PRAC6665 – Assignment 2: Clinical Skills Self-Assessment

Please review the complete instructions and use the attached template to complete the assignment.

Assignment 2: Clinical Skills Self-Assessment

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.

The PMHNP Clinical Skills List and PMHNP 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 skills list covers all necessary skills you should demonstrate during your practicum experiences.

To Prepare

· Download the PMHNP Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form to complete this Assignment. (See attached Word Document)

· For this Assignment (just as you did in PRAC 6645), 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. As you complete your self-assessment this week, you may wish to look back over your self-assessments from prior practicums to reflect on your growth. The assessment should look better and show progress from previous course and the goals need to be different.

Please review the Clinical Skill Self-Assessment done for previous course.

(Attached PDF document- WK1Assgn2_Cordova Lopez_A).

Instructions

Use the PMHNP Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form (attached Word document) to complete the following:

· Rate yourself according to your confidence level performing the skills identified in the Clinical Skills Self-Assessment Form. 

 

· Based on your ratings, summarize your strengths and opportunities for improvement.   

·

Based on your self-assessment and theory of nursing practice, develop three to four (3–4) measurable goals and objectives for this practicum experience. Include them on the designated area of the form.

PRAC 6665/6675 Clinical Skills 

Self-Assessment Form

Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve

Confident (Can complete independently)

Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision)

Beginning (Have performed with supervision or needs supervision to feel confident)

New (Have never performed or does not apply)

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in:

Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness across the lifespan

Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions

Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies)

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history

Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data

Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes

Pharmacotherapeutic skills in:

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for medication plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management)

Evaluating patient response and modify plan as necessary

Documenting (e.g., adverse reaction, the patient response, changes to the plan of care)

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of therapeutic modalities across the lifespan

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management, modality appropriate for situation)

Applies age appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals and/or any caregivers

Develop an age appropriate individualized plan of care

Provide psychoeducation to individuals and/or any caregivers

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

Self-assessment skill:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

Practices within scope of practice

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s), interpreting results, and making recommendations and referrals:

Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

Develops an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments response

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

Summary of strengths:

Opportunities for growth:

Now, write three to four (3–4) possible goals and objectives for this practicum experience. Ensure that they follow the SMART Strategy, as described in the Learning Resources.

1. Goal: a. Objective: b. Objective: c. Objective: 2. Goal: a. Objective: b. Objective: c. Objective: 3. Goal: a. Objective: b. Objective: c. Objective: 4. Goal: a. Objective: b. Objective: c. Objective:

Signature:

Date:

Course/Section:

Assignment 2: Clinical Skills Self-Assessment

Ariel Cordova Lopez

Walden University

PRAC 6645: Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities Practicum

Dr. Suhad Sadik

June 4, 2022

PMHNP PRAC 6645 Clinical Skills

Self-Assessment Form

Desired Clinical Skills

for Students to Achieve

Confident

(Can complete

independently)

Mostly

confident (Can

complete with

supervision)

Beginning

(Have

performed with

supervision or

need

supervision to

feel confident)

New (Have

never

performed or

does not apply)

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in:

Recognizing clinical

signs and symptoms of

psychiatric illness across

the lifespan

Mostly

confident

Differentiating between

pathophysiological and

psychopathological

conditions

Mostly

confident

Performing and

interpreting a

comprehensive and/or

interval history and

physical examination

(including laboratory and

diagnostic studies)

Mostly

confident

Performing and

interpreting a mental

status examination

Mostly

confident

Performing and

interpreting a

psychosocial assessment

and family psychiatric

history

Beginning

Performing and

interpreting a functional

assessment (activities of

daily living,

occupational, social,

leisure, educational).

Mostly

confident

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and

prioritizing a differential

diagnoses list

Confident

Formulating diagnoses

according to DSM 5

Confident

based on assessment

data

Differentiating between

normal/abnormal age-

related physiological and

psychological

symptoms/changes

Confident

Pharmacotherapeutic skills in:

Selecting

appropriate

evidence based clinical

practice guidelines for

medication plan (e.g.,

risk/benefit, patient

preference,

developmental

considerations, financial,

the process of informed

consent, symptom

management)

Mostly

confident

Evaluating patient

response and modify plan

as

necessary

Mostly

confident

Documenting (e.g.,

adverse reaction, the

patient response, changes

to the plan of care)

Mostly

confident

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of

therapeutic modalities

across the lifespan

Mostly

confident

Selecting appropriate

evidence based clinical

practice guidelines for

psychotherapeutic plan

(e.g., risk/benefit, patient

preference,

developmental

considerations, financial,

the process of informed

consent, symptom

management, modality

appropriate for situation)

Beginning

Applies age appropriate

psychotherapeutic

counseling

techniques

Confident

with individuals,

families,

and/or groups

Develop an age

appropriate

individualized plan of

care

Mostly

confident

Provide psychoeducation

to individuals, family,

and/or groups

Mostly

confident

Promote health and

disease prevention

techniques

Confident

Self-Assessment skills:

Develop SMART goals

for practicum

experiences

Confident

Evaluating outcomes of

practicum goals and

modify plan as

necessary

Confident

Documenting and

reflecting on learning

experiences

Confident

Professional skills:

Maintains professional

boundaries and

therapeutic relationship

with clients and staff

Confident

Collaborate with multi-

disciplinary teams to

improve clinical

practice

in mental health settings

Confident

Identifies ethical and

legal dilemmas with

possible resolutions

Confident

Demonstrates non-

judgmental practice

approach and empathy

Mostly

confident

Practices within scope of

practice

Confident

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s), interpreting results, and

making recommendations and referrals:

Demonstrates selecting

the correct screening

instrument appropriate

for the clinical situation

Mostly

confident

Implements the screening

instrument efficiently

and effectively with the

clients

Mostly

confident

Interprets results for

screening instruments

accurately

Mostly

confident

Develops an appropriate

plan of care based upon

screening instruments

response

Confident

Identifies the need to

refer to another specialty

provider

when applicable

Confident

Accurately documents

recommendations for

psychiatric consultations

when applicable

Confident

Summary of strengths:

There are many strengths that I can implement a PMHNP. One of my skills is communication

that is needed for team management. Effective communication is important since it builds

teamwork and empathy that is needed for sharing information when interacting with patients.

Information sharing is the basis of improving patient care and overall safety. I need to have

proper communication skills that will help in effective communication that will help avoid

potential medical errors. Possessing appropriate communication skills creates positive

relationship between patients, their families and the caregivers. Patients need to understand that

the caregiver is focused on addressing their prevailing health problem, through educating the

patient, and promoting trust between the patient and the caregiver. Possessing strong

communication skills has been an important strength that will help in patient education, discuss

the prevailing health problem, and help in development of treatment plans that best addresses the

health challenge of the patient. As a caregiver, I need to clearly communicate with the patient’s

family about the treatment plans and how they should best offer care to them (Demir & Ercan,

2018).

On the other hand, identification of signs and symptoms that characterize a clinical problem is

important for offering quality care. Having undergone different practicum experience

assessments, I have gained a vast knowledge in assessing patients with mental health problems.

One of the best ways of detecting symptoms of a mental health issue is to establish whether a

patient has a mental health issue to evaluate if they are withdrawn from their normal activities.

This is important because it helps in recommendation of the right course treatment (Van et al.,

2018). It is important to maintain a professional relationship during a therapeutic process to avoid

development of any emotions that may distract the treatment plan.

Finally, I also hold important competencies in ensuring the legal guidelines that guide a

therapeutic relationship is key to achievement of the end goal. Adhering to the professional code

of ethics is instrumental in creating a therapeutic relationship that will promote the best patient

outcomes. Ensuring the patient gets the best course of treatment is one of my practice goals

irrespective of their gender race or socioeconomic status. Moreover, treating the patient with

dignity is one of my values in my clinical practice and will ensure the patients get the best

treatment and quality care for all.

Opportunities for growth:

Meeting patient needs is an instrumental requirement for healthcare professionals. The areas that

I need to improve is how to create a learning relationship that fosters the ability to conduct an

assessment and interpret the results. When conducting a psychological assessment, it is important

to have appropriate analysis so that it becomes easier to recommend the right course of treatment.

Also, conducting a background assessment of the patient is important because it aids in accurate

diagnosis (Van et al., 2018).

Another opportunity for growth as a nurse practitioner is conducting an interview without

offending a patient. Effective therapeutic relationship is based on concise and clear

communication that helps in unmasking the problem and understanding the potential problem

that is leading to the problem. Such competencies could help develop appropriate therapy and

plan of care that addresses the problem based on the specific symptoms.

Membership to professional nursing associations is another opportunity that would help in

improving my competencies as a nurse. Organization like American Nursing Association creates

a network of professionals and avail resources that would help in professional growth and

practice experience that is needed for effective dispensation of nursing duties. A nursing

professional will interact with professionals with varied experiences and avail resources that

promotes overall career growth (Haddad & Geiger, 2018).

I also need to work various organizations such as rehabilitation centers because they provide

excellent volunteering opportunities to work with patients with different mental problems, which

will help build my professional experience. Understanding different mental health problems is a

springboard to skills development and at the same time help patients that cannot afford mental

health treatments since they are expensive.

Finally, I need to understand the role of modern technology in the creation of effective

therapeutic relationship. Technology also plays a central role in clinical research, which is also an

important aspect of clinical practice and effective patient care. This is also important in utilization

of evidence-based practice and dynamics in mental healthcare.

Goals and Objectives:

1. Goal: Promote communication between caregiver and patient for effective therapeutic

relationship.

a. Objective: use available tools to foster communication with the patient.

b. Objective: Enhance communication between patient and their families.

c. Objective: Promote a relationship of trust with patients through communication.

2. Goal: Ensure adherence to ethical standards of nursing

practice.

a. Objective: Ensure patients are addressed with dignity to promote information sharing.

b. Objective: Respect cultural values and beliefs and avoid any form of bias in clinical

practice.

c. Objective: Apply provisions of ethical standards in providing patient care.

3. Goal: Acquire skills that promotes an effective psychotherapeutic

a. Objective: develop clinical assessment skills to identify the right condition.

b. Objective: Learn different approaches of conducting a psychological assessment.

c. Objective: Interpret assessment results and offer appropriate diagnosis based on

symptoms.

Signature:

Date: June 4, 2022

Course/Section: PRAC 6645: Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities Practicum

References

Demir, S., & Ercan, F. (2018). The first clinical practice experiences of psychiatric nursing

students: A phenomenological study. Nurse Education Today, 61, 146-152.

Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2018). Nursing ethical considerations.

Van Leeuwen, E., Petrovic, M., van Driel, M. L., De Sutter, A. I., Vander Stichele, R., Declercq,

T., & Christiaens, T. (2018). Withdrawal versus continuation of long‐term antipsychotic

drug use for behavioural and psychological symptoms in older people with

dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).