Matthew Blackert

The course helped to enhance self-confidence in interacting with others, groups, and presenting information. Assertiveness techniques, presentation of self, critical thinking, and collaboration skills will complement the development of interpersonal and communication competencies.

NURS20020 - Foundations of Assessment and Communication in Nursing

Competencies 

Assesses individuals as members of a community and/or family unit.
Recognizes spiritual/cultural aspects of the person.
Applies the interpersonal process in human relationships.
Gathers health assessment data using a variety of skills.
Implements the nursing process within selected settings.
Identifies psychosocial and physiological concepts affecting the health status of clients.
Formulates a personal concept of the role of a professional nurse.

Personal Reflection

The course helped to introduce the role of the professional nurse and delivery of health care. The nursing process was learned, with the primary focus on health assessment.  Aspects of interpersonal communication skills were also obtained during this course.

Spring 2012

NURS20030 - Foundations of Nursing Interventions 

Competencies 

The Nursing Process and gathering assessment skills in a clinical setting

Sterile Technique-Applying sterile gloves; Setting up and maintaining a sterile field

Wound care-Wound irrigation and dressing changes

Medication Administration- Oral, Topical, Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Injections

Mixing Insulin’s; Intramuscular injections

Catheterization and Enemas

IV and Dosage Calculations

Patient Teaching

Infection Control

Safety Techniques

Wound Care

Nutrition

Evidence Based Practice

Medications Administration (Flushing Saline Lock)

Repositioning/Turning Client (Q2)

Hand Washing

Facility Protocol

Personal Reflection

This course allowed me to practice selected aspects of the professional nurse's role in the clinical setting. The course also allowed me to apply the interpersonal process in the nurse-client relationship. Finally, I was able to use selected physiological principles in promoting health, along with implementing the nursing process within selected settings.

Summer 2012

N30020- Healthcare of Children

Competencies:

Uses critical thinking skills when applying the nursing process in meeting the comprehensive health care needs of children and families.

Implements therapeutic nursing interventions that facilitate children and families in attaining, maintaining, and regaining health.

Demonstrates effective communication skills with children, families, and other members of the health care team.

Assumes responsibility for continued professional and personal growth.

Examines the role of the professional nurse in the health care of children.

Uses research findings in planning health care for children and families.

Patient Teaching:

Proper hand washing techniques to client and care givers.

Deep breathing exercises (through use of bubbles).

Proper administration, dosage, and route of pediatric medications.

Proper nutrition and feeding techniques for pediatric patients.

 Evidence Based Practice:

Pediatric Medications Administration (Flushing Saline Lock)

Pediatric Repositioning/Turning Client

Infection Control / Hand Washing

Personal Reflection:

This class introduced me to pediatric nursing care. I was able to gain an understanding of communication and nursing care techniques in relation to different age groups of children. This provided me with the skills necessary to care for children effectively at different growth and developmental levels. I was able to use these skills and apply my knowledge in a clinical setting. This enabled me to practice the ability to develop a successful nursing care plan for the pediatric client. I do not currently have any children of my own, but found this clinical to be a very new and enjoyable aspect of nursing.

N30010- Parent Newborn Nursing

Competencies:

Uses and applies nursing theory in clinical practice with patients and families across the life span.

Uses and applies the nursing process to provide care to patients and families of diverse backgrounds across the life span.

Uses communication skills to professionally interact with patients, families, and health care team members to communicate information and provide safe nursing care across the lifespan.

Evaluates progress towards personal learning goals and development of professional nursing practice.

Applies ethical, legal, and professional guidelines in professional practice.

Discusses and explores professional, economic, and political issues affecting health care delivery.

Applies and evaluates informatics and other types of technology in the delivery of health care services.

Applies nursing research when planning patient care.

Patient Teaching:

Breathing techniques during labor.

Umbilical cord care.

Newborn swaddling.

Circumcision care (including signs and symptoms of infection).

Newborn positioning during sleep.

Breastfeeding techniques and importance of support bra.

Evidence Based Practice:

Aseptic technique.

Effects of smoking and nutrition on fetus.

Medication administration techniques.

Personal Reflection:

This particular clinical opportunity was a new and rewarding experience for myself. It gave me the chance to work with mothers and their newborn babies. This course also gave me the knowledge to care for and support patients during different stages of gestation and labor. I was given the opportunity to take care of several postpartum patients and their newborn infants. Many of my clinical days called for me to display knowledge and a skill set to take care of patients and infants that were considered high risk. The knowledge and experience gained during this time will allow me to competently care for mothers and their newborn children in future settings if I am called upon to do so.

Fall 2012

N30030- Nursing of Adults 

Competencies:

Intravenous therapy, medication administration, IV fluid administration, IVPB administration, Nursing interventions related to impaired gas exchange and airway management including: obstructive disorders, restrictive diseases, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax; Health promotion and smoking cessation in the adult; Nursing assessment related to alterations in cardiac and vascular function; Nursing care related to excretion and homeostasis

Computer charting on a Med/Surg floor

Focused assessments related to the adult client

Patient Teaching:

Medication Side effects, proper dosages, proper administration, and compliance

Smoking cessation

Use of deep breathing, and early ambulation

Raising head of bed to prevent aspiration

Enforcing hand washing

Evidence Based Practice:

Aseptic Techniques during subcutaneous injections and intravenous therapy

Interpretation of patient medications, lab values and diagnoses

Sterile technique during dressing changes

·Falls precautions

Personal Reflection:

This was a very beneficial clinical experience. The course helped me to improve my knowledge of nursing of the adult client. The material and clinical setting provided the opportunity to improve my critical thinking skills as well. I was able to relate nursing interventions and care plans to the adult client. I improved my knowledge on pathophysiology of disorders. I learned different clinical manifestations which may be present in the adult client and must be monitored in the clinical setting. I was able to work more closely with IV's and gained confidence in administering medications intravenously. I was assigned at least 2 patients per shift and was scheduled as the team leader twice during the semester, which helped with team and leadership development.

N30040- Gerontology/Rehab Nurs Adults

Competencies:

Medication Administration: PO, IM, SC, IV, IVPB; Confidence in medications commonly seen in the geriatric or rehabilitation population.

Nursing management in Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern and Neurological Diseases common to the older adult; Nursing assessment related to orthopedic Disorders including: osteoarthritis, gout, osteoporosis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis; End-of-Life care in the older adult.

Computer charting on rehabilitation floor and chart references in long-term care facility

Assessment of the geriatric client utilizing the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Braden Risk Assessment Scale, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, and Falls Risks

Influenza Vaccinations

IV Site Care: Hep-lock flush with Normal Saline; PICC Line Site Care: PICC Line flush with Heparin

Patient Teaching:

Medication administration including side effects, normal dosages, proper routes, and compliance; Administration follow-up

Rising slowly out of bed to prevent orthostatic hypotension and dizziness

Encouraged adequate hydration, protein, and carbohydrate intake to maintain proper nutrition and skin integrity

Evidence Based Practice:

Proper hand washing to promote infection control

Intramuscular injection technique including aspiration and massage

Checking PEG and NG tube placement by aspirating gastric contents and instilling air

Flushing IV Hep-Lock

Simulations in the clinical lab setting; Case Studies

Personal Reflection:

This course helped me develop a more complete understanding of the care of the geriatric and rehabilitation client. I acquired experience at both an extended care facility and on a rehabilitation unit in a hospital. I was able to relate nursing interventions and care plans to the geriatric client. I improved my knowledge on pathophysiology of disorders. I learned different clinical manifestations which may be present in the geriatric client and must be monitored in the clinical setting. I was assigned at least 2 patients per shift and was scheduled as the team leader during the semester, which helped with team and leadership development.

N30050- Basic Nursing Informatics

Competencies:

Knowledge and application of basic concepts of development, scope, application, and terminology of nursing informatics in the healthcare field.   

Knowledge and application of legal, ethical, regulatory and economic issues surrounding the management of clinical information.

Knowledge and application of nursing informatics needed for nurses practicing in the current healthcare environment.

Patient Teaching:

Providing education via brochure and video on the top of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Evidence Based Practice:

Communication improvements among members of the health care team related to nursing informatics.  

Computer based technologies can improve patient care through multiple systems of technology.

Personal Reflection:

This course has helped me recognize the need and usefulness of the nursing informatics in the healthcare field. The course has also provided me with a skillset to utilize and apply the new information during my career in nursing.

Spring 2013

N40010-  Nursing of the Critically Ill

Competencies:

Incorporated critical thinking in the nursing process to care for the critically ill adult.

Obtained extensive knowledge of critical patient conditions involving all body systems. 

Skills learned include ventilator settings, drip calculations, ETT suctioning technique,

Pulmonary artery catheter monitoring, and nursing care regarding ventilator-dependent clients.

Enhancement of professional development through participation in social, cultural, and political influences on a critically ill unit.

Patient Teaching:

Education to patient and/or family specific to patient’s unique care and environment. 

Medication administration and side effects of medications.

Peripherally inserted central catheter care, tracheostomy care, and ventilator care. 

Encouraged deep breathing and oral fluids to loosen secretions in patient with respiratory problems.

Evidence Based Practice:

Infection control.

Prevention and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Wound healing.

Cardiac monitoring.     

Personal Reflection:

This course was a great learning experience and allowed for exposure to various critical patient conditions.  I was able to acquire education and training in critically ill units including ICU, CVICU, and ED. During this class I was able to build upon my previous nursing assessment skills including: the nursing process, communication skills, and medication administration. The experience also provided me with exposure to more advanced nursing techniques such as ventilator management and also provided skills necessary to be able to care for a more critical patient.

N40020 - Community Health Nursing

Competencies:

Many skilled were learned in this course, including assessment and identification of health problems in a community, developing community nursing diagnosis, planning for interventions to reduce the health problems and the implementation of a project to reduce or eliminate the identified community health problems. Knowledge about the care across the community health care spectrum was also acquired during this course.

Patient Teaching:

The nursing and health planning process was utilized within the community by implementing an anti-bullying campaign at the local high school. The overall goal was to promote community and population level health.

Evidence Based Practice:

Community Health Assessment

Personal Reflection:

Patient Teaching: The nursing and health planning process was utilized within the community by implementing an anti-bullying campaign at the local high school. The overall goal was to promote community and population level health.