NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 5 Reflective Journal

Student name

Capella University

NURS-FPX-4905

Professor Name

Submission Date

Reflective Journal

Wellness and Disease Prevention

During my practicum experience in the Skilled Nursing Facilities to support the health and safety of the aging population, I acquired some experience in wellness and disease prevention in the Skilled Nursing Facility. The most common preventative interventions were fall risk assessment, influenza and pneumonia immunization, routine nursing nutrition and hydration test. Most of the social determinants of health that influenced the health condition of the greater percentage of the inhabitants encompassed limited transportation, social seclusion, and finances, which influenced the capacity of the majority of the inhabitants to access external health resources. The staff attempted to resolve these problems by arranging staff groups, physical activities that could be engaged in by the residents, and educating residents on how they could take medications. Another thing I noted was the use of electronic health records to follow the immunization, vital signs, and amendment of records as a tracking tool to determine the status of the residents to prevent complications. All these were supported by the team-based communication that ensured that all participants of staff members could be used in the identification of risks and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The implication of this experience in my professional life in nursing was enormous in the sense that I learned to be more observant of preventive care, given the fact that there is a high-risk population a high risk of developing and worsening the disease. I have discovered that in this regard, wellness does not only imply how to manage the existing health issues that one might possess, but also the foreseeing of the risk and the promotion of holistic approaches that do not ignore the dignity and autonomy. It was concerned with the issue of making visible the role of the nurse as an educator and adept in bridging the gaps around social determinants of health. My belief to infuse the culturally sensitive, equitable, and patient-centered preventive care into my nursing practice was confirmed by the fact that the proactive interventions have led to the residents living a better quality of life.

Chronic Disease Management

Interprofessional collaboration plays a critical role in the management of chronic conditions among the aged patients, as my practicum experience in the Skilled Nursing Facility demonstrated that the patient population needs it. The conditions I encountered most were dementia, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. I was given a chance to attend care conferences where nurses, physicians, therapists, dietitians, and social workers collaborated in developing individual care plans. An example of that is that the nurses would report on the blood glucose and medication adherence, the therapists would provide feedback about rehabilitation and mobility goals, and the dietitians would discuss the dietary modifications for diabetes and heart disease. These discussions demonstrated the inputs of the two fields in diverse ways, resulting in more detailed and effective care plans, ensuring the prevention of complications. Moreover, continuity and accountability were present in the management of the disease since the care team was supposed to maintain contact with the family members.

The experience has also impacted my perception as a professional nurse in the sense that it has promoted the role of teamwork and shared responsibility in the management of chronic diseases. I was aware that chronic disorders could hardly be effectively treated on a case-by-case basis, but the success would result in the combination of medical treatment with lifestyle change and psychosocial support. The communication between the healthcare professionals is what pushed me to be resolute and practice my leadership abilities, namely, to foster communication and the advocacy of integrated care. It strengthened my perception of a systems thinker who not only provides nursing care directly but also contributes to the organization of the resources and the promotion of the overall goals that improve the outcomes of residents. This gave me more motivation to propagate the culture of collaboration that has the potential to enhance the management of chronic conditions and deliver holistic care to the residents.

Regenerative and Restorative Care

During my practicum in the Skilled Nursing Facility, I was able to witness many instances in which the regenerative care and restorative care played a critical role in the health and recovery of the residents. The occupants had experienced some complications, such as stroke, falls, or post-surgery complications, and these required complex rehabilitation. In addition, I also observed the physical and occupational therapists work in collaboration with the nursing staff in the planning of individual exercise, balance schemes, and mobilizing support to restore functional independence. I also got a glimpse of some of the cases of acute delirium or dementia worsening where the nurses collaborated with the physicians to stabilize the patients through repeated evaluation, medication, and the health and safety of the environment. These interventions revealed how the acute management interventions, as well as the restorative interventions, were integrated into the daily routine of the residents in order to prevent long-term disability.

In my case, as a professional nurse, this experience contributed to the fact that I managed to form the opinion that restorative care is not only aimed at physical recovery but also at cognitive and emotional stabilization. It highlighted that it had to have a timely review, preventive intervention, and a very team-based intervention in case of an acute health crisis. I have also learned that the nurses are required as the leaders of the interdisciplinary teamwork to ensure that residents get rehabilitation services and supportive therapies in accordance with their requirements. This experience also enhanced my commitment to patient-centered care, which is adjusted to the capacity and objectives of people with the ultimate aim of healing dignity, independence, and well-being. I felt challenged to provide holistic, flexible, and humane practices in my nursing practice in the future since the members of the team were so dedicated to the process of assisting people to recover.

Hospice and Palliative Care

Although the Skilled Nursing Facility is not a special hospice unit, I encountered a number of cases where hospice and palliative care were applied in patients with advanced or terminal illness. Some of them were having progressive medical conditions such as end-stage dementia, heart disease, or cancer. I observed that the employees were sensitive to comfort measures, including effective pain management, managing symptoms, as well as supporting patients and their families. Interdisciplinary gatherings were organized to discuss the purpose of care, ensure that the values and preferences of residents are taken into consideration, and train families on the ways of making end-of-life decisions. In other cases, it was a community-based hospice, but I found that most of the aspects of palliative care were already integrated into the everyday nursing practice, including giving precedence to both dignity and quality of life.

This has assisted me in gaining professional development by reminding me that palliative care is not the few days to life but can and should be applied earlier in the continuum of care. I also understood how to initiate caring conversations about advanced care plans and why we should respect the desires of residents in order to ensure that they live the remaining parts of their lives without any discomfort and shame. The profession of a nurse was accompanied by an emphasis on my responsibility to promote patient-centered and holistic care that would cover the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This made me know that end-of-life care is all about compassion, cultural effectiveness, and effective communication to assist the family and the patients through one of the most important stages in life. It also led me to continue promoting early and responsible implementation of the concept of palliative care into long-term care settings.

For 1st and 2nd assessments for this class: NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 1 and NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 2