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 across the lifespan

X

Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions 

X

Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies) 

X

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination 

X

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history 

X

Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).

X

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

X

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5 based on assessment data 

X

Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes

X

Pharmacotherapeutic skills in:

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for medication plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management) 

X

Evaluating patient response and modify plan as necessary 

X

Documenting (e.g., adverse reaction, the patient response, changes to the plan of care)

X

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of therapeutic modalities across the lifespan

X

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management, modality appropriate for situation) 

X

Applies age appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals, families, and/or groups

X

Develop an age appropriate individualized plan of care

X

Provide psychoeducation to individuals, family, and/or groups

X

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

X

Self-Assessment skills:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences 

X

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary 

X

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

X

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff

X

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings 

X

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

X

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

X

Practices within scope of practice

X

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s), interpreting results, and making recommendations and referrals:

Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation 

X

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

X

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

X

Develops an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments response

X

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

X

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

X

I have made a lot of progress in my career and profession as nurse practitioner. I acknowledged the significance of self-evaluation and ever since I have embodied the practice of regular self-evaluation as an important component of my career growth. Through my career profession I have master good corporate communication with distinct report writing skills that has enabled me to be one of the best nurses in the facilities I have worked. I have also improved my interpersonal skills significantly that has seen me take up advanced responsibilities from my seniors. I have acquired good work ethics and professionalism. As a nurse I have always maintained the need for respect for patient needs and opinions. My immediate supervisor once marveled at how I handled the case of a Jehovah witness patient who had refused blood transfusion since it was against the doctrines of her denomination. I obeyed her position but requested her to attest to that in writing so I may not be held culpable for negligence. My supervisor told me that I employed wisdom at its echelons. I am also good in clinical assessment and pharmacological support to my clients. I always work day and night to improve my relationships with my clients. A condition which yields better outcomes in patient conditions when I handle them

One of the opportunities in my career as a nurse practitioner is diversity. I have always loved to diversify my knowledge and understanding about different pharmacological practices. In this sense, I have managed to improve my knowledge about differential diagnosis. I have been expanding my knowledge through continuous research about such topics which have significantly honed my understanding. I also need to develop good leadership and management practices. I believe with good administrative skills there are a lot of opportunities for vertical mobility. Effective administration calls for good knowledge and better understanding. I need to develop sound knowledge in the field of healthcare administration. I have also realized that good understanding of effective pharmacotherapy support to patients. I have had some slight challenges with prescriptions and recommendations for effective medication. I feel this will contribute to better medication to the patients under my care.

· Goal: To hone my corporate communication skills within the next 10 weeks of my practicum cycle

· Objective: to improve my report writing skills for timely delivery of reports

· Objective: to facilitate effective communication and prescriptions to patients

· Objective: to enhance my negotiation and interaction with colleagues an patients

· Goal: To expand my pharmacological knowledge through advanced studies and research on diagnostic and pharmacological processes

· Objective: to grasp the concept of differential diagnosis

· Objective: to improve personal experience with patients

· Objective: to reduce chances of error of wrong diagnosis on patients

· Goal: To expand my knowledge about professional ethics of healthcare practitioners including understanding their application in real-life situation

· Objective: to avoid cases of litigation both to the institution and to me as a practitioner

· Objective: to promote good work ethics in the institutions and facilities where I will work

· Objective: to promote good public image of nursing as a profession by demonstrating exemplary behavior

· Goal: To continuously engage in educational learning through research, regular training programs such as work study, short courses, and exchange programs to expand my knowledge and understanding of nursing as a profession.

· Objective: to continually nourish my knowledge and expertise

· Objective: to strategically position myself for vertical mobility in the administrative ranks

· Objective: to improve my skills, knowledge and experience to match the dynamic world of nursing.