Running head: CLINICAL EXEMPLAR

Clinical Exemplar
Nicole A. Hoefer
University of South Florida

CLINICAL EXEMPLAR

Nursing school was a challenging, yet rewarding experience.

Throughout my nursing school experience, I encountered many patients that
made an impression on me that helped me grow into the nurse that I have
become. This clinical exemplar is an opportunity for me to share just one
experience that I will take with me throughout my entire career. In 2014,
Emden, Hutt, and Bruce defined a clinical exemplar as, A story of a real
patient that is told in order to illustrate a nurses practice.
I was lucky enough to be chosen to do my Preceptorship at St. Josephs
Childrens Hospital during the Summer 2016 semester. In the first hour that I
was on my assigned floor, I knew that I was meant for Pediatrics. One of the
first patients I ever had was a developmentally delayed fourteen-year-old
female with an elaborate history. When the patients mother was 6 months
pregnant with her, she was in a car accident that caused the patient to be
born delayed, amongst several other issues. The patient was admitted with
stroke-like symptoms, with no evidence that an actual stroke took place. The
left-sided weakness and trouble swallowing was emotionally taxing on the
patient, which was emphasized by the lack of understanding that came with
developmental delay.
The patient was admitted for multiple weeks. During this time, I cared
for the patient nearly every time I was working. This patient was the first
patient I cared for independently, and many of my first skills were performed
on or for this patient, including an NG tube placement, calibrating G-tube
feedings, placing suppositories, and would later become my first discharge.

CLINICAL EXEMPLAR

During this time, I started to develop the confidence to care for other
patients. Like many other nursing students, confidence was what I needed
the most. One of the many reasons this patient had such an impact on me is
because she was the first patient I actually felt like I cared for independently
as a nurse.
As previously stated, this patient was my very first discharge. We were
able to discharge her to a rehabilitation program, and I was so thankful that
she was. I felt that I was truly able to take part in the excitement that she
and her family were experiencing. Upon the discharge, the mother pulled me
aside and thanked me for all that I did for her daughter. She gave me a hug
and told me that I was her daughters favorite nurse and that she would
never forget me. When I gave the patient a hug to say goodbye, she also told
me that I was her favorite nurse and that she wanted to be like me when she
grew up. This was one of the most touching, monumental times in my
nursing school experience. I have only ever dreamed about being someones
favorite nurse. For that to be a reality before even graduating inspired me to
be the best nurse I can possibly be. It motivates me to work harder and
serves as a reminder that I have as much of an impact on my patients as
they do on me. This is a powerful realization that helps me remain positive
under stress, treat my patients with dignity and stress, and love each patient
like they are my very own family.
Though I have experienced many interesting medical cases, codes, and
other wonderful patients that have monumentally impacted me, this patient

CLINICAL EXEMPLAR

will always hold a special place in my heart. When I think back to the initial
definition of an exemplar, this is the patient that truly illustrates my practice
the most. Skills can always be improved, medication will continue to be
checked and passed, but what cant be taught is the love and respect that
patients deserve. That is what illustrates my practice the most.

References
Emden, C., Hutt, D., & Bruce, M. (2014). Portfolio learning/assessment in
nursing and midwifery: An innovation in progress. Contemporary
Nurse, 16, 124-132. DOI: 10.5172/conu.16.1-2.124