Demonstrating Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Nursing

Demonstrating Achievement of study Outcomes in nursingAnalytical unofficial of portfolio to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomesThis endeavor is primarily aimed at analytically reviewing the portfolio that I dupe assimilated in the novel past. It effectively is a personality of a issue of key episodes in my educatee headacheer. The portfolio itself documents a get along of different aspects of events in my coiffure whereas this raise sets out to take an overview of the aims, goals and achievements that give birth been set and the degree to which they suck up been achieved. (Green J et al. 1998)The portfolio opens with a statement of emotional state as far as the original preparation was concerned. Although I fool addressed the issues of master requirement I see as well approached the accommodate blueprint the viewpoint of my take in personal benefit. I appreciate that this hammer gives me the ability (amongst new(prenominal) things) to review my passkey development and to document my ontogeny through my epoch as a student nurse. During its preparation I consume therefore always kept in the forefront of my sound judgement the eight learning goals enumerated in this statement. reflectances on academic and clinical bears go along victor development and lifelong learningDecisions about the quality of my performanceEffective critical betingReflection on sea captain carry throughEmpowerment to take responsibility for my own learningDevelopment towards universe a critical, reflective practiti atomic number 53rDocument achievements(Pearce, R 2003).In ground of an analytical assessment of this portfolio, unity should consider the work of Knowles and others in the theatre of operations of adult education (Knowles, M. 1984 a ). Knowles theory of andragogy highlights the necessity for the adult student to appreciate the need to know some(prenominal)thing and the fact that adult students learn nearly effectively throu gh experience and adaptation (Knowles, M. 1984 b ).Although non explicitly expounded by Knowles, the adaptive process is attend toed to a consider commensurate degree by the process of reflection. As much(prenominal) my experiences have been recorded in a series of causal agency studies and other investigations, and the process of adaptation has been illustrated through the appliance of reflective practice. (Palmer in Bulpitt Martin 2005)The move towards read pursed practice has been ane of the most nonice equal aspects of the various changes in violence in practice in most bailiwicks of medically related work in recent years. (Berwick D 2005). I have been at pains to consider the manifest stolid which supports the various areas that I have either worked in or examined. To illustrate this point, let us consider the atom presented on the overmaster of moral reasoning and health care law. This chapter examined a wide spectrum of honorable issues and associated moral dilemmas. Ethics is an area which in some respects is public merely in others is determined by local issues which include environment, socialisation and popular opinion systems. (Kuhse Singer 2001)The evince behind for the various views expressed is presented and documented. An analytical assessment of this piece would have to include the fact that it only covers a small area of the whole potency issue. There is no acknowledgment for this, as the whole area of ethics is vast and the belles-lettres on the subject is extensive. It was non considered appropriate to do more than present an overview of one area. But the members of this area are covered and presented with the of the essence(p) guiding principles that form the evidence base being set out, such as Bolam and the professional guidelines together with specific examples such as the precedent of the Charlotte Wyatt issue. The evidence base share is in addition demonstrated in the clinical spectrum and I grass c ite the case study on Mrs Y (an MRSA infection case), as an example which not only allowed me to examine the issues of evidence (citing Pennington) but in addition to reflect and learn from the experience. (Taylor, E. 2000). It is always possible to criticise writing as not being totally inclusive of all of the available evidence and clearly such a criticism could be levelled at my work. In defence, I would suggest that much of the private reading and investigate that I have done that has helped to inform me in my professional life does not appear in the portfolio on grounds of expediency. In addition one is aware that the evidence base is constantly changing as in the raw work is published and assimilated into the pool of accepted medical acquaintance. (Sackett, 1996).In the case study that I presented relating to Angela, the evidence base played a bulky destiny in 2(prenominal) the study, the learning experience derived from it and also the developed presentation of the evidence. I suggest that it is obvious that I clearly worn-out(a) a great deal of time looking the various elements of the case and presenting them in an authoritative and evidence based fashion. I believe that this gives the work a greater credibility and also a greater learning potential for myself. (Holland K et al. 2003)Reflection is a declamatory element in this portfolio. I make no apology for this as I have represent reflective practice to be an invaluable learning tool and as force out be seen in the substance of the portfolio I have use it extensively. It should be noted that although I have recorded a number of instances of reflective practice using the Gibbs model, (Gibbs, G 1988) it is a technique that I frequently use in my daily practice.Stockhausen, (L. 1994) makes a differentiation amid reflection on practice and reflection in practice. I think that his digest is both valid and relevant. Reflection on practice is a retrospective process that encompasses thos e processes that allow reflection at a play after the event, and allow for modification in processing and response mechanisms to be employed when a similar situation is encountered for a second time. Reflection in practice refers to a dynamic process that occurs at the time of an action or intervention and is a shorter and more truncated process than the previously cited example. It is accepted however, that such a shorter process may not have the intellectual validity of a more protracted process. I have used both mechanisms both in the portfolio and also in my daily practice the case study of Angela demonstrates my ability to reflect on practice and the case study (year 1 chapter 3) shows that I am also quite able to use reflection in practice. As such I think that the portfolio is representative of my abilities in a clinical situation.I note that I frequently return to the concept of self self-assertiveness in my epitome of a situation. This is an area which is difficult to p romote as a student nurse as one is hampered by both inexperience and drop of seniority. As I have progressed through my training, I feel that the process of reflection has helped me to identify situations where I can use to the full be more self assertive, either to put forward my own point of view based on my own intimacy and beliefs, or to act as the diligents advocate in situations where I believe that the patient ofs best interests may not have been fully considered. (Koole S. L. et al. 19990This element of self assertiveness has another and more difficult implication. There is an implied responsibility incumbent on all healthcare professionals to hand out and fellowship or experience that they may have to their professional colleagues. The element of learning and teaching comes within this remit. (Yura H et al. 1998).I fully fare that, as a student, I have not been in a position to consider the possibility of teaching, as my own knowledge base has been dependent, at least in part, on the benevolence and knowledge of others. I am aware however, that as my own knowledge base has increased, I have been better placed to offer opinions and to add specialist knowledge into situations that are appropriate. I believe that this aspect of my training and development has also bee clearly demonstrated in the portfolio. For example, I can cite the section on basic life support that is presented in the portfolio. Having completed this element of the course, I now feel empowered to pass this specific knowledge on in areas where I encounter people (both patients, carers or other professionals) who may not have this type of specific knowledge at their fingertips. (Fawcett J 2005)I have little doubt that, as my professional knowledge increases, I shall be able to assume this role in a greater variety of areas and help to play my part in the future education of both patients and aspiring professionals.A capacious equipoise of the portfolio documents my assessme nt of the impact of policy on the current mechanisms of health care delivery. The entry relating to equality in the health management of minority groups could be considered typical in this regard with a review of the issues of the Care Standards exercise (CSA 2000) and the Disability secernment Act (DDA 1995). This particular case study was a major learning experience for me as it was by doing this analysis that I became more professionally aware of the possibilities for overt and covert discrimination both in damage of sexuality and disability and the need to be fully aware of these possibilities and to take supreme steps to ensure that they do not colour my professional activities. There is a great deal of literature on the subject of discrimination in its widest applications and a critical analysis of my work could reasonably conclude that such a large area is underrepresented in the overall portfolio. This particular criticism could clearly be levelled at approximately any w ork in this area and I am aware that I have had to make a judgement in this (and many other areas) where the line of balance between presenting all of the arguments both in favour and against a particular topic, can be bony in the interests of both expediency and practicality. It would have to be conceded that even it the portfolio were cytosine times as long as it is, it could not reasonably be expected to cover all of the arguments in the area. A sensible overview has had to be taken and I would suggest that the finished article is the product of these two opposing affections.Some elements of the portfolio are specific and detailed case studies. I again refer to the case study of Angela, a 58 yr old lady with anal cancer.I cite this is being oddly informative for me as it not only is a demonstration of my enquiry into the many issues that were impinging on this case but also in my ability to follow Angela through her illness trajectory ( rawell et al. 1992) and I was able to r eflect at length on the issues that she faced as her diagnosing was faced and the treatment. The major learning issue here, which is probably applicable to virtually all areas of professional work, is that effective communication is one the most important skills that the professional nurse can acquire. Effective communication can help to deal with some of the elements of the sequelae that can arise in this situation such as depression as well as the more positive aspects such as empowerment and education of the patient. (Mason T et al. 2003).This particular case study also highlights the need to assess and assimilate the social (and other) elements of the patients case. The reductionist school would have us regard the patient as a set of symptoms and nursing chores to solve. Although reductionism can be a useful analytical tool to assess the most appropriate forms of treatment, it can be criticised for removing the human angle from the professional assessment of the patient. (Jaco bs, B B 2001)I have always been a staunch advocate of the holistic approach to patient care and reductionism is diametrically opposed to this viewpoint. (Thompson C 1999) I believe this is demonstrated in my presentation of the socio-economic situation as it pertains to Angela. The consideration that her mother lives alone and has a Yorkie dog to contend with is all part of the overall spectrum of consideration for Angela, as her hospitalisation will effectively go bad her mothers ability to both survive independently and also to care for her dog. These are vital and important elements in a patients care and should realistically be incorporated into the finis fashioning process that evolves from the patient management considerations. (Hewison, A. 2004). I hope that this particular essay demonstrates my ability to pursue a logical and rational approach to decision making based on a strong evidence base and a holistic care plan.In terms of my own professional development, this port folio represents a number of snapshots in my trajectory through the undergraduate course. It has helped to center my attention on a number of specific issues, some were specify by the tutors and some were self determined. It is a feature of adult education that learning in one area often opens up possibilities for research and interest in other related areas.(Merriam S B 2001)I have certainly found this to be true, as my reading on one issue will frequently be punctuated with explorations into other areas that may be related. This may not necessarily feature in the portfolio itself, but will inevitably add to the knowledge base that I have accumulated throughout my undergraduate career.This comment is not intended to be viewed as a weakness but is presented as a strength. It has to be said that the portfolio does not fully reflect the professional development that I have been able to achieve and is not intended to do so. It should be more critically seen as a record of the stages of my development and some of the areas that have been actively explored. I am aware that it is in the disposition of a professional career in nursing that every interaction with patients and staff brings the possibility of new learning experiences. (Hogston, R et al. 2002). It is my hope and belief that this portfolio illustrates the fact that I have taken advantage of these possibilities as they have presented themselves to me. I believe that I have grown in professional stature and competence as a direct result of having had the experience of completing it.In viewing the work there are a number of areas in which the portfolio could be considered deficient. The very act or arrangement and writing is itself a trophic and dynamic process (Meleis A. 1991) and thereby records a process of evolution from my early days as a nursing student to the present. It can be therefore seen that some of the earlier entries lack the degree of maturity and knowledge that the later entries clearly have. I do not believe that this is actually a deficiency as, to a large extent, this documentation of process is one of the major functions of the portfolio. I believe that I learned a great deal relating to the processes of effective reading, efficient research and informative presentation during this process which I believe are unspoilt some of the less well publicised attributes of the modern nurse every bit as much as the clinical skills and knowledge that is peradventure more generally accepted as a core requirement. (Clarke J E et al. 1997).It would appear to me that a critical assessment of the portfolio would also have to include the realisation that some of the earlier elements are clearly not as sophisticated nor maybe as informatively written as the later ones for this very reason. The very fact that I have been able to take a critical overview in this particular essay, to a large degree, underlines the point that I would not have been able to write an essay of this nature when I started on my undergraduate career but I feel that I have now been enabled to assimilate sufficient knowledge to reflect critically on the learning process and to comment on it.With the benefit of hindsight, I feel that if I had appreciated the importance of the evidence base in discussions at an earlier stage in my education, I believe that I would have placed a greater emphasis on it in my earlier writing. As I have observe earlier however, it is this learning evolution coloured by experience which is perhaps one of the greatest benefits that can be both seen in and derived from a portfolio such as this. It is the act of research, reading and then the committing of analytical concepts to paper, which is a fundamental learning stimulus of the adult student.Looking forward, I believe that the experiences that I have derived from compiling this portfolio will stand me in good stead for my future professional career, not only in terms of the factual knowledge that it co ntains but also the conceptual methodologies that it represents and that I have now been able to experience, evolve and put into practice. (Kazdin A E 1998). I now more fully appreciate the need for critical analysis and evidence based practice particularly if I wish to levy my professional status by imparting good practice and knowledge onto other colleagues in due course.References Berwick D 2005 Broadening the view of evidence-based medical specialty Qual. Saf. 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