It is important for nurses to reflect on experiences and new knowledge gained in order to promote professional growth.
Course Competencies:
Analyze the increased complexity of care among older adults.
Compare care models for nursing practice specific to the older adult.
Design plans for care specific to the older adult.
Identify local, state, and national resources which facilitate safe and effective transitions of care for older adults.
Incorporate professional values, attitudes, and expectations regarding ageism when caring for the older adult.
Outline the importance of advocating for older adults in management of their care.
Transferable Skill:
Information Literacy: Discovering information reflectively, understanding how information is produced and valued, and using information to create new knowledge and participate ethically in communities of learning.
Instructions:
Reflect on your development as a nursing professional and address the following in a 1-2 page paper:
Describe how you achieved each of the course competencies and the transferable skill.
Provide at least one example of new knowledge gained related to each competency and explain how this new knowledge will impact your nursing practice.
Sample Solution
Increased complexity of care among older adults is largely due to the fact that they often suffer from multiple chronic conditions, mental health problems and physical disabilities. Care models for nursing practice specific to this population must be tailored to meet their individual needs in order to ensure effective and safe care.
Care plans should account for both the medical and social aspects of caregiving, as well as provide support when needed. This means focusing on preventative measures such as healthy nutrition, exercise, medication safety and maintaining good hygiene. Nurses must also assess the patient’s ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) independently or with assistance in order to develop a comprehensive plan for self-care management strategies. Additionally, nurses should encourage patients to engage in meaningful activities such as socializing with family or friends whenever possible.
Sample Solution
Increased complexity of care among older adults is largely due to the fact that they often suffer from multiple chronic conditions, mental health problems and physical disabilities. Care models for nursing practice specific to this population must be tailored to meet their individual needs in order to ensure effective and safe care.
Care plans should account for both the medical and social aspects of caregiving, as well as provide support when needed. This means focusing on preventative measures such as healthy nutrition, exercise, medication safety and maintaining good hygiene. Nurses must also assess the patient’s ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) independently or with assistance in order to develop a comprehensive plan for self-care management strategies. Additionally, nurses should encourage patients to engage in meaningful activities such as socializing with family or friends whenever possible.