Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio NFDN 1002

DESCRIPTION OF ONE
SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE

WHAT I LEARNED

Competency C-4 subsection 2; Demonstrate knowledge and ability

to promote and implement a culture of safety through shared
attitudes, goals, practices and values.
The significant learning experience in this course, for me, was
definitely setting goals for client centered care.
I learned how to assess each client or situation and use that
information to create goals and practices to keep the client and
myself safe.

PROFICIENCY RATING

Good- Understands competency in theory and in scenarios and

nursing. I recognize how important client safety is and how setting
client goals keeps them safe. I have been practicing working through
numerous new case studies, so the practices that I am learning
become an automatic part of my nursing abilities.

WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL/
SIGNIFICANT

Identifying a need and setting a goal based on that need, is certainly

a must in nursing as I can see it being implemented in daily nursing
practice. Client safety is a number one priority and recognizing the
attitudes and goals identified in this area is imperative to meet this
priority.

HOW I WILL APPLY THIS

LEARNING IN NURSING
PRACTICE

Promoting and implementing a culture of safety through safe

competency is the heart of nursing. Every single patient deserves
safe attitudes, goals, practices and values every time. I intend to
practice until this becomes second nature to me. Remembering how
my attitude can affect the goal, quality of care and therefor the
patient outcome, I will provide safe competent care for every patient
every time.

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio NFDN 2003

Major competency area: B Nursing process

IDENTIFY COMPETENCY
NUMBER, LETTER AND
SUBCATEGORY

DESCRIBE ONE

SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY. PROVIDE
AN EXAMPLE

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU

LEARNED AND HOW IT

RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY. EXPLAIN
WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL.

USES THE
PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES TO RATE

THEIR PROFICIENCY IN
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY. EXPLAIN
WHAT WAS DONE TO
ACHIEVE THE
COMPETENCY.

DESCRIBE HOW YOU

WILL APPLY THIS

LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE

Competency: B-2 Assessment

Subsection 6: Demonstrate knowledge and ability to compare actual
outcomes with expected outcomes and review and modify plan of care
based on changing needs.
One significant learning experience in this course relating to the CLPNA
competency was learning how to develop a care plan for a client based on
a nursing diagnosis, including expected outcomes for that diagnosis.
Knowing that the needs of an individual vary, it is imperative that I am
able to review and modify the plan of care as necessary and with
competence. For example, the expected outcome of a patient with a fever
who has received Tylenol would be for thermal regulation to occur. After
administration the nurse needs to assess and review the effectiveness of the
medication. If an unexpected outcome occurs such as anaphylaxis, the
nurse must think quickly of the interventions she must take, other
members of the team she must notify and collaborate with, and finally the
new expected outcome of the patient.
I learned that nurses have to constantly review and modify patients plan
for care as the needs of the patient change. This course gave me the tools
and practice to follow and modify a care pathway to the changing needs of
a client or patient. This is important for patient safety, and is in the best
interest of the patient or client. I found this course helped me put into
perspective a lot of the information from previous classes.
Good: understands competency in theory and in scenarios and nursing
practice. I recognize how important it is to set a pathway and be able to
change it according to the status and needs of the individual in my care.
During labs, the instructors came up with variances in scenarios, resulting
in the need for critical thinking, review and modification of my plan.

Knowing how to modify a plan of care based on changing needs is

essential to nursing. I will use this throughout the rest of my schooling as
well as my career by implementing critical thinking. Critical thinking is a
skill that is developed by constant change and being able to adapt to that
change, evaluate its effectiveness and communicate its progress with the
rest of the care team. I can see that as a new nurse comparing expected
outcomes with actual outcomes will be a great way to become more
proficient in stressful nursing situations, and will help me throughout my
nursing career.

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio NFDN 2004

DESCRIPTION OF ONE
SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE

Competency K-5 subsection 6; Demonstrate ability to recognize

physiological changes such as: diuresis, involution of uterus, lactation,
ovulation/menstruation, vaginal rugae, vital sign changes, diaphoresis,
and weight loss.
The significant learning experience in this course, for me, was
definitely learning how and why the post-partum body changes.
Learning how to identify when there is a problem, and helping the
patient through this process which can be very difficult for them.

WHAT I LEARNED

I learned how to assess a woman post-partum and help her through the
many physiological (as well as emotional) experiences. Many women
are not aware of a lot of the changes that occur post-partum and need
help coping with them and understanding what is going on which can
relieve a lot of anxiety. I know to watch for things such as signs of
hemorrhage, the changes that occur in rugae, the size of the fundus,
and the firmness of the cervix.

PROFICIENCY RATING

Good- Understands competency in theory and in scenarios and

nursing. I recognize how important client safety is, and part of keeping
the patient safe is knowing what is normal and what a sign of trouble
is. I have been practicing working through numerous new case studies,
so the practices that I am learning become an automatic part of my
nursing abilities. I will continue to practice.

WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL/
SIGNIFICANT

Having a good understanding of what happens to the body after

having a baby means having confidence when caring for the patient.
This makes the patient feel more at ease. There is so much going on
for a woman when she has a baby emotionally, physically, and with
family dynamics that she should be able to rely on a nurse who is
competent and safe with her care. It is imperative that a nurse working
with maternity patients is compassionate, knowledgeable, and
competent.

HOW I WILL APPLY THIS

LEARNING IN NURSING
PRACTICE

As with all nursing skills, proficiency comes with time, practice and
good mentoring. I will look to my mentors for feedback. I will
continue to learn, research, and ask questions to make sure I am up to
date with my practice. My patients well-being and safety will always
be my first priority.

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio NFDN 2005

COMPETENCY NUMBER ,
LETTER, AND
SUBCATEGORY .

DESCRIBE ONE

SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU

LEARNED AND HOW IT

RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL .

USE THE
PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES TO RATE
YOUR PROFICIENCY IN
THE CHOSEN CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHAT YOU
DID TO ACHIEVE THE
COMPETENCY .

Competency L-3 Subsection 2; Demonstrate knowledge and ability

to adapt pain management and comfort measures for pediatric
client: Physical, psychological, pharmacological

One significant learning experience I had in this course related to

pain management and comfort measures for the pediatric client is
that children respond well to complementary pain management
when used effectively. In Canada there is research into such
therapies and they have been grouped into five categories;
Biologically based such as foods and special diets, Manipulative
treatments such as chiropractic and massage therapy, Energy based
such as reiki or magnetic treatment, Mind-body techniques such as
mental and spiritual healing, and Alternative medical systems such
as acupuncture and homeopathy. Although I may not agree with all
the methods used, as a health care worker I will keep an open mind
as long as the patient is safe and the treatment is effective.
I learned how to adapt pain management and comfort measures
for children physically by ensuring optimum positioning, timing for
physio therapy or ROM exercises and the technique used for each.
Psychologically by providing distractions, guided imagery and
positive self-talk. Pharmacologically by using non opioids for
moderate to mild pain, opioids for more severe pain, and proper
calculation dosages for body size rather than age. I also learned
how to use techniques such as titration to ensure severe adverse
effects are minimal. This is all very meaningful to know and practice
as children are more vulnerable and nurses working with children
must be competent!
Good: Understands competency in theory and in scenarios and
nursing practice. I have a great knowledge base and understand the
theory. I have also had the opportunity to use the theory in
practice. I feel that there is always room for improvement, even
nurses with years of experience are still learning and improving as
they practice.
To achieve this competency I read through the theory, worked on
case studies, and put into practice with my own five children.

DESCRIBE HOW YOU

WILL APPLY THIS

LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE.

When working with children it is so important to build a trusting

relationship while being able to comfort them on their level. Being
in a health care setting can be very scary for any patient, and more
so for younger ones. I will be using all the things I learned in this
course throughout my nursing practice. I hope to perfect these
skills as I work and be a confident and conscientious nurse for all
ages of patients!

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio NFDN 2006

Competency R1 subsection 5
COMPETENCY NUMBER ,
LETTER, AND
SUBCATEGORY .

DESCRIBE ONE

SIGNIFICANT LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED TO
THE CLPNA
COMPETENCY .
PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU

LEARNED AND HOW IT

RELATES TO THE
COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS
MEANINGFUL .

USE THE
PROFICIENCY
CATEGORIES TO RATE
YOUR PROFICIENCY IN

Demonstrate knowledge of concepts of health promotion,

protection, prevention and health maintenance/restoration in
community health nursing.

One significant learning experience I had in this course was learning

some of the many strategies and resources a nurse can use to
promote health to the client. The client being an individual or a
community.
Reading through the text I found it very interesting how
empowering a client can make them more aware of their health
concerns and make them feel more in control of their health. I feel
this will be a great approach to health promotion, prevention and
maintenance. When a person feels they have some control and are
able to make their own choices, it makes them want to participate.
Empowerment can make the client more aware of their situation and
their abilities, which can influence healthy decisions.
I learned that health involves so much more than just an individual
person. Instead of focusing on healing the disease or the individual,
it is an important role of the health care team to focus on all the
determinants of health to prevent disease, promote health on a more
global level and advocate for the client. The experience I have with
patient care has given me the opportunity to help individuals in their
current situation or health status. I feel that through this course I was
able to expand my knowledge and thinking of what patient care
should look like.
Good: Understands competency in theory and in scenarios and
nursing practice.

THE CHOSEN CLPNA

COMPETENCY .
EXPLAIN WHAT YOU
DID TO ACHIEVE THE
COMPETENCY .

DESCRIBE HOW YOU

WILL APPLY THIS

LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND FUTURE
NURSING PRACTICE.

After reading through the course, I felt the need to know more about
what is going on in my community. I have been searching my local
demographics, and from there have found statistical information on
the health of my area. I live in a mostly rural area, and I was able to
find information on what crops are being grown locally and what
health issues arise during spring preparations and harvest. In order
to be a competent nurse in my community it is important for me to
be aware of the needs and concerns in the community.
I will definitely carry with me the basics of this course through my
nursing career. I find myself paying more attention to the state of
my community, my place of employment and even my childrens
school. I want to be a nurse who values upstream thinking and
utilize it throughout my life time. Because this has made such an
impact on me, I feel as though I will make sure I am staying up to
date on issues, health or otherwise, that impact the general health of
my community. I want to be a good advocate for my patients, my
community and my family.

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio NFDN 2007

Identify:
Competency
Number, Letter,
and Subcategory

Competency M1 Sub section 4

Describe one
significant learning
experience in this
course related to
the CLPNA
competency.
Provide an
example.

One significant experience I learned through psychiatric and

mental health nursing is that mental health is not the opposite of
mental illness. On one continua, there is absence of mental
disorder and at the opposite end is maximum mental disorder.
Occurring separately but simultaneously on another continua is
mental health and minimal mental health.

Describe what you

learned and how it
relates to the
competency.
Explain why it was
meaningful.

Demonstrate knowledge and ability to differentiate between mental

illness and mental wellness.

I learned that mental health is a state of well-being in all aspects

of life. Well-being is a state of life, doing well, being happy. A
mental illness is a disorder characterized by variations in mood,
behaviors and thinking with altered degrees of functioning. This
was meaningful because I feel it is important to understand the
differences in mental health to be an effective and
compassionate nurse. I never previously understood the true
meaning of mental health. I feel that it is imperative that
patients feel understood. In order to be a good mental health
nurse, a good therapeutic relationship must be built.

Use the
Proficiency
Categories to rate
your proficiency in
your chosen CLPNA
competency.
Explain what was
done to achieve
this rating.
Describe how you
will apply this
learning in your
current and future
learning practice.

Good: Understands competency in theory and in scenarios and

nursing practice.
I have spent a lot of time going through the meanings in mental
health nursing. I have gone through numerous case studies
trying to understand and put myself in the different nursing
situations.

I am aware of my own views on mental health nursing. My

feelings, beliefs and perceptions are centered on providing the
best care possible for my patient or client. I will continue to keep
current on best practice guidelines through the many resources
available to nurses such as Alberta health services intranet,
courses and experienced nurses.