Reflective Documents
Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio (NFDN 1002)
The most significant learning experience in this course was
DESCRIPTION OF ONE
medication administration in all of its components – safe
SIGNIFICANT
administration, calculating dosages, monitoring a patient for side
LEARNING EXPERIENCE effects, and its systemic effects.
IN THIS C OURSE
WHAT I LEARNED
PROFICIENCY R ATING
I learned the importance of the effects of multiple medications on the
human body, and what disorders they are used to treat. I learned how
to calculate dosages, and to safely and effectively administer
medications - including how to draw up correct dosages, and chart
actions. I now know how to research a patient’s medication, learn the
nursing implications of issuing a drug, and how to educate the patient
on self-administration.
Good: I would be unwilling at this time to provide myself with an
excellent proficiency score, as I have yet to practice this skill on
patients. While I am beginning to see how the skills of health
assessment tie in with medication administration, I need more practice
and real-world experience to bring together the two areas and feel
completely comfortable performing the tasks.
WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL /
SIGNIFICANT
Administration of medications has become such a large part of the
scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses, and it’s growing. The
types of drugs that LPNs are able to provide, and the routes of
administration are vast and to be proficient in such an important job
role is key to patient safety and outcomes.
HOW I WILL APPLY
THIS LEARNING IN
NURSING PRACTICE
Everything I learned in medication administration will be applied to
my nursing practice. I will effectively be able to calculate dosages,
chart actions taken with medications, and how to read physician’s
orders. This is a fundamental skill that I will be able to carry forward
to provide proper patient care.
Student Name: Katrina Njie
Course: NFDN 1002, Section D01
Date: February 4, 2013
Instructor/Tutor: Courtney Belanger
Reflective Documents
Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio (NFDN 2003)
IDENTIFY COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER AND
SUBCATEGORY
DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY. PROVIDE
AN EXAMPLE
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU
LEARNED AND HOW IT
RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY. EXPLAIN
WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL.
G-5-7
“Demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply sterile dressings to
surgical incisions and wounds.”
In learning about surgical wound sterile dressing changes, I learned
about proper technique in cleansing and cleaning the wound. I was
able to read the theory surrounding the skill in our medical-surgical
textbook; this allowed me to learn how to perform a sterile dressing
application step-by-step, and to review the rationale. I also watched
the Mosby demonstration videos related to the skill. By combining the
knowledge acquired from the textbook with the visual aid of the
videos, I was able to practice using my skills kit. Doing these both at
home – with support from a surgical nurse friend – as well as in open
lab, I received feedback, to help me improve.
I learned how to maintain a sterile field, which is of utmost
importance in changing sterile dressings and reducing any risk of
infection at the surgical site. I was also taught how to assess the
wound during dressing changes, which is important in communicating
the healing state of the wound – information that helps to make a
decision as to the patient’s care.
USES THE “PROFICIENCY I would rate myself as “good” in this proficiency category, because I
CATEGORIES” TO RATE
understand why applying sterile dressings to surgical sites are
THEIR PROFICIENCY IN
important, and the step-by-step process used. I have also demonstrated
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
my ability to clean the wounds and apply sterile dressings in
COMPETENCY. EXPLAIN
demonstration situations in an open lab setting. I have yet to perform
WHAT WAS DONE TO
the sterile dressing application on an actual patient, and is has not
ACHIEVE THE
become second nature to me, so I would not give myself a grade of
COMPETENCY.
“excellent” yet.
DESCRIBE HOW YOU
WILL APPLY THIS
LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE
Learning this skill is quite important, because it will be something I
encounter in hospital, outpatient and, possibly, community settings.
Knowing the correct way to cleanse the wound, maintain sterility of
the dressing, and assessing the wound, will allow me to aid in the
healthy wound healing and be a primary person in the prevention of
infections that can be complications with surgical wounds.
Student Name: Katrina Njie
Course: NFDN 2003
Date: July 31, 2014
Instructor/Tutor: Kim Harper
Reflective Documents
Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio (NFDN 2004)
IDENTIFY
COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER, AND
SUBCATEGORY
K-5-2: Demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology as it applies to
postpartum client.
DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
PROVIDE AN
EXAMPLE .
One significant learning experience in this course was the terminology
used to evaluate the post-partum client. I learned the definitions of
multiple terms in relation to the postpartum client – including lochia,
afterpains and lactation.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU
LEARNED AND HOW IT
RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL .
I learned the correct terminology used to describe various postpartum
conditions and findings. This is of extreme importance, because
consistency in the use of descriptors and terms when charting and
discussing the patient’s care allow for fluidity and consistency
between providers.
USE THE
“PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES ” TO
RATE PROFICIENCY IN
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHAT WAS
DONE TO ACHIEVE
THE COMPETENCY .
Good: While I am very familiar with the terms – I wrote down each
term and its meaning in my own words; had family test me on flash
cards; and ensured that I knew how it related to the patient or
procedure, to create a correlation that I could refer back to – I am still
in need of using the postpartum terminology regularly. In order to
become excellent in using this skill, I will need to incorporate it into
charting, patient teaching, and other communications.
DESCRIBE HOW YOU
WILL APPLY THIS
LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE .
The use of consistent, standardized terminology among nurses,
doctors, and other allied care providers is one of the first steps to
unified care. As a student, and graduate nurse, I will be able to fully
inform other care providers of my assessments and the needs of my
patients in clear, concise, understandable words.
Student Name: Katrina Njie
Course: NFDN 2004, O01/O02
Date: November 16, 2014
Instructor/Tutor: Carly Legault
Reflective Documents
Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio (NFDN 2005)
IDENTIFY
COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER, AND
SUBCATEGORY
L-3-1 Demonstrate ability to provide support to pediatric client /
family.
DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
PROVIDE AN
EXAMPLE .
Our textbook provided many scenarios in dealing with different types
of families. Each family and child is different in their support needs,
and communication with them will vary greatly.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU
LEARNED AND HOW IT
RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL .
Some families may want help taking care of their child, while some
may want to do everything themselves. Child will also vary in the
amount of autonomy they want – based on age, maturity and past
experiences. The most supportive thing that can be done, as a nurse, is
to evaluate what needs the family has for support and assist them as
best possible.
USE THE
“PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES ” TO
RATE PROFICIENCY IN
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHAT WAS
DONE TO ACHIEVE
THE COMPETENCY .
Good: Working with pediatrics outside of nursing has helped to
develop the awareness needed to evaluate child and family support. I,
daily, must explain medical procedures to families, answer their
questions, and help them to understand physician requests. While it
will take more time and experience to become more proficient, the
foundation is set.
DESCRIBE HOW YOU
WILL APPLY THIS
LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE .
Depending on my future area of employment, knowing how to support
pediatric clients and their families could be very important. Effective
support will help to create a positive rapport and gain trust, which will
allow for better communication. When a family and patient are better
able to communicate, more holistic nursing care can be provided.
Student Name: Katrina Njie
Course: NFDN 2005, O01/O02
Date: March 30, 2015
Instructor/Tutor: Kim Harper
Reflective Documents
Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio (NFDN 2006)
IDENTIFY
COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER, AND
SUBCATEGORY
R-1-4: Demonstrate knowledge of social determinants of health and
how they impact individuals, groups and communities.
DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
PROVIDE AN
EXAMPLE .
I have learned that social determinants are social and economic
circumstances that affect the health of persons and populations, by
impacting social status, living situations and access to education, to
name a few. For example, a single mother living below the poverty
line would have different social determinants that a middle-class,
older male with no children. Their lives and health would vary greatly
based on their access to resources, information, susceptibility to
discrimination, etc.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU
LEARNED AND HOW IT
RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL .
Client’s aren’t just simple illnesses and social aspects of their life and
history play a major role in how they learn (patient education), their
thought processes (mental health), and creating goals and making life
changes (support system). If we fail to evaluate social determinants,
we aren’t looking at all aspects of a patient. It’s meaningful, because
client interaction will somehow be molded by social determinants.
USE THE
“PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES ” TO
RATE PROFICIENCY IN
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHAT WAS
DONE TO ACHIEVE
THE COMPETENCY .
Excellent: I have had the opportunity to review social determinants
many times throughout the LPN program – in psychology, sociology
and in community health nursing. Most of the information has been
received through textbooks and handouts. To become proficient in it,
though, I have applied it to my clients as a student nurse when
assessing their influencing factors on their health and wellness. It has
been something I have taken into consideration in Nursing Care Plans,
patient education, and discharge planning.
DESCRIBE HOW YOU
WILL APPLY THIS
LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE .
This competency is very important when it comes to treating clients
from a holistic approach. Patients, even those with similar illnesses,
are affecting largely by social determinants. Treating each patient the
same, without taking those into consideration can minimize the
effectiveness of patient treatment, education and outcomes.
Student Name: Katrina Njie
Course: NFDN 2006
Date: July 26, 2015
Instructor/Tutor: Kim Harper
Reflective Documents
Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio (NFDN 2007)
IDENTIFY
COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER, AND
SUBCATEGORY
M-1-4 Demonstrate knowledge and ability to differentiate between
mental illness and mental wellness.
DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
PROVIDE AN
EXAMPLE .
In this mental health course, I have learned the difference between
mental health and mental illness. As our Psychiatric & Mental Health
Nursing text describes it, mental illness is a diagnosable medical
condition, while the theory of mental health is more fluid - it can vary
depending on a patient’s treatment, coping mechanisms, and severity
of their illness. For example, a patient with schizophrenia in good
mental health would have symptoms controlled, be emotionally stable,
and productive; a schizophrenic patient in poor mental health may be
hallucinating, out of touch with reality, unable to care for themselves,
and have a varied mood.
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU
LEARNED AND HOW IT
RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL .
Neither mental health nor illness is a concrete thought (although
diagnosis may have concrete criterion) – both are flexible. Taking a
good assessment of the patient’s symptoms, day to day activities, and
cognitive processes can aid in assessing how mentally “healthy” a
patient is. This is meaningful, because it can reaffirm that a patient
isn’t always their mental illness, and helps to remove stigmas and
stereotypes. Each person has their own level of mental health, even in
the presence of mental illness.
USE THE
“PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES ” TO
RATE PROFICIENCY IN
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHAT WAS
DONE TO ACHIEVE
THE COMPETENCY .
Excellent: I have read the textbook and PowerPoint information
available on the ideas of mental health and illness, and I understand
their differences and how to differentiate between them. I am able to
explain how the two ideas overlap, but are two very separate thoughts.
I am able to apply this to patients who are functioning with mental
illnesses, and those who are unable to meet their own basic needs. I
am able to utilize the information to make adjustments to patient goals
and care plans.
DESCRIBE HOW YOU
WILL APPLY THIS
LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE .
Being familiar with mental health and illness is important when
dealing with clients in many areas. Two clients with the same
diagnosed mental condition may have different levels of mental
health. This is important when trying to give patients tasks, education
and involving them in their own care. If a patient is of good mental
health, even with a mental illness, they are more likely to be involved
in their care than one with the same illness who is not of good mental
health.
Student Name: Katrina Njie
Course: NFDN 2007, O01/O02
Date: July 23, 2015
Instructor/Tutor: Heather Zirk