Part I: Professional Aspirations Please tell us either what health-related profession you are currently engaged in or what health career you are pursuing. Why are you interested in this field? What makes it personally or professionally appealing to you? Then, tell us what the professional development requirements are for certification or licensure in this field.

Part II: Professional Development Apply what you know. Now that you have read and reviewed the importance of professional development and continuing education in the healthcare profession, let's apply our knowledge by addressing the following discussion questions:

As addressed in your required reading, consider the reasons that healthcare professionals should engage in professional development. If you were to rank these reasons in order of importance, how would you arrange them? Please justify your choices for the class following your list. In addition to occupation-specific professional development, leadership may also be an important component of your skill set. This is especially true if you are trying to advance your position in your field. Please explain the importance of leadership roles in the healthcare team and share some of the ways that you can advance your leadership skills. Finally, explain the different types of leadership styles and share which you believe to be the most effective in the healthcare setting.