When deciding to enter a Master’s program inevitably, I knew it had to be an online course. The advantage of going to school online while being able to work full time was a significant precursor in deciding to go back. The convenience and flexibility offered in online courses are un-matched, with most learners being full-time workers and parents (Kauffman, 2015). With there being so many appealing attributes, online learning is growing at a rapid rate (Kauffman, 2015). In 2010, over 6.5 million people were taking at least one online course (Kauffman, 2015).

While there are many positive aspects of online learning, there are a few negatives to take into consideration, as well. When choosing an online course, you lack face-to-face interaction with peers and instructors (Kauffman, 2015). The lack of interaction was the biggest concern I had when entering this course. Not being able to have your questions answered right away as you would in a physical classroom is an example. However, the communication between Walden staff in all of my classes so far has been excellent. My academic advisor and all of the teachers have been quick to respond and answer and questions. They always ensure I understand what is being asked of me when they submit the reply.

The second biggest concern I have is finding clinical sites for my practicum courses in the MSN program. I live in a city that is saturated with Nurse Practitioner students, and that makes finding clinical sites difficult. Working with my academic advisor this week, I have nailed down the exact dates I will need practicum to ensure I have a deadline.  According to Online Colleges (n.d.), one of the traits of a successful online learner is self-direction and self-efficiency. Taking the initiative, utilizing resources, and staying on schedule fall under this category (Online Colleges (n.d.). Previously, in my BSN program, we also had a practicum in the last quarter. During that time, I failed to utilize my resources and exercise self-direction and efficiency and didn’t meet the deadline for my practicum applications. By failing to meet the practicum deadline, I delayed one of my courses for six weeks, ultimately putting me behind. Although this was an inconvenience, it was a learning experience for me on time management and self- direction with online learning.

The third and final concern I had was writing Master’s level papers and discussions. The Writing Center was beneficial while obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree, and I will continue to utilize it as a resource to earn my MSN. With options such as help with writing, grammar and composition, APA format, and scholarly writing, you are provided an abundance of tools to ensure success (Walden University Writing Center, 2019).

In conclusion, I have many resources available to me on a professional and academic level. Whether it be my academic advisor, the writing center, a mentor, or colleague in addition to personal discipline and accountability makes me prepared to take MSN courses.  

Part 1: For this project, you will choose to interview an adult who is in the middle, late, or oldest stages of adulthood and outline the following factors throughout their childhood and adult development: Risk Factors, Resilience Factors, Major Stressors/Trauma, and Developmental Stages they met or failed to meet (childhood stages must include at least 3 theorists).

Part 2: You will create a developmental milestones chart using Excel (sample provided on canvas) and chart each of the following eight developmental milestones throughout our lives: Prenatal, Infancy & Toddlerhood (0-3yrs), Preschool: Early School Age (3-6yrs), Middle Childhood (7-12yrs), Early Adolescence (13-18yrs), Late Adolescence (19-25yrs), Early  Adulthood (26-35yrs), Middle Adulthood (36-60yrs), Late Adulthood (61-75yrs), Oldest-Old Elderhood (75yrs & up). Bonus points will be given to students who are able to interview an adult in the oldest-old elderhood stage.  Due: Monday, December 2nd

I need a 2 or 3 sentence comment for each paragraph

Paragraph 1

Today’s family reaches beyond the traditional definition and encompasses societal units of single-parent families; lesbian , bisexual, gay, transgender, queer, and questioning (LBGTQ+) families’ children raised by grandparents or other relatives; multigenerational units; and people who are together out of friendship and love, not bloodlines”. It is important to understand the family dynamics of the patient, their roles and relationships so nurses can better understand family structure and their involvement. Involving families in care and education can enhance patient compliance. Family members can affect health of an individual based on their social characteristics, culture, the influences from their neighborhood, community and society (Sharma, 2013). Health seeking behaviors and preferences may also be influences by family structure and the changing dynamics of family composition can impact lifestyles and heath related risk factors (Sharma, 2013). Nurses have a powerful position to create a therapeutic relationship with patients and families and involving those who influence the health and wellbeing of an individual in efficient, quality health care (Ponte, et al., 2007). Nurses who are confident in their ability to acknowledge family structure and what patients and families need, can successfully implement actions to encourage high quality care. “The family influences on each other can be engaged to assist patients and family members make choices and changes for better health”

Paragraph 2

The definition of “family” has evolved over generations and expanded from the traditional male and female married couple and their children living under one roof to that of the modern way in which people are interacting with each other and carrying out relationships. Coinciding with the way people are relating to one and other today, the definition a family has broaden to “societal units of single-parent families; lesbian, bisexual, gay, trans gender, queer, and questioning (LBGTQ+) families; children raised by grandparents or other relatives; multi generational units; and people who are together out of friendship and love, not bloodlines. The form and function of the family dynamics directly influence the overall health of an individual. This is why understanding the different family structures and not assuming the “non-traditional” structure will enable the nurse to make accurate assessments on the health care needs of the individual as well as identifying gaps to meeting those needs and formulating a plan while honoring their preferences, beliefs and values. Understanding the family structure will give the nurse insight to the plan for aftercare and how well the goals will be met in the home setting. The family systems theory takes a look at the family as a whole system rather than individual members to study the family processes and problems. However, each family member has their own individual role, feelings, behaviors and goals that influence the rest of the family. Considering the family system will help nurses understand the interaction of the family because any “modification by an individual within the system can change the family’s finances, health, housing, communication, and dreams. Once a change is made within the member of the family then the dynamics in the whole system start to shift, which can result in either positive outcomes for everyone or create stressors and tensions for the other members to adapt to. Involving the whole family in the assessment and planning of care will create an environment of support and encouragement, promote education and increase the probability of healthier, positive behaviors. 

I need a 2 or 3 sentence comment for each paragraph

Paragraph 1

The definition of the traditional family is “is the parents and offspring living together as a societal or social unit with the same ancestry” (Green, 2018). However, the definition of family that encompasses the different family structures today would be “societal units of single-parent families; lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, queer, and questioning (LBGTQ+) families; children raised by grandparents or other relatives; multigenerational units; and people who are together out of friendship and love, not bloodlines. Pets, often part of a household, may acquire the status of “family” members. Thus, family tends to connote a complex, diverse, and dynamic unit, often consisting of parents and children related by legal, genetic, or emotional ties” (Green, 2018). For example, I know some people who are unable to have children of their own and consider their pets as their children. I am sure many people have even heard the term ‘dog-mom’ being used throughout society as well. The family systems theory states that “Family members influence each other and the family as a whole” (Green, 2018), furthermore, each “…individual does not exist in isolation, but is part of a group or family system. Each family member experiences the togetherness, attachment, and intimacy of the family system, but the family member remains an independent thinker with individual purpose-driven actions” (Green, 2018). Whether or not a patient’s family is considered traditional or nontraditional, it is important for nurses to understand the family systems theory when providing and planning care because a patient’s family truly impacts their environment.

Paragraph 2
 

I think the definition of family is one that is likely to change per the patient and their individual take on the definition. What a family to me could be and is probably very different than what a family is to one of my patients. Family is either by choice, so the person or people have chosen this as their family and it could range from a best friend to a significant other or a family could be blood, the “biological” part of what makes people “family” and lastly, it could be a mixture of both choice and “biologic” that makes a family. It is important to acknowledge a non-traditional family because like I said before the people in the “family” does not matter but how they interact and the dynamic in which they live is what is more important than the who of the family. “A family systems approach to individuals and their families provides a means to better understand the interactions of a societal family unit ”  and family systems theories help us to understand what we, as nurses, need to look for when assessing and evaulating a family and their health.

 You are to write a 2 pageresearch paper about the listed nurse theorists.  (Betty Neuman theory)Your paper should have an APA title page, at least2 sources, and an APA reference page. Your paper should contain 2 pages of research with an additional cover page and reference page, a total of 4 pages.  You should give a short history of the theorist, discuss their major accomplishments, and discuss how they have made an impact on today’s nursing practice.  All the requirements of the paper must be included to get full credit.  You must have 2 references for this paper.  

You can use the textbook and Internet sources for this paper.  Your sources must be academic/scholarly.  NO WIKEPEDIA, ASK.COM, ETC.

BECAUSE OF THE LARGE CLASS, THIS IS NOT A GROUP PAPER, EACH PAPER SHOULD BE UNIQUE AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS TO AVOID PLAGIARISM.