Career Architecture & Nursing

How will Career Architecture help you as a Nursing major at SU? Here are some suggestions from our nursing faculty:

Self-Discovery

  • Discussion of values and biomedical ethics
  • Dialogue about culturally appropriate care
  • Reflective thinking through written assignments
  • Analysis of personal communication skills
  • Exploration of attitudes related to health care practices
  • Maintenance of a personal log
  • Self-evaluation through clinical experiential learning
  • Skills development in physical examination
  • Decision making through a pair testing model
  • Completion of reflective journal on learning styles and experiences (RN/BS)
  • Completion of leadership journal based on leadership responses to situations (RN/BS)

Career Development Foundations

  • Clinical practice in inpatient and outpatient settings
  • Sampling of community educational programs
  • Development of psychomotor and physical assessment skills
  • Decision/problem solving/application of nursing process to various case studies
  • Assignments using PowerPoint and other presentation techniques
  • Developing a plan of care for a client in the community
  • Examination of professional values and ethical behaviors
  • Development of public speaking abilities
  • Engagement in group process and analysis of group dynamics
  • Development of computer literacy skills
  • Competence in basic skills in order to apply for a position in health care
  • Interviewing for jobs and internships
  • Incorporation of group process assignments
  • Formal interviews of experts in specialty areas of nursing
  • Interviews of community leaders/health care providers
  • Mentored clinical practice
  • On-line dialogue about clinical experiences and learning about nursing roles
  • New skill development through mentored practice
  • Completion and submission of professional portfolio
  • Selection and development of an experiential learning project and completion of a portfolio for class (RN/BS)Clinical practice in inpatient and outpatient settings

Career Exploration

  • Discussion of advanced nursing practice
  • Conduction of an interview with a registered nurse
  • Exposure to community settings, long term care and hospital settings  to observe nurses’ roles in a variety of settings
  • Voluntary support for agency through clinical hours
  • Examination of competencies required for nursing
  • Exploration of values related to populations served in community
  • Practice of interviewing skills that are unique to community situations
  • Assessment of skills that are unique to community situations
  • Practice of clinical hours in community settings
  • Articulation of career goals and statement of philosophy
  • Selection of clinical placement that allows for exploration of new practice arenas and future career direction
  • Visit from guest speaker on nursing roles in state and federal governments
  • Field trip to legislative events and community meetings
  • Encouragement of students to follow or shadow a colleague nurse in a discipline that is different from their own (RN/BS)

Career Preparation

  • Participation in annual spring nursing conference and research day
  • Online assignments to learn about professional nursing organizations
  • Analysis of leadership and management styles
  • Preparation of cover letter and resume
  • Practice of testing strategies to prepare for NCLEX
  • Refinement of an ongoing professional resume
  • Exploration of graduate education
  • Networking with experts in clinical placement
  • Career HQ guest speaker on lifelong career preparation
  • Contributions to on-line discussion on the book, From Novice to Expert, a classic text on clinical ladders & career progression in nursing (RN/BS)
     

What is Career ArchitectureSM?

Career ArchitectureSM is a unique process that enables each Stevenson student to create a successful and rewarding career path. Starting in the freshman year, students begin working with faculty and staff to design a strategic career plan based on their personal interests, values, strengths, and abilities. Career Architecture includes four elements: Self-Discovery, Career Development Foundations, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation. Not only does the knowledge gathered during the Career Architecture process help SU students land their first jobs; it serves for the lifetime of their careers.