. D. J. L., Zuñiga, N. C., & Sánchez, D. L. G. (2023). Reconstruction of nursing health well-being in the COVID-19 pandemic: Mid-range theory. Horizon Interdisciplinary Journal, 1(1), 64-84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56935/hij.v1i2.10
Hwang, S., & Baek, S. (2025). Middle‐Range Theory of Disaster Cognitive Readiness in Nursing Practice Through Theory Derivation and Sentence Synthesis. Public Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13528
Kramer, D. (2024). The Importance of Mentorship Programs in Nursing. A Guide for Developing a Culture of Caring Through Nursing Peer Mentorship Programs: Fostering Success and Resilience, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-66139-6_1
