Practice Summary Paper

NURS 403 Transition to BSN Practice

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this paper is to guide you through a process of self-reflection and self-evaluation to discover the scope of your personal and professional development while enrolled in the RN>BSN nursing program at Old Dominion University.

The assignment is designed to help you prepare for your Portfolio. The Practice Summary Paper is designed to demonstrate the attainment of the 8 core competencies in general. The Portfolio demonstrates the achievement of the Core Competencies through the attainment of specific elements [the bullets] within the Core Competencies.

Student Approach to the Assignment

The assignment granted me the opportunity to delve into the hospital’s policies and procedures.  In addition, it granted me the opportunity to reflect on my personal beliefs and how they correlate with the nursing journey I have been on.  The paper allowed me to explain the core competencies which have been discussed throughout the BSN program.  The core competencies explain how we can become effective nursing leaders with strong evidence-based practice.

Reason for Inclusion

The assignment demonstrates growth over the years.  While I had a strong educational background, I was unfamiliar with the nursing territory as a student.  I have only been working as a nurse for over a year, but I have a better understanding after reflecting on my actions.  This final paper for the BSN program explains the accumulation of skills I have acquired throughout my time at work and in school.

Curricular Outcomes

Critical Thinking

Uses decision-making skills in making clinical or professional judgments.

The paper an example in which a patient’s status, in comparison to others during hourly rounding, was inconsistent.  Because of the patient’s abnormal reactions, I reassessed the patient and she was immediately transported to the emergency department for further evaluation; a code was avoided.

Nursing Practice

Performs therapeutic interventions that incorporate principles of quality management and proper safety techniques.

The paper explains how blood sugar checks for diabetic patients are important for the plan of care.  I had to check my patient’s blood sugars regularly to make sure their levels were intact so that they would not have hypo- or hyperglycemic event.  Communication with the healthcare team was also discussed when modifying the patient’s medication regiment.

Communication

Uses therapeutic communication within the nurse-patient relationship.

In the paper, I go over how explaining the goals and objectives for the program to the person(s) involved can build a trusting relationship.  Being honest and professional can provide a clear communication channel for both parties to use.

Teaching

Provides relevant and sensitive health education information and counseling to patients, and families.

The assignment highlights how teaching can be life changing for any individual.  The patient scenario used explains how he was a newly diagnosed diabetic and, through proper education channels, was able to reverse to predicament overtime.

Research

Shares research findings with colleagues.

I had to gather evidence for another assignment which pertained to reducing the amount of falls our facility was having.  I forwarded my concerns to the lead supervisor and chief nursing officer (CNO), detailing what interventions we can implement to reduce the amount of falls.

Differentiates between descriptive nursing literature and published reports of nursing research.

I go over the formal and informal interventions that show which interventions universally work and what we currently use at our facility.  The formal interventions are universal techniques explained in nursing literature while the informal techniques currently used at the facility have been ineffective.  I gather evidence from published reports which signify how whiteboards, gait belts, and teaching more members of the interdisciplinary team can reduce the risk of falls. 

Leadership

Organizes, manages, and evaluates the development of strategies to promote healthy communities

The paper discusses how a weight-loss program was created for the overweight community by promoting proactive prevention.  It was created, managed, and evaluated by an interdisciplinary team and was initiated by me.

Professionalism

Differentiates between general, institutional, and specialty-specific standards of practice to guide nursing care.

The paper discusses the universal, institutional, and specialty-specific standards on how to reduce falls.  Fall risk screenings and various definitions of falls are also talked about. 

Culture

Demonstrates sensitivity to personal and cultural definitions of health, and how those beliefs influence an individual’s reactions to the illness and end of life.

Cultural upbringing can drastically alter the plan of care.  In this assignment, I provide a patient story on how I accidentally upset a Hispanic family because I changed their cooking recipe.  I learned how while individuals can have the same condition, both will react differently based on their upbringing.  I also discuss how in my Community Health class, I had a varied amount of families from different ethnicities enrolled in our weight loss program.

Practice Summary Paper