NURS FPX 6422 Assessment 6 Description of Practicum Hours

Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX6422
Professor Name
Submission Date

I completed my 50-hour nursing education practicum at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. The purpose of this practicum was to observe and get involved in different educational activities to enhance nurses’ clinical knowledge, professionalism, patient safety, and value of care. This practicum was completed under the direction of a nurse educator.

For the first 10 hours, I was engaged with the nursing education department, reviewed the nurse educator role, and learned the various policies that govern the organization. I learned to recognize educational deficits through staff input, role evaluations, patient safety incidents, and clinical practice changes.

The following 10 hours were devoted to observing various staff development and continuing education sessions, with the content focused on prevention of infection, medication safety, fall prevention, standards of documentation, and clear communication exhibited by members of the interdisciplinary team. I observed the educator in the use of presentations, case studies, and demonstrations, as well as discussions, to help prompt engagement of participants with differing preferences for learning.

During hours 21 to 30, I helped develop educational materials for staff, which involved setting a learning goal, gathering the literature, developing handouts, and setting up the resources for the educational activities. I also assisted in a brief presentation to staff on the topic of patient safety and helped answer staff questions.

The hours of 31 to 40 focused on observing the assessments of competencies and the use of simulation exercises to evaluate competency. The areas evaluated were the administration of medication, assessment of patients, the use of safety in the clinical and empirical setting, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment. I learned that the role of the nurse educator is both evaluative and constructive to the learning process.

The last 10 hours involved an assessment of educational outcomes. I looked at participant comments and considered engaging different approaches to assess learning and considered the role of education in the evolution of nursing and in changing patient outcomes. I found this practicum to be an excellent opportunity to develop my teaching, communication, leadership, and evaluative skills. Additionally, I gained insight into the role of the nurse educator when considering the development of lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and professionalism within the context of a large healthcare institution.