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Running head: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN1

Professional Development Plan

Nichole Kraai

NURS 324

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2

Abstract

I will be evaluating my current nursing practice by comparing it to the American Nurses

Association’s standards. Through this process I will identify my strengths and weaknesses. I will

then set five and ten year goals and create a plan to achieve these goals. The plan will

incorporate an action plan and an evaluation process in order to determine my personal progress

toward these goals.


Professional Development Plan

What does it take to be successful in your career? What can you do independently to

make the most of your talents and identify and strengthen your weaknesses? It is through a

consistent process of evaluation, goal setting, planning, and reevaluation that you can optimize

your achievements and maximize your personal growth. The purpose of this paper is to take a

deep, sincere look at my individual strengths and weaknesses in comparison with the American

Nurses Association’s standards. I will then set futuristic goals and create a plan to follow in order

to evaluate progress and attain my personal goals. The creation of a professional development

plan is what makes the difference between the everyday average American and the most elite

professionals of our day.

Self-Evaluation

Ethics

The code of ethics is the basis for all that a nurse does. I see my professional relationships

within the workplace and with patients as one of my top priorities. I sincerely care to see that all

I interact with feel respected and valued. Every individual is unique and everyone deserves to

feel valued. Every patient is our primary commitment, and the advocacy we are responsible for

comes before everything else. I hold myself and my nursing staff to very high expectations in

regards to being responsible and accountable, and collaborating with the team. As a leader, I feel

it is my responsibility to be a role model. I feel strongly that in order for someone to care for

someone else well, they must care for themselves first. I make an effort to eat healthy, exercise,

and get appropriate sleep so that I have the energy and motivation to do the best I can in my

career. I am committed to improving healthcare and advancing the profession. It is my job as a

nurse to proactively identify ethical violations and take action. According to the book The


Essential Guide to Nursing Practice, “In contrasting the profession’s ethical standard with its

legal standard (nurse practice acts), actions that are ethical may not be considered to be legal. In

turn, what is legal may not be perceived as being ethical and may be in conflict with one’s

personal values” (White, 114). Having been a nurse just about four years now, I feel I am able to

identify situations I couldn’t as a new nurse. I feel with more experience I will gain more

perspective and insight into various ethical concerns that border legality concerns as well. My

main weakness is the lack of experience and exposure to ethical concerns.

Education

On-going education is a requirement in the medical field. According to White and

O’Sullivan, “The ability to acquire, appraise, and apply the best scientific evidence in nursing

practice is sustained through ongoing professional education” (124). I work at a long term acute

care hospital and see patients who require longer term acute care. These patient circumstances

vary from surgeries with poor outcomes, acute renal failure, new plegias and brain injuries,

wound care, difficult to wean ventilator patients, and more. I have attained a brain injury

certification. I am sedation certified through the Spectrum Health System. I participated in a 10-

month new leadership program I was nominated into. I attend seminars, read journals, and seek

opportunities to learn about best practice in order to offer process improvement education to the

unit. Education in the medical field is a constant. I thoroughly enjoy learning and see continuing

education as a critical part of offering quality care. I see the continuing education requirements

of my nursing license and my brain injury certification as the bare minimum of what I should do

to keep my knowledge base up to date. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Ferris

State University in order to advance my thinking process and critical evaluation skills. I am

strongly considering the accelerated to master’s degree program at Ferris State University with


either a focus on education or administration. The exact direction I would like to go is unclear at

this time.

EBP and Research

There are many opportunities for me to involve myself in research. As we find minor

breaks in our process I often seize the opportunity to evaluate how others do things and what is

suggested in journals, online resources, and various specialists within the hospital. One of the big

research projects I involved myself in was discovering the most effective way to complete shift

to shift report. Through my research I found bedside report combined with hourly rounds to be

the most effective way to communicate between shifts. I strongly believe that research is the

basis for nursing practice. Through research we are able to identify the things that promote the

best patient outcomes and nursing efficiencies. With research we are consistently able to offer

higher levels of quality care. I definitely look at EBP positively and am excited to try newly

proven ideas from EBP. Yet it can be challenging to keep up with and implement new EBP.

According to the Journal of the Medical Library Association, “To effectively apply the EBP

process, in addition to the basic skills required to undertake nursing work, a nurse must have the

ability to: (1) identify knowledge gaps, (2) formulate relevant questions, (3) conduct an efficient

literature search, (4) apply rules of evidence to determine the validity of studies, (5) apply the

literature findings appropriately to the patient's problem, and (6) appropriately involve the patient

in the clinical decision making” (Majid, 2011). This process, unfortunately is thorough and time

intensive and occasionally opposition is met by leadership who is consumed by other projects in

the moment. With such large volume of changes related to EBP, transitions can be rather slow.

This entire process is a work in progress for me.

Quality of Practice


There are a variety of things that I do to ensure I am offering the highest quality care. The

first thing I do is make sure I know the policies and procedures of my workplace prior to

providing any patient care. The policies and procedures are created by professionals that are

keeping the state regulations, joint commission guidelines, and best practice in mind. The second

thing that I do is get to know my patients from a medical standpoint as well as a personal

standpoint. When I know my patient’s preferences regarding how they learn, what their goals

are, and the type of encouragement I can offer, I am able to cater any interventions to meet them

not only at a physical level but holistically. The third thing I do is monitor individual outcomes

as well as quality dashboards on the unit to evaluate opportunities for improvement.

According to White and O’Sullivan, “Nurses are engaged every day in identifying areas

of improvement, for monitoring, for measuring, and for reporting quality” (2012, 146). Offering

the highest quality care is our responsibility.

Communication

The key to smooth transitions and optimal patient care is communication,

communication, communication! With clear, concise communication the patient is offered the

best quality care. Any break in the communication process promotes the risk of setbacks, missed

opportunities, and frustration of the patient and family, the customers we serve. In my position, it

has been a learning process for me to always keep in mind every person I need to communicate

the minutest details to.

According to White and O’Sullivan, “A key principle of effective communication is that

the only true communication is what the other person perceives you to have said, written, or

intended” (2012, 153). As a nurse, the only way to complete an accurate assessment, make

nursing diagnoses, and educate your patient is through effective interpersonal communication.


Great communication is essential for efficient teamwork and collaboration to occur. I have

started studying the book Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler

and plan to study their book Crucial Confrontations once done.

Leadership

All nurses play a leadership role. Leadership is not merely management. When a nurse

shows exceptional leadership skills, they are encompassing all of the ANA standards and serving

as a role model to their patients and fellow teammates. According to White and O’Sullivan, “The

fundamental nature of leadership can be described as the ability to influence others towards

toward accomplishing common goals” (2012, 163). As a nursing supervisor and interim

educator, I am constantly faced with situations that really try your ability to make a difference

and set an example. Staying focused on the vision of the health system I work for directs my

decisions. There are constantly opportunities to mentor staff and encourage their personal

growth. I took part in a 10 month leadership course through the hospital system I am employed at

and learned a lot from the course as well as through networking with other leaders and future

leaders within the health system. I plan to continue to learn and involve myself in opportunities

to learn how I can be an influential leader. I take every opportunity I have to offer help and

observe for staff feeling overwhelmed. In the midst of chaos, I feel it is very important to stay

calm and mentor staff. In the hospital things are very unpredictable and I try very hard to make

sure that staff sees me as a co-worker and caregiver, a support to them and not merely as a

superior. I feel my job is to serve them and ensure that they have the tools and the support they

need to do their job well.

Collaboration


As a nursing supervisor, I am consistently working within an interdisciplinary team.

Simply coordinating the events of the day require interdisciplinary communication. During

weekly team rounds on our patients I work with every member of the interdisciplinary team to

evaluate every patient and determine progress and goals. Collaborating with physicians,

therapists, case managers, pharmacy, dietary, infection control, leadership, scheduling, transport

services, monitor room, nursing, security, wound care, dialysis, etc. is all part of my daily duties.

It is very enjoyable being part of a team. Even though nursing is very autonomous,

working as a team allows for greater efficiency, quality patient care, and overall satisfaction with

your job. I try very hard to make sure my staff sees me as a team player who sincerely cares

about them. I make every effort to stay positive, approachable, and provide frequent praise and

encouragement. According to White and O’Sullivan, “nurses need to be able to welcome

differences that may lead to disagreements and conflicts and, at the same time, appreciate that

safe quality patient care is the imperative among all provider and caregivers” (2012, 176).

Professional Practice Evaluation

According to White and O’Sullivan, “The professional registered nurse (RN) has a

responsibility to engage in evaluation activities to maintain and enhance her or his professional

performance as part of accountability to the healthcare consumer and to the profession. As part

of the evaluation process, the RN identifies and monitors official, valid, and reliable authoritative

sources of information for professional practice standards, guidelines, statutes, rules, and

regulations that serve as a basis for evaluation of professional performance. There are multiple

ways that I am able to evaluate what I am doing in my current practice. On our unit we have

annual mandatory education that offers me the most updated information and process

improvements to ensure my current practice lines up. The quality dashboards on the unit offer


me a broad idea of how the unit is doing and magnifies the areas where we can improve. I

evaluate my own interventions based on outcomes. I proactively seek feedback from my patients,

co-workers and superiors. I take my annual evaluation to heart. I compare my current practice to

articles that I read in journals and best practice as suggested by the Joint Commission and other

organizations. We offer patient satisfaction surveys upon discharge and those results also offer a

broad evaluation of care offered on my unit. Evaluating my current practice is vital to ensuring I

am offering the highest quality care. Through ongoing education, researching evidence based

practice, and valuing feedback of my peers I am able to be in a constant evaluation mode.

Resources Utilization

According to White and O’Sullivan, “As patient advocates, the registered nurse had an

important role in assessing the healthcare consumer’s and family’s needs, identifying desired

outcomes, and assisting them to negotiate and navigate resources for their health care across the

continuum” (2012, 194). As a nurse, I collaborate with case management to recognize needs for

patients regarding equipment, financial support, meals, and more to ensure all of their needs are

met during and after their stay with us. I see myself and all nursing transitioning our focus to be

more fiscally responsible for the resources we use. We do this by monitoring usage of supplies,

seeking out more cost-effective supplies and ways to do things, and taking responsibility to

ensure we are not taking advantage of our time at work. As supervisor I am responsible to

monitor staffing needs which can hugely affect healthcare dollars in a positive or negative way.

Being mindful of our resources allows for more opportunities to advance our services we offer.

Environmental Health

Ensuring that our patients have a clean, safe, and efficient physical, psychological, and

social environment is an important part of supporting a healthy recovery. According to White


and O’Sullivan, “Nurses have an immense capacity to affect environmental conditions for their

patients, themselves, and their communities” (2012, 203). By advocating for green spaces and

recycling, we can support our environment. I feel that the best way I am able to help others in my

profession is through supporting the emotional and mental environment of the staff. Nursing is a

physically and emotionally challenging profession. In the hospital it is impossible to predict what

will occur day to day which results in lots of anxiety in some. The fast-pace and high work

demands are exhausting. Even though nursing is very, very rewarding and the impact you are

able to make on the lives of others can last a lifetime, the difficulty of the high level of

responsibility can lead to healthcare givers feeling worn out. I see it as my calling to provide the

support and encouragement to the team I work with so that they feel energized and valued. The

hard work they endure is recognized and appreciated. Through a sincere kind word people gain

worth and confidence. That positive atmosphere reinforces their missional goals and keeps them

going despite the chaos going on around them. The primary need of any person is to love and to

be loved.

Goal Setting

Five Year Professional Goals Five Year Goal

My five year professional goal is to continue to work in acute care to maintain my

nursing skills and advance my critical thinking thought processes. In relationship to the

standards of professional performance, I have set the following goals:

Ethics: Continue to seek out opportunities to be involved in ethical decision making on

the unit. Through experience I will be able to strengthen my ability to recognize and

support ethical decision making situations.

Education: I plan to complete the Registered Nurse to Bachelor’s degree at Ferris State

University. The checklist for program completion is found in Appendix A.


Evidenced Based Practice and Research: I have a five year goal to join a team pursuing a

research project to identify evidenced based practice in an area of nursing. By involving

myself in such a project I will be able to gain knowledge and insight related to the

research process from other members of the team.

Quality of Practice: I plan to involve myself more in the process of evaluating, writing,

and rewriting the policies and procedures on the unit in order to incorporate the latest

evidence based practice. I also plan to take the opportunity to evaluate quality data in

order to identify areas of weakness and support projects to strengthen those areas.

Communication: I plan to complete the Crucial Conversations and Crucial

Confrontations training and bring some of the key points that I have learned back to the

team I work with.

Leadership: I plan to continue to seek out resources in order to strengthen my ability as a

leader. I will network and seek mentoring from other experienced leaders within the

healthcare system. I will proactively apply for new opportunities at the management on

the unit I currently work for.

Collaboration: I plan to complete the training on Crucial Conversations and Crucial

Confrontations in order to improve my communication and support effective

collaboration within the team I work for.

Professional Practice Evaluation: I will continue to evaluate my current practice with the

changing of practice in the nursing world. I will examine myself in order to identify

weaknesses biannually in order to seek out opportunities for growth. I will do this

through self-evaluation as well as through seeking feedback from my peers and superiors.


Resource Utilization: I will continue to support my unit’s resource utilization by seeking

out opportunities to be green and cut costs. I will do this through monitoring supply usage

and encouraging our registered nurses to think fiscally when using supplies. I will also

use creativity in staffing ensuring safety and quality care is protected.

Environmental Health: I will continue to support a healthy environment in the workplace

for the staff and patients. Through encouraging quietness, cleanliness, positive attitudes,

and calmness I will be able to support a therapeutic environment for our patients.

Ten Year Professional Goals

My ten year professional goal is to continue my education in order to complete my

master’s degree in nursing specializing in either education or administration through the

accelerated program at Ferris State University. The main reason that I would like to pursue my

master’s degree is due to the enjoyment that I find in learning. I could see myself working as an

online professor in the future. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing,

“Faculty shortages at nursing schools across the country are limiting student capacity at a time

when the need for professional registered nurses continues to grow. Budget constraints, an aging

faculty, and increasing job competition from clinical sites have contributed to this crisis”

(AACN, 2012). I would like to do my job to support the nursing profession where the need is. I also

would appreciate the job security and flexibility found with the schedule of an online professor. I do

thoroughly enjoy working in the acute care setting directly with patients as well. I plan to continue

to seek mentorship from other experienced nurses, seek out educational opportunities, request

feedback from my peers, support the organizational mission, and stay engaged in my position in

order to transform myself to be all that I possibly can be.

Action Plan


In order to attain the goals I have set I will be proactive in seeking out new opportunities

for educating myself and others, obtaining feedback, and participating in projects and unit

changes. My largest weakness is my lack of experience. I will establish a consistent evaluation

process in order to ensure I am focused on the goals I have set for myself and to remove any

barriers to attaining my goals. I will identify a key mentor to support me and hold me

accountable to reaching these goals.

Evaluation Plan

I plan to evaluate myself on a biannual basis. I have a checklist found in Appendix B that

I can utilize as I reach goals or rewrite goals to meet my most current needs and ambitions. Not

only will I evaluate myself, but I will seek advice and input from a variety of peers and superiors

to get a well-rounded picture on how I am doing in attempt to reach for these goals.

Conclusion

This project has really inspired me to be futuristic in my thinking and desire to have a plan to

optimize my achievements. Even though there may be necessary deviations from the plan where I need

to revise my goals, I look forward to what the future brings. Through the innovation involved in creating

this professional development plan I am able to make the most of my ability to make a difference in the

lives of those around me. Maintaining a focus on this vision will allow for my integration in the health

system I work for to be maximized. I desire to be a part of the elite in healthcare.


References

Chitty, K.K., & Black, B.P. (2011). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (6th ed.). Maryland

Heights, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Majid, S., Schubert, F., Brendan, L., Zhang, X., Theng, Y., Chang, Y., & Mokhtar, I. (2011).

Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions,

knowledge, and barriers. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 99(3), 229–236.

doi: 10.3163/1536-5050.99.3.010

Rosseter, R. (2012). Nursing Faculty Shortage Fact Sheet. American Association of Colleges of

Nursing. Retrieved from

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/FacultyShortageFS.pdf


Appendix A

Student ID Number: 10152649 Advisor:Student Name: Nichole Kraai Katie Laier

First Middle Last [email protected]

RN to BSN Completion Progression Policy

Student progression in the baccalaureate nursing program without interruption is determined academically by achieving a minimum grade of "C" (2.0) in each nursing course, and maintaining at least a "C" (2.0) grade point average each semester. Progression includes graduation, and a nursing student may not graduate if he/she receives less than a "C" (2.0) in the specified courses or less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

WebsitesProgram Schedule Grid -- http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/RN-to-BSN/RN-to-BSN-Completion-Course-Schedule.pdfProgram Website -- http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/RN-to-BSN/home-rn-to-bsn.htm Ferris Course Catalog -- http://www.ferris.edu/catalogTransfer Credit Equivalency --- http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/admision/Transfer/WebPages/equivalencies.htmDegree Requirements --- http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/academics/gened/gen_edspecific.htmlEmployer Tuition Reimbursement form -- http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/statewide/tuition/etr.htm

Current StatusGrade Point Average

Notes: kl - student needs to make sure that either her remaining SA at 300 level or CE also meets global consciousness.

Total Number of credits at the 300-400 level: 37 Minimum of 40 requiredTotal Number of Ferris State University Credits: 32 Minimum of 30 requiredTotal Number of Credits Earned: Minimum of 120 are required

Pre

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Cre

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Pre

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Core: 8 credits required Major: 66 credits

RN license or CCHS 101 3 X ADN or Diploma 40 X

RN license or CCHS 102 1 X NURS 320 3 R 201208 FSU 3 3

RN license or CCHS 103 1 X

NURS 324 (PREREQ: NURS 320 & ENGL 321)

3 X 2013SP FSU 3 3

STUDENT HAS STATS NEEDS

CAHS 213

CAHS 213 1 X 2013SP FSU 1 3 NURS 310 (PREREQ:

NURS 324)3 X 2013SU FSU 3 3

Communications: 12 credits required

NURS 340 (PREREQ: NURS 324, 310 & CCHS 315)

3 X 2014FA FSU 3 3

ENGL 150 3 X 200301 GVS

UNURS 350 (PREREQ: NURS 324 & CCHS 315)

3 X 2014FA FSU 3 3

ENGL 250 3 X 200308 BC NURS 440 (PREREQ:

NURS 340 & 350)3 3 3


ENGL 321 3 R 201208 FSU 3 3 NURS 450 (PREREQ:

NURS 440)3 3 3

Communications Elec

COMM 105, 121,

221, 201 or 251

COMM 121 3 X 200401 BC

NURS 495 (PREREQ: NURS 440)

4 4 4

Nursing Elective

Scientific Understanding (SU): 7 credits required

NURS 300, 314, 315, 316, 317, or 319 (PREREQ: NURS 324)

3 3 3

SU Elective BIOL 205 5 X 200401 BC Global

ConsciousnessSU Elective with lab

BIOL 286 4 X 200701 MCC

Global Consciousness RELG 325 3 X 2013SP FSU

Social Awareness (SA): 9 credits requiredSA Foundation course

PSYC 150 3 X 200208 GVS

USocial Awareness (SA)

ANTH 1RS 3 X 200708 MCC

SA Elect (300+ level)

GEOG 201 3 X 2013SU FSU

Quantitative: 3 credits requiredMATH 115 or 117 or ACT Subscore 24+

MATH 115 0 X 200208 GVS

U

Cultural Enrichment (CE): 9 credits requiredCultural Enrichment (CE)

ARTH 110 3 X 200308 BC

Cultural Enrichment (CE)

RELG 325 3 X 2013

SP FSU

CE Elective 200+ LEVEL PHIL 320 3 X 200705 MCC 3

Totals 4 9 28 28


Appendix B

Evaluation Check List for Five Year Goals for Professional Development Plan 2013

Goal 1: Ethics _______

Goal 2: Education _______

Goal 3: EBP & Research _______

Goal 4: Quality of Practice _______

Goal 5: Communication _______

Goal 6: Leadership _______

Goal 7: Collaboration _______

Goal 8: Professional Practice Evaluation _______

Goal 9: Resource Utilization _______

Goal 10: Environmental Health _______


CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING PAPERS

CHECK

DATE, TIME, & INITIAL

PROOFREAD FOR: APA ISSUES

1. Page Numbers: Did you number your pages using the automatic functions of your Word program? [p. 230 and example on p. 40)]

2. Running head: Does the Running head: have a small “h”? Is it on every page? Is it less than 50 spaces total? Is the title of the Running head in all caps? Is it 1/2” from the top of your title page? (Should be a few words from the title of your paper). [p. 229 and example on p. 40]

3. Abstract: Make sure your abstract begins on a new page. Is there a label of Abstract and it is centered at the top of the page? Is it a single paragraph? Is the paragraph flush with the margin without an indentation? Is your abstract a summary of your entire paper? Remember it is not an introduction to your paper. Someone should be able to read the abstract and know what to find in your paper. [p. 25 and example on p. 41]

4. Introduction: Did you repeat the title of your paper on your first page of content? Do not use ‘Introduction’ as a heading following the title. The first paragraph clearly implies the introduction and no heading is needed. [p. 27 and example on p. 42]

5. Margins: Did you leave 1” on all sides? [p. 229]

6. Double-spacing: Did you double-space throughout? No triple or extra spaces between sections or paragraphs except in special circumstances. This includes the reference page. [p. 229 and example on p. 40-59]

7. Line Length and Alignment: Did you use the flush-left style, and leave the right margin uneven, or ragged? [p. 229]

8. Paragraphs and Indentation: Did you indent the first line of every paragraph? See P. 229 for exceptions.

9. Spacing After Punctuation Marks: Did you space once at the end of separate parts of a reference and initials in a person’s name? Do not space after periods in abbreviations. Space twice after punctuation marks at the end of a sentence. [p. 87-88]10. Typeface: Did you use Times Roman 12-point font? [p. 228]

11. Abbreviation: Did you explain each abbreviation the first time you used it? [p. 106-111]


12. Plagiarism: Cite all sources! If you say something that is not your original idea, it must be cited. You may be citing many times…this is what you are supposed to be doing! [p. 170]

13. Direct Quote: A direct quote is exact words taken from another. An example with citation would look like this:

“The variables that impact the etiology and the human response to various disease states will be explored” (Bell-Scriber, 2007, p. 1).

Please note where the quotation marks are placed, where the final period is placed, no first name of author, and inclusion of page number, etc. Do all direct quotes look like this? [p. 170-172]

14. Quotes Over 40 Words: Did you make block quotes out of any direct quotes that are 40 words or longer? [p. 170-172]

15. Paraphrase: A paraphrase citation would look like this:

Patients respond to illnesses in various ways depending on a number of factors that will be explored (Bell-Scriber, 2007).

It may also look like this: Bell-Scriber (2007) found that……

[p. 171 and multiple examples in text on p. 40-59]

For multiple references within the same paragraph see page 174.

16. Headings: Did you check your headings for proper levels? [p. 62-63].

17. General Guidelines for References:

A. Did you start the References on a new page? [p. 37]

B. Did you cut and paste references on your reference page? If so, check to make sure they are in correct APA format. Often they are not and must be adapted. Make sure all fonts are the same.

C. Is your reference list double spaced with hanging indents? [p. 37]

PROOFREAD FOR GRAMMAR, SPELLING, PUNCTUATION, & STRUCTURE

18. Did you follow the assignment rubric? Did you make headings that address each major section? (Required to point out where you addressed each section.)


19. Watch for run-on or long, cumbersome sentences. Read it out loud without pausing unless punctuation is present. If you become breathless or it doesn’t make sense, you need to rephrase or break the sentence into 2 or more smaller sentences. Did you do this?

20. Wordiness: check for the words “that”, and “the”. If not necessary, did you omit?

21. Conversational tone: Don’t write as if you are talking to someone in a casual way. For example, “Well so I couldn’t believe nurses did such things!” or “I was in total shock over that.” Did you stay in a formal/professional tone?

22. Avoid contractions. i.e. don’t, can’t, won’t, etc. Did you spell these out?

23. Did you check to make sure there are no hyphens and broken words in the right margin?

24. Do not use “etc.” or "i.e." in formal writing unless in parenthesis. Did you check for improper use of etc. & i.e.?

25. Stay in subject agreement. When referring to 1 nurse, don’t refer to the nurse as “they” or “them”. Also, in referring to a human, don’t refer to the person as “that”, but rather “who”. For example: The nurse that gave the injection….” Should be “The nurse who gave the injection…” Did you check for subject agreement?

26. Don’t refer to “us”, “we”, “our”, within the paper…this is not about you and me. Be clear in identifying. For example don’t say “Our profession uses empirical data to support ….” . Instead say “The nursing profession uses empirical data…..

27. Did you check your sentences to make sure you did not end them with a preposition? For example, “I witnessed activities that I was not happy with.” Instead, “I witnessed activities with which I was not happy.”

28. Did you run a Spellcheck? Did you proofread in addition to running the Spellcheck?

29. Did you have other people read your paper? Did they find any areas confusing?

30. Did you include a summary or conclusion heading and section to wrap up your paper?

31. Does your paper have sentence fragments? Do you have complete sentences?

32. Did you check apostrophes for correct possessive use. Don’t use apostrophes unless it is showing possession and then be sure it is in the correct location. The exception is with the word it. It’s = it is. Its is possessive.

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