Grand Canyon University Nursing Discussion

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Spending 150 hours in a clinic that primarily cares for HIV positive patients and not being able to perform direct patient care has given me a sufficient understanding for the innerworkings of a position away from my current role as a bedside nurse. Each week I focused on a PHN scope and standard of practice that made it easier to implement my quality improvement project to the clinic. I want to move into public health policy in a way that advocates for the underserved and minority groups suffering from health disparity and inequity. I was received with welcoming words from all of the staff. I created a rapport with my preceptor straight away and was grateful for her guidance as the practicum class progressed. Coordinating my onboarding for this practicum experience was more tedious than any job I have ever had. Making a connection in a world where I had zero network proved to be difficult and disheartening. However, I kept at it and created a professional and positive clinical experience for myself to finish grad school on a high note. I have made connections that might serve me in my future career paths. I came in with a plan and executed it with the help of my preceptor and the medical director of the clinic. Through the clinics medical director, I connected with experts in Partner Services efforts at the department of health. I believe I have left the clinic with an improvement project that will grow and flourish after my time here is over. I also worked a lot with patient outreach inviting clients to come back into care, make appointments for preventative screenings and offer services like vaccines to slow the spread of the current COVID-19 pandemic and new Monkeypox epidemic. Being a nursing student in a new environment is intimidating so my confidence was tested. In summary, I believe I got exactly what I expected and what was expected of me during my clinical hours and in this practicum course. Good luck to all of you as we move onward and upward in healthcare!