Walden University
\nNURS-6003N-18-Transition to Graduate Study
\nSeptember 7, 2022.<\/p>\n
Developing an Academic and Professional Network
\nNurse Teams
\nThe Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the standard for professional nursing education. It is the highest degree that registered nurses (RNs) can get. Nurses can soon become nurse managers, administrators, and clinical leaders if they get the right education and training. Every nurse practitioner should have the leadership skills to be able to keep their emotions in check and take stock of their situation. Nurses with a master’s degree should be able to describe a compelling vision for the future of their field. A leader should also be able to take calculated risks, be open to change and new ideas, think about what they did and how it affected others, grow from their experiences, learn from their mistakes, and show respect for everyone’s unique point of view. The Master of Science in nursing program is designed to help students come up with a plan for their professional and personal growth over the course of their careers. It has advice on how to do well in school, on the job, and in life in general. Having finished the course objectives has given me the skills I need to evaluate, choose, and use the most effective ways to give care.
\nAcademic Individual\/Team
\nRegistered nurses who do research and nurse practitioners who work in clinical settings are the people or groups most likely to do well in an MSN program and in the nurse practitioner role. The contributions of nurse researchers to the fields of medicine and health sciences would be very helpful to me as a scholar. It requires the use of empirical methods, like gathering data and looking at statistics. A master’s degree and a license to work as a registered nurse are needed to become a nurse. I would get more training to better prepare them to teach students who are doing advanced clinical practice and high-level health care. My mentor is Dr. Bola Odusola-Stephen, and she will help me through the whole program. She has a lot of experience and has been through the program, so she knows how things work. She got her DNP from Grand Canyon University and has been working as a nurse leader and DON at a very well-known hospital in Houston, Texas for the past 10 years. My clinical practicum will be under her watch.
\nProfessional People or Groups
\nNurse administrators and nurse managers are two professional groups or people I need to work with to do well in my Master of Science in Nursing program and as a nurse in the real world. Dr. Angela Sewer and Dr. Deborah Clark are two professionals on my team who will also work with me and keep an eye on how I do by coaching me and telling me where to go. They will also keep an eye on my work. After I finish these, I will be a skilled nurse leader with advanced skills that will give me power, make me stronger, encourage me, and show me the way. Two people with professional and academic backgrounds have decided to get their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree because it is in demand and has benefits. It will help me continue my nursing career by doing administrative work, which can bring in a lot of money, give me a lot of job options, and teach me new things. It also gives you better duty hours (Abbott & Nininger, 2021). The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is supported by professionals in professional and academic settings who continue their nursing education to learn basic skills and be competent. When I finish this program, I will be ready to take care of patients as a professional healthcare worker and as a nurse leader in a complex and changing healthcare system. Students who get a Master of Science in Nursing are ready for both advanced practice and primary care (Abbott & Nininger, 2021). The MSN helps me do better in school, and it also helps nurses move up through the different levels of the nurse practitioner program. Eventually, this lets us work on our own up to the doctoral level.
\nTeam Made Up of People from Different Fields
\nI would think about how evidence-based practice and collaboration could help me give great care and help me get my Master of Science in nursing. Working with other health care workers helps me learn more, which is very important (Nester, 2016). Through this program, health care workers will be better able to figure out what each patient needs, give care that fits those needs, and use the information to get ahead in their studies. By putting together multidisciplinary teams in nursing units, medical professionals can be better guided and equipped to work together to give patient-centered care. This adds to what I’ve learned for my master’s degree. This method can work if everyone knows what their own goals, strengths, and responsibilities are. They should keep their word and focus on what they want to happen. So, I’ve been working with a number of specialists to better meet the wide range of health needs and learning abilities of my patients (Davis, 2021). As I get ready to work on more than one team, I will have to play different roles, each of which could make the final product better.<\/p>\n
Inpatient care, nursing leadership, education, and administration are the most important areas of study for a doctoral program that leads to a license as a nurse practitioner. The MSN program helps nurses get ready for important leadership roles by developing their advanced nursing skills. This helps them communicate well with patients and other nurses in a variety of healthcare settings.<\/p>\n
References
\nAbbott, M. R. B., & Nininger, J. (2021). Academic integrity in nursing education: Policy review. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(2), 268-271. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.profnurs.2020.12.006
\nDavis, L. (2021). Utilization of health and non-health major interdisciplinary teams in an undergraduate nursing faculty-student run community wellness clinic setting. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(1), 108-111. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.profnurs.2020.07.002
\nNester, J. (2016). The importance of interprofessional practice and education in the era of accountable care. North Carolina Medical Journal (Durham, N.C.), 77(2), 128-132. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18043\/ncm.77.2.128<\/p>\n
Nurse-scholars have a significant obligation to their community as well. Their work must have academic and professional integrity. Their efforts are designed to add to the body of knowledge, advance the profession, and ultimately help in the care of patients. Work that lacks integrity is subject to erode quickly or worse.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, there are strategies and tools that can help ensure integrity in academic and professional work. This Assignment asks you to consider these tools and how you might apply them to your own work.<\/p>\n
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by appending the original document you began in the previous assignment. ORIGINAL DOCUMENT (ATTACHED).<\/p>\n
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by appending the original document you began in the previous assignment.<\/p>\n
To Prepare:<\/p>\n
Reflect on the strategies presented in the Resources for this Module in support of academic style, integrity, and scholarly ethics.
\nReflect on the connection between academic and professional integrity.
\nThe Assignment:<\/p>\n
Part 2, Section 1: Writing Sample: The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity<\/p>\n
Using the Academic and Professional Success Development Template you began in Module 1, write a 2- to 3-paragraph analysis that includes the following:<\/p>\n
Explanation for the relationship between academic integrity and writing
\nExplanation for the relationship between professional practices and scholarly ethics
\nCite at least two resources that support your arguments, being sure to use proper Help write my thesis – APA formatting.
\nUse Grammarly and SafeAssign to improve the product.
\nExplain how Grammarly, Safe Assign, and paraphrasing contributes to academic integrity.
\nPart 2, Section 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work<\/p>\n
Expand on your thoughts from Section 1 by identifying and describing strategies you intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of your:<\/p>\n
academic work as a student of the MSN program and
\nprofessional work as a nurse throughout your career. Include a review of resources and approaches you propose to use as a student and a professional.
\nRequired Readings<\/p>\n
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/coe-view-only<\/p>\n
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0000165-000<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Chapter 1, \u201cScholarly Writing and Publishing Principles\u201d<\/p>\n
o Section 1.17, \u201cImplications of Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism\u201d (p. 21)<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Chapter 4, \u201cWriting Style and Grammar\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Chapter 8, \u201cWorks Credited in the Text\u201d<\/p>\n
o Section 8.2, \u201cPlagiarism\u201d (p. 254)<\/p>\n
o Section 8.3, \u201cSelf-Plagiarism\u201d (p. 256)<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Chapter 10, \u201cReference Examples\u201d<\/p>\n
Alba, B. (2018). Factors that impact on emergency nurses\u2019 ethical decision-making ability. Nursing Ethics, 25(7), 855\u2013866. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0969733016674769<\/p>\n
Nurse-scholars have a significant obligation to their community as well. Their work must have academic and professional integrity. Their efforts are designed to add to the body of knowledge, advance the profession, and ultimately help in the care of patients. Work that lacks integrity is subject to erode quickly or worse. Academic integrity constitutes a cornerstone of higher education, epitomising values such as honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility[reference:0].<\/p>\n
Fortunately, there are strategies and tools that can help ensure integrity in academic and professional work. This Assignment asks you to consider these tools and how you might apply them to your own work. The link between academic integrity, professionalism, and professional behaviors in nursing practice is well defined in the literature, and the expectations for the academic work of students should be clearly outlined as part of their graduate preparation[reference:1].<\/p>\n
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by appending the original document you began in the previous assignment. ORIGINAL DOCUMENT (ATTACHED). As an MSN student, developing a strategic plan is crucial in maintaining integrity and ethics of work both academically and professionally[reference:2].<\/p>\n
Using the Academic and Professional Success Development Template you began in Module 1, write a 2- to 3-paragraph analysis that includes the following:<\/p>\n
Expand on your thoughts from Section 1 by identifying and describing strategies you intend to pursue to maintain integrity and ethics of your:<\/p>\n
Part 1: Writing Sample \u2013 The Connection Between Academic and Professional Integrity<\/strong><\/p>\n Academic integrity and scholarly writing share an inseparable bond that forms the foundation of graduate nursing education. When nursing students commit to honest scholarship, they demonstrate respect for the intellectual property of others while building their own credibility as emerging professionals. The American Psychological Association (2020) emphasizes that proper attribution of sources through accurate citation not only avoids plagiarism but also strengthens the writer’s argument by situating it within the existing body of knowledge. Plagiarism remains the most common academic integrity violation in nursing education, with faculty challenged to ensure that written work follows professional standards of originality and integrity[reference:3]. Furthermore, the act of writing with integrity cultivates critical thinking skills, as students must synthesize information from multiple sources and present their own analysis rather than simply reproducing others’ work. Institutions providing nurse education are particularly sensitive to dishonest behavior of nursing students, as it violates core professional values such as honesty and accountability[reference:4].<\/p>\n The relationship between professional nursing practices and scholarly ethics extends beyond the classroom into every aspect of clinical care. The American Nurses Association (2015) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements establishes that nurses must maintain honesty and integrity in all professional interactions, including research, documentation, and interprofessional communication. When nurses engage in scholarly activities such as evidence-based practice projects or quality improvement initiatives, they must apply the same ethical principles that guide patient care: beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. Research demonstrates a significant negative correlation between academic dishonesty and moral competence among nursing students, suggesting that those who compromise academic integrity may also struggle with ethical decision-making in clinical settings[reference:5]. Similarly, academic ethical awareness directly influences moral sensitivity in professional practice, with studies showing that nursing education must promote practices aligned with high academic integrity to develop morally sensitive practitioners[reference:6]. The ethical obligations of nurses as scholars include transparent reporting of findings, honest acknowledgment of limitations, and responsible dissemination of knowledge that ultimately benefits patient care and advances the profession.<\/p>\n How Grammarly, SafeAssign, and Paraphrasing Contribute to Academic Integrity<\/strong><\/p>\n Grammarly, SafeAssign, and paraphrasing serve as essential tools for maintaining academic integrity in graduate nursing education. Grammarly functions as a writing assistant that identifies potential plagiarism by flagging unoriginal text and suggesting proper citation formats, while also improving grammar and clarity to ensure that students express ideas in their own words. SafeAssign, a plagiarism detection software, compares submitted work against a comprehensive database of academic sources, identifying matches that may indicate insufficient paraphrasing or missing citations. This duplication software helps faculty mentor students and communicate policies to enhance learning[reference:7]. Paraphrasing represents a fundamental skill that allows students to demonstrate understanding of source material by restating ideas in their own words while maintaining the original meaning and providing proper attribution. Together, these resources hold educational scholars accountable for their submitted work and promote a culture of honesty within the academic community[reference:8].<\/p>\n Part 2: Strategies for Maintaining Integrity of Work<\/strong><\/p>\n As a student in the MSN program, I intend to pursue several strategies to maintain integrity and ethics in my academic work. First, I will consistently use Grammarly and SafeAssign for all written assignments to identify potential issues before submission and to learn from the feedback provided. Second, I will dedicate time to mastering APA 7th edition formatting through the Walden University Writing Center resources, ensuring that all citations and references are accurate and complete. Third, I will develop strong paraphrasing skills by reading scholarly sources thoroughly, taking notes in my own words, and practicing the integration of multiple sources into coherent academic arguments. Fourth, I will participate in orientation sessions that outline expectations of academic integrity, including proper citation, ethical use of artificial intelligence, and use of the library database[reference:9]. Fifth, I will seek feedback from my academic mentor, Dr. Bola Odusola-Stephen, and faculty members to ensure my work meets the highest standards of scholarly integrity.<\/p>\n Throughout my nursing career, I will maintain professional integrity by adhering to the ANA Code of Ethics and applying its provisions to all aspects of my practice. This commitment includes honest documentation of patient care, transparent communication with colleagues and patients, and ethical participation in research and quality improvement initiatives. I will pursue continuing education opportunities that reinforce ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice, and I will serve as a role model for integrity by mentoring new nurses and nursing students. Additionally, I will join professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association and specialty-specific groups to stay current with ethical standards and professional expectations. Integrity allows nurse leaders to interweave ethical values and efficiency, thereby realizing nursing leadership that is ethical and effective and leading to care that is of good quality[reference:10]. By maintaining these practices throughout my career, I will uphold the trust that patients, families, and communities place in the nursing profession.<\/p>\n This assignment requires students to engage with foundational professional documents including the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements<\/em> (2015) and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association<\/em> (7th ed., 2020). These authoritative sources establish the ethical framework for both academic writing and professional nursing practice. The National League for Nursing (NLN) further reinforces these principles through its core values of caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence, which guide nursing education and practice[reference:11]. Recent scholarship demonstrates that academic dishonesty among nursing students correlates negatively with moral competence, highlighting the critical importance of integrity education in graduate nursing programs[reference:12]. Furthermore, the NLN’s 2025 Vision Statement on Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education emphasizes the need for digitally literate, ethically focused nursing professionals prepared to leverage AI while upholding academic and professional integrity[reference:13].<\/p>\n The connection between academic integrity and professional ethics has direct implications for patient safety and quality of care. When nursing students develop habits of honest scholarship, they simultaneously cultivate the moral competence necessary for ethical clinical decision-making. Research confirms a significant positive correlation between moral competence and professional identity among nursing students, suggesting that integrity in academic work strengthens professional formation[reference:14]. In practice, nurses who have internalized ethical principles through rigorous academic preparation are better equipped to navigate complex ethical dilemmas, advocate for patients, and contribute to a culture of safety and transparency in healthcare organizations.<\/p>\n What is the relationship between academic integrity and professional ethics in nursing?<\/strong> How do Grammarly and SafeAssign promote academic integrity?<\/strong> Why is paraphrasing important for maintaining academic integrity?<\/strong> What strategies can MSN students use to maintain academic integrity?<\/strong> How does academic dishonesty affect professional nursing practice?<\/strong> American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements<\/em>. https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/coe-view-only<\/a><\/p>\n American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association<\/em> (7th ed.). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0000165-000<\/a><\/p>\n Bloompott, K., et al. (2025). Evolution of plagiarism processes in online graduate nursing programs. Journal of Professional Nursing<\/em>, 58<\/em>, 93\u201396. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.profnurs.2025.03.007<\/a><\/p>\n Homayouni, L., et al. (2024). Investigating academic dishonesty and its relationship with moral competence and professional identity of nursing students: A cross-sectional study. BMC Nursing<\/em>, 23<\/em>(1), 662. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12912-024-02335-8<\/a><\/p>\n Ko, Y. K., et al. (2024). Moral sensitivity and academic ethical awareness of nursing and medical students: A cross-sectional survey. Nursing Ethics<\/em>, 31<\/em>(8), 1499\u20131512. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09697330241226604<\/a><\/p>\n National League for Nursing. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nursing Education<\/em> (NLN Vision Series). https:\/\/www.nln.org\/docs\/default-source\/default-document-library\/nln_ai_vision_statement.pdf<\/a><\/p>\nAuthority and Citation Optimization<\/h3>\n
Why This Matters in Practice<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n
\nAcademic integrity and professional ethics are interconnected foundations of nursing practice. Academic integrity involves honesty in scholarly work through proper citation, original thinking, and avoidance of plagiarism. Professional ethics encompasses the moral principles that guide nursing practice, including the ANA Code of Ethics provisions. Students who practice academic integrity develop habits of honesty and accountability that translate directly into ethical clinical practice, as both domains require transparency, respect for others’ work, and commitment to truthfulness[reference:15].<\/p>\n
\nGrammarly and SafeAssign promote academic integrity by identifying potential plagiarism and helping students correct citation errors before submission. Grammarly functions as a writing assistant that flags unoriginal text and suggests proper attribution, while SafeAssign compares submitted work against a vast database of academic sources to detect matches. These tools serve as educational resources that teach students proper citation practices and hold them accountable for original work[reference:16].<\/p>\n
\nParaphrasing is essential for maintaining academic integrity because it demonstrates a student’s understanding of source material while avoiding plagiarism. Effective paraphrasing involves restating ideas in one’s own words, maintaining the original meaning, and providing proper attribution to the source. This skill allows students to integrate evidence into their writing while showcasing their analytical and synthesis abilities, which are critical for graduate-level scholarship.<\/p>\n
\nMSN students can maintain academic integrity by using plagiarism detection software, mastering APA citation format, developing strong paraphrasing skills, attending orientation sessions on academic integrity policies, seeking faculty feedback, and understanding university policies on academic dishonesty[reference:17]. Additionally, students should cultivate time management skills to avoid last-minute pressure that may lead to poor citation practices.<\/p>\n
\nAcademic dishonesty negatively affects professional nursing practice by eroding the moral competence and professional identity essential for ethical patient care. Research shows a significant negative correlation between academic dishonesty and moral competence among nursing students[reference:18]. Students who engage in academic dishonesty may struggle with ethical decision-making in clinical settings, potentially compromising patient safety and the trust that underpins the nurse-patient relationship.<\/p>\nReferences<\/h3>\n