As you prepare to graduate and enter the workforce as a Family Nurse Practitioner, it is crucial to recognize that in clinical practice, providers may have differing opinions on treatment plans for a variety of reasons such as clinical experience, interpretation of evidence, or patient preferences. However, these differences present valuable learning opportunities. Professionalism, mutual respect, and a commitment to evidence-based care allow us to grow from these experiences and improve patient outcomes. The “Reflecting on Standards of Care” assignment is designed to help you critically reflect on a patient case from your practicum experience this quarter where you and your preceptor approached the treatment plan differently. This assignment is an opportunity for you to reflect not only on this specific case but on your development as a clinician and how you can continue to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining collaborative and respectful relationships with your colleagues..
To prepare:
Select a patient case from your clinical experience this quarter where you and your preceptor approached the treatment plan differently. Reflect on these differences, using relevant and current resources, particularly those outlining standards of care. As you develop your reflection, review the assignment instructions and grading rubric for guidance. Keep your writing concise, using paragraph format, and lists for medications and diagnoses when appropriate. Be sure to include a title page and reference page.
Assignment:
Briefly summarize the case:
- Include relevant patient information, including history, assessment, any testing that might have been done, and medications.
Compare Treatment plans:
- Describe your preceptors recommended treatment plan.
- Explain the alternative treatment plan you would have recommended as a nurse practitioner.
Justify Your Approach:
- Use evidence-based guidelines, clinical research, and relevant literature to support your alternative plan.
- Discuss why you believe your approach would be effective, considering the patients history, condition, and individual needs.
Reflect on Differences:
- Analyze the differences between your plan and your preceptors.
- Consider factors such as clinical experience, knowledge, patient-centered care, and the influence of evidence-based practice in decision-making.
Lessons Learned:
- Reflect on how this experience has influenced your clinical practice and approach to treatment planning.
- Discuss how you can apply what you learned to future patient care.
- How might you approach another provider professionally in the future when you find treatment plans differing during collaboration on the patient case?
Submission Requirements:
- Length: 3-4 double-spaced pages, APA format.
- Cite at least 3 current peer reviewed sources or evidence-based research to support your analysis.
Evaluation Criteria (also see rubric):
- Clarity and completeness of the case summary.
- Depth of analysis and comparison between treatment plans.
- Use of evidence-based rationale for your alternative plan.
- Reflection on learning and future application.
- Proper use of APA formatting and references.
Case scenario is this
Patient Number: 098
A 35-year-old female presented with complaints of burning urination and urgency for two days. Past medical history included prior UTIs. Vital signs were BP 118/72 mmHg, HR 78 bpm, RR 16/min, Temp 99.0F, SpO 99% on room air, BMI 24. Urinalysis showed leukocytes and nitrites. Diagnosis is Acute cystitis ICD-10: N30.00. Labs ordered included urine culture. The patient was prescribed Nitrofurantoin 100 mg orally twice daily for 5 days. Hydration and hygiene education provided. Follow-up recommended if symptoms persisted.
Please make sure to follow requirements. Thank you.
