In the classical, Greek period, friendship consisted of close bonds between men of essentially the same race and social standing. It was unheard of for men and women to enjoy friendships or for a master and slave to interact socially.  This changed a bit in Roman times, and today, many of us enjoy a lot more diversity in our friendships. Still, as Vernon shares, similar to the politics of friendship in Ancient Greece, we mirror a bit of that homogeneity in our friendships today:

“We see as much to this day, inasmuch as friendships across social classes and ethnic divides are relatively rare” (p. 171).

Before completing this activity, please be sure that you have read: Friendship Values and Cross-Category Friendships: Understanding Adult Friendship Patterns Across Gender, Sexual Orientation and Race (Links to an external site.) [PDF, File Size 217 KB].

In this week’s reading material, the following philosophers discuss their views on this topic: Aristotle, Epicurus, Plato, Cicero, Seneca, Plutarch and Locke. Make sure to incorporate their views as you answer each discussion question. Think about how their views may be similar or different from your own. In at least 250 words total, please answer each of the following, drawing upon your reading materials and your personal insight:

• To what extent do your friendships represent a range of diversity, in terms of class, race, religion, and ethnicity? 
• How have you personally been challenged to draw from a diverse pool of individuals in your experience of “close” friendships? What are some of the barriers, if any? 

Response 1

  One strategy for including academic activities and accomplishments into professional goals would be to include clinical evaluations into your growth and development nursing portfolio. According to the College of Nursing Practicum Manual for the 2020-2021 academic year, clinical preceptors must complete a midterm and final evaluation of the student’s progress. These evaluations can be used to help prove competence in an area of practice or as a direction for needed improvement (Burns, 2018).

                Another strategy would be to start constructing your portfolio early and get organized. Obtain documents and incorporate them into your portfolio as they become available (Burns, 2018). By using your intended career goals as guidance, record course objectives and outcomes along with their significance (Burns, 2018). As MSN students just beginning a new chapter in our academic journeys, keeping a record of our coursework and presentations in the present will reduce frustrations and overlooked accomplishments upon completing our degree.

                Walden University believes that creating and applying ideas that foster development in individuals and communities will positively influence social change (Walden University, 2021). Having an organized growth and development nursing portfolio with your academic achievements and evaluations verifies your individual development. For example, suppose your midterm evaluation suggests that you have room for improvement with your physical assessment skills. In that case, you can use that information to shift your focus from proficient areas to improving your assessment techniques. Development as a healthcare professional to any degree, large or small, will aid in positive social change by improving the care we provide for our patients. 2 APA refrences

Response 2

A strategy for creating and maintaining a growth and development portfolio would be to save academic research papers in a location that is easily accessible. It is ongoing and may include work from formal and continuing education as well as work-related projects. Having written works in a centralized location allows for frequent reflection and updating as needed.  An electronic record is conveniently shared with colleagues and potential employers.

I like the term curriculum vitae, or course of life because it conveys more than just the résumé which can read like a textbook of job titles and degrees.  When used as an element of the growth and development portfolio, it illustrates the experience of the individual both academically and professionally. In a sense, it is the journey and not just the desired destination.

Evidence of accomplishments is not self-congratulatory as if every stage of development is effortless, instead, it shows growth through triumph over obstacles. This requires deep self-reflection and analysis to ascertain whether certain personal and professional development timelines are being met and what changes, or course correction, may be needed. One method for self-analysis is the SWOT method described by Casey & Egan (2010).  Listing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a grid format simplifies the progress and impediments to success. Compare the subsequent action plan to determine where any changes need to occur. 

One employment website uses a type of ePortfolio to highlight the education and accomplishments of the applicant.  This is a more modern take on the traditional resume in that it is interactive and can be personalized in many ways.  This may not always be the best choice when seeking employment fresh out of school.  As Leahy & Filiatrault (2017) describe, ePortfolios are not always met with positivity.  The digital resume may be seen as a novelty to an older audience who appreciates the paper-in-hand résumé.  Still, in this study, “72% (61/85) of recruiters reported that, if students put a link to their ePortfolio on the top of their resume, they would visit it” suggesting it would not hurt to include both formats.

Finally, once an advanced practice registered nurse is working in an independent capacity, this self-monitoring is even more important.  Without constant oversight from nursing supervisors, it would be imprudent to relax the discipline of creating new goals and working towards them. This aligns with the Walden learning outcome of “ongoing commitment to professional development”. (Walden, n.d.).

2 APA refrences 

 PART 1 DISCUSSION POST

For this assignment, you will create a discussion post explaining Evidence-Based Practices. In this post, you will do the following:

• Define Evidence-Based Practices.
• Explain the continuum on which an EBP can be evaluated.
• Choose one article that examines the efficacy of a practice or program aimed at intervening in the problem you have identified. Evaluate that practice on the EBP continuum.
• Explain the pros and cons of using EBPs. Be sure to offer your own opinion of the concept of EBPs.

Length: 350 to 500-word response

References: Include a minimum of 1 scholarly resource.

PART TWO 

This week, you have explored the concept of applying research in professional practice. Now you will begin to think about how you’d like to apply the research you pulled together for your Week 5 literature review to make evidence-based best practice recommendations for resolving workplace issues related to your capstone topic. Specifically, this week you will begin to plan for your Week 8 Signature Assignment presentation by developing and submitting an outline. Note that your final presentation will be created and delivered in Week 8. Keep in mind that your Week 8 presentation will be delivered in the form of a webinar for an imaginary audience of organizational stakeholders.

For this week, please review your weekly resources for tips on how to create an outline. The headings and sub-headings reflected in your outline should be used to organize the content for your presentation slides. Also, be sure to check out the instructions for creating your signature project presentation in Week 8 and use those instructions to guide the development of your outline. At a minimum, your presentation outline should provide points to address the following:

• Identify the topic of the webinar. Why is this topic important?
• Identify the need for the webinar. What is the objective of the webinar?
• Specify the target audience for the webinar. Who will benefit from this presentation (e.g., consultants, business leaders, HR professionals, employees, etc.)? Provide a rationale for your choice.
• Identify 4-6 evidence-based, best practice approaches for addressing/resolving the topic/issue.
• Address ethical, cultural, and diversity needs and issues related to the topic/issue/solutions.
• Address collaborative efforts needed and their purpose (people: consultants, business leaders, HR professionals, etc.).
• Identify two resources/activities you will include in your webinar (e.g., reflection questions, role plays, discussion groups). Be specific.

Length: 1 to 2-page outline

References: Include a minimum of 2 scholarly resources.

Primary Discussion Response is due by Friday (11:59:59pm Central), Peer Responses are due by Tuesday (11:59:59pm Central).

Strategic planning, in its generic form, is an essential tool for any homeland security agency to be successful. While homeland security-specific strategic planning will be explored in future segments of this course, it is important to develop a solid understanding of the underlying principles of effective strategic planning processes that public entities faced with a highly dynamic operating environment employ to be successful.

In homeland security, a poorly designed and executed strategic plan will, at a minimum, waste critical resources and time. At worse, a poorly designed and executed homeland security strategic plan may leave the nation, a state, or a community unnecessarily vulnerable to a threat that may pose a catastrophic risk. With so much at stake, homeland security organizations must develop and execute sound strategic plans.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

• What are the phases of a typical strategic plan? 

• How do they differ between goals-based, issues-based,       and organic approaches to strategic planning?
• Which approach do you think would work best for a       homeland security organization? 
• The strategic planning process can bring on      organizational change that can sometimes be met with resistance. 

• What strategies do you think can be employed to       minimize resistance to change? Explain. 
• No matter what strategic planning process an      organization chooses to follow, trade-offs and negotiations are important      aspects. 

• What are one or more successful strategies that you       feel can be utilized to move the planning process forward? Explain. 
• How can a homeland security organization’s strategic      planning process be used to develop future goals and objectives? Explain.
• State A’s Department of Homeland Security has included      the following statement within its strategic plan: 

• By December 31st, the logistics division will realign       its distribution system to better serve community within the state. 
• Is this statement an example of a strategic goal?      Why or why not? Explain.