Mid-semester Self- Review and Analysis

2 course clinical objectives

Leadership skills
Learning from my preceptor (J.C) has in so many ways helped me improve my leadership skills. My preceptor is engaged in a range of leadership activities in her daily routine. I was opportune to attend a staff development meeting which addressed different issues that affects effective leadership in the work environment. During this process, I have gained a better understanding of how effective leadership, positive attitudes, successful collaboration and efficient communication all work hand in hand and am critical in delivering high-quality care, ensuring patient safety and facilitating positive staff development. Providing patient’s care requires a collaborative effort, which involves effective team building. I have learnt it is the responsibility of a good leader to build these effective teams, by providing guidance, coordinating the activities of team members, providing resources to deliver positive patient care.

Client advocate
As nurses, patient advocacy is an important competent of our professional identity. By attending the last QA/CQI meeting, I had the opportunity to be more assertive in leadership as I collaborated with other healthcare providers, by using knowledge to produce thoughtful and resourceful insight to advocate for safe and effective quality care for patients.

2 Personal clinical objectives

One of my primary personal objectives was to learn leadership skills that deal with clinical issues such as planning, budgeting and setting target goal. However, on my second clinical day, I was able to address this objective. I learnt how to utilize a particular budgeting style (formula/program budget) to provide cost effective care .Additionally, it highlighted how planning, setting goals and allocation of resources are typically tied to the proposed budget. However, been the facility administrator, my preceptor is responsible for ensuring that compliance and audit requirement are met, so as to achieve productivity ration and budget target. In this process, I have learnt that for clinical outcomes to be good and to stay within or slightly deviate from the proposed budget, team members must adhere to policy and set guidelines when providing care.

My other objective was focused on learning how to incorporate effective time management to achieve personal and professional goals. My preceptor explained to me, the different time management techniques (planning, setting goals, prioritizing, eliminating procrastination and time stealer, delegating etc) that can be utilizes to help promote productivity and reduce stress. From this experience, I have made it a practice habit to always start off each day with outlined goals and task (to- do list). Additionally, I have learnt that by applying the Pareto’s principle (80/20 rule) when prioritizing task, I could be more efficient in time management.

Overall review of personal objectives

So far from my clinical experience, I believe I have been able to address all of my personal objectives. From the staff development meeting, I have learnt effective leadership styles (such as mentoring, promoting positive attitudes, and good communication) that can facilitate group collaboration and positive patient outcomes. In the same process, I have learnt how mentorship and professional socialization can influence and create the environment in which nursing can flourish.

How this has fostered my professional growth

This whole learning experience has helped me professionally gain more confidence and competency when addressing healthcare issues. I have learnt to be more accountable for my professional growth, by seeking out professional opportunities, expanding my knowledge base, supporting professional certification and technological advancement (my change project) as well as influencing and inspiring others to achieve higher levels of responsibility.