Auburn University Nursing Curricular Outcomes
Communication & Collaboration Skills
Communication is a skill that is essential in the nursing profession. Nurses are required to talk amongst each other, nurse managers, various members of the health care team, and most importantly patients and their families. As nurses, we greet the patient once admitted. We discuss their problems and concerns. We provide them with holistic, compassionate care to help them recover. Finally, we see their progress through the illness to overcome it, or we hold their hand as they pass. Communication is a requirement through each of these processes; however, prior to beginning nursing school, communication was not a strength I obtained.
Before I was accepted into the nursing program, I did not ask many questions, I did not talk to people who I did not know, and struggled speaking in front of people. Although I have not perfected any of these tasks, I have seen a huge improvement in my communication skills.
In my fourth semester of the nursing program, I completed a Life Review with a patient from a long-term care facility. Through this interview, which was mostly a conversation, I was able to communicate and collaborate with the patient to reminisce on her past. I started the review by using questions; however, half way
through, I realized I was able to engage the patient in conversation without the questions. I learned so much about the patient and her story, and she even admitted that she enjoyed talking with me. This project made me understand that conversing with a patient does not have to be perfect and silence is not always a bad thing. I look forward to seeing how my communication skills continue to grow throughout my career.
Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment in Clinical Practice
The nursing profession requires critical thinking and clinical judgment skills to provide continuous care for patients twenty-four hours a day. Because nurses spend such a vast amount of time with their patients, they are able to identify minute changes exhibited by the patient. When these changes are recognized, it is critical for nurses to know how to respond; therefore, it is impossible for nurses to depend solely on health care provider orders rather than their own judgment and intuition.
During my first semester of the nursing program, I completed a Research Paper and poster on hypertension. This disease is extremely prevalent in today’s society, especially among veterans. Within this paper, I researched the disease process, symptoms, and appropriate steps for managing the disease. This assignment not only helped me to critically think and understand how hypertension affects the body, but also has provided me with knowledge to educate patients who live with this condition. I believe the knowledge I have obtained will help me recognize changes in patients, provide timely clinical judgment, and prevent possible further complications created by hypertension. I believe my critical thinking and clinical judgment skills will continue to develop as I progress through my profession.
Scholarship for Evidenced Based Practice Skills
Evidence based practice is something that was completely foreign to me prior to nursing school here at Auburn; however, through my five semesters, I have learned how important it is to nursing. The care we provide to patients is essential for patients’ health; however, how do we know if our practice and procedures truly benefit the patient?
During my evidence based practice class, I was able to answer this question. I learned how to distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data, how to develop a research question, how to search databases, and lastly, how to do the research. My group and I developed our PICO question: "For adult patients in a critical care setting, does the implementation of quiet hours on the unit decrease the incidence of delirium?" Through our Research, we were able to find vast amounts of information regarding this topic including statistics, costs, and how it negatively impacts the patients.
After concluding the research, my team and I were able to provide a Recommendation to prevent and decrease the incidence of delirium among patients in intensive care units. I believe these skills I have obtained will help me in my future career by allowing me to understand what exactly evidence based practice is and how to implement it within my practice.
Clinical Prevention and Population Health Skills
Much of the population we serve as nurses does not have medical knowledge, or they may not understand the dangers and benefits within their communities. Through the Community Assessment Project created by Auburn University’s School of Nursing, I was able to serve a community to help improve their knowledge and understanding.
The Community Assessment Project was divided up into different phases throughout the program. During phase one, we were assigned our community and a health topic: Dadeville, Alabama, and Alzheimer’s disease. We completed online research about the community to learn about the resources available to patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. The last part of phase one encompassed thorough research regarding Alzheimer’s disease. During phase two, we completed a windshield survey of Dadeville, created nursing diagnoses related to the community, and formed an intervention to address the problems we found. During the third and final stage of the project, we implemented our intervention at the local grocery store in Dadeville to educate community members about Alzheimer’s disease and caregiver fatigue.
This project allowed me to learn about the resources many rural communities lack for their society members. When I passed through a town prior to completing this project, I focused on the sights such as old buildings and landscape; however, following completion, I now focus on available sidewalks, parks, recreational centers, grocery stores, healthy food options, hospitals, and healthcare provider offices. This project taught me that it is essential for nurses to take time to ask patients what resources they have available to them and educate them regarding how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Diversity Skills
Nursing is a career that is not tailored to any one gender, ethnicity, religion, or age. All types, shapes, and sizes of people seek healthcare, and it is important for nurses to be knowledgeable about the diverse population to provide holistic care. Through my learning experiences, I have realized just how important it is to provide culturally competent care. Holistic care entails understanding personal viewpoints, and being aware of the different cultural beliefs, practices, and lifestyles in the community. The nurse must strive to meet these cultural needs in addition to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
​
One specific example of using my diversity skills was providing education to the population at the farmer’s market in Auburn. My group and I presented a Pamphlet on women’s health regarding the Pap test. This topic is extremely important for both younger and older women to be educated about due to the prevalence and severity of cervical cancer. In addition to educating women, it is also important to educate men about women’s health so they are aware and can provide appropriate support when needed. Illnesses do not show discrimination; therefore, nurses shouldn’t either. These diversity skills will allow me to provide the holistic care that is required to care for patients.
Leadership Skills
To be a leader is to stand up for what you believe in no matter what others think, and to be an advocate for your patients, fellow nurses, and facility. Leadership skills are an essential element for the nursing profession, and I have had the opportunity to take three leadership courses during the nursing program to help me advance these skills. Throughout these courses, I have learned about the various leadership styles, roles, and both effective and non effective ways of leadership. Additionally, I have participated in leadership simulations and clinicals where I was the primary nurse or charge nurse for the shift.
One specific example that demonstrates leadership is the Letter I wrote to Senator Richard Shelby to advocate for appropriate nurse to patient ratios. This issue is extremely prevalent in today’s nursing society and can allow for significant harm to patients. I believe that the nurse to patient ratio should depend on the condition of each patient. For example, intensive care units should have a lower ratio than medical surgical because these ICU patients are in critical condition. I know of many facility units that have similar ratios; however, without a law that mandates these ratios, short staffing and other prevalent issues can create unreasonable and dangerous nurse to patient ratios. In my minute amount of experience, I was able to identify this issue and become an advocate; therefore, I believe as my career progresses, I will continue to speak up regarding my questions and concerns.
