Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example
Reflection is a practice that involves evaluating an individual’s professional experiences, establishing insights, and identifying improvement opportunities. Reflection enables students to develop individual knowledge, establish their weaknesses and strengths and find ways to build on these findings for better practice (Galutira, 2018). In this regard, it empowers nurses to learn from negative experiences and improve their weaknesses. In this reflection, I review my practicum experience to determine whether I achieved my pre-practicum goals and establish ways to improve.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
Goals and Objectives
I have remarkably achieved all my goals and objectives. First, I improved my competence in carrying out and interpreting psychiatric assessments, identifying evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines for psychotherapy modalities and medication planning, and treatment planning based on screening results. I mainly used the DSM5 to conduct and interpret psychiatric assessments, consulted with my preceptor, and reviewed available psychiatric assessment evidence based on patient histories. Moreover, I researched the Walden library for EBP practice recommendations, the American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines, and locally provided materials to improve my ability to identify and use EBP psychotherapy and medication guidelines. Lastly, I was involved in care planning for different patients, consulted my preceptor, and reviewed EBP resources available on care planning.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
One of the challenging cases I encountered during my practicum experience included a teenage girl who suffered severe depression with several self-harming behaviors and suicide attempts that had left her nursing significant injuries. The challenging aspect of this care was the overwhelming emotions and the family conflict that impaired effective intervention. The second challenging patient was a delusional client who believed I was part of a plan to kill him “slowly” through the medications given. Lastly, I was challenged by a non-adherent schizophrenia patient. The schizophrenia patient was secretly cheeking medication and later discarding them, consequently exacerbating his symptoms.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
These experiences helped me understand the complexity of mental health care and the presentation of symptoms. Notably, I acknowledge the importance of comprehensive psychiatric evaluation in definitive diagnoses and addressing mental health issues from their root causes rather than addressing the symptoms. Moreover, I learned the importance of establishing a therapeutic alliance in mental health care as it determines the accuracy of subjective information on a client’s mental health concern and consequent adherence to medication. Various resources were available during the practice experience, including access to the Walden Library, from which I could search EBP guidelines and resources to guide my response to various interactions and practices recommended. A guideline I found helpful was the Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults by the American Psychiatric Association (2016).(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
Additionally, therapists and clinicians guided me in various mental health processes. Moreover, I used various EBP mental health practices, including comprehensive psychiatric assessment, which is necessary to develop an appropriate treatment plan (Wheeler, 2020). Moreover, I used various psychotherapy modalities, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy, to promote mental health well-being for multiple patients, individually and in teams.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
Given similar experiences, I would promptly record my encounters and interventions. This would be crucial in my reflections, identifying issues handled perfectly and areas that need more effort to develop competence. Recording experiences as they occur would also allow me to be updated on the trends in mental health issues. For example, I managed patient flow and volume by being flexible and willing to adjust my schedule as needed, prioritizing clients based on acuity, and communicating effectively with the healthcare team. On the other hand, I might improve my skills and knowledge consistency with my reading and learning plan, identify new research and remain updated in the advancement in mental health care practice, pursue continuing education courses, seek additional responsibilities, ask questions, and seek guidance from my preceptor. These interventions will expand my knowledge and experiences.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
Communicating and Feedback
I would improve my communication with my preceptor by updating the portfolio of my learning and professional development activities, regularly sharing my learning, and demonstrating my willingness to learn. The practicum has helped me improve my competence, and so far, I have achieved my goals, and I look forward to further developing my skills and knowledge.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
References
Wheeler, K. (2020). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. Springer Publishing Company.(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
Galutira, G. D. (2018). Theory of reflective practice in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Science, 8(3), 51-56. Doi:10.5923/j.nursing.20180803.02(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example)
The American Psychiatric Association. (2016). Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults (3rd ed):(Reflection of Practicum Experience Comprehensive Solved Nursing Paper Example) https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890426760