Posted: August 29th, 2023

Enhancing Clinical Skills in Advanced Practice Nursing

Before embarking on any professional or academic activity, it is important to understand the background, knowledge, and experience you bring to it. You might ask yourself, “What do I already know? What do I need to know? And what do I want to know?” This critical self-reflection is especially important for developing clinical skills, such as those for advanced practice nursing.

The PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills List and PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form, provided in the Learning Resources, can be used to celebrate your progress throughout your practicum and identify skills gaps. The list covers all necessary skills you should demonstrate during your practicum experience.

For this Assignment, you assess where you are now in your clinical skill development and make plans for this practicum. Specifically, you will identify strengths and opportunities for improvement regarding the required practicum skills. In this practicum experience, when developing your goals and objectives, be sure to keep assessment and diagnostic reasoning in mind.

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCE

To prepare:

Review the clinical skills in the PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills List document. It is recommended that you print out this document to serve as a guide throughout your practicum.
Review the “Developing SMART Goals” resource on how to develop goals and objectives that follow the SMART framework.
Download the PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form to complete this Assignment.
ASSIGNMENT
Use the PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form to complete the following:

Rate yourself according to your confidence level performing the procedures identified on the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form.
Based on your ratings, summarize your strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Based on your self-assessment and theory of nursing practice, develop three to four (3–4) measurable goals and objectives for this practicum experience. Include them on the designated area of the form.
BY DAY 7
Submit your completed Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.

To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK1Assgn2_LastName_Firstinitial
Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page. Target Patient Population: Across the Lifespan

Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in:
• Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness
• Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions
• Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies)
• Performing and interpreting a mental status examination
• Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history
• Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).
Diagnostic reasoning skill in:
• Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology of mental illnesses through discussion for different age groups and mental illnesses
• Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list
• Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data
• Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes
Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:
• Provide psychoeducation to individuals and/or caregivers
• Promote health and disease prevention techniques
Self Assessment skill:
• Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences
• Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary
• Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences
Professional skills:
• Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings
• Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions
• Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy
• Practices within scope of practice
Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s) and interpreting results
• Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation
• Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients
• Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

Documentation of Completed Competency/Clinical Skill

Competency/Clinical Skill
COMPLETED

PRECEPTOR SIGNATURE
DATE

Practicum Experience Plan

Overview:

Your Practicum experience includes working in a clinical setting that will help you gain the knowledge and skills needed as an advanced practice nurse. In your practicum experience, you will develop a practicum plan that sets forth objectives to frame and guide your practicum experience.

As part of your Practicum Experience Plan, you will not only plan for your learning in your practicum experience but also work through various patient visits with focused notes as well as one (1) journal entry.

Complete each section below.

Part 1: Quarter/Term/Year and Contact Information

Section A

Quarter/Term/Year:

Student Contact Information
Name:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:

Preceptor Contact Information
Name:
Organization:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
Fax:
Professional/Work E-mail:

Part 2: Individualized Practicum Learning Objectives

Refer to the instructions in Week 2 to create individualized practicum learning objectives that meet the requirements for this course. These objectives should be aligned specifically to your Practicum experience. Your objectives should address your self-assessment of the skills found in the “PMHNP Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form” you completed in Week 1.

As you develop your individualized practicum learning objective, be sure to write them using the SMART format. Use the resources found in Week 2 to guide your development. Once you review your resources, continue and complete the following. Note: Please make sure each of your objectives are connected to your self-assessment. Also, consider that you will need to demonstrate how you are advancing your knowledge in the clinical specialty.

** YOU MUST HAVE 3 NEW OBJECTIVES EACH QUARTER. You may include previous practicum objectives; however, you still must have 3 new objectives for your current course.

Objective 1: (Note: this objective should relate to a specific skill you would like to improve from your self-assessment)

Planned Activities:

Mode of Assessment: (Note: Verification will be documented in Meditrek)

PRAC Course Outcome(s) Addressed:

• (for example) Develop professional plans in advanced nursing practice for the practicum experience
• (for example) Assess advanced practice nursing skills for strengths and opportunities

Objective 2: (Note: this objective should relate to a specific skill you would like to improve from your self-assessment)

Planned Activities:

Mode of Assessment: (Note: Verification will be documented in Meditrek)

PRAC Course Outcome(s) Addressed:

•

Objective 3: (Note: this objective should relate to a specific skill you would like to improve from your self-assessment)

Planned Activities:

Mode of Assessment: (Note: Verification will be documented in Meditrek)

PRAC Course Outcome(s) Addressed:

•

Part 3: Projected Timeline/Schedule

Estimate how many hours you expect to work on your Practicum each week. *Note: All of your hours and activities must be supervised by your Preceptor and completed onsite. Your Preceptor will approve all hours, but your activities will be approved by both your Preceptor and Instructor. Any changes to this plan must be approved.

This timeline is intended as a planning tool; your actual schedule may differ from the projections you are making now.

I intend to complete the 144 or 160 Practicum hours (as applicable) according to the following timeline/schedule. I also understand that I must see at least 80 patients during my practicum experience. I understand that I may not complete my practicum hours sooner than 8 weeks. I understand I may not be in the practicum setting longer than 8 hours per day unless pre-approved by my faculty.

Number of Clinical Hours Projected for Week (hours you are in Practicum Setting at your Field Site) Number of Weekly Hours for Professional Development (these are not practicum hour) Number of Weekly Hours for Practicum Coursework (these are not practicum hours)
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Total Hours (must meet the following requirements) 144 or 160 Hours

Part 4 – Signatures

Student Signature (electronic): Date:

Practicum Faculty Signature (electronic)**: Date:

** Faculty signature signifies approval of Practicum Experience Plan (PEP)

Submit your Practicum Experience Plan on or before Day 7 of Week 2 for faculty review and approval.

Once approved, you will receive a copy of the PEP for your records. You must share an approved copy with your Preceptor. The Preceptor is not required to sign this form.

PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form
Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve Confident (Can complete independently) Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision) Beginning (Have performed with supervision or need supervision to feel confident) New (Have never performed or does not apply)
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in:
Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness
Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions
Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies)
Performing and interpreting a mental status examination
Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history
Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).
Diagnostic reasoning skill in:
Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology of mental illnesses through discussion for different age groups and mental illnesses
Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list
Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data
Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes
Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:
Provide psychoeducation to individuals and/or any caregivers
Promote health and disease prevention techniques
Self Assessment skill:
Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences
Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary
Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences
Professional skills:
Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings
Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions
Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy
Practices within scope of practice
Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s) and interpreting results:
Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation
Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients
Interprets results for screening instruments accurately
Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable
Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

Summary of strengths:

Opportunities for growth:

Now, write three to four (3–4) possible goals and objectives for this practicum experience. Ensure that they follow the SMART Strategy, as described in the Learning Resources.
1. Goal:
a. Objective:
b. Objective:
c. Objective:

2. Goal:
a. Objective:
b. Objective:
c. Objective:

3. Goal:
a. Objective:
b. Objective:
c. Objective:

4. Goal:
a. Objective:
b. Objective:
c. Objective:

Signature:
Date:
Course/Section:

Enhancing Clinical Skills in Advanced Practice Nursing: Self-Assessment Approach

Introduction

Before embarking on any journey towards professional development, a self-assessment of existing knowledge and skills is pivotal. Particularly in advanced practice nursing, the ability to critically evaluate one’s competencies and areas for growth holds significant value. This article delves into the importance of self-reflection in clinical skill development, utilizing tools like the PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills List and the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form. These tools assist advanced practice nursing students in gauging their progress, identifying gaps, and setting measurable goals to guide their practicum experiences.

Assessing and Celebrating Progress

The PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills List, a comprehensive compilation of required clinical skills for advanced practice nursing, serves as a valuable reference point for students. This list encompasses a spectrum of proficiencies, ranging from recognizing clinical signs of psychiatric illness to ethical decision-making. To measure one’s progress and readiness, the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form is employed. This tool empowers students to rate their confidence levels in performing each procedure or skill, allowing them to determine areas of strength and those that warrant further attention.

Identifying Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement

Through the self-assessment form, students gain insights into their strengths, areas requiring improvement, and skills they haven’t encountered before. This reflective exercise fosters a deeper understanding of one’s competencies, enabling more focused and strategic learning during the practicum experience. The clarity gained from self-assessment paves the way for targeted skill development, ultimately leading to more effective patient care.

Setting Measurable Goals for Practicum Experience

With a solid understanding of their strengths and growth areas, students can then craft three to four measurable goals and objectives for their practicum. Utilizing the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—ensures the goals are well-defined and actionable. These objectives should be informed by the student’s self-assessment and the theoretical underpinnings of nursing practice. For example, an objective could be to enhance proficiency in interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history, a skill essential for holistic patient care.

Conclusion

The journey to becoming an advanced practice nurse requires a blend of knowledge, skills, and self-awareness. The PRAC 6635 Clinical Skills List and the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form offer a structured approach to this journey. By reflecting on their abilities, students can create tailored objectives that drive their practicum experiences. In embracing this approach, students ensure that they continually refine their skills, bridge gaps, and cultivate the expertise needed for providing optimal patient care.

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