Nursing Portfolio
Academic Internship:
NURS481: Transition to Professional Nursing
This course was my capstone clinical course for the undergraduate nursing program. The purpose is to apply theories and concepts we have been learning through classroom content in a structured clinical environment under the watchful eye of a staff preceptor. During this course, I provided direct patient care on a medical-surgical unit at a local hospital, as well as in a primary care setting at the Hampton VA Medical Center. This course is designed to prepare me to practice independently and safely as a registered nurse.
This portion of my LeADERS portfolio allowed me an opportunity to get a real world experience in the form of a preceptorship with a practicing RN. The majority of this course was not papers or assignments, but instead an opportunity to further build upon my nursing skills. I spent 200 hours split on two different sites across Hampton Roads.
My first clinical site was 2E at Sentara Leigh. What was supposed to be an oncology unit had been converted to the isolation unit for COVID patients. This was challenging as a new nurse because it was nothing I was prepared for during my previous clinical experiences but I was able to thoroughly emphasize with the nurses already on the unit because that is undoubtedly how they felt when COVID hit as well. Dealing with so many unknowns was a great exercise in critical thinking and flexibility, two invaluable skills that I will carry into my professional nursing practice. Halfway through my rotation there the unit was converted back to medical-surgical where we cared for patients with conditions such as renal failure, diabetes, sepsis, and certain post-op patients.
The second half of the semester I spent at the Hampton Roads Veteran's Administration Medical Center working with in primary care with their Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator. Our primary role was to educate patients on the next steps when a suspicious area was found on either mammography or through ultrasound. We prepared them for a biopsy of the area and occasionally for surgery for partial or total mastectomy. I was also able to witness other procedures in interventional radiology, such as bone marrow biopsy, thyroid biopsy, steroidal hip injections, vacuum assisted breast biopsy and thyroid biopsy. Through this experience I was able to develop my skills in active listening, empathy and patient education as well as my assessment skills during procedures.
During this course I also had the opportunity to participate in a two week module based certification program to earn a telehealth certification you can check out below! This program was intended to prepare us to provide healthcare via telehealth with an emphasis on program selection, technology, legal issues, billing, consent and protocol. We learned how to set up and deliver telehealth using videoconferencing software focusing on education and quality. The certificate that was earned is a 2 year certificate from the Center for Telehealth Innovation, Education and Research (C-TIER) at ODU.
Below I highlight some important skills that this course has prepared me with.
Hover over each skill to find out more!
Working In A Team Setting
In nursing, it is imperative when you are providing care for a patient who cannot for themselves you are willing to work and assist anyone, without regard for their position or degree. We worked closely with other nurses, CNA’s, therapists, and doctors collaboratively to provide the highest level of patient care. In nursing there is no room for “that’s-not-my-job” or an unwillingness to assist another team member because it is ultimately the patient that suffers.
Make Decisions & Problem Solving
It is important that a student nurse is able to think critically and, on her feet, when making patient care decisions. Every action taken has benefits and risks which must be weighted prior to all decision making. Should a patients status change suddenly, the nurse must quickly determine the cause, and make critical decisions to address it appropriately.
Demonstrate Computer Software Proficiency
During my time at Sentara Hospitals it was important that I was able to learn their software, EPIC, to be able to successfully access important medical information and chart on my patients.
Plan, Organize & Prioritize Work
During this course, organization and prioritization were a must. Not only were we able to make our own schedule with our preceptor while ensuring we completed 200 hours, while at work these were critical skills as well. Patient assignments were handed out each morning and patient care requirements could then be found in each chart. It was the responsibility of myself and my nurse to determine what tasks were priority and which tasks need additional time allotted.
Future Goal Development
This course has prepared me in the best way possible for my future as an RN. Through this course I was able to practice the culmination of everything I had spent the last two years learning in nursing school and put it to use, under the watchful eye of my preceptor. I spent time working on my assessment skills, math for medication administration and working as part of an interprofesional team. All of these are skills that are critical to becoming a successful RN. I also believe this experience has expanded my knowledge on many disease processes, which will be helpful when I sit to take my state board exam, the NCLEX, this summer!