Fall 2012
Nursing of the Critically Ill- NURS 40010
Competencies: -Administration of medications topically, orally, through a nasogastric tube and intravenously
-Cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring
-ECG monitoring and interpretation
-Blood draws through an arterial line
-Removal of chest tubes
-Head to toe assessment on critically ill patient ie. sedated, on ventilator
-ABG Interpretation
-Refinement of prioritization of skills related to the critically ill patient
Patient Teaching:
-Prevention of ventilator-acquired pneumonia through suctioning and hourly oral care
-Education on administered medications to patient and family and plan of care for the day
Evidenced Based Practice:
-Nursing Process Paper on a critically ill patient. Process Paper
Personal Reflection: In this course I have learned how to care for patients in the intensive care unit, the special care cardiac surgery unit and also in the emergency room setting I feel like my skills have strengthened this semester and my ability to care for patients is more organized and knowledgable.
Community Health Nursing-NURS 40020
Competencies: -Health promotion and planning
-Assessment of a community
-Applying the nursing process to a community assessment
-Understanding the roles of a public health nurse in different facilities
-Working in a team to meet a common goal
Patient Teaching:
-Educated a group of adolescents at a alternative school, (ages 12-21) of high risk behaviors with a focus on STDs/STIs.
-Recognition, Treatments and Prevention
Evidenced Based Practice:
-New Philadelphia Community Assessment and Nursing Care Plan for the New Philadelphia Community
Personal Reflection: This course has given me a better understanding and great appreciation for the role of a community health nurse. I have learned how to address the community in a way to improve healthcare and focus my attention to those in need. I was able to practice my community nursing at places like Stark County Jail, Gabriel Cancer Center, Mercy Medical Stat Care, Canton Community Health Clinic and Community Hospice.
Summer 2012
Nurs40005 Professional Nursing Development - Writing Intensive Course
Competencies:
-construction of resume & letter,
- participate in professional nursing meeting,
-facilitate a professional nursing seminar.
-EBP can be professional nursing seminar and/or intensive writing assignment,
- peer review of professional nursing seminar, and
- facilitated & participated in group discussions.
Evidenced Based Practice: Prevention of back injuries in the workplace - Seminar/narrated powerpoint presentation
Personal Reflection: This course provided me with the necessary information to construct a professional cover letter and resume. I am able to properly write a scholarly paper. I also attended a Professional Organization meeting with members of the Stark Carroll District Nurses Association. This course has helped me further my professional career as a nurse in the future.
Spring 2013
Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Nursing Care - NURS 40030
Competencies: -Improving self-awareness
-Therapeutic communication techniques
-Creating and sustaining trust and rapport with a psychiatric patient
-Knowledge of psychiatric medications and mental health disorders
Patient Teaching:
-Educated a patient on resources within the mental health facility and importance of attending group sessions.
-Educated a patient on the importance of compliance with prescribed antidepressant medications
-Educated a patient on certain mental illnesses that were not fully understood prior to discussion.
Evidenced-Based Practice:
-Socialization and engagement with others in the psychiatric community, improving client self-esteem and awareness of mental illness.
Personal Reflection: This course has given me the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of the psychiatric nursing field and community. I have learned about different mental illnesses and disorders and also about psychiatric medications. This course has allowed me to strengthen my therapeutic communication skills that will help me with all patients I come in contact with throughout my nursing career.
Clinical Setting: Heartland Behavioral Healthcare, Massillon OH
Integration of Leadership and Management in Nursing - NURS 40045
Competencies: -Organization, time management and prioritization of care
- Delegation of patient care
-Ethical and Legal issues in nursing
-Quality Improvement
-Effective communication, decision-making and management
-Teamwork and team building
Patient Teaching: I was able to educate a patients on the importance of ambulation after surgery, using an incentive spirometer to prevent pneumonia, giving self injections of Lovenox, how to empty a Jackson-Pratt drain when at home, and also educated patients on the reasoning for several different medications.
Evidenced-Based Practice:
-Use of SCD machine to prevent blood clots
-Importance of ambulation after surgery to stimulate bowel function
-Chewing gum after surgery to stimulate bowel function
-Intravenous antibiotics withing 24 hours of surgery to prevent infection
-Use of sterile technique for catheter placement to prevent CAUTI
Personal Reflection: During my practicum, I felt I had the opportunity to learn and practice so many different skills in the nursing field. I precepted on a medical-surgical unit and had the chance to pass medications, educate patients after surgery, start IVs, place NG tubes and catheters. I also worked the night shift which I believe benefited me in that I had more down time to really learn and ask questions thoughout the night. I think my practicum experience has given me a great insight of the field of nursing and what to expect in a future career. I also believe it opened a window of opportunity for a possible job in nursing.
Clinical Setting: Aultman Hospital, Canton OH, Memorial 6 East - Practicum: Completed 120 hours
