Establishing My Academic and Career Path

1) Who? Who would make up my network (e.g., peers, instructors, professionals,
colleagues) essential to success in my chosen field in relation to this particular course?
2) What? What are my findings from researching competencies and/or certification
requirements for my specific job role in relation to this course?
3) When? When should I begin to make the connection between my course of study and my
career goals?
4) Where? Where does this course fit in my career goals? Where could I schedule an
interview or internship to bridge the theory in my course with the practice of a job in the
field?
5) Why? Why are peer-reviewed articles important and what is the significance of them in
a career in health care?
6) How? How does this course relate to the requirements of my career goals? How can I
make a link between the course and career experience that I need?
Focus on the concepts and skills learned from this course and spend time reflecting on
Who, What, When, Where, Why or How, in establishing your academic and career path.

ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHS 2
Examples are provided below. The table will continue to expand as you progress through
the course.

Establishing My Academic and Career Path

The transition from academic courses to career opportunities involves a proper planning
for one to be successful (McClintic-Gilbert et al., 2013). It is pretty obvious that one must have
a good network of professionals already in the field of nursing, peers, and colleagues. John Doe
– A forensic nurse at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, agreed to act as my
professional mentor now and as soon as I get done with my nursing degree. We talked about
the several courses we learn each academic year in University and how crucial they are in the
field of nursing. We also discussed my capstone project, and she confirmed that it was
authentic and gave me tips to making it approved.
Becoming a competent professional forensic nurse requires me to have completed a
master’s degree in nursing from a certified nursing school. After nursing school, I need to get
registered by doing the National Counsel Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
(NCLE-RN). After that, I will do other professional courses which include classroom and
clinical training offered at colleges or at health facilities or just choose to enroll in a school
offering a Forensic Nursing master’s degree program. The continued education will help me be
updated about recent changes in practice. Obtaining the master’s degree with clinical training
will evidently enable me to perform all the duties of a forensic nurse which include collecting
blood, tissue or semen samples, evaluating and documenting patient wounds and managing
emotional trauma on victims.

ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHS 3
The time for making the connection between the course of study and career is while in
school. That time is appropriate since most of the course assignments provide opportunities to
dive deep into the subfield industries and occupations relating to my career of interest. One
does not have to wait until they are done with academic stuff then start linking what they
learned in class to their career. It will be too late.
An inquiry to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) confirmed that a
nursing degree fits one who wants to become a forensic nurse. They also advised that I should
do an interview with them before I join them so as to excel professionally and elevate
excellence in healthcare management. Joining ACHE makes one earn the premier credential in
healthcare management by becoming board certified. Securing an internship in any healthcare
facility in the United States like the Massachusetts General Hospital will greatly award me a
good experience to achieve my career goal.
Peer-reviewed articles have been known to be an essential component of scholarly
publishing. Reviewers of the articles give a critical and ethical assessment of the student’s
work. Peer-reviewed articles ensure that the student has grasped all the ethics encompassing the
nursing field and is ready to work with experienced professionals in the field. It also ensures
that the students during any time in their nursing practice can create manuscripts for publication
that are educational to the nation at large.
A degree in nursing goes in line with all the requirements of being a forensic nurse.
Nursing school equips us with the common duties that get done by a forensic nurse such
collecting semen samples, blood or tissue samples. Following an interview of an IT security
officer at the Massachusetts General Hospital, I seamlessly noted that to become a forensic
nurse needs a good backing of a nursing course and good experience in a similar environment.

ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHS 4

References

McClintic-Gilbert, M. S., Corpus, J. H., Wormington, S. V., & Haimovitz, K. (2013). THE
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’MOTIVATIONAL
ORIENTATIONS, LEARNING STRATEGIES, AND ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT. Middle Grades Research Journal, 8(1), 1.