Sacred Heart University Nursing Program

NU 330: Family and Child Health Nursing

Journal Assignment Linking Clinical Objectives to the QSEN Competencies:

Throughout the Family and Child Health Nursing clinical rotation, students will be evaluated on their ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide safe family centered care that is informed by the QSEN Competencies. The competencies outlined below will provide the framework for weekly journal entries that will be submitted to the student’s clinical instructor. Students and clinical instructors can determine if entries are submitted electronically or recorded in a hand- written journal. The clinical faculty member will review weekly journal content and provide feedback to further assist the student in meeting clinical objectives and to promote awareness of the QSEN competencies.

When the clinical experience is completed, the student will submit a written assignment to the course instructor for evaluation. The student will describe clinical exemplars of the care they provided and how their care was achieved each of the QSEN competencies described below.

This typed paper will be 3-5 pages in length and will include at least three outside references, along with textbook or journal articles used in class. This is a reflective paper, and the use of “I” statements is expected as you describe how your actions met the competencies outlined below. As you write, think about how you might suggest changes in how you would function as a newly graduated RN! This assessment is used to provide 10% of the students’ course grade. APA format and clear writing style are expected.

These clinical objectives outline knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are specifically outlined in the “Quality and Safety Education for Nurses” (QSEN) Core Competencies. For more information, students are encouraged to visit http://www.qsen.org/competencies.php and

1. Identify gaps between local and best practice. ~QSEN Quality Improvement Competency

2. Seek information about quality improvement projects in the care setting. ~QSEN Quality Improvement Competency

3. Initiate effective treatments to relieve pain and suffering in light of patient values, preferences, and expressed needs. ~ QSEN Patient Centered Care (PCC) Competency

4. Engage patients or designated surrogates in active partnerships that promote health, safety and well-being, and self-care management. ~ QSEN Patient Centered Care (PCC) Competency

5. Communicate care provided and needed at each transition in care. ~ QSEN PCC & Teamwork & Collaboration Competencies 6. Follow communication practices that minimize risks associated with handoffs among providers and across transitions in care. ~ QSEN Teamwork & Collaboration Competency

7. Locate evidence reports related to clinical practice topics and guidelines. ~ QSEN Evidence Based Practice (EBP)

8. Demonstrate effective use of technology and standardized practices that support safety and quality. ~ QSEN Safety Competency

9. Demonstrate effective use of strategies to reduce risk of harm to self or others. ~QSEN Safety Competency

10. Navigate the electronic health record. ~ QSEN Informatics Competency