I need an explanation for this Nursing question to help me study.
Write an APA paper that discusses each of the AACN Essentials and describe how you met each essential. Incorporate evidence from your previous Nursing Evolution assignments, as well as detailed examples from your didactic, skills lab, and clinical rotations.
For each essential include the following:
- A brief summary explanation of the essential that is cited with at least one scholarly source
- At least one example of how you met the essential during your nursing program
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and the community. This is all achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching diseases and injury prevention, detecting, preventing and responding to infectious disease (CDC,2021). A public health nurse is the component to health care serving primary, secondary and tertiary preventions.
Entering public health I had heard mixed reviews which worried me. Some would say to enjoy your break while you can. Others would say they struggled with public health. I would say that I enjoyed public health but I would not say that it came easy. I felt I had to study a bit harder just to feel comfortable. Professor Carlson made public health very easy to digest. She showed us the compassion that she had for public health and educated us on the biggest differences we can make just by educating the community. Her passion made it very easy for me to remember things she would say weekly. I enjoyed learning and mastering primary, secondary and tertiary preventions. These preventions were my weakness at first but after reviewing and just categorizing them as primaryteaching, secondary screening and tertiary as rebab, I was able to get it down just fine.
We had to put connections together for the nursing theories, and the main one would be Florence Nightingales. She believed in the environmental theory and that health was used as a continuum. Every class started off with music to engage us which is a nice way to welcome and start an enjoyable lecture. TedTalks were a great way to engage the class and stay engaged. Professor Carlson made the environment very comfortable and I cannot say that there were any cons.
Clinicals were interesting and hard for me to get used to. I felt sore at first and I wanted to prove myself a good student so I would lift heavy objects and run around without breaks. Once, I got the hang of it I was able to use better body mechanics and take care of myself. Pros of clinicals were being able to learn what resources are out there to help the community. Cons were that it was a bit of a drive and a lot of physical work.
Leadership was a challenge for me. It felt more of a med surg class than a traditional online class. Pro, I was able to study using all my resources available and this helped me pass the class! Con, it was challenging yet it helped me with critical thinking and hopefully get me ready for my upcoming term.
Some takeaways from the class is that I will be able to provide the resources and provide a source of primary prevention to my future patients. I can refer them to food banks if they need these sources and I have down the knowledge that is needed in order for them to sign up. If I chose to be a part of public health in the future, I know I can provide excellent care as a school nurse and be able to upstream for my kids!
Monroe, J., Bednar, H., Perling, T., Nelson, P., Buchdahl, H., & Scofield, J. (n.d.). What is public health? Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health
Reflection on Current Theory and Clinical Class:
Pediatrics is the specialty in the medical field that relates to working with children. I was fortunate enough to work with the small ones at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Children’s hospital (CHLA) attends to children with primary and acute infections in Los Angeles and its environs as well as the world at large (“Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – Pediatric Hospital Treating Children in Southern California,” 2020). These patients included newborns and children in need of acute medical care and physical rehabilitation.
I have a 11 year old daughter which helped me get through the different stages for the growth and development in children during the term. During my rotation at CHLA I was able to experience different age groups on the 5th, and 6th floors. Along with an adventure with the IV team throughout the entire hospital, which was my favorite. I was able to see different ethnicities and cultures along with different ages. Some of the kids were fortunate to have their family and loved ones by their side and some were relying on the hospital and teams to nurse their needs. Learning about the FACES and FLACC scale helped me assess the different ages and their need of pain medication/comfort methods. Professor Dyer had taught me that FLACC scale is used for infants while the FACES may be used for the ages of 3 and up. One thing that challenged me was the vital signs for the different ages and knowing what is normal versus what may be elevated. Learning from Professor Dyer in theory and applying with Professor Harris was mandatory. I am so fortunate I got to experience pediatrics hands on at Children’s hospital to help me better understand my theory class. I am blessed and excited to pursue my career as a nurse with high possibilities of ending up working with children. My heart was full caring for the kids, and being able to constantly absorb new information kept my brain thinking. It was the best experience for me throughout nursing school and while my cohort may have felt helpless/hurt my heart fell full and the feeling is unexplainable. I feel I am made to help the babies and the kids.
Communication Style:
Working besides the IV team, I was able to follow three different nurses in one day which consisted of a team of two. I was able to see all different procedures, and was able to be a part of a code. I witnessed a 12 year old boy who was newly diagnosed with leukemia and was getting a lumbar puncture, I assisted throughout the procedure. Professor Dyer taught us that side lying, C shape was the correct position, and sure enough that was exactly how I was able to assist with this young boy making sure he did not jerk when the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was draining. The Registered Nurse got the sterile field ready, and reminded me that we keep everything above our waist while talking me through the procedure I was about to encounter.
Leadership:
Listening to the team was so inspiring from the child’s specialist who told jokes to ease the young boys mind, to the doctor telling the boy to relax, and the nurse practitioner doing the procedure and explaining to me about cloudy versus non cloudy cerebral spinal fluid. I was able to take accountability and perform the proper care as a future Registered Nurse. The team thanked me after all my work. This was my most memorable day at CHLA. From this point on I have the heart to pediatrics and specializing with the babies and young children who may need me most. These are some of the most brave, resilient and loving kids and I look forward to my future in nursing!
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – Pediatric Hospital Treating Children in Southern California. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. (, 2020). Retrieved 16 November 2020, from https://www.chla.org/.
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