Practicum Focus Sheet Assessment 1

Practicum Focus Sheet Assessment 1

Practicum Focus Sheet, Assessment 1 Note: Expect to spend at least 2 hours with the patient, family, or group you’ll be working with during this portion of your practicum, assessing the health problem you’ve defined from a leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy perspective. This includes time you may elect to spend in consultation with subject matter or industry experts. You’ll report on the results of this work as part of your next assessment. For this portion of your practicum, consider the following: · Identify the patient, family, or group you intend to work with. · Think about what you hope to learn. o What’s your rationale for choosing this particular patient, family, or group? · Consider how you’ll present your ideas about the problem to the patient, family, or group and convince them of its significance. · Which leadership, collaboration, communication, and change management skills will you need to apply in order to work successfully with your chosen patient, family, or group? · Which potential barriers do you foresee in presenting the problem to this patient, family, or group? · Which change management strategies might you employ to overcome these barriers? o For example, you might consider creating a sense of urgency supported by data or policy requirements. Assessment 1 Instructions: Assessing the Problem: Leadership, Collaboration, Communication, Change Management, and Policy Considerations · In a 5-7 page written assessment, define the patient, family, or population health problem that will be the focus of your capstone project. Assess the problem from a leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy perspective. Plan to spend approximately 2 direct practicum hours meeting with a patient, family, or group of your choice to explore the problem and, if desired, consulting with subject matter and industry experts. Document the time spent (your practicum hours) with these individuals or group in the Capella Academic Portal Volunteer Experience Form. Introduction Nurses in all professional roles work to effect positive patient outcomes and improve organizational processes. Professional nurses are leaders in problem identification, planning, and strategy implementation—skills that directly affect patient care or organizational effectiveness. Too often, change agents jump to a conclusion that an intervention will promote the envisioned improvement. Instead, the ideal approach is to determine which interventions are appropriate, based on an assessment and review of credible evidence. Interventions could be patient-facing or involve a change in policy and process. In this assessment, you’ll identify and make the case for your practicum focus area, then explore it in depth from a leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy perspective. This assessment lays the foundation for the work that will carry you through your capstone experience and guide the practicum hours needed to complete the work in this course. In addition, it will enable you to do the following: · Develop a problem statement for a patient, family, or population that’s relevant to your practice. · Begin building a body of evidence that will inform your approach to your practicum. · Focus on the influence of leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy on the problem. Preparation In this assessment, you’ll assess the patient, family, or population health problem that will be the focus of your capstone project. Plan to spend approximately 2 hours working with a patient, family, or group of your choice to explore the problem from a leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy perspective. During this time, you may also choose to consult with subject matter and industry experts about the problem (for example, directors of quality or patient safety, nurse managers/directors, physicians, and epidemiologists). To prepare for the assessment, complete the following: · Identify the patient, family, or group you want to work with during your practicum The patient you select can be a friend or a family member. You’ll work with this patient, family, or group throughout your capstone project, focusing on a specific health care problem. · Begin surveying the scholarly and professional literature to establish your evidence and research base, inform your assessment, and meet scholarly expectations for supporting evidence. In addition, you may wish to complete the following: · Review the assessment instructions and scoring guide to ensure that you understand the work you’ll be asked to complete and how it will be assessed. · Review the Practicum Focus Sheet: Assessment 1 [PDF], which provides guidance for conducting this portion of your practicum. Note: As you revise your writing, check out the resources listed on the Writing Center’s Writing Support Instructions Complete this assessment in two parts. Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions. Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing. Additional Requirements · Format: Format your paper using APA style. APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] is provided to help you in writing and formatting your paper. Be sure to include: 14. A title page and reference page. An abstract is not required. 14. Appropriate section headings. · Length: Your paper should be approximately 5–7 pages in length, not including the reference page. · Supporting evidence: Cite at least five sources of scholarly or professional evidence that support your central ideas. Resources should be no more than five years old. Provide in-text citations and references in APA format. · Proofreading: Proofread your paper, before you submit it, to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on its substance. Competencies Measured By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria: · Competency 1: Lead people and processes to improve patient, systems, and population outcomes. 18. Define a patient, family, or population health problem that’s relevant to personal and professional practice. · Competency 2: Make clinical and operational decisions based upon the best available evidence. 19. Analyze evidence from peer-reviewed literature and professional sources that describes and guides nursing actions related to a defined patient, family, or population problem. · Competency 5: Analyze the impact of health policy on quality and cost of care. 20. Explain how state board nursing practice standards and/or organizational or governmental policies could affect a defined patient, family, or population problem. · Competency 7: Implement patient-centered care to improve quality of care and the patient experience. 21. Propose leadership strategies to improve outcomes, patient-centered care, and the patient experience related to a defined patient, family, or population problem and document the practicum hours spent with these individuals or group in the Capella Academic Portal Volunteer Experience Form. · Competency 8: Integrate professional standards and values into practice. 22. Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions. 22. Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.

Paper For Above instruction

The implementation of effective healthcare leadership and policy strategies is critical in addressing complex health issues within patient populations. This paper aims to define a specific health problem relevant to nursing practice—namely, the rising prevalence of unmanaged hypertension in underserved populations—and assess it through the lenses of leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy. The objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding that will guide practical interventions during the practicum and beyond, ultimately improving patient outcomes and healthcare quality.

Identification and justification of the health problem

Hypertension remains one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally, with a disproportionate burden falling on underserved populations due to socioeconomic barriers, limited health literacy, and reduced access to healthcare services (Benjamin et al., 2018). The problem is particularly salient within urban low-income communities where cultural, economic, and systemic barriers hinder optimal management of blood pressure. The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in these communities is significantly higher compared to more affluent populations, contributing to increased risks of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).

Assessment from leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy perspectives

From a leadership standpoint, effective intervention requires nurse leaders and healthcare professionals to champion evidence-based strategies and foster a culture of proactive health management. Collaborative efforts are crucial, involving interdisciplinary teams that include primary care providers, community health workers, social services, and policy makers, to ensure a coordinated approach tailored to the community’s specific needs (Walsh et al., 2017). Communication strategies must be culturally sensitive and health-literacy appropriate, utilizing language and mediums that resonate with the underserved population, for example, community outreach programs, mobile health applications, and multilingual educational materials (Baker et al., 2019).

Change management is vital in implementing sustainable solutions. Strategies such as creating a sense of urgency supported by local health data, engaging community leaders, and establishing measurable goals for blood pressure control are essential components. Addressing barriers like mistrust of the healthcare system, language differences, and economic constraints requires tailored approaches, including community health ambassador programs, flexible clinic hours, and transportation assistance (Liu et al., 2020).

Policy considerations are equally critical. Policies that expand Medicaid, improve access to affordable medications, and incentivize primary care engagement are instrumental in reducing hypertension disparities (Kane & Pitts, 2019). State and federal policies that support community-based interventions demonstrate promising outcomes in managing hypertension effectively (Chung et al., 2018). Nurses play a pivotal role in influencing policy through advocacy, research, and exemplary practice, serving as integral agents of change in the health system (Nelson et al., 2016).

Evidence and research base for nursing actions

The literature overwhelmingly supports comprehensive community interventions that combine screening, education, and access to treatment as effective in managing hypertension among underserved groups (Whelton et al., 2018). Strategies such as nurse-led hypertension clinics, home blood pressure monitoring programs, and targeted educational campaigns have demonstrated significant improvements in blood pressure control, patient adherence, and health outcomes (Florence et al., 2020). Barriers to implementing these evidence-based practices include resource limitations, patient mistrust, and inconsistent follow-up, which necessitate adaptive solutions and persistent engagement (Muntner et al., 2019).

Nursing’s role in policy making, understanding standards, and influencing legislation

Nurses serve as key stakeholders in shaping health policies, leveraging their frontline insights to advocate for changes that facilitate better health outcomes. Current nursing standards emphasize patient-centered, culturally appropriate care, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge gaps between policy and practice (American Nurses Association, 2015). Evidence suggests that nurse-led advocacy can effectively influence legislation aimed at addressing social determinants of health and reducing disparities (Hodson et al., 2018). The theoretical framework of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory provides a basis for empowering patients to manage their health confidently, thereby aligning psychological, social, and biological needs within policy initiatives (Orem, 2001).

Impact of health policies at state and federal levels

State and federal policies, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid expansion, and programs like the Million Hearts Initiative, have substantially contributed to increased access to preventive services, medication coverage, and public health campaigns that target hypertension (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2019). However, disparities persist, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid or have limited funding for community health programs (Graham et al., 2021). Nurses, in their roles as advocates and clinicians, must stay informed about policy developments and work to influence policymakers through professional organizations and community engagement (Buerhaus et al., 2017).

Leadership strategies to improve outcomes and patient-centered care

Effective leadership in addressing hypertension in underserved populations involves not only clinical expertise but also strategic planning, resource allocation, and fostering interprofessional collaboration. Strategies include deploying nurse champions in community settings, utilizing data analytics for targeted interventions, and establishing accountability systems to track progress (Sharma et al., 2020). The incorporation of patient-centered care principles ensures that interventions are tailored to individual preferences, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic contexts, which enhances adherence and satisfaction (Epstein & Street, 2017). Moreover, engaging patients in shared decision-making and providing culturally competent education are vital components of an effective leadership framework (Makary et al., 2018).

Communication, change management, and collaboration strategies

Communication strategies must be culturally sensitive, linguistically appropriate, and accessible, employing community health workers, digital platforms, and social media to disseminate vital information (Baker et al., 2019). Change management requires setting clear, measurable goals coupled with stakeholder engagement and continuous feedback loops to adapt strategies accordingly (Hiatt, 2019). Collaboration across disciplines—integrating primary care, public health, social services, and community organizations—is essential to create sustainable change. Utilizing models like Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model can aid in systematically guiding implementation efforts and overcoming resistance (Kotter, 2012).

Conclusion

Addressing uncontrolled hypertension in underserved populations requires a multifaceted approach rooted in effective leadership, interprofessional collaboration, culturally sensitive communication, strategic change management, and supportive policies. Nurses are pivotal in leading these efforts, advocating for evidence-based interventions, influencing policy, and fostering community engagement. By applying these principles during the practicum and beyond, nursing professionals can significantly impact health disparities and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

References

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