Description:The student will write a paper describing a clinical situation which has taught you something, made you understand your practice, change your practice or was particularly demanding. It should be an “Ah ha” moment. What did you take away from that moment? The situation may be one that went particularly well or not well. In this situation how do you define yourself according to Benner’s five stages of professional development, and why.

QUESTION

College of Nursing

Clinical Exemplar Assignment

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on previous clinical experiences that convey something memorable or significant to you. This reflection and storytelling all add to the development of nursing competency over time.You will connect the reflection you have done throughout this course with you to your practice.

Description:The student will write a paper describing a clinical situation which has taught you something, made you understand your practice, change your practice or was particularly demanding. It should be an “Ah ha” moment. What did you take away from that moment? The situation may be one that went particularly well or not well. In this situation how do you define yourself according to Benner’s five stages of professional development, and why.

(I’M IN STAGE 2: ADVANCED BEGINNER)

Required components of the paper:

• This assignment is to be no more than 4 pages in length excluding the title page and the reference page.The paper is worth 25 points.
• Two peer reviewed publications about reflection or clinical exemplars. .
• Title page in APA format
• APA level headings to organize content (you will only use level one heading)
• When paraphrasing or using a direct quote use in text APA citations in the body of the paper
• Reference page using APA format
• Free of grammatical errors
• Free of spelling errors
• The body (your story) of the paper can be written in the first person

There are three sections to the paper:

1.Introduction: The introduction will introduce the reader to the concept of clinical exemplars reflective writing and competency in nursing. You will provide the reader with information about the purpose of exemplars using information from your peer-reviewed articles. You will set the stage so your reader (non medical persons) will understand the concept of reflection and competency.

2.Body of the Paper: The body of the paper will be your story. You can write it in first person and will be a detailed description of your story. Make sure you set the context of where it occurred, under what circumstances and with whom. Make sure you write your feelings, thoughts or actions and why this changed your practice or if you are not working, how you will practice as an RN. Here you will also define yourself in one of the five stages of professional development and connect your story with the stage you are in and why.

3.Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the content and gives the reader something to take away from your paper.

ANSWER

 Reflective Journey: A Clinical Exemplar in Nursing

Introduction

The field of nursing encompasses various experiences that shape the development of competency over time. Reflective writing and clinical exemplars play a crucial role in this process by allowing nurses to explore and learn from their clinical encounters. This paper aims to share a significant clinical situation that has impacted my nursing practice and contributed to my professional growth. Drawing on the concept of reflection and competency in nursing, this paper will provide insights into the transformative power of experiences in nursing.

Body of the Paper

During my clinical rotation at a busy medical-surgical unit, I encountered a challenging situation that left a lasting impression on me. It was a particularly demanding day, and I was assigned to care for a patient with multiple comorbidities. The patient, Mr. Smith, was admitted with exacerbation of heart failure and required close monitoring and management of his condition.

As an advanced beginner nurse, I was still navigating the complexities of nursing practice. I found myself overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks and responsibilities, unsure of how to prioritize and provide optimal care for Mr. Smith (Wright et al., 2021). However, it was during this challenging experience that I had an “Ah ha” moment that transformed my perspective on nursing.

Amidst the chaos, I realized that effective nursing care extended beyond the technical skills and procedural aspects. It required a holistic approach that considered the individuality of each patient. I recognized that building a therapeutic relationship with Mr. Smith was crucial for his overall well-being. By taking the time to understand his fears, concerns, and preferences, I could tailor my care to meet his unique needs (Choperena et al., 2019).

In this moment, I connected my experience to Patricia Benner’s stages of professional development in nursing. As an advanced beginner, I was transitioning from relying solely on rules and protocols to recognizing the importance of intuition and understanding the context of care. I acknowledged that my ability to assess and respond to the needs of individual patients was vital for delivering person-centered care.

Furthermore, this experience made me reflect on the significance of self-awareness in nursing practice. I recognized that my own emotions, thoughts, and actions could influence the care I provided. By acknowledging my limitations and seeking support from my colleagues, I could enhance my practice and ensure the best possible outcomes for my patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the clinical exemplar I have shared has been a pivotal moment in my nursing journey. Through this experience, I learned that effective nursing care extends beyond technical skills and requires a holistic approach that values the uniqueness of each patient. It highlighted the importance of building therapeutic relationships and understanding the context of care (Vortman et al., 2021).

By connecting my experience with Benner’s stages of professional development, I identified myself as an advanced beginner, transitioning from relying solely on rules to recognizing the significance of intuition and contextual understanding. This reflective journey has deepened my understanding of nursing practice and inspired me to continuously strive for growth and competency.

Ultimately, nursing competency is not solely acquired through textbooks and theoretical knowledge but is honed through reflective practice and meaningful experiences. By embracing the power of reflection, nurses can continually learn, adapt, and evolve in their professional journey, ensuring the provision of quality care to their patients.

References

Choperena, A., Oroviogoicoechea, C., Zaragoza Salcedo, A., Olza Moreno, I., & Jones, D. (2019). Nursing narratives and reflective practice: A theoretical review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(8), 1637-1647.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jan.13955 

Vortman, R. (2021). Meeting the doctor of nursing practice essentials through a journal club clinical experience. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 52(3), 123-129.https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/00220124-20210216-06 

Wright, J., & Scardaville, D. (2021). A nursing residency program: A window into clinical judgement and clinical decision making. Nurse Education in Practice, 50, 102931.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471595320310179