This paper evaluates the author's nursing practicum experience implementing the Planetree Human Interaction Initiative in a long-term care unit. The practicum provided opportunities to develop skills in project management, leadership, and teaching. It helped the author gain experience applying evidence-based practices and strategies to address staff concerns about the initiative. Overall, the practicum contributed significantly to the author's learning and professional development as a clinical nurse educator.

1. Running head: PRACTICUM EVALUATION PAPER 1
Practicum Evaluation Paper
Lydia Veluz Reyes
University of Phoenix
NUR/590B
April 21, 2014
Ruth Grendell, DNSc, RN

2. PRACTICUM EVALUATION PAPER 2
Practicum Evaluation Paper
The overview of my practicum is about the Planetree Human Interaction Initiative in the
long term care unit of the Sharp Coronado Hospital. Human interaction is basic to
patient/resident-centered care because it is all about human beings caring for human beings. The
key elements are compassion, caring, and empathy with bottom-line objective of looking at
patient/resident’s perspective when care is delivered. The purpose of this practicum is to provide
this writer the experience of a nurse educator under the guidance of a mentor in the clinical
setting, confidently transform the staff of long term care (LTC) unit competent and
knowledgeable, and prepare me to transition into the role of a clinical nurse educator. This paper
will discuss the effectiveness of the practicum project. It will analyze the learning experience and
how it applies to the MSN program student learning outcomes. It will further discuss how the
practicum experience contributed to the development of professional nursing career.
Effectiveness of Practicum Project
When I started the practicum course NUR/590AB I felt not as primed as I would expect
to be. It gave me apprehensions whether I would be able to analyze the issues, concerns, and
challenges I would come across. Would I be able to come up with strategies and utilize these
strategies effectively? The guidance of my mentor, who has expert skills in coaching,
counselling, facilitating, assessing and giving countless feedbacks, provided enormous support in
defining my role and value in the program. She gave constructive and honest feedbacks and
debriefs good and bad experiences. She is a go-to person and resource, building me confidence,
and shared learning as well as learning from each other.
The practicum experience gave me the opportunity to do literature search and gain
immediate benefits from application of evidence-based practices to help me strategize my

3. PRACTICUM EVALUATION PAPER 3
learning objectives. According to Sprague (2013), practicum course help students gain skills in
analysis, research, and enhancement of professional skills in project management. It is through
this practicum experience that provided me structured learning and enabled development of
competent practice. It taught me to make good judgments and remain accountable for the
decisions. It is truly a tremendous experience to learn reflective journaling giving me the chance
to turn-me-on to learning and asks questions like what, why, and what’s next. It helped me
develop my own work skills in teaching and explaining.
Analysis of Learning Experience and Application of the MSN Program Learning Outcomes
Development of an appropriate educational curriculum to improve and enhance the
patient/resident-centered care as well as improve health outcomes in the LTC unit was the
learning objective chosen. This was a perfect learning experience in relation to my MSN degree
program. The practicum gave me insight on how to have a sense of ownership in the learning
process by utilizing strategies based on literature search for best practices on issues of
patient/resident-centered care. I was able to identify challenges and concerns like anxiety,
competence, and resistance by staff regarding the initiative. It paved the way to recognize and
identify strategies to establish an effective approach to minimize resistance to change and re-
educate the staff regarding Planetree Human Interaction. I took on a role as a leader by initiating
a work group that would help brainstorm for strategies and best approaches, teambuilding and
independent learning skills. I learned to search on theories for change and apply them to my
leadership skills through hands-on experience in a positive attitude learning environment.
Ethics will always be an essential element in learning and teaching. My beliefs and moral
values facilitate my awareness of my environment and interest among others. It guides me in the
assessment of my social obligations and responsibility as a nurse and educator in the

4. PRACTICUM EVALUATION PAPER 4
organization where I work. It taught me to contemplate on my personal growth to assist in the
ability to take control because my thoughts and actions will play a major role in determining
what my action plan will be. I gained knowledge in recognizing my strengths and weaknesses
with a sense of ownership.
Contribution to Development of Professional Nursing Career
The practicum paved the way in developing my professional nursing career. This is
evident in my recognition of sensitivity to others, looking at another person’s perspective, beliefs
and culture. It provided an opportunity to dig deeper into my area of interest and be proactive on
issues regarding patient-centered care delivery in this increasingly complex world. It helped me
recognize my comfort level when moral issues are encountered and how to create and device
learning within myself and others. The practicum provided me the knowledge to exhibit skills in
designing tools for evaluation in my clinical practice. I gained further knowledge in assessment
of not only the residents and families but also my peers and colleagues using the nursing process,
critical thinking skills and identifying what actions are needed to acknowledge the issues. It
encouraged me to join professional organizations that advocate for quality patient care and
continuous quality improvement in the health care delivery. I am a member of the American
Nurses Association and was invited to join the Sigma Theta Tau International via the Omicron
Delta Nursing Honor Society.
Critical reflection is also another element I learned from this practicum experience. I
learned that I always need to include compassion in caring and engage others in inquiring,
critiquing, challenging, questioning and evaluating to accomplish objectives in any given
endeavor. It taught me to organize and focus on areas that I am currently studying and develop
professional commitment.

5. PRACTICUM EVALUATION PAPER 5
Documentation to Support Learning Experience
According to Randolph (no date), students must engage in learning in order to promote
their development as human beings. She refers to this belief by concluding educators must
ensure their students not only learn the contents of the course, but be aware of the world around
them, distinguishing their strengths and weaknesses to understand the world and their
environment. With this in mind, I reflect on the Planetree Human Interaction Initiative to be an
essential element in understanding patient/resident-centered care - looking inside their hearts and
putting one’s self in their shoes to deliver the utmost care any health care provider can offer.
Conclusion
The practicum experience not only benefitted me as a student educator but also the
employees of the LTC unit and the organization I work with as well. It provided a way for Sharp
Coronado Hospital to address the LTC unit need and become part of the Planetree subgroup,
contribute strategic approaches and program for implementation. Undertaking this practicum
project afforded me the chance to expand my professional leadership, communication, and
critical reflection and judgment skills. As a final point, I appreciate how immense this practicum
has contributed to my experience as a master degree student. It gave me an unlimited opportunity
to position myself in every aspect as a learning encounter. I choose to continue reflective
judgments to whatever endeavor I pursue to help me develop as a compassionate and caring
human being.

6. PRACTICUM EVALUATION PAPER 6
References
Hiemstra, R. (2001). Promoting journal writing in adult education.
Retrieved fromhttp://www-distance.syr.edu/journal1.html
Randolph, A. (no date). Advanced practicum: final paper. Western Illinois University
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School of Education Indiana University Purdue University. (2011). Practicum and
portfolio preparation guidelines. Retrieved from
https://www.ipfw.edu/dotAsset/db07d626-d029-487e-a257-11d50e983f18.pdf
Sprague, M. (2013). The immediate and long-term impact of practicum experiences on
students. Journal of Public Affairs Education. Retrieved from
https://sites.stanford.edu/public-policy-
practicum/sites/default/files/The%20Impact%20of%20Practicum%20Experiences%20on
%20Students.080413.pdf
VanDenBerg, G. (2012). Practicum final paper. Ferris State University. Retrieved from
http://gingervandenberg.weebly.com/uploads/5/9/0/4/5904487/practicum_final_paper.pdf