Professional Practice / Ilia Mondoy: Undergraduate Portfolio

Assume responsibility and accountability for professional practice.

The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses it to teach them what to observe. ~Florence Nightingale

Panic plays no part in the training of a nurse. ~Elizabeth Kenny.

goals

Selected Evidence to Meet Outcome

Nurse hat The following evidence upon reflection will indicate that I have met this outcome by illustrating that throughout my student nursing career I was diligent in adhering to deadlines, took the initiative to complete the certifications necessary to maintain professional practice, and was accountable for my own professionalism: PLU SON Requirements, Fema Certification 00100 and 00700, and my TEAM training certificate.

Reflections

When I first applied to nursing school, there were some requirements I needed to complete. I had yet to be immunized for hepatitis B, had not been vaccinated for chicken pox, and did not even know where my immunization list was. My first journey into taking accountability and responsibility for professional practice was to assure I had proper documentation. In getting proper documentation I needed to take steps to assure I met the health requirements.

And even though I didn't need to, I was so close to completion of my Associate in Arts degree I felt I needed to finish it, thus ending one era of my education while continuing on to my next era.

I eventually found a list of my immunizations archived at the district office where I attended school, 7 years after graduation. I purchased out of pocket the Hepatitis immunization, and signed up to get a chicken pox titer. Once all tasks were completed, I was then deemed compliant with Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing Requirements and able to practice.

It is imperative to maintain current documentation to assure you are able to practice, and meeting deadlines with seemingly trivial matters is a true indicator of professionalism. Throughout my tenure at PLU, I maintained good standing with my documentation, did not miss a clinical day, and missed very few class days. I was accountable in that I did not need constant reminders to turn in material that was tardy, and made an effort to remain professional in the basic principles of meeting requirements.

While in my sophomore year I thought being accountable and responsible for clinical practice meant that I met deadlines and looked responsible. I now feel being responsible and accountable for my professional practice means that I honor all commitments and promises not because I have to, but because in order to be a professional, one must be professional in all actions regardless of perceived importance. It is unprofessional to have to be constantly reminded to complete requirements.

The FEMA certifications show responsibility and accountability for professional practice in a way that is different that meeting deadlines. I feel that being in a profession means you will act in a manner befitting your profession regardless of the circumstance. There will be times in disaster situations that I as a nurse will be called for action, and it is appropriate that I train for such an occasion. Me completing the certification says to me that yes, I am willing to take responsibility for a role in a disaster management team, and I will hold myself accountable for the actions I take.

This project was also a project that had a loose deadline, and needed to be completed at some point in the semester. Once again I took accountability for my own actions, studied the material on my own time, and failed the first test. Rather than blame the test, I was accountable for the fact that I did not study the material as diligently as I should have, and retook the test. On the second attempt I passed the test and completed the requirements with a decent understanding of the role I could play in disaster management as a health care professional.

I am beginning to be responsible and accountable for professional practice outside of the school setting. During a summer employment at Western State Hospital, I had the opportunity to complete a seminar on TEAM training. Team training is an innovative way developed by the education department at Western State Hospital to minimize patient/caregiver conflict by engaging in therapeutic communication, looking for early nonverbal cues of impending altercations, diffusing tense situations before it becomes a crisis, minimizing use of restraints, and learning appropriate techniques of quickly immobilizing agitated patients and utilizing restraints.

I was not required to take this class as I was not in direct patient care, but thought this would be a good skill to incorporate into my future clinical practice. I may not apply the "takedown" maneuvers in an acute care setting, but I felt that being able to listen therapeutically and attempt to meet the needs of patients before a crisis occurred would be relevant in many situations.

This certificate shows that I took the initiative on my own time, regardless of ability to perform in my position, to be responsible for my own clinical practice. The material is extremely relevant to patient care, and I have attempted to incorporate the principles into my clinical practice.

Plans for Future Development

For future development of this outcome, I plan to continue meet deadlines regarding my basic licensing and health requirements. I will be proactive in assuring I am compliant to all the different requirements I need to fulfill in order to be a safe, practicing nurse in this state. If required I will join the Union and work within the laws and bylaws.

I plan to continue to be punctual, come to work prepared for the day, and remain accountable to the standards of my profession.

I plan to actively seek out new research in my specialty, assuring that I am always adhering to best practice as well as evidence based practice. This means being creative in my study. I will be receiving a journal on Nursing Scholarship, and will research journals available in my my specialty area, and apply to those as well.

I will assure that in the future when I make mistakes, I will be honest and accountable for my actions, and file the reports needed to assure that the mistakes I make can be learned from.

Once I decide which area I would like to specialize in, I will become certified in that area. Certification will assure I stay current on the new research and literature in my field and signify that I take my profession seriously.

Evidence

PLU SON Requirements This email is representative of all the semesters that I was compliant in my health care requirements, completing all documentation and licensing requirements on time.

FEMA Certificate 00100

FEMA Certificate 00700 These certificates indicate that I am dedicated to educate myself and help serve in times of crisis.

TEAM Training Certificate This certificate was rewarded when I attended a three day class to learn how to manage crises, therapeutically communicate to meet the needs of patients, and when dialogue breaks down to safely and efficiently contain potentially violent behavior.