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DESCRIPTIVE PHASE:
Clinical Experience:
I followed a CNA during her shift at The Elms, an apartment-type
complex that houses residents who either live independently
or use assistance. I helped her with the residents who require
assistance with ADL's. Another student and I gave our teaching
presentation on prevention of the flu and I completed a Directed
Study on one of the residents. The CNA's were informative
and helpful to us, and caring and compassionate toward the
residents. Working with the CNA's greatly enhanced our learning
experience; they not only provided exemplary personal care
to the residents, but also respected us, answered thoroughly
our many questions, and provided us with varied experiences.
Outcomes Achieved:
- Begin to assume the role of a nurse leader by demonstrating
responsibility and accountability for own actions, participating
in discussions, and teaching clients ~ Organized presentation
on flu prevention.
- Organize self and others ~ I was organized and
on time to help the residents get ready for the day; organized
and prepared for teaching presentation.
- Stay within the scope of the student role and practice
level ~ Worked with CNA's and only worked individually
when I felt comfortable with tasks.
- Is self-motivated and enthusiastic ~ I am enthusiastic
to learn and am motivated to take on new experiences.
- Actively seeks new learning experiences ~ I ask
to get in on any new situation.
- Apply knowledge of age-related changes and pathophysiology
to nursing care of older adults ~ I applied knowledge
gleaned from my Directed Study to my older adults.
- Apply knowledge of communication, teaching/learning,
and physical assessment to the care of older adults ~
Taught what we researched and learned about flu in a manner
that could be communicated to older adults, performed a
Directed Study involving an older adult.
- Knowledgeably prepared for each clinical experience
~ I was prepared for assignments we had to complete during
the clinical experience.
- Accurately formulate nursing diagnoses, client outcomes,
and nursing interventions in designing nursing care plans
~ Performed each for the Directed Study.
- Perform therapeutic nursing care to older adults in
a variety of settings ~ I visited with many of the residents
about pictures or collectibles in their apartments.
- Organize and prioritize care in a timely manner
~ Worked with CNA on her schedule waking clients and getting
them ready on a timely schedule.
- Work collaboratively with older adult clients, their
families, nursing colleagues, and allied health workers
in providing care to older adults ~ I worked with and
assisted CNA's to give care to the residents.
- Write insightful and analytical journals ~ Hopefully
this counts as one!
- Demonstrate professionalism by caring for older clients
knowledgeably, and with sensitivity, confidentiality and
with respect ~ I applied my knowledge about treatment
of older adults, treated them respectfully and sensitively,
and I kept their information confidential.
- Begin to internalize behaviors that model professional
nursing practice standards ~ As I spend more time working
with quality CNA's, I pick up on their good habits; as I
spend more time working with patients I become more comfortable
and confident in my abilities.
- Discuss application of research findings to various
client situations ~ researched, discussed, and presented
ways for the older adults to prevent flu during a time of
vaccine shortage.
- Utilize appropriate resources to validate nursing
care practices ~ researched information for teaching
presentation using medical journals and the CDC.
REFLECTIVE PHASE:
Strengths:
- Took on new challenges eagerly.
- Struck up conversations with residents.
- Worked more independently.
- Asked questions to enhance knowledge.
- Gained confidence in patient contact.
- Communicated and worked well with employees.
Weaknesses:
- Still a little uncomfortable with direct "personal"
patient contact.
- I have a hard time with some of the bathroom smells.
- Need to come up with a way to remember names.
CRITICAL PHASE:
The time I spent at The Elms was probably the best clinical
experience yet. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and
the residents welcomed our new faces. I am feeling much more
confident with patient contact, but am still a little uncomfortable
providing the more personal care… I also have a hard
time with some of the smells and am not too sure how to get
over something like that. I'm hoping to overcome these weaknesses
with more experience. For the immediate future I'd like to
come up with a way to remember patient names. Any hints?
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