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 School of Nursing (SON) 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 member of the professional community can also
help you to clarify your vision.

This Module’s Discussion asks you to consider how the Walden
mission and vision as well as the SON’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 Success and Professional
Development Plan—that will guide you toward your own vision for academic
and professional success.

To Prepare:

• Review the Walden and SON mission and vision statements,
  Walden’s goals and University Outcomes, and the MSN Program Learning
  Outcomes presented in this Module’s Learning Resources.
• Reflect on your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
• Consider how the information in these resources fit with your own goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.
• Also consider academic and professional individuals and teams
  with whom you may collaborate in support of your efforts as a student at
  the university and as a professional within your organization and
  career.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a brief introduction of yourself to your
colleagues. Include an explanation as to how Walden’s vision, mission,
goals, and social change initiatives relate to your professional and
academic goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner. Also include
an explanation for how the Walden MSN Program Outcomes and perspectives
relate to your professional and academic goals and to your becoming a
scholar-practitioner.

Then, post a draft of Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template, indicating at least two academic and at least two
professional individuals or teams with whom you wish to collaborate to
be successful in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse along with
an explanation for your selections.