On any given day, a nurse can play a pivotal role in someone’s life. Experienced nurses often share stories of previous experiences and draw upon these experiences when circumstances warrant.
Hence, reflection can be a valuable tool. It serves as a tool for not only recalling experiences but also for applying lessons learned from those experiences. Keeping a nursing journal provides these benefits and more.
To prepare
• Refer to the current Clinical Guidelines found in this week’s Learning Resources and consider how these guidelines inform your clinical experience.
• Refer to your FNP or AGPCNP Clinical Skills and Procedures Self-Assessment Form you submitted in Week 1, and consider how your self-assessment might inform your Assignment.
• Refer to your Patient Log in Meditrek and reflect on Weeks 6–10 of your clinical experience, and reflect on your observations and experiences with patients during this time.
Journal Entry #2 (450–500 words):
In your journal entry, answer the following questions:
Learning and Experiences
Reflect on the 3 most challenging patient encounters and discuss what was most challenging for each.
• What did you learn from this experience?
• What resources did you have available?
• What evidence-based practice did you use for this patient?
• What new skills are you learning?
• What would you do differently?
• How are you managing patient flow and volume?
Communicating and Feedback
Ask yourself the following self-reflective questions:
• How might I improve on my skills and knowledge, and how do I communicate that back to my Preceptor?
• How am I doing? What is missing?
• What type of feedback am I receiving from my Preceptor?
