Running head: EXEMPLAR IX Page 1

e-Portfolio – Essential IX: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

Angèle C. Wright

Frostburg State University

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e-Portfolio – Essential IX: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

Essential IX outlines the importance of integrating compassion and empathy into an

evidence-based clinical nursing practice in order to effectively serve patients and their families

throughout the age continuum in a variety of healthcare settings (AACN, p. 31). The

baccalaureate trained nurse must use every weapon within his or her arsenal of skills to provide

appropriate and safe care, advocacy, and health promoting education to the members of society

placed in his or her charge; especially to those who are vulnerable, suffer from a chronic illness

or disability, or part of the growing older adult population. In addition, the baccalaureate trained

nurse must be well versed in the different cultures and religions, and must be able to infuse it

into his or her clinical practice in order to accurately and effectually treat patients; regardless of

the patient’s gender, sexual orientation, race and creed, religious or ethnic background.

Exemplar

The Comprehensive Health Assessment allows the nursing student to conduct an

inclusive health assessment that outlines the chosen patient’s history; thereby allowing the

patient and the nurse to collectively gather the patient’s spiritual, physical, medical/surgical, and

nutritional, ethic, and family backgrounds in a systematic manner. The nursing student can then

use the information gleaned as a foundation to develop a nursing care plan that will effectively

maximize the patient’s potential for positive outcomes. This exhaustive process will also

encourage the nursing student to not only to see their patient as an individual, but urge the

nursing student to provide the kind of holistic and comprehensive care that is hallmark to the

nursing profession.

Reflection
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The comprehensive health assessment assignment provides the nursing student with a

practical illustration of Essential IX and demonstrates the importance of conducting a thorough

and global health assessment when assuming care of a patient. The comprehensive health

assessment gives the nursing student a better understanding of the patient’s wishes by allowing

the patient and his or her family to effectively communicate the patient’s history and concerns to

the nurse. With this clarification, the nursing student is able to deliver compassionate care that

accurately addresses the patient’s needs in a manner that is engaging and empowering to both the

patient and their family. This aspect is especially important when caring for a patient who may

suffer from a chronic ailment and has to be an active participant in their care plans or someone

whose spiritual beliefs may oppose certain protocols that are typically used to achieve positive

outcomes. It is imperative that baccalaureate trained nurse understand every aspect of their

patient, so they can effectively, respectfully, and holistically treat the individual; not just the

disease process or complaint.

The comprehensive health assessment can also expose the baccalaureate trained nurse to

complementary and alternative treatments that may bring the patient just as much comfort as a

traditional intervention. These revelations not only allows the baccalaureate trained nurse to

focus his or her attention on the patient’s needs; but can also identify any hidden or unknown

biases that the nurse may unwittingly hold. As the nurse gains a better understanding of diverse

customs and practices, he or she is able to appropriately and quickly incorporate them into his or

her clinical practice when necessary; which will allow them to plan and implement appropriate

interventions within an environment that is safe and conducive to healing for the patient.
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References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008, October 20). The essentials of

baccalaureate education. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-

resources/BaccEssentials08.pdf.

Estes, M.E. (2014). Health assessment and physical examination. (5th Ed.). Clifton Park, NY:

Delmar