Learning for professional development Summative Assessment
• Identify 2 primary articles- It should be research papers. It can be qualitative or quantitative or a mixed methodology.
• These two articles should link to your area of improvement- giving you answers to your area of improvement. It best to choose 2 different articles with different view points
• CRITICAL REFLECTION- needs to be in first person,
• All reference should feature citation
• Link to revalidation and NMC code 2018

Introduction
• What the assignment is going to discuss
• Introduce the topic
• Mention the reflection method you will be using, which is ROLF, however don’t describe the model

CRITICAL REFLECTION (400WORDS)
• IDENTIFY gap in the area of improvement this is I NEED TO IMPROVE MY ABILITY TO IDENTIFY THE EARLY SIGNS OF SEPSIS IN ORDER TO ESCALATE A DETERIORATING PATIENT IN A TIMELY MANNER
• Every statement should be supported with evidence (literature)

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (1800WORDS)
• Step one- critiquing article 1- talk about the methodology, sampling eg- purposive sampling etc supporting with evidence, where the study was conducted, purpose of the study, strengths of the study, talk about the ethical approval, informed consent and implication of it, limitations of the study
• Repeat the same for article 2

• STEP 2- Compare and contrast both articles, findings- what are both articles saying similarly and differently. Integrate both articles to make it a critically analysed discussion. Link it with up to date research. Is there a theme in theme of the findings?? Then compare this with other evidence from other source out there.

CRITICAL REFLECTION (400 WORDS)
• Write about revalidation and how life long education is required in the nursing profession

Title of Assessment:
Identify ONE area of interest which you feel you need to develop within your nursing practice. This area of improvement must relate to your clinical practice. It must be appropriate for a student nurse. Critically analyse at least 2 up to date research studies that relate to your specific area of development, ensuring you also use many other sources of evidence to support your critical analysis. Critically reflect on what you have learnt from the evidence in relation to your nursing practice. Critically reflect on how you will improve your practice as a student nurse in relation to the evidence you have critically analysed.

Note: The area of improvement should NOT be based on the following topics: Assertiveness, Delegation, Decision making and prioritising, Leadership, managing difficult conversations, communication, professional identity, SBAR or dealing with the hierarchical structure within an organisation. This is because these topics are being covered in depth in Year 3 modules.

Assessment Type: 3000 words essay

Assessment Requirements:
Please submit using the summative template which is found under the assessment portal on the module site.

Introduction (approx. 200 words)
To be written in the 3rd person
Please state what your essay is going to include (so the aim of the essay). The introduction needs to highlight your area of improvement. You also need to write one sentence where you identify which reflective model you have used to help you critically reflect for this essay. (Please remember in this essay you DO NOT use a reflective model as a format for the essay. So you DO NOT structure it around a reflective model by writing a What section, So what section, Now what section but you follow the set framework highlighted here in the guidelines so Introduction, identify specific learning need, critical analysis, critical reflection).

Identify ONE area of interest which you feel you need to develop your nursing practice. (approx. 400 words)
To be written in the 1st person
Please critically reflect on how you identified a gap in your knowledge /practice and found a specific area of improvement. Please then critically reflect how your ONE specific learning need has limited your practice as a student nurse. This specific area of improvement can be the same as your formative assignment or you can change it.
It is essential that your area of interest is appropriate for a msc student nurse (so it should be challenging you rather than an improvement which you met in the first year and are just repeating). Please write this section in the first person as you are writing about yourself.
It is expected that you would use relevant, up to date evidence to support each statement you make.

Critically analyse at least 2 up to date research studies that relate to your learning need. Please critically analyse other evidence that enhances your knowledge about your specific learning need. (approx. 1800)
To be written in the 3rd person
Critical analysis contains two steps.
Step One (400 words suggested – 200 words per article)
You need to briefly identify the key findings of each specific study, which should generally not take more than a few sentences each. You then need to concisely analyse an aspect of the study to identify it was valid, reliable, trustworthy or ethically robust.

N.B: You should be selecting 2 primary studies to critique.

Step Two (1400 words suggested)
You then need to compare and contrast the findings of the 2 selected studies with a range of other studies and explore the topic, discuss the relevance of the findings and the available literature to clinical practice. You should look at policies and other evidence including literature reviews and critically analyse why there is agreement or disagreement between the evidence you have found.
The most important aspect is that you have the most relevant and most up to date evidence. If you have been found to use old evidence and we can find much more up to date evidence then your essay is out of date and is not evidence based.

Critically reflect how you will attempt to change or improve your practice as a result of this learning. (approx. 400)
To be written in the 1st person
From the extensive reading you have undertaken (up to date policies, CQC reports, research studies, Acts, educational articles) please critically reflect on the specific findings of the evidence and critically reflect how you might embed this practice in your future practice. Please critically reflect on how you feel this will enhance your practice and evidence base and the care you give as a student nurse.

Critical reflection involves demonstrating self-awareness in relation to your need and the evidence you have read. You need to demonstrate understanding of how the evidence supports or challenges how you have previously been nursing.
It is expected that you would use relevant, up to date evidence to support each statement you make.

Conclusion (approx. 200 words)
To be written in the 3rd person
Please write a clear conclusion identifying the key points you have made about changes to your practice as a nurse in relation to your specific learning need. It is expected that you would use relevant, up to date evidence to support each statement you make.
Assessment Weighting: 100%
Maximum Word Count: 3000 +/- 10%
Your work must be submitted in the electronic format via Canvas.
Your work must be submitted in the following file: doc / .docx (It is your responsibility to submit your work in the correct file

Marking Criteria and Feedback Form – Level 7 Written Coursework

Student Name or SRN Number (for anonymous marking): ………………………………… Module Title: Learning for professional Development 3 Module Code:

Learning Outcomes – Knowledge and understanding:

Successful students will typically be able to:
• Critically analyse and reflect upon their own professional development needs, and those of others involved in nursing care.

• Analyse and interpret the use of research and evidence to inform their nursing practice.

Learning Outcomes – Skills and attributes:

Successful students will typically be able to:
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in advancing their Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD), using a structured and reflective approaches.

• Demonstrate how knowledge of learning and leadership can help foster supportive practice learning environments.

• Employ a range of strategies designed to apply the findings of research and evidence into nursing practice.

Markers: Select criteria appropriate to the assignment and omit irrelevant ones. Use yellow highlight to indicate which feedback statements are relevant to this student.

Indicative classification 1st Class Honours / Distinction 1stClass Honours / Distinction 1st Class Honours / Distinction Upper 2nd Class Honours / Commendation Lower 2nd Class Honours / Pass 3rd Class Honours / Pass N/A N/A N/A
Descriptor Outstanding
90-100 Excellent
80–89 Very Good
70-79 Good
60-69 Clear Pass
50-59 Marginal Pass
40-49 Marginal Fail
30-39 Clear Fail
20-29 Little or nothing of merit 0-19
Structure and organisation
5%
The structure, organisation and presentation of the work is exemplary throughout. The work is structured, organised and presented in a highly effective way. The work is logically structured, and the organisation and presentation of information is very effective. The work is logically structured, and the organisation and presentation of information is effective.
The work is logically presented, and the organisation and presentation of information is mostly good. The work is illogically structured in places and some of the information is presented poorly or in a disorganised way. The structure of the work is inconsistent or illogical. Information is often presented poorly or in a disorganised way. There is insufficient structure and logic in the work and information is either poorly presented or absent. There is little or nothing of merit to award marks for.
Writing clarity, fluency and accuracy
5% Highly articulate and fluent writing style with no errors in grammar, punctuation or spelling. Highly articulate and fluent writing style with very few (minor) errors in grammar, punctuation or spelling. Articulate and fluent writing style. A few minor errors in grammar, punctuation and/or spelling. Ideas are mostly expressed clearly but errors in grammar, punctuation and/or spelling impair meaning in a few places. Ideas expressed clearly in most places but errors in grammar, punctuation and/or spelling impair meaning in some places. Ideas expressed reasonably clearly but errors in grammar, punctuation and/or spelling impair meaning in several places. Ideas not always clear. Various errors in grammar, punctuation and/or spelling make it unclear / difficult to understand in a number of places. Ideas poorly expressed. Numerous inaccuracies in grammar, punctuation and spelling make it unclear/ difficult to understand in many parts. There is little or nothing of merit.
Demonstration of knowledge and understanding

20% Outstanding knowledge and understanding of topic area demonstrated. All relevant points and issues covered plus some novel or unusual aspects which add to the overall quality of the work. Excellent knowledge and understanding demonstrated. All relevant points and issues covered.
Very good level of knowledge and understanding demonstrated.
Covers most relevant points and issues. Good knowledge and understanding demonstrated. A few minor errors and/or omissions noted. A satisfactory level of knowledge and understanding demonstrated. Some minor errors and/or omissions noted but none significant. Sufficient knowledge and understanding demonstrated. Some errors and/or omissions noted. Insufficient knowledge and understanding demonstrated. Some content irrelevant, inaccurate or absent.
Inadequate knowledge and understanding demonstrated. Key content inaccurate or absent.
Little or nothing of merit.

Use of evidence / research to support work
15% Content is drawn from a wide range of relevant primary and secondary sources and integrated
into the work in a highly effective way. Content is drawn from a wide range of relevant primary and secondary sources and integrated into the work very effectively. Content is drawn from a wide range of primary and secondary sources and integrated into the work in an effective manner. Content is drawn from a good range of primary and secondary sources and integrated
into the work well. Content is drawn from a satisfactory range of primary and secondary sources and is mostly well-integrated. Content is drawn from a narrow range of sources and integration is patchy or incomplete resulting in a superficial exploration of the topic. Content is not drawn from a sufficiently wide range of sources, and integration into the work is limited and/or ineffective. Insufficient and/or irrelevant literature used. Limited or no integration into work. Little or nothing of merit.

Ability to think critically and analytically

30%

Analysis

Critical analysis

Highly accomplished piece of work with significant evidence of ability to think critically and analytically. Accomplished work with substantial evidence of ability to think critically and analytically. Consistently demonstrates critical and analytical approaches to thinking. Critical and analytical thinking evident throughout majority of the work. Clear evidence of ability to think critically and analytically although some missed opportunities to develop and/or expand on ideas more thoroughly. Ability to think critically and analytically evident but many ideas could be expanded on or developed further. Some critical thinking evident but inconsistent and under-developed. Mainly descriptive. Limited or no evidence of critical thinking. Little or nothing of merit.
Ability to reflect

20%

Reflection
Extremely accomplished and insightful reflection showing highly developed understanding of own learning journey. Excellent reflection showing very well-developed insight and understanding of own learning journey. Very good reflection showing well-developed and thoughtful understanding of own learning journey. Good reflection showing a considered and thoughtful understanding of own learning journey. Clearly thought through reflection showing a satisfactory understanding of own learning journey. Reasonably well thought through reflection showing an emergent understanding of own learning journey. Reflection needs further development to show sufficient evidence of understanding own learning journey. Limited evidence of reflective thinking and understanding of own learning journey. Little or nothing of merit.
Use of referencing system

5%

Referencing
Recommended referencing system used with no inaccuracies or inconsistencies of presentation noted. Recommended referencing system used with very few (minor) inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies. Recommended referencing system used with few inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies. Recommended referencing system used with several inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies. Recommended referencing system used with some inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies. Recommended referencing system used but multiple inaccuracies and/or inconsistencies noted. Attempt to use recommended referencing system but numerous errors noted. Recommended referencing system not used. No recognised reference system attempted.

Strengths

Areas for development

Any additional comments

Academic Skills Advice
Please remember there are lots of useful resources to support your academic skills development on the Academic Skills Advice site.

Learning outcomes achieved: Yes / No

Within word count limit: Yes / No

Provisional weighted/overall mark (before application of penalties):

First Submission: For each day for up to five days after the published deadline, coursework submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until the numeric grade reaches the pass grade, i.e. 40 (UG) or 50 (PG); this includes deferred coursework.

Second Submission (referral): The resubmitted element, if successful, will be capped at a bare pass, i.e. 40 (UG) or 50 (PG). The full mark of any previously passed elements will be retained. Coursework submitted late, i.e. at any point after the published deadline date and time, will be awarded a zero.

Re-enrolment: Grades awarded for modules on re-enrolment will not be capped for classification purposes.
Provisional Marks: All marks are provisional until ratified by the relevant Board of Examiners.
Marking and Moderation: All marking and moderation procedures are governed and guided by the current University’s Policies and Regulations.

Reflection on Learning
Please consider the learning you have achieved while working on this assignment and how you have applied the feedback you have been given. For example:
• What previous feedback have you been given and how have you used it to inform and improve this assessment?
• What have you learned in this assessment that you intend to apply to your practice and how will you demonstrate this?
Keep your feedback and reflection in a file/portfolio as evidence of your professional development.

Introduction (200 words)

Specific area for improvement with rationale (400 words)

Critical Analysis (400 + 1400 = 1800 words)

Critical reflection and improvement in practice (400 words)

Conclusion (200 words)

Reference List

EXAMPLE OF WORK

This assignment aims to highlight the author’s learning need (assertiveness in challenging poor clinical practice) based on a reflection on clinical practice experience. Moreover, there will be a critically analyse of two literature in relation to the interventions to addressing the author’s learning need. The critical analysis will focus on the validity of the first literature and the reliability of the second literature. The findings from the two literature will be compared and contrasted with the findings from other studies that explored the topic. The relevance of the findings to the author’s clinical practice will be discussed. It should be noted that the studies to be used in the above are non-United Kingdom’s (UK’s) studies. This is due to non-existence of UK’s studies that addressed the interventions to the author’s learning need, as observed through a systematic search. Furthermore, using the Rolfe et al.’s (2011) reflective model, the author will critically reflect on their learning from the above findings. The reflection will aim to improve the author’s clinical practice through continuing personal and professional development (CPPD). And to foster the leadership to support the learning needs of other healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in patients’ care.
My lack of assertiveness to challenge poor clinical practice (Law & Chan, 2015) became obvious, during one of my clinical experiences in the second year of the nursing programme. This became apparent during the night, in which, l was assigned to work with a senior nurse. I observed during the shift that the senior nurse was attempting to drag-lift an elderly patient with the support of a healthcare assistance. I did, however, suggest to them that there was a sliding sheet below the bed, which would have made the task easier (MacGregor, 2016). Yet, my suggestion was ignored, and they proceeded with drag-lifting the patient. I could hear the patient making a discomforting sound during the drag-lift, which suggested to me that she was experiencing pain. Reflecting on the situation, I realised that my lack of assertiveness when challenging the poor clinical practice has negatively impacted on my nursing responsibility of promoting patients’ safety (Fagan et al., 2016; Francis, 2013; Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2018). Hence, moving forward, l will explore an evidence-based approach and critically reflect on such evidence, in other to improve my assertiveness when challenging poor clinical practice.
Moving on to critical analysis, firstly, Gultekin et al. (2018) implemented assertiveness- training (lectures; group and individual discussions with trainers, and simulations) through a randomised control trial (RCT) that involved 70 nursing students. Gultekin et al. (2018) observed that compared with the (n=40) control-group, assertiveness-training improved assertiveness amongst 30 students in the intervention-group, with a probability (p)-value of 0.05. RCT is a research methodology that randomly allocates participants to the intervention or the control-group (Creswell, 2013). And p-value statistically measures the relationship between interventions and results (Heale & Twycross, 2015), with a p-value less than 0.05 indicating a one in 20% chance that findings/results are unrelated to interventions (Polit & Beck, 2013). Using RCT makes the findings from Gultekin et al.’s (2018) study valid (Aveyard, 2014) because RCT prevents participants’ selection bias (Gerrish & Lathlean, 2015). However, the sample size (n=70) suggests that the findings are ungeneralizable (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2013). Haslam and McGarty (2018) proposed a minimum sample size of 150 to generalise a research’s findings.
Secondly, Nakamura et al.’s (2017) quasi-experiment (non-randomisation experiment) (McCusker & Gunaydin, 2014) used the Rathus assertiveness scale (RAS) to measure the pre and post-training assertiveness of 22 nurses. RAS is a 30-item assertiveness measurement tool, with a high score indicating a high level of assertiveness and vice-versa for a low score (Mersin et al., 2015). Nakamura et al. (2017) found that their assertiveness-training (cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT); video presentation; discussions and simulations) improved participants’ mean assertiveness score from -12.9 pre-intervention to -8.6 post-intervention. However, Nakamura et al. (2017) gave no rationale behind their utilisation of a quasi-experiment which is often subjected to a selection bias, due to its non-randomisation approach (Barratt et al., 2014). The use of a quasi-experiment instead of a less bias methodology such as RCT (Holloway & Galvin, 2016) suggests a potential flaw, with regards to the reliability of the findings (Green et al., 2013). Although, the baseline data (Punch, 2013) of the participants, that is, their demographics and pre-intervention assertiveness levels were equal; therefore, making the findings reliable (Morse, 2015).
Yet, the above findings are from non-UK’s studies; thus, suggesting their inapplicability to the author, due to a variance in educational culture and orientation to the UK (Raymond et al., 2017). However, the findings indicate the potential impact of assertiveness-training in addressing the author’s learning need.
The findings from Gultekin et al. (2018) and Nakamura et al.’s (2017) studies correlate with the observation made by Nashina and Tanigaki (2013). Nashina and Tanigaki (2013) used RCT to assess the impact of their assertiveness-training (lectures, CBT, group discussions and simulation), with 10 nursing students in the intervention-group and 56 in the control-group. Compared with the control-group, Nashina and Tanigaki (2013) observed from the RAS that the mean assertiveness score improved from -15.5 to -7.0 amongst the intervention group, with p=0.04, and no changes were observed in the control-group.
Also, Soni and Srinivasa (2017) used a quasi-experiment to implement assertiveness-training (lectures, group discussions, brain-storming, role-play and feedbacks) for 32 nursing students. The assertiveness assessment tool (25-items Likert scale on assessment of assertiveness) (Sreedevi et al., 2018) used in the study indicated that the mean assertiveness score increased from 63.43 pre-training to 88.43 post-training. The finding from Soni and Srinivasa’s (2017) study is strengthened by their utilisation of the Likert scale because of the strong reliability of the tool (Nacioglu, 2016).
Nonetheless, a cohort study of 33 nurses by Yoshinaga et al. (2017) used the RAS to assess the effectiveness of assertiveness-training (lectures; CBT, video presentation; discussions and role-play). The study found that after a six-month follow-up, the cohort’s assertiveness levels have improved, with a mean score of -14.2 pre-training to -10.5 post-training. The six-month follow-up makes the findings significant (O’ Connor et al., 2013; Kraemer & Blasely, 2015). Raemer et al. (2016) emphasised that the long-term efficacy of assertiveness-training is often observed after three to six-months follow-up.
Regardless, the similarities in the findings from the previously mentioned studies further highlight the effectiveness of assertiveness-training towards addressing the author’s learning. Nevertheless, Hinde (2018) attributes the similarities in the above findings to the multicomponent approach to the assertiveness-training. In other words, the used of lectures, group discussions; video presentations and simulation or role-play improves the effectiveness of assertiveness-training (Warland et al., 2014). In support of this assertion, a systematic review by Omura et al. (2017) also found that multicomponent assertiveness-trainings implemented for different HCPs improved their assertiveness levels. This implies that the author’s learning need will be best addressed by assertiveness-training that applied multicomponent approach as aforementioned.
However, the effectiveness of assertiveness-training has also been observed in studies that used a single component in their training. For example, Abed et al.’s (2015) quasi-experiment used the assertive behaviour inventory tool (ABIT) to measure the impact of lecture-based assertiveness-training on the assertiveness levels of 30 nurses. ABIT is a 25-item self-reporting tool developed by Clark and Shea (1990). Abed et al. (2015) found that the participants’ assertiveness levels significantly improved post-assertiveness-training with p< 0.029. However, there was no control-group in their study. Brannen (2017) and Hartas (2015) indicated that having a control-group in a quasi-experiment helps to ascertain that findings are related to intervention/s-but not extraneous variables. This, thus, implies a limitation to Abed et al.’s (2015) findings. Although, the ABIT used by Abed et al. (2015) is a valid tool for measuring assertiveness level (Speed et al., 2017).
Nevertheless, RCT by Sayr et al. (2014) involving nurses (n=58 intervention-group and n= 58 control-group) and using the RAS also found that assertiveness-training (simulation) correlates with improved assertiveness level within the intervention group, with p=0.01. The
Using two different research articles with opposing views, discuss how to improve ability to identify early signs of sepsis order to escalate a deteriorating patient in a timely manner.