Paper Sample on Evaluating Practicum Experiences: A Self-Assessment & Strategies for Improvement

Introduction

The report evaluates practicum experiences and progresses encountered during the exercise. It helps to conduct self-assessment of the exercise and propose strategies that would improve future experiences. Since learning is a continuous experiment, it is critical to evaluate past experiences to develop a personal development plan to enhance future practicum experiences.

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Practicum Experiences That Have Contributed to Achieving Practicum Objectives

The exercise involved the application of various experiences, focusing on the ability to achieve practicum objectives. The first experience is the application of the Christian world view when handling pediatric patients. The process of offering healthcare services to the patients requires understanding the religious worldviews of patients and implements policies that focus on respecting their views and rights. To complete the exercise successfully, it was ethical to offer services non-discriminatory. It means that all clients accessed equal services regardless of their religious orientations (Thomas, 2017). A spiritual conversion influences moral conduct and personal commitment to delivering quality services. Therefore, the entire process included justice acts, such as respect and service to all people, including the poor. The primary purpose was offering life-changing services to all people in society.

The second experience that contributed to the achievement of practice objectives is the application of the beneficence principle. The attitude and behavior during the exercise were based on the offering services for the best interest of the patient. It was always good to apply kindness act to all people. The primary objective of any healthcare provider is to create a positive outcome for the patient. Traditionally, psychiatric mental health care services to patients were sole responsibility of healthcare professionals. However, the aspect has changed (Thomas, 2017). One of the practices during the entire exercise was making decisions ethically. For example, the services involved pediatric individuals and families at every stage of decision-making. The practice is critical since it contributes to developing a patient-focused approach to services; hence, it helped to realize practicum objectives.

The third practice is adhering to the health delivery system competencies. Although standard policies and ethics influence the actions of service providers, every organization has a specific code of ethics all professionals should uphold (Thomas, 2017). In this regard, acknowledging organizational practices and healthcare systems contributed to achieving practicum objectives. For example, every decision made involved clients and their families and was based on consensus. The experience improved the quality of care services provided. Also, the experience minimizes risks to patients at the organizational and individual levels.

Evaluate and Describe Your Progress Toward Meeting Practicum Objectives for This Course

The first personal progress towards meeting practicum objectives is the application of leadership competencies. For effective delivery of healthcare services, the application of leadership experience is mandatory. The first leadership experience practiced to achieve the objectives is effective communication skills. The application of therapeutic communication was effective in supplementing verbal and no-verbal communication to understand patients better. Effective communication skills illustrate understanding the scope and care standards (Thomas, 2017). The exercise helped to developed leadership skills to become a professional and ethical team leader in the healthcare sector. Through effective communication, it was possible to provide quality care services, as well as managing resources effectively to realize practicum objectives.

The second progress made to achieve course objectives is to apply critical and reflective thinking in every aspect of learning. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest evolving sectors; hence, it requires a reflection of past experiences to improve future outcomes. In this context, I used diaries to help in organization of various activities to achieve daily activities (Thomas, 2017). Besides self-reflection, I engaged peers to assess personal skills and competencies in the care practice. Based on their reflection, I developed activities that would improve on the identified weaknesses, as well as capitalizing on the strengths. These activities contributed to changing individual attitude and behavior towards the exercise; thus, achieving practicum objectives. However, critical thinking was not fully exercised because of organizational healthcare service delivery systems and programs individuals should follow; thus, limited the extent of thinking.

The other progress towards meeting practicum objectives was analyzing cultural, values, ethical and socio-economic factors, affecting pediatric individuals. Aspect considered in delivering quality care services to pediatric patients was to understand underlying factors hindering the ability to access quality services (Thomas, 2017). Therefore, the process of involving pediatric individuals and families helped to gather sufficient information to understand their needs. Also, I considered legal aspects influencing the relationship with patients. Taking these aspects into account, it was possible to operate within the scope and apply ethical standards that improve patient outcomes. Analyzing the barriers to quality care services contributed to the development of care plans to ensure equity and complete practicum goals as required.

Furthermore, I took part in developing a therapeutic plan and health promotion campaigns. The best way to learn new aspects of healthcare is by practicing new tasks. By participating in the formulation and development of care plans, the exercise helped to acquire practical skills and competencies regarding healthcare plans that would improve the mental health of patients, including pediatric individuals (Stewart, 2012). The exercise involved attachment to senior care providers; hence, it was possible to realize learning objectives. The exercise was effective since it helped to acquire the skills and knowledge required to develop comprehensive care plans required to implement healthcare promotions.

The third progress applied to realize practicum objectives is using the most relevant and appropriate technology in managing information about patients. However, the organization had limited opportunities to develop health information systems (Cooke et al., 2008). Consequently, I had to take personal initiatives to develop information technology skills and practice them in the workplace. Using the most appropriate technology in healthcare helps to improve the quality of services since it helps to gather, review, and analyze patient information for effective care services. The exercise was appropriate since it helped new technologies in the healthcare sector although it continues to evolve; hence, the need to continue practicing the application of new technologies in the healthcare sector. Therefore, the application of relevant information technology contributed to the achievement of practicum goals.

Identify and Discuss Areas for Improvement and Plan to Enhance Practicum Experiences

Although the practitioner managed to engage service users and families in planning for care services, one of the weaknesses experienced was the inability to collaborate with primary community resources in healthcare promotion. Therefore, it is critical to improving collaboration skills by ensuring the effective utilization of community resources to deliver quality healthcare outcomes (Cooke et al., 2008). Among the community resources include healthcare facilities and community-based programs, as well as community health care services. Failing to engage community resources contributes to the disconnection between care services and patient needs. To develop this area, the first thing to do is to work closely with community healthcare individuals and organizations to develop healthcare plans. Secondly, participating in community activities, such as healthcare promotions helps to mobilize community resources required to understand and plan the quality of healthcare costs.

The second area that requires improvement is the adoption of appropriate technology in all aspects of healthcare. Although the exercise developed the application of information technology in analyzing patient information, it is critical to advance technology and apply it to analyze patient information to better understand patient needs for effective planning (Stewart, 2012). For example, the application of online healthcare services reduces the cost of healthcare; thus, making services affordable and accessible to all individuals. The objective is to offer quality healthcare services and improve their outcomes. However, improving technology requires taking part-time classes, particularly to acquire knowledge about health information systems applicable to any healthcare practice. Secondly, it is a good idea to take a six-month internship in two different organizations to acquire experience regarding the application of technology in managing hospital operations and patient information. These activities will improve experience in information technology for better service delivery.

The third area for improvement is developing evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment plans, balancing the interests of healthcare providers, care users, and organizations. The exercise is a comprehensive one and requires understanding the needs and expectations of target patients and projecting future trends (Cooke et al., 2008). Developing this area requires working closely with a mentor for three months and conducting interviews with experienced healthcare providers. Engaging healthcare professionals would develop existing knowledge about developing therapeutic plans. Specific skills to acquire include understand population needs and the utilization resources, as well as engaging primary stakeholders in the planning process.

Conclusion

The application of best practices contributed to the achievement of practicum objectives. They include beneficence principle and having a Christian world view. Progress includes effective communication, practicing leadership skills, and analyzing cultural and social factors affecting access to quality healthcare services. However, areas for improvement include evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment plans, adoption of appropriate technology, and engaging community resources to improve health planning.

References

Cooke, L., Gemmill, R., & Grant, M. (2008). Advanced practice nurses core competencies: a framework for developing and testing an advanced practice nurse discharge intervention. Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS, 22(5), 218–225.

Stewart, J. (2012). The nurse practitioner: Historical perspectives on the art and science of nurse practitionering. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Thomas, A. (2017). Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies Content: A delineation of suggested content specific to the NP core competencies2014. NONPF.