During my Fall 2016 semester at city tech I did my clinical rotation for community health nursing at Williamsburg Community Health Center. There were nine behavioral objectives which served as a guideline for my clinical progress. Below there is a brief summation of my clinical objectives and a description of how I was able to fulfill them.
Williamsburg community Health CenterĀ is located at 279 Graham ave Brooklyn N.Y. 11211. Williamsburg Community Health Center is an outpatient extension of Woodhull Medical Center.
In 1967, Mayor John Lindsay and Governor Nelson Rockefeller envisioned a ādream āhospital for North Brooklyn to replace an obsolete public hospital located in green point. The cities financial crisis in the 1970s delayed the opening of the hospital until 1982. The hospitals name was the result of an essay contest held in a local school. The prize winning essays author traced theĀ original land owner of where the hospital now sits, of whom he identified as Richard M Woodhull. Mr. Woodhull was credited with having laid out the village of Williamsburg into an actual city. Today Woodhull Medical Center severs the residents of north Brooklyn, including Bushwick , Williamsburg, Green point Bedford Stuyvesant and fort green. As a member of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation WoodhullĀ treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
My clinical objectives were as follows:
Ojective1: Demonstrating individual professionalism through personal behaviors and appearances.
On my clinical rotation I made sure I arrived at the center on time for every clinical day in business casual attire. Fortunately Every Wednesday morning the staff conducted huddle, which was the day my partner and I went to the clinic. The lead the huddle andĀ I was able to hear all significant issues the clinic had and interact with the entire staff.After huddle we had the opportunity assist the nurses on duty with patient care,I demonstrated professionalism by maintaining patient confidentiality, making sure that doors were closed in examining rooms when patients were being examined, ensuring patient privacy was maintained. I never forgot to log off of computers after accessing patient EMR. I made sure I never spoke about patients conditions or concerns in public or in common areas. I demonstrated sensitivity to the clientās cultural, religious and linguistic differences.
Objective 2: Employ analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills when providing care to individuals and families in the community setting
While at Williamsburg community center I was able to engage with the pediatric population and assist while the nurse gave immunizations to the children. During interaction with mother and child I made curtain I employed analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills when communicating. I also assessed the impact of developmental, emotional, cultural and religious influence on babiesā current status. Prior to interacting with families I made sure I washed my hands. Although I was not able to do full body assessments on the children I was able to identify if children had met expected mild stones appropriate for age with regards to gross and fine motor skills. I was also able to interact with adults over the phone, I assisted the primary nurse with call backs of patient she deemed needed immediate attention. One particular patient missed her previous appointment and needed to come in as soon as posible for lab work . We were able to relay to patient the regency of the situation and booked her as a walk in. She came in that afternoon to get her hemoglobin A1C and all other labs that needed to be done before her next appointment with her primary M.D.
Objective 3:Effectively communicate with diverse groups and disciplines using a variety of strategies regarding the health needs of individuals and families in the community setting.
I communicated well with the staff during huddles. I gave emotional support while listening effectively and respectfully to the patients concerns. I made sure I used simple terms that were easy to understand. I clearly and effectively communicated with my instructor, peers and others involved in patient care at the clinic.
Objective 4: Establishing environment conducive to learning and use a plan for learning based on evidence-based practice.
At the clinic I established an environment favorable for learning making sure that the immediate area maintained a calm and relaxed atmosphere. I seized the opportunity of teaching patient about a healthy blood pressure and weight during the triage period, where the patient and I were in a private quit room. I assessed patient level of understanding of medication adherence proper dosing and side effect of thereĀ medication by asking them simple questions and requested for the patient to return demonstration ,which they did.
Objective 5: Utilize information technology when managing individual and families in the community.
The nurse at the clinic utilized the EMR (electronic medical records) quit frequently. Vital signs were logged via the EMR, immunization were logged via EMR. Labs were tracked by way of the EMR. Patient visits were tracked via EMR from admission to discharge from the clinic. I utilized the internet for my class presentation as well, looking up important information like demographic was much easier to obtain by way of the internet. Furthermore Communicating with my peers was facilitated with the internet.
Objective 6:Demonstrate a commitment to professional development.
I am currently a Register Nurse with ten years of acute care bed side experience and currently I am enrolled in this BSN program to nurture my professional development. Participating in the weekly huddles at the clinic was a great learning opportunity for me. I gained insight onĀ the administration duties, responsibilities and problems the clinic faced . Now I am able to identify and connect with other aspect of patient care .
Objective 7 : Incorporate professional nursing standards and accountability into practice.
In accordance with American Nurse Association I continuously make sure I adhere to the standards of my profession. Ensuring that I never over step my boundaries, while in clinical rotation, I would always refer to my clinical instructor or supervisor in charger before proceeding with any interaction with patient at the clinic. When teaching patient about there healthy blood pressure and medication side effect, I made sure the primary nurse was aware of my interaction with patient and that she approved of my interventions.
Objective8: collaborating with clients, significant support persons and members of the health care team.
During my clinical experience I was able to collaborate effectively with the staff at the clinic which was evident when we as a team were able to get a patient who had missed her previous appointment to come in that day and get her blood work done. Further more, While getting ready for our service learning group project, it was imperative that we as a group of nursing students understand the population for which we are teaching. Through research I gained a wealth of knowledge about the patients of Woodhull hospital. As a group we identified nutrition as a problem which needed to be addressed, and we decide to comprise a teaching plan for the patients at Woodhull hospital. Our teaching plan is full of important information that the community of Woodhull hospital both staff and patients can utilize for years to come.
Objective 9: Recognized the impact of economics, politic, social and demographics forces that affect the delivery of health care services.
I have long recognized the negative impact our health care system faces due to economics, politics and social demographics as it pertains to the acute care setting. During my clinical rotation in a community center I am now able to understand their issues and concerns as well. I was also able to make severalĀ connections between the acute setting and the outpatient clinic. Understanding that our health care systems are in fact connected and impacted by each other is an important aspect to understand. Knowing how to effectively manage chronically ill patients in and out- patient setting with limited resource and minimal staff is a difficult challenge. More over trying to reduce chronically ill patients re-admissions into the hospital in a city with such a large population as New York also poses a set of challenges . The frustrations staff have when we have a E.R full of patient and not enough staff is an emotion I have long bin familiar with. Now I empathize with the staff of the community clinics as well. Knowing there is no easy solution is part of the battle. Willing to participate in the fight against an unhealthy New York is part of the battle as well. As a registered Nurse Iām willing and able to participate in the fight against an unhealthy New York. I will do my part however small or big.
I had a great clinical experience at Woodhull Community Center. Now I have a better understanding of how patients manage there conditions on a long term basis as an out patient. I believeĀ as a community health nurse creatingĀ an environment where learning and compliance can be fostered is essential while trying to overcome the battles associated with being part of a net work that caters to the entire population regardless of their ability to pay for services rendered.This was the case at Williamsburg Community Center. I appreciated having had theĀ oppritunity to engage with the staff and patients at the center. The connection I have made with both staff peers and patients I will forever remember. As my knowledge in nursing grows so dose my love and respect for nursing, nurses and patients.
