NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES In this module, you begin laying the foundation for your academic and professional success. Your efforts begin with a vision that includes your own definition of success. Your vision may vary from those of your colleagues, but this does not mean you have to take these first steps alone. Walden University and the College of Nursing also have a vision and mission, which include helping you to make your own vision a reality. Members of your new academic community, such as faculty, support teams, and fellow students, can also be helpful. Current practitioners and other members of the professional community can also help you to clarify your vision. This module’s discussion asks you to consider how Walden’s mission and vision, as well as the College of Nursing’s mission and vision, apply to your professional and academic goals. You will also begin to identify individuals and teams who can help you along the way as you begin designing the “blueprint”—your Academic S

Promoting Social Change – Advancing Mental Health Nursing at Walden University

My name is John Do. I am pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing in mental health NP. Walden’s vision, mission, goals, and social change initiatives relate to my professional and academic goals. Since my undergraduate degree, I have taken a keen interest in advocating for social justice for children and women. I was delighted that this vision was in alignment with my dream school. Walden aims to bring social changes in societies by educating students and sharpening their skills. Walden University is focused on inspiring and celebrating students who are creative in generating solutions to challenging issues in the contemporary world (Walden University, 2023). I believe that Walden is a suitable place for me to increase my knowledge and skills, which would help me strengthen my voice and skills to reach underserved populations. It is reported that most underserved places in my home area have insufficient nurse practitioners. As a master’s student at Walden, I aim to become so good as a nurse practitioner that I can proactively participate in the programs that target underserved populations.

Moreover, with the mission of providing an opportunity to a diverse career professional community to experience transformation as a scholar-practitioner for positive change, I am confident that every scholar, including myself, will gain vast knowledge from diverse backgrounds and experiences. I believe that learning in such an environment will prepare me to work and serve effectively with various people who are different from me. I am excited about this because different perspectives will expand my mind and build on knowledge in our careers and the school’s body of research and knowledge.

I also resonate with the school’s goals, mainly producing reflective and scholarly graduates who would create positive change. I like to be professional at what I do, and I believe this is a sound ground to build on my professionalism and expand my thinking. One of the outcomes of the university is to facilitate positive social change where their graduates would work and live. I am passionate about helping children and women, and I believe a goal such as this would equip me to serve them diligently as a nurse practitioner.

Lastly, I believe that networking would open the doors for support, guidance, and mentorship by increasing access to research opportunities, conferences, and resources that would contribute to my career development. Being in contact with people who share my aspirations, I believe that my expertise would be leveraged by learning from the experiences of their academic and professional paths.

References

Walden University (2023). Vision, Mission, and Goals. https://academics.waldenu.edu/handbook/vision-mission-goals#:~:text=Walden%20University%20strives%20to%20produce,a%20commitment%20to%20lifelong%20learning.