Week 1 Discussion: 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 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 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 Success and Professional Development Plan—that will guide you toward your own vision for academic and professional success. Finally, you will explain the importance of networking and how it can help you achieve your professional and academic goals.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, initial postings to Discussions are due on or before Day 3, and response postings are due on or before Day 6. You are required to participate in the Discussion on at least three different days (a different day for main post and each response). It is important to adhere to the weekly time frame to allow others ample time to respond to your posting. In addition, you are expected to respond to questions directed toward your own initial posting in a timely manner.

Required Readings

• Nurse.org. (n.d.). List of nursing organizations. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://nurse.org/orgs.shtml
• Schmidt, K. (n.d.). 5 reasons nurses should engage in professional networking [Blog post]. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://blog.bluepipes.com/5-reasons-nurses-should-take-professional-networking-seriously/
• Walden University. (n.d.). Connect to Walden. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/connect
• Walden University. (n.d.). College of Nursing Retrieved October 5, 2020, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son#s-lg-box-3837398

Review the College of Nursing’s vision and mission.

To Prepare

1. Review the Walden and College of Nursing mission and vision statements, Walden’s goals and University Outcomes, and the MSN and PMC Program Learning Outcomes presented in this Module’s Learning Resources.
2. Reflect on your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
3. Consider how the information in these resources fit with your own goals and to your becoming a scholar-practitioner.
4. 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.
5. Consider the importance of networking and how it may help you achieve your professional and academic goals.

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. Finally, explain why networking is important and how it may help you achieve your professional and academic goals.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by suggesting additional individuals and/or teams with whom you wish to collaborate or by offering additional networking strategies.