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Graduate Study Challenge

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Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success

Grace Edwards

University of Phoenix

Introduction to Graduate Study in Health Science/Nursing (HCS/504)

Kirk Davis

February 3, 2013

Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success

Pursuing a graduate degree creates many opportunities and comes with many challenges, such as balancing work and attending school and adjusting to the increase workload of school (M. Schlemper, 2011). Utilizing the right coping strategies will help in overcoming these challenges. As I make this important decision to pursue the Masters of Science in nursing degree there are several questions that need to be answered. The aim of writing this paper is to give the reasons for pursuing a graduate degree including my short and long- term goals. The challenges I will face achieving these goals and the strategies I will use to overcome them. I will be analyzing my strength and weakness in regard to personal communication and strategies to improve my communication skills.

Each individual have differ reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. These reasons can be personal or professional, which include a feeling of achievement and personal success and increasing their competency (Plunkett, Iwasiw & Keer, 2010). Acquiring new knowledge and skill has been imperative in my nursing career, as providing evidence base care requires me to keep abreast of the current trends in nursing. Pursuing a graduate degree is a step toward acquiring this knowledge and skills. Pursuing a graduate degree create room for career advancement that will help me to remain valuable in today’s complex health care system. The settings of goal short and long- term goal that are achievable are important in one’s career and personal life.

Setting goals short and long-term that are

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