Objective 1: Demonstrates individual professionalism through personal behaviors and appearance.
At the clinical orientation we discussed the appropriate dress code for the clinical site visits and what was expected of us as nurses and representatives of City Tech. I always dressed according to the dress code as delineated at our first meeting. It was important for me to portray a professional demeanor to give the staff and residents confidence in my abilities as a nurse. In this clinical rotation the group was separated to three different sites and each site had a team leader. I was chosen as team leader of my group. It was my responsibility to communicate with the activity coordinator regarding our visits each week. I made sure to inform and keep abreast of our schedule, presentation topics and outcomes from our visits to the Senior Center. The Activity coordinator and I worked together to ensure the center received the services they needed while also accomplishing our goals. Communication was the key in ensuring a successful clinical experience.
Objective 2: Employ analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills when providing care to individuals and families in the community setting.
Each week the activity coordinator would inform us of residents who were in need of some kind of medical help. Most of the time though, the activity coordinator only wanted us to perform blood pressure screenings and rehabilitation screenings, but upon assessment of the residents more was needed. I always made sure to conduct a thorough assessment of my client even if the focus was on the current medical condition. Most of the time other medical concerns came up and these where based on my assessment and speaking with the client. For me it was important to build a trusting relationship with the residents in order to make them feel comfortable enough to tell me about their medical problems. My goals were to obtain information and assist with intervention recommendations. Our assessment of the community controlled the selection of weekly presentation topics because these where of much concern to everyone.
Objective 3: Effectively communicate regarding the health needs of individuals and families in the community setting.
In a community setting, effective communication is needed with such a diverse population. Nurses need to be aware of the different cultures, religious practices, and values in order to facilitate better care. Many residents have their own practices for their health and are not easily willing to accept what American healthcare professionals have to say. This is good communication skills come in handy. I worked mainly with the Hispanic population at my center. Since I am a Hispanic myself, it was no challenge for me to communicate with my clients about their medication regimens and other medical concerns they might have. I communicated clearly with the professor about the information gathered on the clients. My communication was very effective with my professor because on a weekly basis I would discuss with her any questions or concerns I had regarding any of my clients. I also had effective communication with the activity coordinator at my center. Every week I communicated with the activity coordinator about our schedule and plan for the visit. When the service coordinator asked for us to conduct the presentations, communication was also a key part in this. Two of us would stand up to present. One of us would present the information in English and I would later present it in Spanish so everyone can benefit from the information. There was constant communication between the staff at the center, my professor and my group members.
Objective 4: Establish environment conducive to learning and use a plan for learners based on evidence base practice.
Every visit to the center site was an opportunity given to us to educate the residents. Even while conducting our weekly blood pressure screenings I would make sure that the residents understood what these numbers meant. I was always very inviting and ready to perform my duties that where requested from me. The topics of our weekly presentations where related to health concerns among the elderly population living in the community. The content was created using simple terms in order for the residents to benefit from the information and was translated into Spanish since the majority of the population attending that center where Hispanic. The weekly presentations were also an opportunity for us nurses to learn from the reactions of the audience and amend the following presentation based on our findings.
Objective 5: Utilize informational technology when managing individual and families in the community.
Electronic records where not used by the staff in our center. Resident information was provided to us by the activity coordinator as well as the director of the center. Information technology was utilized in conducting research for the presentations we did for the residents. It was also utilized in researching information for specific health concerns that the residents had. I utilized my laptop to create my PowerPoint presentation that I shared with the residents. In addition I kept my team abreast through email correspondence.
Objective 6: Demonstrate a commitment to professional development.
I believe that I will be a student throughout my entire life. Every day for me is an opportunity to learn about new ways to better myself as a Professional Nurse. I have recently signed up to become certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and will move on to acquiring my certification on Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) as these certifications will enable me to advance to being a Pediatric Nurse. I am also attending a seminar in October of this year in order to receive my certification for specialization in Pediatrics. I always take advantage of any continuing education opportunities available through different means, whether it be webinars, seminars, or continuing education units. I subscribe to various nursing magazines to stay abreast of the transition nursing is constantly going through. This experience was very educational to me due to the amount of research that was required.
Objective 7: Incorporate professional nursing standards and accountability into practice
I utilized American Nurses Association Standards in clinical practice by practicing safely and within the scope of my practice. I complied with agency standards of practice by enforcing compliance with HIPPA requirements when recording blood pressure screenings for the seniors. I am accountable for my actions in the residential center by practicing safely and within my scope of practice. It was imperative to work within my scope of practice and consult with my professor whenever I am unsure of a situation to avoid problems.
Objective 8. Collaborate with clients, significant support persons and members of the health care team.
I was able to coordinate client-care based on client needs and interventions by collaborating with other staff members at the center, such as the social worker, the administrator assistant, activity coordinator and the director of the center. I was able to identify health care resources for the residents I assessed by referring them to their Primary Care Provider in case the medication regiment was not deemed effective, as evidenced by the resident’s symptoms. I was able to guide residents to make appropriate lifestyle and treatment choices by emphasizing the importance of medication compliance and following a healthy diet and making some life style changes. I also assisted the residents to connect with the resources in the community that would benefit them the most.
Objective 9: Recognize the impact of economic, political, social and demographic forces that affect the delivery of health care services.
I recognized gaps in care system by recognizing ethnic, professional and educational backgrounds of the residents, as well as their significant limitations of financial resources when seeking healthcare. I began to identify solutions to complex problems in the clinical area by educating the residents and keeping them informed about the importance of preventative care. I acted as change agent in advocating to appropriate health care resources for residents by educating them about the importance of seeking information as well as self-education about various health issues prior and subsequent to seeking healthcare.
This clinical experience was challenging and rewarding. I performed tasks I am not accustomed to doing and had to go outside my comfort zone. I learned of multiple sources of obtaining information, how to organize, schedule, seek assistance when needed, overcome barriers, and provide information on disease prevention and health improvement. I have obtained an immense amount of valuable knowledge and information on how to practice in the community setting. I learned to interact with people of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Since health education is a primary focus of community health nursing, providing people with reliable, useful information about how to protect their health is the primary goal of community health nursing. My goal in the beginning of the semester was to see the elderly in a different light then I was accustomed to see when I worked in the hospital. I am glad to say that the residents of Sunset Park Senior Center are vibrant and active. They are not the stereotypical elderly person. They are independent, vocal and willing to learn. They take pride in what they do and work to maintain their health. I look forward to working with this population more and helping to have Community Health Nursing as a main component of their continued medical care.
