Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to enable the student to discover his or her personal philosophy of nursing, as it exists at the beginning of the academic journey toward the BSN.
Student Approach to Assignment
In completing this assignment, I was able to reflect on my own philosophy of nursing. It helped me to learn self-awareness, and to find out deep roots that inclined me to choose my career as nursing. I was able to approach the assignment by finding out that my personal philosophy of nursing based on my faith, my inner-personality, and what I believe.
Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio
This project will help others understand what brought me into the nursing career. It will be beneficial for future, or current employers and colleagues, to understand my unique approach to nursing philosophy. This assignment helped me to find out my personal attributes that shaped me as both a student nurse and as a practicing nurse. I was able to reflect on how my nursing career has helped me build my character. This assignment directed me to identify my strengths and how I have grown as a professional nurse over the years.
Critical Thinking
Uses nursing and other appropriate theories and models to guide professional practice
I used the American Nurses Association’s definition of nursing as a guide to my professional practice. According to American Nurses Association (2017), “nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and population” (American Nurses Association, 2017, Para 1). Therefore, I incorporated that as my definition and my philosophy. For example, in my work I comfort and assist the patients with terminal illnesses such as cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease.
Engages in creative problem solving
I engaged in creative problem solving when I met with a challenging situation at work. I had a resident, whom I would like to identify as Resident A, who had to share a split room with another resident, whom I would like to identify as Resident B. Resident A used to have different roommates prior to the admission of Resident B, and never complained of anyone. However, Resident B talked extremely loudly, and was cognitively impaired. Resident A had a hard time of falling asleep during the night and she was feeling depressed during the day. I brought this issue to the interdisciplinary team, which caught their attention. The team was able to provide a private room for Resident B. I was able to meet the needs of both residents.
Professionalism
Applies an ethical decision-making framework and legal guidelines to clinical situations that incorporate moral concepts, professional ethics, and advocacy for patient well-being and preferences
I have advocated for patient well-being and preferences I had a resident, whom I would like to identify as Resident A, who had to share a split room with another resident, whom I would like to identify as Resident B. Resident A used to have different roommates prior to the admission of Resident B, and never complained of anyone. However, Resident B talked extremely loudly, and was cognitively impaired. Resident A had a hard time of falling asleep during the night and she was feeling depressed during the day. I brought this issue to the interdisciplinary team, which caught their attention. The team was able to provide a private room for Resident B. I was able to meet the needs of both residents through the advocacy and collaboration with other health care team members.
Culture
Articulates an understanding of how human behavior is affected by culture, race, religion, gender, lifestyle, and age
In this assignment I have explained how I cared for a Muslim female patient from Jerusalem in a healthcare setting. She refused to have male caregivers. As a nursing student, I respected her preference of caregivers.
Integrates knowledge of cultural diversity in performing nursing interventions
When I had to take care of female Muslim patient, I integrated my knowledge that most female Muslim patients do not prefer male care givers. She had female caregivers during her stay at the hospital.
While writing my educational goals last year during the RN to BSN program, I wanted to enhance my writing skills, and complete the program with a grade point average (GPA) higher than 3.6. Also, I was hoping to attend graduate school. Honestly speaking, I have met all these goals so far. I can tell my writing skills have improved because I am finding it much easier to produce multiple paragraphs with fewer errors. This improvement would not have happened if I had not advocated for myself at Old Dominion University’s (ODU) writing center.
Although I am a distant learning student, I was able to make online consultations. Instructors at the writing center were supportive to my RN to BSN program by helping me to develop clarity in my written expression. I am very thankful for the nursing instructors as well. As I am writing this follow-up paper in my last semester of this program, my GPA is 3.86. I was able to accomplish this goal through my commitment and hard work. It is challenging to work full time as an RN and go to school. However, my sheer determination assisted me to be disciplined and organized.
I consistently utilized ODU resources such as the writing center, and the online library database for research. If something was unclear, I communicated with the professors. Professors were very supportive of my success.
I am very grateful for ODU’s nursing department and my academic advisor for her guidance throughout the RN-BSN program.My final educational goal was to attend graduate school and that goal is coming to a reality. I will be applying for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at Marymount University, Arlington, VA. Since I planned the timing of my RN-BSN program well, I was able to prepare for the graduate school. I grew much more confident during my RN-BSN program. It helped me to dream bigger and follow my dreams.
CRITICAL THINKING DISCUSSION
NURS 401 – Professional Development
Purpose of Assignment
Purpose: 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.
Student Approach to Assignment
I had to brainstorm and come up with an incident where I had to apply critical thinking at my clinical practice.
Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio
This clinical discussion demonstrates my professionalism, critical thinking ability, and creative problem-solving ability.
Critical Thinking
Uses decision-making skills in making clinical or professional judgments
In this discussion, I have explained a situation where I had to use decision-making skills for clinical and professional judgments. I once found an unlocked medication cabinet. Each resident has his/her individual medication cabinet. I immediately stopped what I was doing. Then, I locked the unlocked med cabinet and I went to check all the rooms and cabinets. I found a few of the cabinets were unlocked. I made sure to lock them up before I started the rest of my duties. I brought this issue to the attention of my nursing supervisor, since the night nurse (11-7) was responsible for the action.
Engages in creative problem solving
This incident gave me an opportunity to engage in creative problem solving. I stopped what I was doing and I locked the unlocked med cabinet and went to check all the rooms and cabinets. I have also listed defining attributes of the scenario that provide guidance for situations that require critical thinking.
Professionalism.
Advocates for professional standards of practice using organizational and political processes.
I have advocated for professional standards of practice using organizational and political processes. For instance, I had to notify my nursing supervisor regarding the incident so that she could take appropriate actions for the nurse who made the clinical concern.