Clinical Skills List: Self-assessment Form
Before embarking on any professional or academic activity, it is important to understand the background, knowledge, and experience you bring to it. You might ask yourself, “What do I already know? What do I need to know? And what do I want to know?” This critical self-reflection is especially important for developing clinical skills such as those for advanced practice nursing.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Clinical Skills List and Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form provided in the Learning Resources can be used to celebrate your progress throughout your practicum and identify skills gaps. The list covers all necessary skills you should demonstrate during your practicum experiences. (Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
Just as you have in previous practicum courses, for this Assignment, you assess where you are now in your clinical skill development and make plans for this practicum. Specifically, you will identify strengths and opportunities for improvement regarding the required practicum skills. In this practicum experience, when developing your goals and objectives, be sure to keep assessment and diagnostic reasoning in mind. (Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
TO PREPARE
- Review the resources and clinical skills in the PMHNP Clinical Skills List document. It is recommended that you print out this document to serve as a guide throughout your practicum.
- Review the “Developing SMART Goals” resource on how to develop goals and objectives that follow the SMART framework.
- Review the resources on nursing competencies and nursing theory, and consider how these inform your practice.
- Download the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form to complete this Assignment.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Use the PMHNP Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form to complete the following:
- Rate yourself according to your confidence level performing the skills identified on the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
- Based on your ratings, summarize your strengths and opportunities for improvement.
- Based on your self-assessment and theory of nursing practice, develop 3–4 measurable goals and objectives for this practicum experience. Include them on the designated area of the form.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 1
Submit your completed PMHNP Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK1Assgn2_LastName_Firstinitial
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Rubric
PRAC_6675_Week1_Assignment2_Rubric
PRAC_6675_Week1_Assignment2_Rubric
CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRate yourself according to your confidence level performing the skills identified on the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form.
25 to >22.0 pts
Excellent
The response provides ratings for all skills on the form.
22 to >19.0 pts
Good
The response provides ratings for most of the skills on the form.
19 to >17.0 pts
Fair
The response provides ratings for some of the skills on the form.
17 to >0 pts
Poor
The response provides ratings for only a few skills on the form, or ratings are missing.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBased on your ratings, summarize your strengths and opportunities for improvement.
30 to >26.0 pts
Excellent
The response provides an accurate, clear, and complete summary of both the strengths and opportunities for improvement.
26 to >23.0 pts
Good
The response provides an accurate summary of both the strengths and opportunities for improvement.
23 to >20.0 pts
Fair
The response provides a somewhat vague, inaccurate, or incomplete summary of both the strengths and opportunities for improvement.
20 to >0 pts
Poor
The response provides a vague, inaccurate, or incomplete summary of the strengths and/or opportunities for improvement, or the summaries are missing.
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBased on your self-assessment and theory of nursing practice, develop 3–4 measurable goals and objectives for this practicum experience. Include them on the designated area of the form.
30 to >26.0 pts
Excellent
The response provides 3–4 clear, appropriate, and measurable goals and objectives for the practicum experience.
26 to >23.0 pts
Good
The response provides 3–4 appropriate, measurable goals and objectives for the practicum experience.
23 to >20.0 pts
Fair
The response provides 3–4 unclear or inappropriate goals and objectives for the practicum experience.
20 to >0 pts
Poor
The response provides 3–4 unclear or inappropriate goals and objectives for the practicum experience, or goals and objectives are missing.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling, nor short and lacking substance. Clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided, which delineates all required criteria.
5 to >4.0 pts
Excellent
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity…. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided, which delineates all required criteria.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
4 to >3.5 pts
Good
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time…. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are stated, yet are brief and not descriptive.
3.5 to >3.0 pts
Fair
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time…. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are vague or off topic.
3 to >0 pts
Poor
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity <60% of the time…. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion were provided(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example).
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—English Writing Standards: The assignment follows correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
5 to >4.0 pts
Excellent
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
4 to >3.5 pts
Good
Contains 1-2 grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3.5 to >3.0 pts
Fair
Contains 3-4 grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
3 to >0 pts
Poor
Contains ≥ 5 grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—APA Format: The assignment follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and the reference list.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
5 to >4.0 pts
Excellent
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
4 to >3.5 pts
Good
Contains 1-2 APA format errors.
3.5 to >3.0 pts
Fair
Contains 3-4 APA format errors.
3 to >0 pts
Poor
Contains ≥5 APA format errors.
5 pts
Total Points: 100
Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example
Introduction
Clinical skills are essential for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practice (PMHNP) nurses to understand patients’ conditions effectively and improve care quality. Raynor et al. (2021) observe that PMHNP nurses should undergo clinical skills self-assessment to help evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth based on the required skill set for caring for patients with mental health problems. Thus, the coursework on clinical skills self-assessment provides ample opportunities for students to appropriately assess their strengths and opportunities for growth, including developing SMART goals to be achieved at the end of the course. As a result, the paper will provide self-assessment ratings based on the confidentiality in performing various activities related to PMHNP nurse roles. It will also summarize the PMHNP student’s strengths and opportunities for growth based on the self-assessment ratings. The last part will identify SMART goals the student expects to accomplish at the end of the coursework.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
Summary of Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement
Strengths
I have learned and gained adequate knowledge about the pathophysiology of mental health problems. Through this, I have gained adequate diagnostic skills to rule out differentials and decide on the primary diagnosis(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example). Consequently, I have also mastered the pharmacological management of most mental conditions, enabling me to effectively identify the most suitable clinical guidelines for determining appropriate psychotropic agents for managing the patient’s condition (Standards of Practice for Nurse Practitioners, 2019). Consequently, I have gained knowledge about the role of psychotherapy and the identification of the most appropriate therapeutic intervention for managing different mental disorders. Lastly, I have improved my communication skills and knowledge through interaction with professionals from other disciplines in providing patient-centered care.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
Opportunities
Despite depicting significant strengths in different aspects of PMHNP roles, I need to improve in various areas to improve my clinical skills in managing patients with mental complications. For instance, I still find it quite challenging to interpret patient history, including subjective and objective data, and come up with a definitive diagnosis, given the similarities of most mental conditions like personality disorders. Additionally, I would like to expand my knowledge and skills in monitoring the patient’s outcome and altering the treatment plan appropriately to promote their well-being (International Council of Nurses, 2020). Also, I find challenges in deciding on which therapeutic approach to implementing, especially among patients who can benefit solely from psychotherapeutic approaches, hence not needing psychotropic agents (Shain et al., 2018). Lastly, I need to improve my comprehension of ethical considerations in psychiatry to promote appropriate decision-making and clinical reasoning in an ethical dilemma.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
SMART Goals
- Goal: To be able to take a complete history of 5 patients per day, including lab studies, and interpret them accurately to decide on the primary diagnosis without supervision for the next four weeks (Academic Skills Center Success Strategies, 2017).(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
- Objective: update and maintain patients’ clinical logs for all the patients assigned to me. 6
- Objective: List up to five differential diagnoses for patients before deciding on the definitive diagnosis.
- Objective: Complete soap notes for each patient encountered with appropriate assessment and care plan.
- Goal: To accurately develop an effective patient-centered care plan, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for at least five patients within the next two weeks without supervision (Academic Skills Center Success Strategies, 2017).(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
- Objective: Review several national clinical treatment guidelines for different psychiatric disorders.
- Objective: List different treatment options for different mental disorders, and decide on the most effective option for a given patient.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
- Objective: Identify the factors affecting the treatment choice for patients with different mental disorders.
- Goal: To collaborate with at least two clinicians from different healthcare disciplines to provide patient-centered care within the first two weeks of my practicum without supervision (Academic Skills Center Success Strategies, 2017).
- Objective: Identify a patient with comorbidities requiring different healthcare professionals’ collaboration.
- Objective: Consult with a psychiatrist to facilitate decision-making based on the most effective therapeutic intervention to implement for patients with different mental disorders.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
- Objective: Work with a pharmacist to decide the best psychotropic agent for patients with different mental disorders.
Conclusion
Learning about clinical skills self-assessment enhances the student’s understanding of their strengths and opportunities for growth based on PMHNP nurse roles. The self-assessment ratings suggest that I have mastered and can confidently perform various PMHNP roles, such as independent recognition of the clinical manifestations of a psychiatric illness. I also exhibit various strengths, like gaining adequate mental health problem diagnostic skills, great mastery of the pharmacological management of most mental conditions, improved communication skills, and an adequate understanding of clinical guidelines for managing mental health problems(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example). However, I need to improve my clinical skills for managing complicated mental health conditions, interpreting patients’ histories, and accurately diagnosing mental health problems. I also need to improve my patient monitoring skills, expand my knowledge of ethical diagnosis, and make sound decisions about the type of therapeutic intervention to implement in inpatient treatment. Finally, I aim to effectively complete the history of five patients daily, accurately design an effective patient-centered care plan, and ensure maximum collaboration with at least two clinicians from varying healthcare disciplines to enhance the independent provision of patient-centered care within two weeks of practicum. Henceforth, knowledge gained throughout the coursework will improve my role as a PMHNP in providing patient-centered care to patients with mental problems.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
References
Academic Skills Center Success Strategies. (2017). Developing SMART goals. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=51901492
International Council of Nurses. (2020). International Council of Nurses Guidelines on Advanced Practice Nursing 2020. https://www.icn.ch/system/files/documents/2020-04/ICN_APN %20Report_EN_WEB.pdf
Raynor, P., Eisbach, S., Murillo, C., Polyakova-Norwood, V., & Baliko, B. (2021). Building psychiatric advanced practice student nurse competency to conduct comprehensive diagnostic interviews using two online simulation methods. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(5), 866-874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.06.009
Shain, B., Sherry, A., Advisor, R., Chang, J., Advisor, A., Wang, K.-P., Berland, D., O’keefe, D., & Ferguson, K. (2018). CPT Code Training Module Maintained by the CPT Coding and Reimbursement Committee. https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/clinical_practice_center/business_of_practic e/cpt/2018_CPT_module_revised_March_2018.pdf
Standards of Practice for Nurse Practitioners. (2019). Retrieved December 29, 2019, from https://storage.aanp.org/www/documents/advocacy/position-papers/StandardsOfPractice.pdf 7
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical assessment skills?
Clinical assessment skills refer to the ability of healthcare professionals to systematically gather and analyze information about a patient’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, often through interviews, observations, and diagnostic tests. These skills aid in forming accurate diagnoses, treatment plans, and overall patient care decisions.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
What are considered clinical skills?
Clinical skills refer to the abilities and techniques healthcare professionals employ to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage patients’ medical conditions effectively, often involving tasks such as physical examinations, medical procedures, communication with patients, and interpretation of diagnostic tests. These skills are vital for providing high-quality patient care and ensuring accurate medical decision-making.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
What is self-assessment in nursing?
Self-assessment in nursing refers to the process by which nurses critically reflect on their own skills, knowledge, and performance in order to identify areas for improvement, set goals, and enhance their professional practice. It involves an honest evaluation of one’s strengths and weaknesses to promote ongoing learning and development in the nursing profession.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
What is a self-assessment test?
A self-assessment test is a tool or questionnaire designed for individuals to evaluate their own skills, knowledge, abilities, or personal characteristics in a specific context, often for purposes of reflection, growth, or decision-making. It helps individuals gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.(Clinical Skills List Comprehensive Essay Example)
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