Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of NURS 320 the student should be able to:

1. Apply the ANA Code of Ethics to care of families including client rights, dilemmas
between individual rights and the common good, identification of choices and possible
consequences.
2. Reflect on nursing practice in managing care for groups of patients.
3. Seek information to develop plans of nursing care that are family-centered, age- and
culturally-appropriate using evidenced-based clinical guidelines.
4. Apply basic leadership skills in the care of families.
5. Practice as a member of a multi-disciplinary health care team.
6. Recognize benefits and limitations of community and governmental support for family
units and individual members with illness.
7. Deliver Family centered care.
8. Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills in interactions and relationships with
families, individuals, and other members of the health care team with attention to the
identification and correction of non-therapeutic communication techniques.
9. Work with the client to implement plans of care that are based on culturally and age
appropriate assessments and best evidence using information and patient care
technologies that support safe, quality care

9. Work with the client to implement plans of care that are based on culturally and age
appropriate assessments and best evidence using information and patient care technologies
that support safe, quality care

My first client on the labor and delivery floor was a first time mother and her primary
nurse that I was assisting has only worked on the floor for less than 6 months; so all of us
are continuing learners. My client requested to have an epidural, however her OB decided
fentanyl would be more appropriate until there was progress with her dilation and then
afterwards she would consider an epidural. The time period between the wearing off of
the fentanyl and the epidural was very difficult for my client. I assisted her in altering the
room temperature, getting fresh water with ice chips, and adjusting the positions
constantly to make her comfortable. It was tough for me but I cant imagine the pain and
anxiety my client was going through, therefore I remained supportive and positive
because thats what I feel my client needed at the time. My client thanked me for my
kindness when it was time to leave the floor and her family thanked me and wished me
luck for my nursing career. It made me feel good knowing that Im able to learn about
this specialty and be able to connect with the families during times of need.
8. Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills in interactions and relationships with
families, individuals, and other members of the health care team with attention to the
identification and correction of non-therapeutic communication techniques.

My client was a first time mother, therefore she was very anxious and asked multiple
questions about the labor process, the pain, and about my experience and the primary
nurses experience. From what I learned about therapeutic communication, the focus and
attention should be always directed towards the client and so with that in mind I tried to
keep my answers to her questions as broad as possible and redirect the focus on her needs.
My client was in a lot of labor pain and so I used the therapeutic communication skills of
listening, using silence, and acknowledging my patients feelings. I wanted to let her know
that I was there to listen to her feelings about being in pain and explain to her the process
the nurse was going through to get an epidural for my client. I feel that she appreciated
knowing what was going on through all the medical terminology she was hearing while
the primary nurse was speaking on the phone to other members of the team. I learned a lot
during my first clinical day and I am eager to experience more.