Using the Walden Library
Where can you find evidence to inform your thoughts and scholarly writing? Throughout your degree program, you will use research literature to explore ideas, guide your thinking, and gain new insights. As you search the research literature, it is important to use resources that are peer-reviewed and from scholarly journals. You may already have some favorite online resources and databases that you use or have found useful in the past. For this Discussion, you explore databases available through the Walden Library.
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.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To Prepare:
- Review the information presented in the Learning Resources for using the Walden Library, searching the databases, and evaluating online resources.
- Begin searching for a peer-reviewed article that pertains to your practice area and interests you.
By Day 3
Post the following:
Using proper APA formatting, cite the peer-reviewed article you selected that pertains to your practice area and is of particular interest to you and identify the database that you used to search for the article. Explain any difficulties you experienced while searching for this article. Would this database be useful to your colleagues? Explain why or why not. Would you recommend this database? Explain why or why not.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by offering suggestions/strategies for working with this database from your own experience, or offering ideas for using alternative resources.
Solution
Incorporating Academic Activities into My Professional Growth as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
As a Registered Nurse currently pursuing my degree to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), I believe academic activities play a critical role in shaping not just my clinical skills but also my impact as a healthcare provider. Two strategies I’m using to integrate academics into my professional development are participating in evidence-based research and pursuing advanced training in preventive care and pediatric health promotion.
Strategy 1: Engaging in Evidence-Based Research
One academic strategy I’m actively pursuing is engaging in research that addresses gaps in pediatric care. For example, I’m particularly interested in exploring how early intervention and health education can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like childhood obesity. By participating in evidence-based projects, I can translate current research into clinical practice and support my goal of becoming a provider who offers proactive, data-driven care to children and families (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019).
Strategy 2: Expanding Skills in Preventive Pediatric Care
Another strategy involves aligning my coursework with continuing education in pediatric health promotion. I plan to focus on topics such as immunization education, nutrition counseling, and developmental milestone assessments. These areas are essential in helping families make informed decisions about their child’s health. Building these skills supports my long-term goal of promoting wellness and reducing preventable illness, especially in underserved communities that may lack access to regular pediatric care.
Connecting to Walden University’s Social Change Mission
These goals closely align with Walden University’s mission of fostering positive social change. By focusing on prevention and health education, I aim to address health disparities in at-risk pediatric populations. For instance, I hope to launch a community-based program that provides free wellness check-ups and health education workshops for families in low-income neighborhoods. This type of outreach empowers parents and contributes to healthier long-term outcomes, aligning with Walden’s emphasis on using education to serve and uplift communities (Walden University, 2023).
By incorporating research and preventive care training into my academic journey, I’m not only advancing professionally but also preparing to become a more effective advocate for children and families.
References
American Nurses Association. (2021). The nurse’s role in addressing discrimination: Protecting and promoting inclusive strategies in practice settings. https://www.nursingworld.org/Links to an external site.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Walden University. (2023). Social change. https://www.waldenu.edu/about/social-change
