D024 Phase 1 Video Reflection

D024 Phase 1 Video Reflection

Student Name

Western Governors University

D024 Professional Presence and Influence

Prof. Name:

Date

D024 Professional Presence and Influence Phase 1 Video Reflection

Introduction and Background

My name is Kayla LaBrie, and I graduated from Husson University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2012. Returning to school for my Master’s degree has been a long-standing goal. Now that my children are becoming more independent, I believe this is the ideal time to pursue further education before expanding my family.

Current Professional Roles

I work full-time as a Med-Surg charge nurse and preceptor at a critical access hospital in Maine. In addition to this role, I work per diem at a nursing home, serve as a clinical instructor for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) at the local high school, and function as a corrections nurse at the county jail. My role as a charge nurse involves being highly present within the department, managing staff assignments thoughtfully, and prioritizing patient needs.

Leadership Style and Approach

I consider myself an effective leader primarily because I maintain a positive attitude and calm demeanor, especially in high-pressure environments. Leading by example is crucial to me, particularly through demonstrating compassion, empathy, and clinical skills. This approach helps foster trust and respect among the nursing staff and supports a collaborative work environment.

Mentorship Program Participation

I actively participate in the hospital’s mentorship program, which pairs new nurses with experienced mentors for one year. The program requires weekly communication via email or text, monthly face-to-face meetings lasting an hour, and a year-end celebration dinner with all mentors and mentees. Since its implementation four years ago, the program has consistently received positive feedback for the support it provides new nurses.

Goals for Master’s Degree

My primary goal in pursuing a Master’s in Nursing Education is to expand my teaching roles beyond high school CNA students to university-level nursing education. Despite working at a critical access hospital, we emphasize strong support and comprehensive training for new nurses. All new hires undergo three months of one-on-one training in Med-Surg, followed by an additional nine months of one-on-one training if they transition to the Emergency Department.

Support Network and Professional Community

I am fortunate to work alongside several nurses with Master’s degrees, some of whom graduated from Western Governors University (WGU). Many of these MSN-prepared nurses, as well as most BSN-level nurses, are members of the American Nurses Association (ANA). This community offers immense support as I embark on this new educational journey.

Closing Thoughts

I am genuinely excited about this opportunity to advance my education and skills. I look forward to engaging with peers and faculty throughout this program and wish everyone the best of luck in their own journeys.

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Summary Table of Kayla LaBrie’s Professional Profile and Goals

Category	Details
Education	BSN, Husson University, 2012
Current Roles	– Full-time Med-Surg charge nurse and preceptor- Per diem nursing home nurse- CNA clinical instructor- Corrections nurse
Leadership Approach	Positive attitude, calm demeanor, leads by example through compassion and skill
Mentorship Program	One-year pairing; weekly check-ins, monthly meetings, year-end celebration
Training Provided	3 months 1:1 Med-Surg training; 9 months additional training for Emergency Department
Master’s Degree Goal	To teach nursing at both high school and university levels
Professional Support Network	MSN-level colleagues, ANA members, supportive nursing community

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References

American Nurses Association. (n.d.). About ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/

Husson University. (n.d.). Nursing Programs. https://www.husson.edu/academics/nursing/

Western Governors University. (n.d.). Nursing Degrees. https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-degrees.html