PRAC 6541 Journal Entry #3

Journal Entry #3

Title: Reflecting on Pediatric Clinical Experience

Excitement and Concerns in Pediatric Clinical Experience

In my pediatric clinical experience, I found the most interesting part of the nursing profession to be the direct patient and family contact. It was inspiring and informative to see how children cope in different health situations and how they can be helped to overcome them. On the other hand, what I found most worrying was the relative difficulty of identifying and treating children’s diseases. The mild signs in children and the issues arising from communication with a child and his or her family were some of the challenges.

Personal Definition of Family and Family Roles

The concept of family and roles of family has changed in this practicum for me. First, I perceived family roles as somewhat fixed, whereby the parents were the caretakers and the children the receivers of care. In my experience, structures and roles within the family proved very changeable. I met single-parent families, large families, and families where elder children took on parental responsibilities. This has therefore helped me broaden my perception of how families may operate in many other forms.

Influence of Family Understanding on Assessments

The knowledge of the different families’ structures and roles has greatly impacted on my evaluation of children and their families. I have learned to pay more attention to the specifics of the questions I ask concerning the family relationships and the support they have. This has enabled me to come up with better care plans based on the needs of each family in the community. For instance, understanding that an older sibling is involved in caregiving has helped me to address them as well and thus offer holistic care to the family.

Cultural Understanding and Its Impact on Assessments

My understanding of culture, both my own and that of the families I encountered, has significantly evolved. Initially, I underestimated the extent to which cultural beliefs and practices influence health behaviors and attitudes. During the practicum, I learned to ask more culturally sensitive questions and to be mindful of cultural differences in communication styles and health practices. This cultural competence has enhanced my ability to build rapport with families and to conduct more accurate and respectful assessments.

Accomplishing Practicum Goals and Objectives

Looking at the goals and objectives I wrote in Week 1, I think that I have made a lot of progress. My main purpose was to improve the assessment abilities in pediatric patients with focus on the developmental achievements and possible health concerns. In these areas, I have been able to build my confidence through practical experience and guidance from other professionals. Also, I wanted to enhance my interpersonal communication with children as well as with their parents. I think that by seeking feedback and practicing reflection I have improved in this aspect

Refining Goals for Continued Education and Practice

Based on my practicum experience, I have refined my existing goals and developed new ones for my continued education and professional practice. One refined goal is to further develop my cultural competence by attending workshops and training sessions focused on cultural diversity in healthcare. Additionally, I aim to deepen my knowledge of pediatric mental health, an area that emerged as particularly challenging during my practicum. This will involve pursuing additional coursework and seeking opportunities for clinical exposure to pediatric mental health conditions.

In accordance with the NAPNAP Position Statement on Age Parameters for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practice, I have also set a professional development goal related to the knowledge of age-related health care needs of pediatric patients. This also means getting more exposure with the youngest of patients, the infants, and the older teenagers, thus making me fully equipped to handle any age of the pediatric patients.

Conclusion

In summary, my pediatric clinical experience has been both exciting and challenging, leading to significant personal and professional growth. My understanding of family roles, cultural influences, and pediatric assessment skills has deepened, and I have made meaningful progress toward my initial goals. As I continue my education and professional practice, I am committed to refining my skills and expanding my knowledge to provide the best possible care to my pediatric patients and their families. This practicum has underscored the importance of cultural competence, family dynamics, and comprehensive care plans in pediatric nursing. Moving forward, I will continue to seek opportunities for professional development and strive to meet the highest standards of pediatric care.

References

Betz, C. L., & Nehring, W. M. (2017). Pediatric Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. American Nurses Association.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). (2020). Position Statement on Age Parameters for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practice. Retrieved from https://www.napnap.org/position-statements/

Wong, D. L., Hockenberry, M. J., Wilson, D., Winkelstein, M. L., & Kline, N. E. (2003). Wong’s nursing care of infants and children. (No Title).