Pre-Clinical Reflection Paper

Introduction to Self

I am [STUDENT’S NAME], a dedicated student at Florida International University enrolled in the RN-BSN Program. My nursing journey started in January 2020 when I began my ASN program, which I completed on May 1, 2021. In 2021, I became a nurse. Before that, I worked as an administrative assistant in an oral surgeon’s office. As an administrative assistant, I gained critical skills such as organization, attention to detail, and customer service that are transferable to my career in nursing.

Expectations and Goals

For the senior nursing clinical practicum, my expectations are diverse. I plan to sharpen my clinical skills such as evaluation of patients, administration of medication, and practical caring of patient’s wounds. Aside from that, I aim to have increased knowledge and understanding of the use and applicability of evidence-based practice in a healthcare setting. By the end of the practicum, I hope to have refined my nursing skills. The practicum would likely shape me differently and equip me with the skills to handle complex situations. I hope I will be prepared enough to face the challenges in professional nursing.

Clinical Setting and Impact on Learning

For my clinical practicum, I have been assigned to a hospital setting. The choice will significantly influence my learning. Hospitals have different patients battling various health issues. Thus, this will help me to handle diverse cases and, therefore, a critical opportunity that will help me to expand my clinical knowledge and necessary thinking skills. Working in a health environment will expose me to the nature of acute care and allow me to embrace interprofessional collaboration.

Challenges and Opportunities

There are many challenges that I would likely experience in my practicum. One of the challenges entails effective time management. Since I am allocated to a hospital setting, I must be more cautious. Aside from that, I expect that some situations will be emotionally draining. I am well prepared to deal with such problems by having an open mind and my willingness to learn. At the same time, I acknowledge that some of these challenges are critical for me to know. Time management will help me learn how to prioritize my tasks by ensuring that the most urgent are handled first. Emotional draining situations such as complex medical cases are critical in improving my empathy skills and will augment my resilience.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Accordingly, interprofessional collaboration is needed for me to deliver holistic care to patients. I plan to engage with health professionals from diverse backgrounds, including pharmacists, physicians, and therapists, during my practicum. Through effective collaboration, I will likely interact with varying views on treatment and how they effectively design comprehensive and detailed patient care plans.

Importance of Effective Communication

I believe that my practicum will help me to embrace and appreciate the importance of clear communication. As Wieke et al. (2021) argued, effective communication forms the foundation of practical nursing practice. Mainly, effective communication is not centered only on conveyance of information. Instead, it is concerned with active listening and trust formation with patients. Improving communication skills in my clinical rotation will help me to acquire feedback from patients and colleagues. At the same time, it will help me indulge in patient discussions and refine my documentation skills to ensure I have clear and concise patient records.

Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas are a common occurrence in healthcare. When they arise during my practicum, I approach them with the main ethical principles: autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence, with a patient-centered viewpoint. I will consult qualified nurses, my preceptor, and my supervisor to help me make informed decisions that prioritize the wellness and autonomy of a patient.

Importance of Professionalism

As I head out to my practicum, I acknowledge the importance of nurse professionalism. Accordingly, nurse professionalism is paramount. I will demonstrate this by being time-sensitive, protecting patients’ confidentiality, upholding the Code of Ethics stipulations, and creating a culture dominated by trust, respect, and overall good behavior. I will demonstrate professionalism when interacting with patients and my colleagues.

SMART Objectives

For this practicum, I have established specific SMART learning objectives as follows:

1. I intend to master administering specific medications that I will measure by effectively predetermining the medicines to be distributed to a patient. I hope to achieve this by working closely with qualified nurses and physicians. I intend to accomplish this objective within three months.
2. I will improve my ability to interpret diagnostic results and develop effective strategies for patient education. This will be achieved through collaborating with other professionals and seeking guidance where needed. I intend to accomplish this objective within the next three months.

Support System

My support system comprises my dedicated clinical instructor, experienced mentor, and peers. They will help me in my learning journey. The clinical instructor will guide me and allow me to evaluate my performance while providing constructive feedback. The nurses will share their knowledge and provide insights to help me in nursing practice. Lastly, my peers will allow me to learn and grow together.

References

Wieke N. L., Ahsan, A., & Sudartya, T. S. (2021). Exploring the relationship between nurses’ communication satisfaction and patient safety culture. Journal of Public Health Research, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2225