Critical reflection of your growth and development during your practicum experience in a clinical setting has the benefit of helping you identify opportunities for improvement in your clinical skills while also recognizing your clinical strengths and successes.
This week, you will write your last and final Journal Entry, reflecting on your clinical strengths and opportunities for improvement. Further reflect on your pediatric patients you have seen and the conditions that you have diagnosed and treated. Review your Journal Entry that you submitted in Week 1.
Journal Entry (2–3 pages):
Explain what most excited and/or concerned you throughout your pediatric clinical experience.
Discuss how your personal definition of family and family roles has changed or stayed the same.
How has your understanding of family and family roles influenced your assessment of children and their families?
Explain how your understanding of culture (both the culture of the provider and that of the child and his or her family) has changed and how it may have influenced the assessments you conducted during your practicum.
Assess how you did with accomplishing the goals and objectives you developed in Week 1 for the practicum experience.
Based on your practicum experience, refine your existing goals and/or develop new goals for your continued education and professional practice. Be sure to consider the NAPNAP Position Statement on Age Parameters for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practice.
Use title page and references according to APA.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Writing your final journal entry for your pediatric clinical experience is a reflective process that allows you to assess your growth, identify strengths, and explore areas where you can further develop as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you structure and write your paper:
Step 1: Title and Introduction
Start with a title page following the APA format. Your introduction should briefly set the stage for your journal entry. Mention that this entry is a critical reflection on your growth during the practicum, focusing on the pediatric experience, your clinical strengths, and areas for improvement.
Example Introduction:
“This journal entry reflects my clinical growth throughout my pediatric practicum, emphasizing my strengths, areas of concern, and the evolution of my understanding of family roles, culture, and the pediatric care I’ve provided. Additionally, I will assess how well I met my initial goals and refine those goals for continued learning.”
Step 2: What Excited or Concerned You?
- Discuss what aspects of your pediatric clinical experience excited you the most. Did you enjoy diagnosing conditions, seeing your patients improve, or working with a specific group of pediatric patients?
- Reflect on what concerned you, whether it was challenges with diagnosing, communicating with families, or any particular clinical skill that you found difficult.
Tip: Use examples of specific cases or moments from your practicum that highlighted these emotions.
Example:
“I was most excited when I diagnosed a child with asthma and successfully provided a management plan, seeing the family’s relief. However, I was concerned about how to communicate complex medical information in a way that was understandable to parents who were unfamiliar with medical terminology.”
Step 3: Family Definition and Roles
- Reflect on how your personal definition of family and family roles has changed during your practicum experience. Have your perceptions of how families influence pediatric care evolved?
- Consider how understanding family dynamics has impacted your clinical assessments and decisions.
Tip: Mention specific interactions with families that made you reconsider or affirm your beliefs.
Example:
“My understanding of family roles expanded significantly. I initially thought of families as supportive units; however, after interacting with families from diverse backgrounds, I recognized the complexities and how each family’s structure influenced the care process. I found that understanding family dynamics allowed me to tailor my approach to each patient’s needs more effectively.”
Step 4: Understanding of Culture
- Discuss how your understanding of culture (both the provider’s and the family’s) has changed. Reflect on how cultural differences in beliefs, practices, and values may have influenced your assessments and interactions with patients and their families.
- If applicable, share how you adjusted your approach based on the cultural background of your patients and their families.
Tip: Provide examples of when you had to consider cultural aspects in your practice, whether it was in communication, decision-making, or treatment.
Example:
“During my practicum, I became more aware of the importance of cultural competence in pediatric care. I encountered families with diverse cultural backgrounds, which sometimes influenced how they approached healthcare. I learned the importance of adapting my assessments and communication style, ensuring I respected their beliefs while providing the best care for their children.”
Step 5: Assessing Your Goals
- Reflect on the goals you set in Week 1 of your practicum. Were you able to meet those goals? If not, discuss why and how you plan to work on them in the future.
- Provide concrete examples to assess your progress in achieving each goal.
Tip: Be honest and specific about your self-assessment. Show growth and understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.
Example:
“My initial goal was to improve my communication skills with pediatric patients and their families. I feel that I made significant progress in this area, particularly in conveying treatment plans in an understandable and empathetic way. However, I still find it challenging to quickly assess and diagnose certain pediatric conditions, so I plan to continue developing my diagnostic skills.”
Step 6: Refine Existing Goals and Develop New Goals
- Based on your practicum experience, refine your existing goals and/or create new ones for your continued education and professional practice.
- Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, and aligned with the NAPNAP Position Statement on Age Parameters for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practice.
Tip: Align your goals with the NAPNAP guidelines and ensure they reflect your growth during the practicum.
Example:
“Moving forward, my goal is to focus on improving my diagnostic capabilities, particularly in respiratory and gastrointestinal pediatric conditions. I also aim to further develop my cultural competency in dealing with diverse family units, ensuring my practice is inclusive and culturally sensitive.”
Step 7: Conclusion
End your journal entry by summarizing the key reflections on your growth during the practicum and reiterating your goals for the future.
Example:
“Overall, my pediatric practicum experience has been invaluable in shaping my clinical practice. I’ve gained confidence in diagnosing and treating pediatric patients, while also learning the importance of family and cultural considerations in patient care. I look forward to continuing my journey as a pediatric nurse practitioner, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and cultural sensitivity.”
Step 8: APA Formatting
Ensure that your paper adheres to APA formatting guidelines. This includes the title page, in-text citations, and a reference list for any sources you may have cited. Don’t forget to proofread for clarity, grammar, and punctuation.
Final Notes:
- Your paper should be between 2-3 pages in length.
- Ensure that your tone remains reflective and professional.
- Cite relevant sources, including the NAPNAP Position Statement, if applicable.
Good luck with your final journal entry! Reflecting on your experiences thoughtfully will help you grow as a professional and continue to improve your clinical practice.