Essay on Improving Nursing Knowledge of Infection Control: Addressing the Gap in Education

My capstone project, which focuses on improving nursing knowledge of infection control practices, has the purpose of addressing the gap in education. It bases on the infection control practices with the lack of nursing knowledge impeding the adherence to evidence-based practices. The project has experienced high rates of CLABSIs related to dialysis catheters. Working on my capstone project has been hindered by the pandemic with the facilities not allowing the students. However, reflecting on my educational journey has allowed me to see the various sides of teaching as well as education. As a result, I appreciate my ability despite the pandemic, which has become an obstacle. In the process, I have gained and advanced my knowledge in terms of self-motivation as well as other characteristics such as discipline and determination. The experience from the learning outcomes has provided my fulfilment as I have seen the capstone project take shape. However, it has been hindered by the pandemic as I would like to have liked to get more time for its implementation as well as a chance to have it completed shortly.

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In The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011), I feel that I have excelled more in “applying advanced knowledge of effects of the global environment, individual as well as population characteristics to the design, implementation, and evaluation of care.” The area is an essential competence statement that cuts across various areas of practice. It has provided me with significant learning experiences for a variety of settings. It has also provided additional practice experience that is beyond the entry-level nursing program.

Besides, I feel that I have excelled in “applying the best available evidence from nursing as well as other sciences as the foundation for practice.” Through the practice competencies, I have gained principles of leadership as well as effective use of self and advocacy for patients. As a result, I can conceptualize an analysis of the nursing role and the principles of lateral integration of care. The experience is an opportunity that would allow me to promote innovative thinking with potential solutions to clinical practice issues. I have developed new skills as well as practice expectations, which can support the learning opportunities in diverse settings ranging from industries, management, and technology. From these experiences, I have developed an appreciation as well as the use of knowledge from the various disciplines in nursing practice that occur through the evidence produced in the project.

In the remaining weeks of the practicum, I would like to focus on “designing strategies that promote lifelong learning of self and peers while incorporating professional nursing standards and accountability for practice.” Another competency statement that I would like to focus on is the “use of knowledge of illness and disease management to provide evidence-based care to populations, perform assessment and design plans, or programs of care.” I would like to focus on these two competency statements with the need to promote lifelong learning for the nurses to meet the needs of the patients.

Conclusion

Focusing on knowledge of illness and disease management and designing strategies to promote lifelong learning will make the project contribute to the evidence supporting the education for nurses together with the demonstration based competency that improves the knowledge of nurses on infection control, especially in the dialysis unit. Besides, these competency practices will promote improvement in terms of infection control while reflecting on the intervention of education for nurses. The project will, therefore, support improvement in terms of nursing practice in the dialysis unit, thus impacting the quality of care in the medical center.