The MSN terminal objectives are used to show recent educational and professional standards. These objectives guided me through out my practicum and I was able to achieve the anticipated practicum learning experience. My learning experiences include; identifying the needs for developing infection control and management program for health care facilities. It relates to MSN terminal objectives in that it shows professional philosophy incorporating responsibility for individuals’ value and life long education (Catholic university of America, 2009).
I realized the need for proper communication tool to staff or families /visitors in efforts to control nosocomial infections. Evidence based practice application demonstrated the appropriateness in carrying out systemic empirical research in order to achieve accurate intervention. I appreciated the fact that nosocomial infections preferences are high in most health care units due to failure by staff to follow health hygiene practice (Cullen, 2002). In the evaluation, my evidence based practicum demonstrated a professional philosophy that which indicate responsibility to people ethics and permanent knowledge. Incorporation of my skills advanced values and principle that show care for patient values, diversity social justification and dignity reflected by urge develop infection control and management program for health care facilities. According to Cullen 2002 “individuals’ inquiry potential is manifested through research data analysis, obtaining reliable results, and contributing to health care service provision. Advanced nursing role was portrayed by incorporation of safe and informed diagnostic reasoning, judgments and decision-making.” This practicum enabled me to demonstrate competence in this specialized area of practice, manage the program effectively and provided leadership and collaborated with diverse groups/individuals, and with multidisciplinary team in specialized areas of health care (Catholic university of America, 2009).
I provided leadership in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating healthcare delivery in compliance with ethical, regulatory, legal, and professional standards of nursing care in order to assure high quality health care delivery and the advancement of the nursing profession (Beyea & slattevy, 2006).
I demonstrated the ability to research and apply credible information, doing proper and effective presentation to the health care personnel. This practicum has enabled me to; gain more knowledge regarding nursing science to back up my practice a nurse. It has also empowered me to incorporate theories into my practice. I acquired advanced knowledge and skills for the utilization and participation in the evidence based research.
This practicum has enabled me to acquire skills through identifying a need for developing infection control and management program for health care facilities. I realized the need for proper developing a proper communication tool for staff or families /visitors in efforts to control nosocomial infections. I came in to conclusion that evidence based practice application is appropriate in carrying out systemic empirical research in order to achieve accurate intervention. The practicum was concluded that nosocomial infections preferences are high in most health care units due to failure by staff to follow health hygiene practice.
Learning objectives of practicum learning agreement focused on; improving the quality of patient care by establishing an effective infection management program as protocol at Burien long term care facility. To gain the knowledge and skills to be able to design and execute an evidenced based program that will identify, implement, and evaluate strategies to prevent and manage nosocomial infections and other adverse events related to infection control at Burien long term care facility. To analyze the current infection control program and total house wide surveillance for all nosocomial infections, identified prospectively by reviewing daily microbiology records, patient on isolation and antibiotics therapy at Burien long term care facility. I Identified the current infection control system was not effective and there was no communication tool to staff or families /visitors. The summary of finding was presented to management and staff. Staff was able to realize some of the resident current infection was avoidable. Another objective was to create an infection management program for licensed nurses to provide for the ongoing collection, management, analysis, and dissemination of data to control and prevent most infections and other adverse events at Burien long term care facility. It was friendly and easy to follow infection management program created. Staff verbalized it was an excellent system and no confusion noted. Other objective was to implement the infection control and management program in all units for licensed nurses at Burien long term care facility. This new program was implemented and the facility infection rate dropped down by 42 percent. Staff was able to verbalize and demonstrate safe infection management program. Final objective was to evaluate the licensed nurses learning of the infection management program at Burien long term care facility. The percentage of infection decreased every month by 0.5%. Thus it made me believe that the new infection program was effective.
I attained the practicum goals which were; to improve the quality of patient care by establishing an effective infection management program as protocol at Burien long term care facility and to gain the knowledge and skills to be able to design and execute an evidenced based program that will identify, implement, and evaluate strategies to prevent and manage nosocomial infections and other adverse events related to infection control at Burien long term care facility. This practicum did improve the quality of patient care by establishing an effective infection management program as protocol at Burien long term care facility. The new program was implemented and the facility infection rate dropped down by 42 percent. Staff was able to verbalize and demonstrate safe infection management program. I gained knowledge and skills to be able to design and execute an evidenced based program that will identify, implement, and evaluate strategies to prevent and manage nosocomial infections and other adverse events related to infection control at Burien long term care facility. I did Literature search on needs for developing infection control and management program for licensed nurses in long term care facility. I reviewed and selected appropriate theoretical framework related to developing infection control and management program for licensed nurses in long term care facility. Draft a tool for house wide audit for last three months nosocomial infections and the origin of the infection for all residents at Burien long term care facility. I developed infection management program which after implementing the facility infection rate dropped down by 42%.
Critically analyze learning experience in relation to MSN program student learning out come.
In my practicum I effectively developed and communicated professional role with clients and colleagues. I demonstrated cultural competence in the ethical delivery of care to vulnerable populations.I Utilized knowledge from sciences, humanities, and nursing to promote health, prevent disease, and provide quality health care to individuals, families, groups, and communities. I contributed to nursing knowledge through integration, application, and teaching. I analyzed economic, policy, environmental, and social forces to impact health care delivery and quality of care.
How practicum experience contribute to development of nursing career
My evidenced based practice upgraded efficacy in nursing management of patients. Implementing this program on evidence based program gave health personnel option to choose care for patient as compared to procedures not helpful to patient. It saves time and can be able to manage other patients in critical condition.
After implementation of the program there were positive results on health care delivery to patient. It helped increase better patient prognosis of the patients. Making decision supported by evidence based care enabled accuracy in nursing intervention during patient management. According to Mitchell 1999 “patient prognosis is better when management is guided by evidence based practice.” This fact encourages them to read information that cover nursing research to keep their practice current (Mitchell, 1999).Evidence based practice gives confidence to health care providers due to surety and credibility of information the nurse has developed.
A literature review of journal article on evidence based practice. I realized that overall very few nurses use evidence based practice. One of the barriers to evidence based practice that nurses often cite is the time it takes to search and find research evidence. Health personnel find it challenging to search information or they are overtired by large amount of varying evidence available. By completing the literature review, I was able to have an important part of evidence based practice and become familiar with resources that are available to synthesize the information (Dale, 2005).
I did discuss finding of the literature review with Mentor and other key staff members. I learnt that the facility usually doesn’t use that much evidence based practice. The usual practice for the facility was random controlled trail. I used simple written survey asking questions regarding the usefulness of the literature review summary. I developed infection control program which include Objectives, Content outline resources, Power point presentation, Handouts, Case Scenarios. Over the entire program is a system to monitor and investigate causes of infection and manner of spread. The written infection control program will be reviewed periodically by the facility.
I developed a one page survey tool to collects feedback from nurses on how they feel about the program. This one-page survey asks nurses about their satisfaction with the program and the impact of the program on minimizing infections. It also tells me if the program is happening the way they are supposed to, how to improve the program as we go along and if the program helped the nurses. The results finding of program indicated great achievement in reduction of nosocomial infection.
References
Beyea, C., & slattevy, J. (2006). Evidence practice in nursing: a guide to Successful implementation. Sydney, McGraw-Hill.
Catholic university of America. (2009). Goal and Terminal Objectives of MSN program [Data file]. Web.
Cullen, N. (2002). Nurses Use of Research Information in Clinical Decision Making: Descriptive and analytical study. New York, NY: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Dale, A. (2005). Evidence-based practice: compatibility with nursing. Nursing Standard Journal, 12 (40) 31-32.
Mitchell, G. (1999). Evidence-based practice: critique and alternative view. Nursing Science quarterly Journal, 12 (1) 20-21.