Practicum Reflective Journal
Nursing Theory
My intended area of practice is the primary care of adults across their lifespan. Therefore, lifespan theory was chosen as the theoretical foundation for this practicum. Lifespan theories provide a framework for describing the optimization of the whole person across various functional domains during the course of their life. It integrates the biological, psychological, and social components of the development of the person, while taking into account cultural aspects that affect their development (Gilleard and Higgs, 2015).
Like Course Health Development is a framework within lifespan theory that focuses on health development over the life of the individual (Bates, et al, 2018). This theory holds that nurses touch people in every point of their lifespan and that understanding how patient characteristics change as they age offers the opportunity to engage in primary prevention during the early stages of the aging process (Bates, et al, 2018).
Life Course Theory is another related theory that explains health and disease expanding across different populations, and over time with a focus on improving outcomes for patient as they age (Cheng and Solomon, 2014). These theories will form the key component of my practicum experience, and my intended practice of nursing care.
Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives of this practicum were developed from the seven domains...
My goal for this course was to see as many different types of patients as possible across a range of lifespan points in their development. I wished to provide a helping role, emotional and informational support, diagnostic and monitoring support, and to ensure practice across all seven domains.
Refection
I feel that I goals I set out to accomplish in my practicum. My practicum involved working primary care setting where I saw a number of patients in various stages of their lifespan. I saw patients that had a number of disease conditions such as hypertension, GERD, COPD, arthritis, and other chronic conditions. I also saw cases such as otitis media, bronchitis, UTIs, and other forms of acute cases. The practicum involved over 150 hours and 100 patients over a two-month period. I was able to assist in all seven domains nursing practice and see how lifespan theories can be applied in a practical clinical setting.
Upon reflecting on my experience, many of the patients who came in with chronic conditions could reduce their effects by making lifestyle changes now. However, preventative measures been taken earlier in life, many of these chronic conditions would never have developed. Early education and encouragement to make healthy lifestyle choices and a significant impact on the rate of decline due to age-related diseases as a person ages. This is lifespan theory and practice.
The acute cases were often an…
